Today, I called the Canadian embassy in Damascus and their reply was the same. "Sir, send email or fax". I told her I already send an email and fax and I got no reply. She played the tape recorder again "Sir, send an email or fax". I wish they did not invent emails and faxes. People's life is not important to them!. the important thing for them is the pot of coffee to be always hot & ready. Also, the pack of cigarettes is full. I wish I can change my career and become visa officer in Damascus, even for a day; I just want to know what do they do all day long beside drinking coffee. W'nhna=we work all day long,, and pay taxes liked crazy to pay those people salaries.....I understand they dont want any criminals to enter Canada and they are doing this to protect "us" (I buy that), bas=but work and dont take 11 month just because you decided to do that. We are not toys!!!!They know what is going on in Syria, you are short of staff?No problem!hire more!ya3mme, hire casual agents (3 month contract). In that way, you will process files faster and will have a lot of time to drink whatever you like and talk about people.