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CBC
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Moving to Canada no easy road for these people fleeing Trump's America for political reasons
Robert Apgar-Taylor vividly remembers the day he and his husband, Robert Taylor, crossed the border into Canada, fleeing the changing political climate in their native United States in hopes of a safer life in Canada. "We took a picture at the border. It was winter," said Apgar-Taylor. "We wore our plaid shirts and hats, and showed our immigration papers with the moving truck behind us. We were so excited." To avoid confusion, this story refers to Apbar-Taylor's husband as Rob. The couple made their move to Canada in December 2022. Apgar-Taylor, a former reverend at the United Church of Christ, had just been appointed to a United Church of Canada parish in London, Ont. "When Trump was first elected [in 2016], we thought about leaving, but we thought we were overreacting and things couldn't get that bad," he said. "But things turned out to be just as bad as we imagined." Since Trump began his first term in 2017, the couple watched with anguish and became increasingly uncomfortable with the changing political climate in their country. First, there was the removal of a page dedicated to the 2SLGBTQ+ community from the White House website, just hours after Trump's inauguration in 2017. In 2020, there was the violent repression of anti-racism protesters with rubber bullets and tear gas outside the president's residence. The attack on the U.S. Capitol came a year later. "I couldn't believe that the Constitution and the safeguards of civil society were being dismantled and that people were blindly following [Donald Trump]," recalls Rob, a Washington, D.C., police officer at the time. As an openly gay pastor, Apgar-Taylor said he received a death threat while working in Maryland. But the final blow for the couple came in 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed the right to abortion nationwide. "Fifteen seconds after hearing the news, Rob looked at me and said, 'That's enough. We have to go,'" Apgar-Taylor recalled. Dozens of requests about resettling The two aren't the only ones who've looked to move to Canada since Trump's arrival in politics. In the two weeks following Trump's re-election in November, the couple received about 30 messages from Americans asking how to settle north of the border. The United Church of Canada, for its part, reports it has been contacted by about 20 American clergy members interested in obtaining positions in Canada since January. Previously, it received only three to five such requests annually. A few kilometres from the parish where Apgar-Taylor now works, another American oversees Sunday mass: Rev. Joshua Lawrence at First-St. Andrew's United Church, also in London. The civil rights activist from Texas moved to the southwestern Ontario city with his wife, Amariee Collins — who is of African American descent — and their young son four years ago. They made the move to escape what the pastor sees as an increase in racism and intolerance since the rise of the Trump-popularized Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. "There have been acts of violence," Lawrence said. "Black churches have been burned in the South. The issues of slavery, the emergence of the Ku Klux Klan ... white terrorism. All of these things have begun to resurface in other forms." The reverend, who believed he was ministering in a progressive parish, quickly saw new tensions surface within his own congregation. He said he received an email suggesting that his wife leave the parish. Then, he was shown the door because his values were deemed too liberal. He added that in his former parish, openly displaying his support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and the fight against racism, as he does now in Canada, would have been risky. "I often wondered if I could do it without risking threats or the church being attacked," he lamented. Because the open carrying of firearms in public places such as churches can be done legally in Texas, Lawrence became worried about the potential for violence. "We packed our things and left, perhaps faster than necessary, but we were scared and didn't know what might happen." Becoming Canadian not so simple While Apgar-Taylor and Lawrence are now enjoying their new Canadian refuge with their families, the challenge of obtaining Canadian permanent residency is far from over. Both men have work visas linked to the United Church of Canada. They expected to obtain permanent residency after six months to two years in Canada, but Ottawa's recent lowering of permanent immigration thresholds thwarted their plans. For example, Apgar-Taylor and Rob still haven't been able to become homeowners because until they obtain permanent residency, they will have to pay a 25 per cent foreign buyers' tax in Ontario. The situation forced Apgar-Taylor to postpone his prostate cancer surgery for three months, when the couple had to urgently move out of their rented apartment. "I couldn't have surgery and move at the same time," he said. "I was devastated." As for his husband, he had to give up his career in law enforcement and now works nights in a warehouse. Lawrence and his wife are often forced to live far apart since the trained midwife and ultrasound technician still hasn't been able to get the qualifications to work in her field in Ontario. She spends several weeks a month in the United States so she can earn a living. "There were times when we wondered if we had made the right decision," said Lawrence. In an emailed statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stated that immigration processing times "depend on various factors, including immigration targets, file complexity, security checks and the timeliness of applicants responding to requests for information." 