Canadian immigration officers need more discretion to allow people to remain in the country, a London MP says.

New Democrat Irene Mathyssen is pushing for changes to the country’s immigration policy after a London family — Mohamed Walji, his wife Shyroz and their disabled adult daughter Qyzra — were found shot to death in a ­murder-suicide in their apartment on Richmond St.

The family had tried but failed to get permanent status in Canada since arriving as visitors from Tanzania 15 years ago.

Immigration Canada last year issued them a “removal order,” meaning they could have been deported at any time.

“It’s terrible to me the family was sitting on the brink of deportation. Our country has to be more flexible,” said Matthysen, the ­London-Fanshawe MP.

“We have to be a country that looks at human beings and looks at family situations . . . this is not about sticking to the hard (and) fast rules, but applying compassion and humility.”

Police are still investigating the deaths.

Some advocates for the Waljis have called for an inquest to look into their immigration and financial woes and other circumstances they lived with that may have contributed to stress.

Mohamed Walji had met with the MP for the riding in which they lived, Conservative Susan Truppe, at least twice about his family’s situation.

Truppe, in an e-mail to The Free Press, had said her staff were working on the case, but she declined to say more, citing privacy concerns.

Immigration officials similarly declined comment.

Matthysen said she called immigration experts and critics Monday.

“This has to come up on the floor of the House (of Commons) — not to lay blame or point fingers, but to respond to a terrible tragedy,” she said.

The Waljis came to Canada for the sake of Qyzra, who had cerebral palsy. They said she faced discrimination back home and would be restricted from quality education and health care. Qyzra — who could not speak, but used a communication device — graduated from Oakridge secondary school in June.

She was confined to a wheelchair. Friends were raising money for a new one when the family died.

Matthysen speculated medical needs were a factor in the family’s inability to obtain permanent residency in Canada.

In Canada, the family never had medical benefits.

jennifer.obrien@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/obrienatlfpress

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MEMORIALS

A vigil will start Tuesday, 7 p.m., in front of King’s University College, held by social justice students.

Some students live in the same building where the Waljis lived, and some volunteered with the disabled daughter, Qyzra.

“There are so many intersections with this story that touch on issues (students) are passionate about,” said teacher Allyson Larkin.

Another memorial is planned Sunday at Siloam United Church in London.