A couple gets married to show to the community their commitment to each other. Usually they live together sharing their lives together. If Neil wanted to join in marriage with a woman from a distant government, he like other Canadians, do not have a choice to see if she first qualifies to move to Canada. In order to start the imigration process, he needs to marry her first, apply second. The Government denied him the first time, he apealed and a second time got denied.
I am sorry to disagree, in my eyes, a real marriage is one where both parties will be giving an opprotunity to be with each other. Even with one party in jail, serving prison time, a end date is realised. For Neil, he does not know if ever he can bring her to his homeland. He does have a life established in Canada, and he has a child living here as well.
I am sure that Neil, and Martin, as well as myself, whishes we could have had at least a 6 month( I think 1 year better) fiance visa for our wifes first before needing a commitment. The Canadian Government would have better information on the seriousness of the realtionship. But instead, we need to roll the dice.
Words like flushing down the toliet, giving up, not sticking in does not have the realisation what 3 years of doubt, hope, and frustration entails.
I support you Neil and say I am sorry for your misfortunes.