'The door is closed' Immigration lawyer Greg Willoughby has heard similar stories from U.S.-born clients who face barriers trying to immigrate to Canada. From his small office in downtown London, he regularly gets calls from Americans, including parents of transgender children, who seek to escape the U.S. administration's policies. "When Trump was first elected, I received calls from people asking if there were specific immigration options for Americans, and the answer is 'no,'" said Willoughby. He pointed out that Americans must qualify through a points system set up by Ottawa to assess them as potential immigration candidates. "If you're not a young person in your 20s or 30s with a degree from a Canadian college or university and a few years of work experience in Canada, you won't be able to get enough points." He noted a growing number of Americans are turning to humanitarian and compassionate applications, though their chances of success are slim. "It's not the Vietnam War anymore, and we no longer welcome draft dodgers. It's the same for transgender people. The door is closed." 'A recovering American' Despite the obstacles, Apgar-Taylor, Rob and Lawrence remain hopeful of their future in Canada. "My name is Rob, and I'm a recovering American," is how Apgar-Taylor sometimes likes to open his sermons. In the basement of their home, the reverend and his husband contemplate the photos of their children and grandchildren in a family tree painted on the wall. "We miss them every day," said Robert. Both feel that returning to the United States is not an option for them. The year Apgar-Taylor and Rob moved to London, two of their friends were assaulted back home in separate attacks because of their sexual and gender identities.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
HS2 tenants reveal ongoing problems over rent and repairs
When Rob Taylor first moved into his HS2-owned barn conversion in the Warwickshire hamlet of Gilson, it was his "little piece of heaven".Ten years later, the area is surrounded by the High Speed Two works, with road closures, dust and noise now part and parcel of everyday the surroundings, he has had two large rent increases in quick succession - £250 a month last year and £400 a month this year. "It's crazy, I don't know who could afford it", My Taylor said it carries out rent reviews in line with tenancy agreements, and that several properties, including Gilson, were historically let below market value to account for their proximity to major construction activity. But the heating engineer said he cannot see how Carter Jonas, the company that manages the properties on behalf of HS2, can justify the rise."We're in the middle of a 360 building site and it gets more and more intense." He also accuses the company of failing to address several maintenance issues, including his garden decking which he says still hasn't been replaced three years after it was removed."It doesn't matter how much I complain, nothing happens."He added it was sad to see the house "rolling into poor condition", with threadbare carpets, loose brickwork on an external wall and leaks all being ignored. HS2 bought up hundreds of homes along the high-speed rail route, letting out those it didn't demolish and said it had to balance tenant circumstances with its responsibility to deliver value for public Taylor is among a number of tenants in Gilson who have contacted the local MP, Rachel Taylor, who represents North Warwickshire and has written a letter to HS2 demanding answers, and also raised it in a meeting with them recently."There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to how they can put the rent up by so much and not carry out essential repairs', she a statement, HS2 said they were increasing the rent in line with market conditions but she argued there should be an element of compensation for people living with the High Speed Two works on their is also critical of Carter Jonas and the way it has treated people and said it was "failing" in its role as managing agent. At the Grade II listed house Richard Sorensen rents from HS2 in Blithbury, Staffordshire, he said there is an endless list of has lived there with his family for four years, and said they were drawn to the property because of the views over the valley. "It is absolutely beautiful living here".But he claims the house doesn't have a "functioning heating system" so they are freezing in the winter. This is a point HS2 denies and it said measures, such as installing loft insulation, had been taken to mitigate heat loss have also had leaks from the roof and through the walls, with water coming into the bedroom which HS2 said they repaired. HS2 told the BBC Carter Jonas had attended to repairs throughout the Sorensen said, "I think they treat tenants disgustingly, they seem to regard us a lower form of life."He said even an improvement notice by Lichfield District Council, which found extreme cold in the property, had been has threatened legal action against Carter Jonas but he said as crown tenants they had limited legal February this year the company applied for listed building consent to carry out some work and issued him with a notice to quit on the basis that the work couldn't be carried out with them living believes it's a revenge eviction and said it had been extremely stressful."They seem to be happy to let the building fall apart for four years and the moment we threaten legal action they evict us."Despite all the issues with the property, they love the house and he said "the thing that upsets us the most is the thought that it's going to be left to rot".In response HS2 said: "We are satisfied that Carter Jonas is managing the property professionally and appropriately and have recently obtained listed building consent to commence more significant works."
