Hello everyone.
I will be using Google translator from French, so my apologies in advance for any errors in form ... But I invite you to read fully, this is very important.
. Thank you.
Introduction:
Si vis pacem, para bellum. (Proverb in Latin, meaning: If you want peace, prepare for war).
Context:
As everyone knows, integration in Canada is not something that is easy, and has its share of difficulties ... You have to double your efforts when you are not native here to succeed, even more when you have names or first names with connotations of certain geographical origins… In short, I did not come here to complain or to recite complaints to you.
It is normal and even rewarding to fight to study, work, and advance the country that welcomes us.
It is even more normal to be enthusiastic and proud to submit your application for Canadian citizenship to fully understand your integration into Canadian society.
It is with this legitimate perspective that I directly, just a few days after fulfilling the minimum attendance requirement, submitted an application to integrate Canadian nationality. I sent the paper application envelope in 2019.
My test was scheduled and scheduled for April, I received my summons ... But canceled at the last moment for reasons everyone knows (Covid 19).
… It goes without saying that my disappointment is enormous, and that I share the frustrations, the fears and the sorrows of several people who comment in this forum.
Like everyone else who is in the same boat here, I try to inform myself in this forum, on the official website of IRCC, the official twitter, and elsewhere ... While waiting with great impatience for the treatments and tests resume… It seems that nothing more can be done for the moment…
Current Status of IRCC Citizenship Applications:
According to the official IRCC website https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/coronavirus-covid19/citoyennete.html, All citizenship-related events without arrest until further notice. Only the ceremonies have resumed in virtual form. Even this recovery will never equal the pace (in number) of traditional ceremonies, or even face-to-face by adopting adequate social distancing measures. In short, it's window dressing, everything is stopped.
IRCC continues to accept paper requests, but no longer processes them. The demands are piling up, so do the delays.
Check out this topic for more details on the number (The estimate of the numbers is a few months old, so it's worse now, and it's getting worse by the day)
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/210-930-citizenship-grant-applications-pending-including-42-000-awaiting-citizenship-ceremony-and-87-000-awaiting-citizenship-test-as-of-may-2020.694245/
Those who were fortunate enough to take their exams before operations were shut down are saved, and can see the end of the tunnel, because they know that virtual citizenship ceremonies are effective and ongoing, even though the pace has slowed down. numbers… On the other hand, people like me who saw their test appointment canceled at the last moment, or even worse, those who have just sent their paper request or are about to send it soon, do not see the end of the tunnel and will remain in the domain of the unknown.
The few rare indications of IRCC virtual tests remain vague and evasive (on Twitter in particular, nothing official), and also difficult to achieve (issues of the possibility of cheating candidates, which may be comprehensive and legitimate from their point of view) .
I think we should be rather pessimistic, if we want to remain realistic and not lie to ourselves: This blockage is left to last for years if we do nothing: The last letter to federal employees of IRCC dated July 31st confirms this (remote work will be prioritized, see the link here: https://www.cic.gc.ca/emp/msg/20200731-eng.asp), not to mention the fact that the union of federal employees is very powerful, and will continue to put pressure so that there is no normal resumption of activities, or even with physical distancing, as long as the Covid case is not fully resolved (so it takes years, even if we is optimistic, the time to find a vaccine, produce it, and its distribution).
Even an online pilot test program, if we assume that it will see the light of day, will not solve the problem ... If the main provinces of Canada establish deconfinement plans, we should ideally campaign for a set of solution, online testing will only be a part. They can also be combined with face-to-face tests in gymnasiums or parks or large spaces, for example, with respect for sanitary distance rules, compulsory masks, hand sanitizer, reduced number, etc. Better than nothing or fair the tests.
In short, I was content with my frustration in my corner like most of you, browsing the internet in a frenzy in search of something new, a hypothetical and improbable good news ... Until I watch the news from Radio Canada in French, last Saturday, August 08, 2020. I saw a capsule that made me decide to launch this topic here.
Awareness: Example and concrete case of the mobilization of spouses' sponsors:
Let’s start with a very popular French proverb: “The right is snatched, not given. ‘’.
Don't be fooled: Life is not a Telletubbies world where everyone is nice and everyone helps everyone and is compassionate, but a world built on power struggles, pressure, lobbying, etc. . If you keep quiet, you will be left behind, or even ignored.
Getting back to our topic: As you know, the Covid situation affects several categories of people in relation to immigration. Like people like us awaiting testing or processing, people awaiting permanent residence, others awaiting sponsorship, etc.
