Canada's Newest Asylum Seekers Flee "Star-Whackers"

They're not from a boat loaded with refugees. No, they're from Hollywood.

Meet Canada'a newest asylum seekers, Randy Quaid and his wife Evi:

In a rambling presentation at an immigration hearing, Evi Quaid said eight of her husband's acting friends had been murdered in recent years and they feared he would be next...

Their attorney, Brian Tsuji, later read a note from the couple to reporters. "Yes, we are seeking asylum from Hollywood star whackers."

This is kind of sad because some of the "murders" the Quaids claim occurred include Heath Ledger (who actually died of an accidental drug overdose) and David Carradine (committed suicide).

The Quaids' saga is notable, as it might illustrate one of those rare marriages where each partner's issues feeds back on the other's, reinforcing both in turn. Could this be what leads to odd behaviour such as squatting in their old home which they previously sold?

Needless to say, the likelihood of the Quaids receiving asylum is low. They don't claim they are being persecuted by any government and unless they have amazingly good evidence of this conspiracy of "star whackers," there really isn't any apparent danger that would give Canada grounds to grant asylum.

For a brief overview of the actual requirements governing Canadian refugee claims, see Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Refugee claims in Canada—Who can apply

You may find the following definitions useful as you learn more about refugee claims in Canada.

Convention Refugee

Convention refugees are people who are outside their home country or the country where they normally live, and who are unwilling to return because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on:

• race
• religion
• political opinion
• nationality or
• membership in a particular social group, such as women or people of a particular sexual orientation.

Person in need of protection

A person in need of protection is a person in Canada whose removal to their home country or country where they normally live would subject them personally to:

• a danger of torture;
• a risk to their life; or
• a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.

- Christopher Bird, Toronto

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