CIC is asking for suggestions

[itsmyid]

As I noted, some government services, typically administrative or incidental services, may be expedited for additional fees.

And of course private services are very much dependent on paying for those services.

But in Canada basic government services and benefits are generally available without regard to caste, class, or financial station. The affluent do not get to go to the head of the line, not for basic health care, not to have their civil case decided in a court of justice, not to have their immigration applications processed. (Which is why so many affluent Canadians go abroad for certain medical services, to some place where they can buy their way to the head of the line.)

Sure, just like paying an accountant or other authorized persons to prepare one's tax returns, a PR can hire a lawyer or authorized representative to prepare a citizenship application. Neither will expedite the government's part of the processing, not the processing of the tax return nor processing the citizenship application.

Urgent processing is available for PR card renewals and citizenship applications in limited, prescribed circumstances, subject to IRCC's exercise of discretion, but who is given expedited processing is not determined by who will pay more.

While of course being affluent has many advantages in Canadian society, and Canada is only a partially socialist country, Canada is socialist enough and egalitarian enough that money does not buy government privilege. And the idea that it should, the idea that some should be able to buy their way to the head of the line, is for most Canadians an anathema.

Last time I checked , postal service is government owned and you can still choose to pay more to get fast delivery, time to eliminate all the express options since it is totally un-Canadian and everybody just get the same snail mail to be fair. Btw, if you really want to get into the money buying privilege discussion, you may want to look into how political campaigns work - certain interest groups donate money and resources to get the candidates elected so they can get all the benefits promised by that candidate- look at all these unions. It's just a hypocritical to hold double standard about this vs something as simple as fast processing with extra fee, which actually benefits both regular processing and expedited processing as a result of increased revenue. While with unions, it will always be non-Union taxpayers paying for the union ever-lasting demands, where is the Canadian value in that?

Additionally, people have their own priorities with how they want to spend their money, some would rather get the process done for peace of mind, some want to use that money for food, clothes, or vacation - there are homeless people standing on the side of the street asking for money for coffee or for pot, not the thing we think would be most essential: food- the bottom line is, we decide how we want to spend our money regardless how rich or poor we are, why would anybody think there should only be one way that can fit the so called Canadian value?

In the US, the fee for expedited service is a bit over $1000, nothing astronomical that most people can't afford, it's just a few weeks work at a minimum wage job, and if with the outcome of fast processing I can get to a better job, I would definitely be more than happy to pay that extra grand

 

[links18]

Comparing a citizenship application to postal service is ridiculous. Allowing people to pay for expedited citizenship processing undermines equality of citizenship itself. Just give it up, its a bad idea that won't fly in Canada and shouldn't. We have just gone through a contentious debate on two-tiered citizenship that was decided in favor of equality (or will be soon). Don't try to smuggle discrimination based on economic resources through the backdoor of the citizenship process.

 

[itsmyid]

Comparing a citizenship application to postal service is ridiculous. Allowing people to pay for expedited citizenship processing undermines equality of citizenship itself. Just give it up, its a bad idea that won't fly in Canada and shouldn't. We have just gone through a contentious debate on two-tiered citizenship that was decided in favor of equality (or will be soon). Don't try to smuggle discrimination based on economic resources through the backdoor of the citizenship process.

What's ridiculous is comparing the 2-tier citizenship ( which takes away certain choices from people) to extra fee for expedite processing (which gives people additional options). Whether to spend that extra fee is a choice made to people, who have the right to decide whatever way to spend their money is more important to them. I don't subscribe to cable and cellphone packages and don't buy alcoholic beverages - not because I can't afford, but because they are not important to me, but I know tons of people who earn less than I do and pay a lot of money for all these things because they are important to them - Don't try to throw in words like 'discrimination', 'economic status', it has little do to with economic status, the saving from not having any unnecessary expenses for a year would save enough money for any fee increase.

If there are people who want the processing done faster for whatever reason (better job opportunity, better travel flexibility, or just the infamous 'citizens of convenience'), and think the outcome is worth the money they are paying, why not let them? There are also people who don't think it matters much to them and eventually they will get it so they won't spend that money. It's no different than going to a place, when you can either walk there for free, or take public transportation for 3 bucks, or spend more to take a taxi/Uber, depending on how urgent the matter is. A better society is a society where people have choices instead of just one.