People who are concerned by the spousal sponsorship program, who already have extremely long deadlines outside covid, years, have seen their applications blocked, and therefore the deadlines extended even more than usual ... fact ? … They held simultaneous protests in front of several IRCC offices across the country, in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Edmonton.
The written press talked about it, and above all, as I explained above, the first French-language public channel made a video capsule on the subject, which is here:
The result ?
IRCC was compelled to react, and to respond to requests from Radio Canada journalists, and said this:
"In response to the protests, the IRCC said it is continuing to accept and process applications and will" find an innovative and compassionate way to reunite families, "while respecting public health guidelines. ‘’
Source is CBC, the public broadcaster in English, see here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-protest-denounces-immigration-application-delays-1.5679721
Mobilization has important effects: We must be visible, make noise, ask for our right ... Yes, right and not a favor, because we are not asking for alms or the moon: We are asking to complete our integration journey , to fully enjoy all rights (in employment among others), but also to submit to all the duties that fall to the privilege of being a Canadian citizen.
I wouldn't even talk about the fact that we paid exorbitant fees for this administrative service.
We must mobilize today before tomorrow:
Generally speaking, human nature is bad, people are selfish and mean. This is a fact that can be seen in everyday life.
By browsing the different subjects in this forum which deals with pending citizenship tests, I have often been able to make this observation: There have often been, and there will always be people who will try by all means to do you to lose hope and accept the fait accompli, or to tell you that citizenship services are not essential, and therefore not a priority. To these people we must answer that we are in our full right and that we do not ask for alms: We participate through our work, studies, and through the taxes that we pay every year to advance and shine Canada !
Don't be fooled, these people will often be, in order:
• We already had their Canadian citizenship.
• We had the chance to pass the test before the closing of this service, and quietly await their ceremony online.
• We already have a passport (original citizenship) from a developed country giving them the right to return to Canada whenever they want without a problem. Nothing to do with our '' exotic '' passports which do not give access to anything and do not give us any consular protection worthy of the name ... And which keep us in the unknown and a precarious migratory situation, even with our status as permanent residents .
• Are simply racist and do not want you to have your Canadian citizenship.
** Maximum number of characters reached, I will continue down, thank you. **
I will be using Google translator from French, so my apologies in advance for any errors in form ... But I invite you to read fully, this is very important.
. Thank you.
Introduction:
Si vis pacem, para bellum. (Proverb in Latin, meaning: If you want peace, prepare for war).
Context:
As everyone knows, integration in Canada is not something that is easy, and has its share of difficulties ... You have to double your efforts when you are not native here to succeed, even more when you have names or first names with connotations of certain geographical origins… In short, I did not come here to complain or to recite complaints to you.
It is normal and even rewarding to fight to study, work, and advance the country that welcomes us.
It is even more normal to be enthusiastic and proud to submit your application for Canadian citizenship to fully understand your integration into Canadian society.
It is with this legitimate perspective that I directly, just a few days after fulfilling the minimum attendance requirement, submitted an application to integrate Canadian nationality. I sent the paper application envelope in 2019.
My test was scheduled and scheduled for April, I received my summons ... But canceled at the last moment for reasons everyone knows (Covid 19).
… It goes without saying that my disappointment is enormous, and that I share the frustrations, the fears and the sorrows of several people who comment in this forum.
Like everyone else who is in the same boat here, I try to inform myself in this forum, on the official website of IRCC, the official twitter, and elsewhere ... While waiting with great impatience for the treatments and tests resume… It seems that nothing more can be done for the moment…
Current Status of IRCC Citizenship Applications:
According to the official IRCC website https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/coronavirus-covid19/citoyennete.html, All citizenship-related events without arrest until further notice. Only the ceremonies have resumed in virtual form. Even this recovery will never equal the pace (in number) of traditional ceremonies, or even face-to-face by adopting adequate social distancing measures. In short, it's window dressing, everything is stopped.
IRCC continues to accept paper requests, but no longer processes them. The demands are piling up, so do the delays.
Check out this topic for more details on the number (The estimate of the numbers is a few months old, so it's worse now, and it's getting worse by the day)
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/210-930-citizenship-grant-applications-pending-including-42-000-awaiting-citizenship-ceremony-and-87-000-awaiting-citizenship-test-as-of-may-2020.694245/
Those who were fortunate enough to take their exams before operations were shut down are saved, and can see the end of the tunnel, because they know that virtual citizenship ceremonies are effective and ongoing, even though the pace has slowed down. numbers… On the other hand, people like me who saw their test appointment canceled at the last moment, or even worse, those who have just sent their paper request or are about to send it soon, do not see the end of the tunnel and will remain in the domain of the unknown.
