help Nir become a Canadian!

Nir Haramati, a hugely important member of our Queen/Ossington community — enthusiastic supporter of local music and arts, pillar of the west end bar scene, and community dinner party host and guest extraordinaire, is currently in a tough situation. As a non-citizen of Canada, who has lived here studying and working remotely, his time to legally stay in this country has run out. He cannot, for overwhelmingly evident personal and political reasons, return to his birth country in the Middle East. In order to stay in Toronto — his home — he needs to achieve Canadian citizenship. The best available route for that right now is to apply for the OINP Masters Graduate stream program in Canada. This is a lengthy and costly process, which also involves not being able to earn money while he awaits a temporary Canadian work permit. On top of this are legal fees, application fees, tuition, and living expenses. All of which add up to at least $50,000.

I've started this GoFundMe page to support Nir through this process, not least because in the many years we have been friends, he has always been the first to donate his time, energy, and money in service of others in the community. Whether it's donating to the food bank or a charity race, enthusiastically supporting local artists, patronising small independent businesses, treating friends to lavish meals, or being the dinner guest who brings the nicest bottle of wine to the table, and stays until the last dish is washed afterwards, Nir's commitment to community and generosity as a way of life is outstanding. Let's help him in his time of need, as he's helped so many others over the years.