Yes, I agree. It seems to me we need to do everything we can to facilitate reunification of spouses in Canada. Notwithstanding the direction, there still will be discretion. I've seen the discretion exercised in very different ways by different officers. Some are very generous. Some might have a stricter interpretation. Obviously, that will result in spouses being separated from their family members, which is not acceptable at any time, but during a time of COVID, when people need the emotional support because we're so isolated, it's really completely unacceptable.
I would agree with you that the memo was a good first step, but it's not enough. We need to suspend any barriers to allowing spouses to be reunited with their Canadian permanent residents or citizens or refugees who are in Canada.