I somewhat don't feel any gratitude whatsoever. It is like being held hostage and then feel gratitude towards the hostage taker (Stockholm syndrome, right?)... This should have been a more informed process. No one was expecting them to continue at full speed with COVID, but what should have been done was talking to the applicants' tribe and keeping them informed on what's coming, what new SLA's are, when to expect what etc. Right now it is more of a lottery when you know nothing and expect a miracle every morning. So I would have to disagree on the first part of your statement here.
Feel free to disagree! I am as frustrated as anyone else. Yes it is pretty much like a lottery. Hence my comment about being Grateful than crying for a little more wait.
I am not taking other side either. I fully agree to all loopholes and issues you have addressed.
In actual fact, I was probably the first person to write a detailed email to Immigration Minister last June laying out some of the suggested SoPs. I did share some ballpark numbers /rough calculations of how those SoPs would keep backlog at bay, and other ways to manage growing backlog. I am sure someone at IRCC had a look at it.
At the end of the day, IRCC is a bureaucracy and has many checklist to go through to even move a piece of paper from 1 desk to the other.
One should look back and appreciate that IRCC has done a feast of achievements:
1- Virtual Oaths have resumed last fall
2- Virtual Tests have resumed and a lot many applicants are getting test invites
3- Online Citizenship applications process has been launched and making great headway
4- Probably with last month shut down of Virtual Oaths, and resumption this week, IRCC may have upgraded/improved tech features.
I know it is not satisfying to an individual applicants, but in overall scheme of things, IRCC has made a huge progress and let's hope that all backlog is resolved quickly. Things are moving and let's hope for the best.
Good luck to you and everyone!