Alina Balaican

Alina Balaican is a young Romanian woman who was the focus of controversy in Canada in 2004.

Most press reports said that Balaican had come to Canada through a "skilled worker" program. In 2004 Canada accepted over 100,000 workers under the skilled workers program. Over 600 of those skilled workers were allowed to come to Canada because Canada had a need for exotic dancers. 550 of those dancers were from Romania.

Some press reports said Balaican was a failed refugee claimant.

Balainca and her husband were volunteers on the re-election campaign of Judy Sgro, the Minister of Immigration. The Minister's office issued a "Minister's permit", an exemption that allowed Balaican to stay in Canada. Balainca said that neither she or her husband had spoken with the Minister, that there was no quid pro quo.

Sgro, the Minister, had to step down from the Cabinet while an inquiry determined whether she had been involved in a conflict of interest. The Minister was cleared.

External links

* [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20041123/STRIPPER23/National/Idx Romanian strippers find Canada ideal gig] , Globe and Mail, November 23, 2004
* [http://www.northpeel.com/br/editorial/column/story/2373220p-2746855c.html Immigration has plenty of problems] , Brampton Guardian, November 24, 2004