Citizenship test: Collective action required, or expect endless delays, years. Example of the effective lobbyng of people awaiting spousal sponsorship

[Swift Turtle]

Anybody else waiting for a second invite?

 

[anton_k]

Anybody else waiting for a second invite?

I am waiting. My test was cancelled due to the pandemic.

 

[carol90]

Yup, Ottawa office, test cancelled in March 2020.

I don't see any movement from Ottawa office since last few months .

 

[chs]

Montreal seems to be pretty glacial as well. I hear lots of other places are moving faster, but perhaps it's the "faster checkout line at the store" syndrome; every other line seems to be moving faster than yours.

 

[robteix]

Is there anyone here still waiting for a second test invitation after their original appointment was cancelled?

Yep. My test was cancelled just three days before the scheduled date back in March 2020. Still waiting :/ (Montreal office)

 

[Swift Turtle]

Thanks to everyone. I'm really trying to see how many people are in the same situation as I am. The only information I get from IRCC every single time I contact them is that my application is in the test waiting queue and that my background checks are complete.

I honestly don't know how I've managed to maintain my sanity this entire time. My application was received in July 2019, I received my AOR in September 2019, received a FP request in December 2019, and in March 2020 I was scheduled to take the test on April 1, 2020. That means if everything ran at the pre-Pandemic pace my application would've very likely been finalized within a year, barring any problems or delays, of course.

I wish this never happened. My only hope is that the vaccination rollout gets expedited and IRCC finally resumes in-person services.

 

[TempResident]

Thanks to everyone. I'm really trying to see how many people are in the same situation as I am. The only information I get from IRCC every single time I contact them is that my application is in the test waiting queue and that my background checks are complete.

I honestly don't know how I've managed to maintain my sanity this entire time. My application was received in July 2019, I received my AOR in September 2019, received a FP request in December 2019, and in March 2020 I was scheduled to take the test on April 1, 2020. That means if everything ran at the pre-Pandemic pace my application would've very likely been finalized within a year, barring any problems or delays, of course.

I wish this never happened. My only hope is that the vaccination rollout gets expedited and IRCC finally resumes in-person services.

Did you send a webform to IRCC already? I understand that most of the cancelled test applicants from March 2020 were already re-invited for the test.

 

[Swift Turtle]

Did you send a webform to IRCC already? I understand that most of the cancelled test applicants from March 2020 were already re-invited for the test.

Yeah, I just sent one last week, and I'm hoping for the best. If you don't mind my asking; how do you know that most people whose test was cancelled in March 2020 received new test invitations?

 

[chs]

Yeah, I just sent one last week, and I'm hoping for the best. If you don't mind my asking; how do you know that most people whose test was cancelled in March 2020 received new test invitations?

Really? I never got mine! Maybe I should do the webform as well..

 

[Swift Turtle]

Yep. My test was cancelled just three days before the scheduled date back in March 2020. Still waiting :/ (Montreal office)

What did IRCC tell you when you inquired about your file?

 

[piotrqc]

Looks like our wait will go on for several more endless years ... The union still clings to code 699 ... + They say implicitly in the same FAQ document that the federal employee can refuse the vaccine ...
This document is dated April 1.

Look here :

http://psacunion.ca/your-rights-work-vaccinations-and-covid-19


An extract :

With stricter public health orders in some jurisdictions, will Treasury Board continue their current 699 policy requiring members to use their own leave and only get 699 after all other options have been exhausted?
Treasury Board has given no indication they plan to rescind their regressive and discriminatory changes to the 699 leave policy. As of November 9, 2020, Treasury Board updated its guidance regarding the use of Other paid leave (699 leave). Based on this, 699 leave is being considered:

• on a case-by-case basis;
• after all options have been explored for remote work, flexible work hours or alternate work; and
• other relevant paid leave, available through collective agreements or terms and conditions of employment, such as vacation or sick leave has been used (where appropriate).

It may be helpful to determine if your employer has issued any additional updates or guidance on how it processes 699 leave in your workplace.

PSAC has filed several policy grievances with Treasury Board, CFIA, and other agencies for restricting the use of 699 leave for its members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forcing federal public service workers to exhaust all their paid leave before being able to access 699 leave is discriminatory as it disproportionately impacts marginalized groups who have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. This includes women, racialized employees, workers with disabilities, and public service workers with family obligations.

PSAC is committed to ensuring that all our members, and especially women, caregivers, racialized workers and workers with disabilities, continue to have the necessary support and leave with pay they need during the pandemic.

 

[his*marty]

Looks like our wait will go on for several more endless years ... The union still clings to code 699 ... + They say implicitly in the same FAQ document that the federal employee can refuse the vaccine ...
This document is dated April 1.

Look here :

http://psacunion.ca/your-rights-work-vaccinations-and-covid-19


An extract :

Well, no one should be forced to take the vaccine. But, not taking the vaccine shouldn't allow you stay home indefinitely. Why do they keep looking for loopholes?

 

[Lex2019]

I'm wondering if this is going to delay current applications as IRCC will be rushing towards meeting their SLA:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/service-fee-act-remissions-policy-2021.html

 

[his*marty]

I'm wondering if this is going to delay current applications as IRCC will be rushing towards meeting their SLA:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/service-fee-act-remissions-policy-2021.html

We should all just get refunds since the Liberals promised to remove the fees in the first place. :/ It took 17 months for my application to be completed.... of course they announce this now. I'm hoping for future applications it means a faster processing time.

 

[adey786]

I'm wondering if this is going to delay current applications as IRCC will be rushing towards meeting their SLA:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/service-fee-act-remissions-policy-2021.html

Thank you so much for sharing this.

My read is : The start cycle will be for new applications from 1 April 2021. I think it impracticable for IRCC to apply these SLA retrospectively. However, it's good for future applicants.

Good move.