With regard to flexibility, the Mississauga office normally cannot deny a sponsorship. If the sponsorship is not possible as a result of the low income threshold, that case must be referred to an overseas office for review of all the facts pertaining to the case. The question is not to have a sponsorship approved by referring to others because our sponsorship regulations are clear with regard to who can sign a sponsorship application.
The Mississauga office will say whether applicants do not meet requirements and will request that the case be reviewed outside Canada. In that instance, we'll consider the situation as a whole before making a decision. Will that person be allowed in as an independent because he or she cannot meet sponsorship requirements? We'll look at that on a case-by-case basis.