+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

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

deadbird

Hero Member
Jan 9, 2016
648
193
The Honorable Octave Van der Blum, the new Minister of Immigration speaks at the microphone of CBC: `` We understand the frustrations of these people, we are not insensitive, but citizenship is not a priority, especially in view of current economic conditions ... Of course, we will continue to renew permanent resident cards according to the usual deadlines. '' The usual deadlines for renewing a card are 18 months.

Mr. White Anderson, leader of the conservative youth welcomed the latest directives and policies of the minister, he said `` We are very happy with the priorities that the current government seems to follow ... This will change us from the old Liberal government spending lavishly ... We must put our own first, Canadians! ''.
....

* Latin adage translated as "If you want peace, prepare for war".
<LOL>
Honorable Octave Van der Blum, the new Minister of Immigration speaks at the microphone

Mr. White Anderson, leader of the conservative youth
</LOL>

Great names!
 

Parnian1988

Full Member
Jun 3, 2019
45
31
Toronto
Given how unions work in general, it will not be enough for them ... They have already taken legal action to challenge the tightening made by the secretariat of the Treasury Board of Canada to limit abuses on the use of holiday code 699, and consequently the abuse of public money by honest contributors, taxpayers, public sector employees or self-employed workers. The union clearly spoke of vaccine in its last public publication to justify their request to continue to benefit from the holiday code 699 (available on their site, we have already shared it here ...) ...

I wouldn't be surprised if the vaccines available wouldn't be enough for them. They will ask for `` a safe and effective vaccine '' and place the criteria in a very high threshold, maybe even they will refuse the criteria and acceptance thresholds of the health authorities of Canada, to delay for a few more months or years things ...

And when it will be done - REMEMBER WHAT I SAY -, they will ask in the next step after the appearance of the vaccine `` safe and effective '' (According to very high standards, their standards) a daily worldwide rate of people contaminated by the virus of ... 0 people per day = An additional insurance for them to stretch a few more years or ten additional years of vaccinations paid at full rate. REMEMBER WHAT I SAY!

.... I don't like to venture into political fiction ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_fiction ), but I'll do it this time:

So, like I said, the union will do everything possible to stretch the deadlines for a few more years, several years, maybe a decade (10 years, time flies ... And people are getting a taste for money easy) ... In short, enough time to see the current government fall, and be replaced by a very conservative government of O'toole, and majority.

It is very likely (several analysts say) that the current government will not resist the next vote of confidence, that of the tabling of the budget law, in the spring of 2021, around April 2021 ...

(Political fiction starts here)

After a close vote, this time Singh's ndp will not save the Liberal government. Exasperated to pass for a party under the orders of the Liberals, Singh will not give his confidence this time to the Liberals ... The votes of the conservatives of O'toole and the Quebec separatists of the Bloc Québécois will complete the majority in the vote against the party liberal. The Liberal government will fall. Early elections will be announced ...

The pre-election campaign will be violent, O'toole will attack Trudeau on WE CHARITY scandal, his economic record, the spending made during the health crisis, and will also attack foreigners and the latest immigration plan of 1.2 million immigrants. .. The nationalist slogans will appear, and we will say that all the economic problems come from the immigrants who '' steal the work of the Canadians, and eat their bread '' ... The recipe had already worked for Legault for example, who currently trains a populist and 'nationalist' government in Quebec.

The recipe will be winning for O'toole ... The one who won the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada with the support of the `` pro-life '' and the pro-arms will win the federal elections this time with a large majority comfortable. He will have a free hand for the next 4 years to conduct his policies.

The conservatives, it is well known historically, are not Keynesians at all (i.e. they are not followers of the economic theory which says that you have to spend a lot to revive the economy through consumption) ...

As soon as he takes an oath before the Governor General of Canada, O'toole will immediately begin his conservative economic policy: Budget cuts and budget cuts and transfers in health, education, international aid ... Populist politics will direct his economic choices .

There will be mass cuts in the public service, cuts, and downsizing.

Several sectors deemed non-essential will be cut ... Culture, immigration.

Interested by the new immigration critic of the liberal party, of the opposition on the cancellation of immigration plans, the drop in annual quotas in spousal sponsors, and the cancellation of the citizenship program, O'toole will say before the tribune: `` We have to take care of Canadians first, our economy has seen a lot of decline because of the non-responsible policy of liberates who spent a lot during the coronavirus crisis! ''. Deafening applause from elected members of the majority.

The cries of a few hundred demonstrators outside the parliament at the same time will not change anything.

Indeed, since the beginning of the crisis, more than 100,000 candidates have seen their dream of becoming Canadian canceled by the cessation of citizenship tests.

