Posted on 06/27/2002 5:49:26 AM PDT by Lorenb420
Arriving members of the Rolling Stones and their 175-person entourage could face lengthy delays at Pearson airport when a new immigration law takes affect at midnight tonight, a Toronto lawyer says.
Some band and entourage members were slated to begin arriving here as early as tomorrow to conduct advance work for their coming world tour. Sources said the band may postpone arrival dates to avoid delays and the uncertainty of the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
"It is pretty sad when a big group like this has to adjust their travel plans," said lawyer Ben Trister, who handles many foreign celebrities performing in Toronto. "They may have to put off their travel plans."
Trister, chairman of the immigration section of the Canadian Bar Association, said under the old law information about the band members and their entourage were filed on one application form that was faxed to immigration authorities for approval before the band arrived.
Under the new law, he said all 175 band personnel will have to complete individual applications, which have to be processed by officials upon arrival at Pearson.
"We are expecting incredibly long delays," Trister said. "Each application form has to be judged separately."
Immigration officials said Keith Richards and Sir Mick Jagger have drug convictions and may require new application forms for ministers' permits. Trister said he's providing advice to the Stones' U.S. lawyer about the new act.
Montreal immigration lawyer Richard Kurland said the rock 'n' roll band and their entourage "could end up sitting at the airport for an entire day. People can expect pandemonium at the Canadian borders on Friday."
Immigration spokesman Susan Scarlett disagreed, saying Canada welcomes foreign performing artists.
"Immigration is committed to facilitating genuine foreign performing artists who wish to perform in Canada," she said.
Scarlett said under the new law, groups of less than 15 foreign performing artists who do not need validation from Human Resources Canada will no longer require work permits and will be able to enter as visitors.
"It is the status quo for larger groups like the Rolling Stones, which are HRDC-validation exempt and didn't -- and still don't -- need work permits," she said.
Maybe they'll get discouraged and leave? I can always hope :)
If we get lucky you'll keep 'em! :-)
Let 'em get in line with the rest of us. Everyone elses application is judged separately. What, they want to go through as one big group..."Hey mate, I'm with the Stones, I'll just pass on through with the rest of the crew if ya don't mind. My names right there on that fax ya 'av. It's all quite proper now."
I was thinking of the rappers, but I wouldn't shead any tears if the Stones left too :)
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