A justice minister in Canada has called for the authorities to speed up the immigration process to allow a Russian family currently stranded in Bermuda, permission to return to Nova Scotia.

The family decided to settle in the province in July 2004 after sailing the world for 14 years. But because of legal requirements the family had to leave Canada in order to make an official application for residency from another country.

Vitaly and Marina Bondarenko and their two children Ivan and Vasily sailed their 37-foot yacht to Bermuda so that the Canadian immigration process could begin.

The family has anchored near St. George?s and has been allowed an exceptional five-month window to stay on Bermuda while they get their paperwork sorted out to allow them to return to Canada as legal immigrants.

Now the Nova Scotia justice minister Michael Baker has called on the Canadian Government in to speed up the process and is reported to have said it is unfair that federal officers have not, so far, travelled to Bermuda to process the family?s paperwork.

According to an overseas news report, Mr. Baker has said: ?I?m getting calls from the community literally weekly now from people who want to see the Bondarenkos return both for personal and business reasons.

?It?s a terrible tragedy and something should be done to facilitate the Bondarenkos returning to Nova Scotia.?

However, the intervention of the justice minister has come under fire from Kevin Deveaux, the Canadian New Democrats? justice critic, who believes Mr. Baker is ?walking a very fine line? by getting involved in a specific case.

The Russian family arrived at St. George?s in June this year and, due to their exceptional circumstances, have been given a five-month entitlement to remain on the Island.

Chief Immigration Officer Martin Brewer confirmed to that this is still the arrangement.