Since the new immigration minister canceled the program, all of their envelopes have been returned, with reimbursement of fees. The requests were simply canceled. Candidates will be invited to resend their candidacies after the new, more restrictive law is adopted. No date has yet been given. Applicants may wait a few more years.

The Honorable Octave Van der Blum, the new Minister of Immigration speaks at the microphone of CBC: `` We understand the frustrations of these people, we are not insensitive, but citizenship is not a priority, especially in view of current economic conditions ... Of course, we will continue to renew permanent resident cards according to the usual deadlines. '' The usual deadlines for renewing a card are 18 months.

Mr. White Anderson, leader of the conservative youth welcomed the latest directives and policies of the minister, he said `` We are very happy with the priorities that the current government seems to follow ... This will change us from the old Liberal government spending lavishly ... We must put our own first, Canadians! ''.

End of political fiction -

All that to say, my friends, that we must wake up now before it is too late ... You have been warned.

`` Si vis pacem, para bellum '' *

* Latin adage translated as "If you want peace, prepare for war".
Sadly this analysis is spot on... depressing but this is how conservatives truly view immigrants. We have to keep protesting and keep courageous in the face of xenophobes.
 

skydiving

Full Member
Jul 18, 2015
32
13
A movement to ask for the resumption of citizenship tests has already emerged ... And has already organized online events, like a storm on twitter (with the hastag #Resume_Citizenship_Tests ), and especially organized a day of simultaneous demonstrations in Toronto and in montreal, last saturday november 7, which had some success in the media, cbc national notably made a video report concerning the event, as well as an article written:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/citizenship-tests-suspended-covid19-1.5796936

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1818834499542

The next step the organizers are trying to take now will be a focused demonstration in Ottawa, in front of parliament, next Saturday November 28th.
Thank you !Thank you !
 

andy10

Star Member
Sep 18, 2019
56
27
Given how unions work in general, it will not be enough for them ... They have already taken legal action to challenge the tightening made by the secretariat of the Treasury Board of Canada to limit abuses on the use of holiday code 699, and consequently the abuse of public money by honest contributors, taxpayers, public sector employees or self-employed workers. The union clearly spoke of vaccine in its last public publication to justify their request to continue to benefit from the holiday code 699 (available on their site, we have already shared it here ...) ...

I wouldn't be surprised if the vaccines available wouldn't be enough for them. They will ask for `` a safe and effective vaccine '' and place the criteria in a very high threshold, maybe even they will refuse the criteria and acceptance thresholds of the health authorities of Canada, to delay for a few more months or years things ...

And when it will be done - REMEMBER WHAT I SAY -, they will ask in the next step after the appearance of the vaccine `` safe and effective '' (According to very high standards, their standards) a daily worldwide rate of people contaminated by the virus of ... 0 people per day = An additional insurance for them to stretch a few more years or ten additional years of vaccinations paid at full rate. REMEMBER WHAT I SAY!

.... I don't like to venture into political fiction ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_fiction ), but I'll do it this time:

So, like I said, the union will do everything possible to stretch the deadlines for a few more years, several years, maybe a decade (10 years, time flies ... And people are getting a taste for money easy) ... In short, enough time to see the current government fall, and be replaced by a very conservative government of O'toole, and majority.

It is very likely (several analysts say) that the current government will not resist the next vote of confidence, that of the tabling of the budget law, in the spring of 2021, around April 2021 ...

(Political fiction starts here)

After a close vote, this time Singh's ndp will not save the Liberal government. Exasperated to pass for a party under the orders of the Liberals, Singh will not give his confidence this time to the Liberals ... The votes of the conservatives of O'toole and the Quebec separatists of the Bloc Québécois will complete the majority in the vote against the party liberal. The Liberal government will fall. Early elections will be announced ...

The pre-election campaign will be violent, O'toole will attack Trudeau on WE CHARITY scandal, his economic record, the spending made during the health crisis, and will also attack foreigners and the latest immigration plan of 1.2 million immigrants. .. The nationalist slogans will appear, and we will say that all the economic problems come from the immigrants who '' steal the work of the Canadians, and eat their bread '' ... The recipe had already worked for Legault for example, who currently trains a populist and 'nationalist' government in Quebec.

The recipe will be winning for O'toole ... The one who won the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada with the support of the `` pro-life '' and the pro-arms will win the federal elections this time with a large majority comfortable. He will have a free hand for the next 4 years to conduct his policies.

The conservatives, it is well known historically, are not Keynesians at all (i.e. they are not followers of the economic theory which says that you have to spend a lot to revive the economy through consumption) ...

