Half of the foreign delegates to the G-6B people's summit could be denied entry to Canada, the event's organizer fears.
Lynne Foster said 10 of 47 delegates from Africa and the Indian subcontinent have already been banned from Canada due to problems obtaining entry visas.
Ten delegates have been granted visas, but Foster says it's "50-50" whether the remaining 27 foreign delegates will be allowed into the country.
"We've had some problems with delegates," Foster said Monday. "They were not able to get visas to come to Canada.
"We're very disappointed that some voices will not be heard."
The G-6B conference is meant to be a forum for the six billion people on Earth who are not invited to the G-8 summit in Kananaskis.
The event is scheduled to run at the University of Calgary just before the June 26 and 27 G-8 meeting and will feature debate on a plethora of social justice issues.
Foster said she learned last week that six delegates from Nigeria -- all part of the group African Non-Violent Movement for Social Change -- were refused entry visas into Canada.
Four other delegates from Pakistan were also banned.
Susan Scarlett, a spokeswoman for the federal Department of Immigration in Ottawa, said privacy concerns prevent her from discussing why the foreign delegates have been refused entry.
Scarlett said applications are processed on a case-by-case basis. There are many reasons why an application would be rejected, including the presence of a criminal record and concern the applicant might use the visa as a springboard to flee and take up illegal residence in Canada.
Problems can also occur if an application is late arriving.
"So very often, what happens is difficulties arise when people apply last minute," Scarlett said. "To (process applications) last minute makes it very awkward."
G-6B organizers have invited delegates from a host of foreign nations, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Togo, Sierra Leone, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Latvia.
Foster says she's received indications that none of the delegates from Pakistan will be allowed to enter Canada.
"As for the others, I really don't know," Foster said. "It's 50-50."
There are 67 guest speakers invited to attend the G-6B, many of whom are from poverty stricken regions of Africa.
"We're hoping our speakers won't have difficulties (entering the country), but there's no guarantee," Foster said.
Mike O'Shaughnessy, spokesman for the G-8 summit management office in Ottawa, declined to comment on the visa problems facing G-6B delegates.
Foster said time is running out for the remaining 27 foreign delegates awaiting word on their applications.
"You can't make your flight reservations until you get your visa, and we've got less than three weeks (until the G-6B)," Foster said.
The U of C has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs to assure officials the G-6B is a legitimate conference taking place on campus.
Bill Warden, G-8 director for the University of Calgary, said he hopes the remaining delegates have no problem obtaining visas.
"We'd just think it was unfortunate if a large number (of delegates) are turned down," he said.
As for Foster, she admitted her current frustration level "is pretty high."
And while she vowed to hold a successful conference with or without a large number of foreign participants, Foster lamented that valuable voices will be lost if more delegates' visas are rejected.
"We're still optimistic to have a successful conference with the people who still can make it," Foster said. "(However) the voices . . . for Africa and other non-G-8 countries will be muted."
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