Like the example someone mentioned earlier, that some people have to spend a lot of money to get treatment in the US, because they can't do so to get more immediate medical attention - and I have heard life/death stories because of this - and I am surprised people would actually defend such system, in my view it is nothing to be proud of.

 

[ajithpl]

Rather than discussing these here, will it be better if we give our suggestions on the CIC/ IRCC link? Whatever it is, it will be then upto them to go through and decide what feedback are valid and can be implemented for a better process/ procedures.

 

[torontosm]

Comparing a citizenship application to postal service is ridiculous. Allowing people to pay for expedited citizenship processing undermines equality of citizenship itself. Just give it up, its a bad idea that won't fly in Canada and shouldn't. We have just gone through a contentious debate on two-tiered citizenship that was decided in favor of equality (or will be soon). Don't try to smuggle discrimination based on economic resources through the backdoor of the citizenship process.

If you think that the system today is "equal", you are fooling yourself. If you can pay extra to receive expedited service to process your passport application, why can't you do the same to process your immigration-related applications? What's the difference?

 

[dpenabill]

Again, for those with limited ability to rationally discriminate the difference, expedited administrative and incidental services are one thing. Moreover, the difference is a matter of days.

Allowing those with the ability to pay more to have access to expedited basic government services, like health care, police protection, access to the courts, or processing applications to obtain citizenship, is an entirely different thing. Not something the vast majority of Canadians will accept.

Thus, again, this would be an anathema for the vast majority of Canadians who share deeply rooted, largely egalitarian social-political values. Not perfectly of course. Far from it.

But that is part of the way things are, what Canadian values are, whether one agrees or disagrees.

I happen to agree, and generally advocate a more egalitarian society rather than less. I disdain the Conrad Blacks and those in government who would continue to allow those like Conrad Black advantages unavailable to the less affluent or less powerful.

But I emphasize the point here to highlight that propositions to provide expedited processing of citizenship applications for those willing and able to pay more are contrary to deeply rooted and widely held Canadian values, and are thus proposals which have little or no chance of being seriously entertained let alone implemented.

In fact, whether one believes my assessment of the Canadian sentiment or not, I am quite confident that any proposals of this sort will be summarily dismissed as self-interested. And, further, the inclusion of such propositions in what an individual submits is more or less likely to expose that individual's narcissistic bias and thus perhaps weaken the weight of that individual's other suggestions as well.

This is largely a For-What-It's-Worth observation. Sure, I might be wrong. My ties to Canada only go back more than a half century, and even then it was only a quarter century ago that I really began to more deeply examine Canadian history. I am not a Canadian historian. For the past fifteen years my Canadian experience has been enmeshed with those who are zealously NDP (with more than a little disappointment lately, however, given Tom Muclair's performance during the election and even more so since). So sure, I am not well acquainted with the views of all Canadians and I cannot be certain my assessment of the Canadian sentiment reflects an overwhelming majority of Canadians. But I am very confident it reflects a solid majority of Canadians. Which, to be clear, is that giving the affluent the opportunity to pay more to get to the head of the line for a basic government service, like processing a citizenship application or providing heart by-pass surgery, is an anathema. And my sense is that advocating such a proposal will weaken if not undermine other suggestions from the same person. And again, this observation is FWIW.

 

[links18]

If you think that the system today is "equal", you are fooling yourself. If you can pay extra to receive expedited service to process your passport application, why can't you do the same to process your immigration-related applications? What's the difference?

I don't think the process is equal at all, but there is some value in at least keeping up appearances.

 

[links18]

Again, for those with limited ability to rationally discriminate the difference, expedited administrative and incidental services are one thing. Moreover, the difference is a matter of days.

Allowing those with the ability to pay more to have access to expedited basic government services, like health care, police protection, access to the courts, or processing applications to obtain citizenship, is an entirely different thing. Not something the vast majority of Canadians will accept.

Thus, again, this would be an anathema for the vast majority of Canadians who share deeply rooted, largely egalitarian social-political values. Not perfectly of course. Far from it.

But that is part of the way things are, what Canadian values are, whether one agrees or disagrees.

I happen to agree, and generally advocate a more egalitarian society rather than less. I disdain the Conrad Blacks and those in government who would continue to allow those like Conrad Black advantages unavailable to the less affluent or less powerful.

But I emphasize the point here to highlight that propositions to provide expedited processing of citizenship applications for those willing and able to pay more are contrary to deeply rooted and widely held Canadian values, and are thus proposals which have little or no chance of being seriously entertained let alone implemented.

In fact, whether one believes my assessment of the Canadian sentiment or not, I am quite confident that any proposals of this sort will be summarily dismissed as self-interested. And, further, the inclusion of such propositions in what an individual submits is more or less likely to expose that individual's narcissistic bias and thus perhaps weaken the weight of that individual's other suggestions as well.

This is largely a For-What-It's-Worth observation. Sure, I might be wrong. My ties to Canada only go back more than a half century, and even then it was only a quarter century ago that I really began to more deeply examine Canadian history. I am not a Canadian historian. For the past fifteen years my Canadian experience has been enmeshed with those who are zealously NDP (with more than a little disappointment lately, however, given Tom Muclair's performance during the election and even more so since). So sure, I am not well acquainted with the views of all Canadians and I cannot be certain my assessment of the Canadian sentiment reflects an overwhelming majority of Canadians. But I am very confident it reflects a solid majority of Canadians. Which, to be clear, is that giving the affluent the opportunity to pay more to get to the head of the line for a basic government service, like processing a citizenship application or providing heart by-pass surgery, is an anathema. And my sense is that advocating such a proposal will weaken if not undermine other suggestions from the same person. And again, this observation is FWIW.

What he said, just with fewer words.... 8)

 

[quasar81]

Thanks for sharing.
I encourage everyone to fill the form.VERY IMPORTANT FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY
What other voices we have apart from voting Liberals, who have done minimal themselves.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________


My answers in BOX 1:
Citizenship and Permanent Resident Card applications from existing immigrants should not be thrown in "Secondary Reviews", CIT0520, "Residential Questionnaire" boxes, and then forgotten for YEARS(yes) and months. Horrible processing times for immigrants who are already here.

Answering your question of how many immigrants you should welcome: You should welcome as many immigrants whose Citizenship and PR card renewal files you can process in 3-6months time frame. Don't harass existing immigrants with "Secondary Reviews", CIT0520, "Residential Questionnaire" gathering dust..

My answer in BOX 2:
No input

My answer in BOX 3:
Citizenship and Permanent Resident Card applications from existing immigrants should not be thrown in "Secondary Reviews", CIT0520, "Residential Questionnaire" boxes, and then forgotten for YEARS(yes) and months. Horrible processing times for immigrants who are already here.

Answering your question of techniques in processing applications: TAKE MORE FEE, HIRE MORE STAFF, CITIZENSHIP JUDGES, BUT PROCESS FAST AS WELL. Current processing times are a harassment. You should welcome as many immigrants whose Citizenship and PR card renewal files you can process in 3-6months time frame. Don't harass existing immigrants with "Secondary Reviews", CIT0520, "Residential Questionnaire" gathering dust..

My answer in BOX 4:
No input

In the end, I checked to make my response confidential.

_____________________________________________________________________________________


https://secure.cic.gc.ca/consultations/ViewsOnImmigration-en.aspx?_ga=1.91927386.1599696099.1330634748
PLEASE FILL THE FORM ABOVE SO THAT THEY NOTICE THE HORRIBLE PROCESSING TIMES ON "Secondary Reviews", CIT0520, "Residential Questionnaire".

BUMP! Please give feedback at above link.

 

[screech339]

If you think that the system today is "equal", you are fooling yourself. If you can pay extra to receive expedited service to process your passport application, why can't you do the same to process your immigration-related applications? What's the difference?

If expedite service is available for citizenship applications, every applicants will apply for expedite service. This pretty much means the processing backlog will remain the same. You might as well just double the application fee and call it a day.

 

[links18]

If expedite service is available for citizenship applications, every applicants will apply for expedite service. This pretty much means the processing backlog will remain the same.

.

Except us po' folks, who will be at the back of the long line.