As soon as he takes an oath before the Governor General of Canada, O'toole will immediately begin his conservative economic policy: Budget cuts and budget cuts and transfers in health, education, international aid ... Populist politics will direct his economic choices .

There will be mass cuts in the public service, cuts, and downsizing.

Several sectors deemed non-essential will be cut ... Culture, immigration.

Interested by the new immigration critic of the liberal party, of the opposition on the cancellation of immigration plans, the drop in annual quotas in spousal sponsors, and the cancellation of the citizenship program, O'toole will say before the tribune: `` We have to take care of Canadians first, our economy has seen a lot of decline because of the non-responsible policy of liberates who spent a lot during the coronavirus crisis! ''. Deafening applause from elected members of the majority.

The cries of a few hundred demonstrators outside the parliament at the same time will not change anything.

Indeed, since the beginning of the crisis, more than 100,000 candidates have seen their dream of becoming Canadian canceled by the cessation of citizenship tests.

Since the new immigration minister canceled the program, all of their envelopes have been returned, with reimbursement of fees. The requests were simply canceled. Candidates will be invited to resend their candidacies after the new, more restrictive law is adopted. No date has yet been given. Applicants may wait a few more years.

The Honorable Octave Van der Blum, the new Minister of Immigration speaks at the microphone of CBC: `` We understand the frustrations of these people, we are not insensitive, but citizenship is not a priority, especially in view of current economic conditions ... Of course, we will continue to renew permanent resident cards according to the usual deadlines. '' The usual deadlines for renewing a card are 18 months.

Mr. White Anderson, leader of the conservative youth welcomed the latest directives and policies of the minister, he said `` We are very happy with the priorities that the current government seems to follow ... This will change us from the old Liberal government spending lavishly ... We must put our own first, Canadians! ''.

End of political fiction -

All that to say, my friends, that we must wake up now before it is too late ... You have been warned.

`` Si vis pacem, para bellum '' *

* Latin adage translated as "If you want peace, prepare for war".
I commend you for writing this piece....well said...may i also add that the holiday season is just around the corner, which means, technically IRCC officers will work for a max of 2-3 weeks in December which will cause more delays.
 
Last edited:

sachinsoman1988

Hero Member
Oct 19, 2015
336
90
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
2133
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
08-01-2016
Doc's Request.
None
Nomination.....
None
AOR Received.
08-01-2016
IELTS Request
None
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
24-01-2016
Passport Req..
11-07-2016
VISA ISSUED...
15-07-2016
LANDED..........
26-09-2016
It’s not right around the corner, especially not for IRCC workers. We’re looking at mid March until it rolls out to the public & mid May until it’s sufficiently rolled out. These dates are also generous estimates, though given how everything is being fast tracked, relatively plausible.
Also, I think the IRCC should start to update estimated processing time for citizenship applicants. May be based on a running average of days it took for them to finalize a decision on an application. What is the use to keep 12 months there when its 100% inaccurate.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nicolass

Seym

Champion Member
Nov 6, 2017
1,719
841
Here is a recent comment in the group "Advocates for Resumption of Canadian Citizenship Test", disturbing ... Here is an objective answer to all those who get angry when we talk about the 699 code. The 699 code is the real reason why the tests of citizenship are canceled until now:


https://www.zupimages.net/up/20/47/u8a8.jpg
That's on the government not the employees at an individual level.
We haven't heard of any factual progress from the Minister on technological solutions or a plan for test resumption. All employees could go back to their offices, that wouldn't change much if there is absolutely no traction at top level of IRCC.
Trudeau's government pushed for CERB, hard, and federal employees delivered, the same would happen if citizenship applications were a point of focus...
 
  • Like
Reactions: skydiving

BOYX

Hero Member
May 5, 2017
436
221
Toronto, ON
Also, I think the IRCC should start to update estimated processing time for citizenship applicants. May be based on a running average of days it took for them to finalize a decision on an application. What is the use to keep 12 months there when its 100% inaccurate.
Yeah true, some transparency would likely go long ways now.
 

BOYX

Hero Member
May 5, 2017
436
221
Toronto, ON
By the way, remember the online test invitation screenshot posted earlier here?

Apparently the guy was an essential worker who requested his application be processed urgently. The individual in question recently posted a picture of his Citizenship Certificate which arrived in mail. Looking into his story, I personally believe it holds up.

But does this mean anything? Does this mean we will have online tests?

Unfortunately, this changes nothing. We already know that somewhere around 2000 citizenships are being granted with some portion for essential workers. It’s worth pointing out that most of these 2000 grants are likely for regular people who were simply waiting on their oath.