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Yahoo
'As we laid a pennant by his headstone, we reflected on how thankful we should be'
Four men from Bolton on a cycle challenge have reflected on "how thankful we should be" for those who laid down their lives in the First World War. Colin Higham, Kevan Ball and Rob Taylor are in the middle of cycling 634 miles along the Western Front Way this month, with Russell Jones providing support. The trail follows the historic frontline of the First World War, from the French-Swiss border to the beaches of Belgium. The quartet reflected during a poignant moment, stood by the grave of Richard Nelson in the middle of rural France, hundreds of miles away from his home on Lee Lane, Horwich. They said: "We thought this challenge was one of the hardest things we would have ever done, but then we met an English lady in our hostel who was walking from Canterbury to Rome, which put our task into perspective. The lads at the grave of Richard Nelson (Image: Submitted) "Then we thought no matter how tough either challenge was, they pale in comparison to what those lads faced along this front in the First World War. "On Monday we all stood together in a graveyard in the middle of rural France next to the remains of a lad who lives in a butcher's shop at 201 Lee Lane, Horwich, a shop we have all walked past hundreds of times. Read more: Bolton schoolfriends' epic journey to pay tribute to those who died in the Great War Read more: 'Successful' charity music festival set to return to Bolton Read more: Free cat welfare clinic to take place at shopping centre "As we laid a Rivington and Blackrod School pennant by his headstone, we reflected on just how thankful we should be for the lives we now lead." The grave of Richard Nelson (Image: Submitted) The quartet are also raising money for three charities - the Royal British Legion, Children in Need and St Ann's Hospice. To donate, click here: As of Friday, June 16, they have completed 566 miles of the journey and have raised £2,455. For more information on the Western Front Way, visit the Western Front Association's website: The quartet, who will all turn 65 this year, met when they were schoolboys at Rivington and Blackrod School, and will visit the graves of 16 of the 24 young men from their old school who died during the war. Colin Higham was struck by the idea after reading The Path of Peace: Walking the Western Front Way by Anthony Seldon.
CTV News
30-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
‘Best thing we ever did': Moncton businesses host Wildcats watch parties
The Avenir Centre in Moncton, N.B., is pictured on May 30, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Derek Haggett) It's win or go home for the Moncton Wildcats in Rimouski Friday night and, back home, there's still plenty of excitement. Moncton faces the London Knights in the Memorial Cup semi-final. The winner will advance to Sunday's final against the Medicine Hat Tigers. Watch parties at bars and restaurants are taking place all over the region. Five Bridges owner Rob Taylor started the tradition in Riverview two years ago by showing Wildcats' road playoff games on their screens. This year, they have a special room for Wildcats fans. 'We get 30, 40 people for them. The games room is set up. It's perfect for it. We've put a big focus on it. We've done some renovations over the last six months and it's the best thing we ever did,' said Taylor. Rob Taylor Rob Taylor is pictured at Five Bridges in Riverview, N.B., on May 30, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Derek Haggett) It's great for business at the Sports Rock in Dieppe too. Manager Jamie Jenereaux said when the weather is warm, it can be a bit slow. 'When it's nice outside this time of year, sun's out, people barbecuing, so it can be a little bit mellow, but as soon as the game starts they're all rushing in,' said Jenereaux. A packed bar means a great atmosphere. 'When they're winning, it's great. When they're not winning, it's still a good atmosphere but you know it's a nail bitter,' said Jenereaux. Frank LeBlanc and Jamie Jenereaux Sports Rock Owner Frank LeBlanc and manager Jamie Jenereaux are pictured at the Dieppe, N.B., location on May 30, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Derek Haggett) If the Wildcats do beat London Friday night and advance to Sunday's Memorial Cup final, fans will get to see them on the big screen next to the Avenir Centre. Downtown Place will host a viewing party with a beer garden, DJ, and food trucks. No matter what happens this weekend the City of Moncton is planning a parade for Monday to celebrate the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Championship and a wildly successful year. The victory parade will be held at 6 p.m. on Main Street. It will start at City Hall and make its way to the Avenir Centre. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
BBC News
07-02-2025
- BBC News
Malvern appeal after woman hit by car is seriously injured
An 86-year-old man has been arrested and a woman in her 60s has suffered potentially life-threatening injuries after she was hit by a car in pedestrian, who had head and leg injuries which were also potentially life-changing, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after she was struck in Graham Road, police Mercia Police said the man had been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and for being unfit to drive due to has been released under investigation, a spokesman for the force said. Appealing for witnesses, police said the woman was hit shortly after 19:00 GMT at traffic lights outside the Great Malvern Rob Taylor said: "Our thoughts are with the injured woman."We are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who saw a blue Renault in the area before the incident."We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of another vehicle who is believed to have used their horn, shortly before the collision occurred." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
