Ottawa, Canada: Indian-origin entrepreneur Maulik Pandya recently posted on LinkedIn about the reasons he and his family decided to leave Canada, sparking widespread discussion about bureaucratic hurdles in the country.
Pandya, who founded the AI-driven food technology company ‘Eatance’, shared an emotional account of leaving Canada, a place he and his family had long considered home.
Expressing his frustration with the systemic obstacles, Pandya wrote, "Many countries offer a single-window system for startups and businesses. In Canada, we encountered delays and obstacles. It felt like our innocent children were caught in the crossfire. This has been our lived reality."
He emphasised that the choice to leave was difficult and emotional. "We are dissolving the beautiful nest we built together as a family of four, with two amazing daughters," he added.
In his post, Pandya detailed the challenges he faced while navigating Canada’s complicated procedures. Referring to his application to Canada’s Startup Visa Program, he mentioned submitting it on Aug. 4, 2021, but noted, "Early guidance indicated weeks to a few months. Instead, the process dragged on endlessly."
He further claimed that the "official processing times now exceed ten years, with constantly shifting targets, making planning impossible."
Despite repeatedly seeking clarity from his legal team and the Member of Parliament’s office, Pandya said no resolution came. Announcing his departure, he stated, "Our decision is simple. We are asking for nothing more. We are closing this chapter for the sake of our children and our peace of mind."
The decision followed repeated unresponsiveness and back-and-forth delays from multiple offices, even as the Pandya family continued paying taxes, creating employment, and contributing to Canada’s economy.
The LinkedIn post attracted widespread support. One user described the situation as "heartbreaking," while another commented, "What you’ve described reads like textbook racial battle fatigue caused by systemic racism. Wishing you well."
Several users encouraged Pandya to return to India. One suggested, "I hope you come back to India. Take the lessons you’ve learned and channel them into building your next venture here."