The few rare indications of IRCC virtual tests remain vague and evasive (on Twitter in particular, nothing official), and also difficult to achieve (issues of the possibility of cheating candidates, which may be comprehensive and legitimate from their point of view) .
I think we should be rather pessimistic, if we want to remain realistic and not lie to ourselves: This blockage is left to last for years if we do nothing: The last letter to federal employees of IRCC dated July 31st confirms this (remote work will be prioritized, see the link here: https://www.cic.gc.ca/emp/msg/20200731-eng.asp), not to mention the fact that the union of federal employees is very powerful, and will continue to put pressure so that there is no normal resumption of activities, or even with physical distancing, as long as the Covid case is not fully resolved (so it takes years, even if we is optimistic, the time to find a vaccine, produce it, and its distribution).
Even an online pilot test program, if we assume that it will see the light of day, will not solve the problem ... If the main provinces of Canada establish deconfinement plans, we should ideally campaign for a set of solution, online testing will only be a part. They can also be combined with face-to-face tests in gymnasiums or parks or large spaces, for example, with respect for sanitary distance rules, compulsory masks, hand sanitizer, reduced number, etc. Better than nothing or fair the tests.
In short, I was content with my frustration in my corner like most of you, browsing the internet in a frenzy in search of something new, a hypothetical and improbable good news ... Until I watch the news from Radio Canada in French, last Saturday, August 08, 2020. I saw a capsule that made me decide to launch this topic here.
Awareness: Example and concrete case of the mobilization of spouses' sponsors:
Let’s start with a very popular French proverb: “The right is snatched, not given. ‘’.
Don't be fooled: Life is not a Telletubbies world where everyone is nice and everyone helps everyone and is compassionate, but a world built on power struggles, pressure, lobbying, etc. . If you keep quiet, you will be left behind, or even ignored.
Getting back to our topic: As you know, the Covid situation affects several categories of people in relation to immigration. Like people like us awaiting testing or processing, people awaiting permanent residence, others awaiting sponsorship, etc.
People who are concerned by the spousal sponsorship program, who already have extremely long deadlines outside covid, years, have seen their applications blocked, and therefore the deadlines extended even more than usual ... fact ? … They held simultaneous protests in front of several IRCC offices across the country, in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Edmonton.
The written press talked about it, and above all, as I explained above, the first French-language public channel made a video capsule on the subject, which is here:
IRCC was compelled to react, and to respond to requests from Radio Canada journalists, and said this:
"In response to the protests, the IRCC said it is continuing to accept and process applications and will" find an innovative and compassionate way to reunite families, "while respecting public health guidelines. ‘’
Source is CBC, the public broadcaster in English, see here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-protest-denounces-immigration-application-delays-1.5679721
Mobilization has important effects: We must be visible, make noise, ask for our right ... Yes, right and not a favor, because we are not asking for alms or the moon: We are asking to complete our integration journey , to fully enjoy all rights (in employment among others), but also to submit to all the duties that fall to the privilege of being a Canadian citizen.
I wouldn't even talk about the fact that we paid exorbitant fees for this administrative service.
We must mobilize today before tomorrow:
Generally speaking, human nature is bad, people are selfish and mean. This is a fact that can be seen in everyday life.
By browsing the different subjects in this forum which deals with pending citizenship tests, I have often been able to make this observation: There have often been, and there will always be people who will try by all means to do you to lose hope and accept the fait accompli, or to tell you that citizenship services are not essential, and therefore not a priority. To these people we must answer that we are in our full right and that we do not ask for alms: We participate through our work, studies, and through the taxes that we pay every year to advance and shine Canada !
Don't be fooled, these people will often be, in order:
• We already had their Canadian citizenship.
• We had the chance to pass the test before the closing of this service, and quietly await their ceremony online.
• We already have a passport (original citizenship) from a developed country giving them the right to return to Canada whenever they want without a problem. Nothing to do with our '' exotic '' passports which do not give access to anything and do not give us any consular protection worthy of the name ... And which keep us in the unknown and a precarious migratory situation, even with our status as permanent residents .
• Are simply racist and do not want you to have your Canadian citizenship.
** Maximum number of characters reached, I will continue down, thank you. **
Last edited:
