THE Clarkes are a family. Two-year-old Nathan, a Hong Kong Chinese baby, has been legally adopted and has adjusted to life with his 41-year-old Canadian adoptive parents David and Norrie, married 16 years and unable to have children of their own.
But the Clarkes, who came here from Toronto in 1990, want to return there one day. And when they do, Nathan will no longer officially be part of their family.
When his adoption won court approval, Mr Clarke went to the Canadian Commission to complete Nathan's citizenship application. But it was rejected, because he was adopted and not the Clarke's child by blood.
Nathan now holds a British National (Overseas) passport. But to obtain the citizenship his parents believe is his right - and which would be his right if they had given birth to him - he must live for nine months in Canada.
Canada's Citizenship Act (1986) grants citizenship through birth (in Canada and overseas) or naturalisation in Canada. Canadians resident here cannot apply for Canadian citizenship for an adopted child.
The Clarkes must apply a year in advance for Nathan's entry visa to Canada - restricting their ability to return together at short notice and possibly breaking up their family while it is sorted out.
The problem the Clarkes face is one of many confronted by parents adopting outside their home country, or from a country other than their own. Theirs is a bureaucratic one. But for some, the consequences are tragic.
