'I will not let you guys down,' Machel Rayner vows, as permanent residency reinstated

Machel Rayner is spending this Christmas with his younger brother in Newfoundlandafter all, and says he no longer has to worry about his future in Canada.

"I am excited," the Jamaican-born personal trainer toldCBC News on Friday. "I am happy that I can continue to do what I came here to do:start over and rebuild."

Rayner, 31, who is originally from Jamaica, said he was notified Wednesday his travel documents would be returned. And on Friday, he was told his permanent residency was in the mail.

Earlier this month, CBC reported that Rayner feared having to leave hisadopted country of Canada, after he broke a rule he says he didn't know existed.

In September, hehad received confirmation of his permanent residency in Newfoundland and Labrador, the province he has called home for eight years. However, there was one more thing he had to do.

Rayner needed to find a good-paying job, one that could support him, his two younger siblings and his mother back in his home country of Jamaica.

But one false move temporarily relocating to Halifax for work put him at odds with the rules of the Newfoundland and Labrador government immigration program, which insisted that he stay put inside the province. The expulsion threw his life, and the lives of his family, into flux.

Raynerthought he would need to leave behind younger brother Shaquille, 23, who is studying to be an electrical technicianat the College of the North Atlantic St. John's campus.

But after the Dec. 6 story, Raynerbegan receiving support from all over Canada, particularly in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Rayner said thedecision to return his residency camebecause of the continued support following the CBC story and because "it was a simple mistake."

"It wasn't anything bad, it was a simple misunderstanding on my part about this decision."

Back in Jamaica, Rayner'smother Linda said herprayers have paid off, he said.

"She saidGod has come through," Rayner said.

• 'Newfoundlanders are God's gift,' says Jamaican-born trainer after outpouring of support

Originally from Trenchtown, Jamaica, Raynerwas part of a nominee program that the Newfoundland and Labrador government runs to increase immigration and fill labour shortages.

After losing part of his salary at his personal training job in St. John's because of the elimination of a fitness program, Rayner said he decided to seek employment temporarily in Halifax.

'Will continue to work hard'

That mistake left him with a couple of options, including an appeals hearing that could have resulted in him being banned from the country for up to five years.

However, he said, the hearing has now been cancelled and Rayner is able to continue his life in Canada.

"Yes, I will be staying here," Raynersaid when asked if he would stay in Newfoundlandafter being granted residency. He hopes to obtain his Canadian citizenship.

"It's an incredible feeling to know Canadians stand by immigrants this muchand without themthis wouldn't have been possible."

Rayner creditedthe Newfoundland and Labrador government,andsupporters across the country.

"I will not let you guys down and will continue to work hard and contribute to this beautiful province and to be a Newfoundlander."

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