Ontario brick manufacturer hits a wall at Immigration Canada

A $2-million brick-making machine has sat unused in an Ontario factory for nearly two years because the company that owns it says the only technician who can help set it up is being blocked from entering Canada.

Next Brick, a decorative brick manufacturer near Brockville, Ont., says the new machine from China is world-class and could double the factory’s output. But to use it, a specially trained Chinese technician from the company that made the machine needs to visit and calibrate the equipment.

The technician has twice applied for a visa to enter Canada but the federal immigration ministry has rejected him each time. The technician is losing interest in reapplying, while the brick factory is stuck with a machine it still can’t use.

“We’re not asking any unreasonable things,” said Next