Therefore, it seems plausible that these online tests have been going on since March but only for the few essential workers. Given these individuals are already such a small subset of the population, any portion of those who are involved enough to post screenshots and such is likely also small. For example, on the google docs here, we have approximately 100 applicants per month, however the real number is around 20,000 i.e 0.5% of the population. Therefore, a quite small portion of the overall population is involved enough as us.

Therefore, it makes sense why we haven’t seen many screenshots over these past months: It’s rare to come across someone who is an essential worker, who needs an urgent citizenship, who is involved enough in the citizenship process AND who is willing to post a screenshot. We were just lucky enough to stumble across someone who fits all above categories.

Long story short: we still need to apply the pressure. Not a time to relax because this does not signify any change.
 

Das67

Hero Member
Oct 19, 2019
967
560
By the way, remember the online test invitation screenshot posted earlier here?

Apparently the guy was an essential worker who requested his application be processed urgently. The individual in question recently posted a picture of his Citizenship Certificate which arrived in mail. Looking into his story, I personally believe it holds up.

But does this mean anything? Does this mean we will have online tests?

Unfortunately, this changes nothing. We already know that somewhere around 2000 citizenships are being granted with some portion for essential workers. It’s worth pointing out that most of these 2000 grants are likely for regular people who were simply waiting on their oath.

Therefore, it seems plausible that these online tests have been going on since March but only for the few essential workers. Given these individuals are already such a small subset of the population, any portion of those who are involved enough to post screenshots and such is likely also small. For example, on the google docs here, we have approximately 100 applicants per month, however the real number is around 20,000 i.e 0.5% of the population. Therefore, a quite small portion of the overall population is involved enough as us.

Therefore, it makes sense why we haven’t seen many screenshots over these past months: It’s rare to come across someone who is an essential worker, who needs an urgent citizenship, who is involved enough in the citizenship process AND who is willing to post a screenshot. We were just lucky enough to stumble across someone who fits all above categories.

Long story short: we still need to apply the pressure. Not a time to relax because this does not signify any change.
According to the below, facebook post may be true.
Like you said this doesn't change anything.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nicolass and BOYX

piotrqc

Hero Member
Aug 10, 2020
391
451
By the way, remember the online test invitation screenshot posted earlier here?

Apparently the guy was an essential worker who requested his application be processed urgently. The individual in question recently posted a picture of his Citizenship Certificate which arrived in mail. Looking into his story, I personally believe it holds up.

But does this mean anything? Does this mean we will have online tests?

Unfortunately, this changes nothing. We already know that somewhere around 2000 citizenships are being granted with some portion for essential workers. It’s worth pointing out that most of these 2000 grants are likely for regular people who were simply waiting on their oath.

Therefore, it seems plausible that these online tests have been going on since March but only for the few essential workers. Given these individuals are already such a small subset of the population, any portion of those who are involved enough to post screenshots and such is likely also small. For example, on the google docs here, we have approximately 100 applicants per month, however the real number is around 20,000 i.e 0.5% of the population. Therefore, a quite small portion of the overall population is involved enough as us.

Therefore, it makes sense why we haven’t seen many screenshots over these past months: It’s rare to come across someone who is an essential worker, who needs an urgent citizenship, who is involved enough in the citizenship process AND who is willing to post a screenshot. We were just lucky enough to stumble across someone who fits all above categories.

Long story short: we still need to apply the pressure. Not a time to relax because this does not signify any change.

So there is nothing new, we are talking about exemptions that can be counted on the fingers of one hand (+ I am sure that it is linked with the `` unlocking '' of the code 699 from last November 9 ... The Treasury Board of Canada forced them to work a little by regulating abuses on the holiday code 699) ...

Anyway, this is not a change at all, it remains exceptional and limited to a few very rare cases.

We must therefore continue the pressure without stopping ... Exactly as we do, and continue to provide spousal sponsors.

The next step will be a demonstration in front of the parliament in Ottawa, next Saturday November 28, 2020. It is even our last chance in my opinion (The extreme cold will complicate things, if we do nothing or if we wait more ...) .

Please follow the '' Advocates for Resumption of Canadian Citizenship Test '' group for more details. And do not hesitate to notify your acquaintances also concerned by this blocking of citizenship tests, especially if you know people who live in the region (Ottawa-Gatineau-Hull, etc ...)

(( ** @omarnabsws and @Gatineau2020 : How are you guys ? :) ))

We have to make noise and maintain pressure.

Of course, in the meantime, you can always continue to contact IRCC CIC through the internet form, phone them, send an email or an envelope to your local MP ...

It is with the efforts of all that we will be able to change things ... Otherwise, we will be condemned to wait years and years ...

Thank you so much.
 
Last edited: