Hi,
I would just like to ask if anyone have heard about the news on the layoffs that took place in Sydney case processing center in NS, which handles PR, citizenship and skilled worker papers. With this situation, it was stated that the processing time to renew the PR card will be increased from 18months to 24months. I find it outrageous because the normal processing time for PR card these days is just 98days (as verified by the CIC website as well) and to think that nobody can even go our of the country for 2yrs because they are waiting for their PR card. I called CIC but the agent said that they can't comment on any media release and she insisted that 98day is what should be expected by the customers. Also, there aren't any announcements made in the CIC website about this issue.
Is there any truth in this? I'm currently having a hard time planning my travel that had already been schedule since it will be after my PR card expires. I have the intension of renewing my PR card prior its expiration but if the processing will take years, I don't think I can go anywhere for important matters.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
Immigrants planning to travel abroad to visit relatives this summer are being warned to ensure they have valid travel documents or be prepared for lengthy delays to obtain new ones. Union representatives said Wednesday the delays will be the result of layoffs at a Nova Scotia office where travel documents are processed. Some 147 clerical workers on contract with a Sydney case processing centre have been given termination notices and most will be gone by Friday,said Alan Lennon, of the Canadian Employment and Immigration Union.Lennon said the facility processes permanent residency cards and applications for citizenship and skilled workers.
“It will take people longer to get their documents,” Lennon said on Wednesday.“People have to give themselves plenty of time to renew their documents.” Permanent residents —landed immigrants who haven't obtained citizenship—are being asked to check the expiry dates of their permanent residency cards if they're planning a trip. They cannot travel using an expired document and won't be allowed to board a return flight to Canada.
Union national president Jeannette Meunier-McKay said the wait time will increase from [size=10pt]18 months to 24 months[/size] due to the layoffs.
source: 24h Toronto, dated April 15, page 8 (Breaking News section) - I think this was also published in 24h Vancouver, just not sure of the details
I would just like to ask if anyone have heard about the news on the layoffs that took place in Sydney case processing center in NS, which handles PR, citizenship and skilled worker papers. With this situation, it was stated that the processing time to renew the PR card will be increased from 18months to 24months. I find it outrageous because the normal processing time for PR card these days is just 98days (as verified by the CIC website as well) and to think that nobody can even go our of the country for 2yrs because they are waiting for their PR card. I called CIC but the agent said that they can't comment on any media release and she insisted that 98day is what should be expected by the customers. Also, there aren't any announcements made in the CIC website about this issue.
Is there any truth in this? I'm currently having a hard time planning my travel that had already been schedule since it will be after my PR card expires. I have the intension of renewing my PR card prior its expiration but if the processing will take years, I don't think I can go anywhere for important matters.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
Immigrants planning to travel abroad to visit relatives this summer are being warned to ensure they have valid travel documents or be prepared for lengthy delays to obtain new ones. Union representatives said Wednesday the delays will be the result of layoffs at a Nova Scotia office where travel documents are processed. Some 147 clerical workers on contract with a Sydney case processing centre have been given termination notices and most will be gone by Friday,said Alan Lennon, of the Canadian Employment and Immigration Union.Lennon said the facility processes permanent residency cards and applications for citizenship and skilled workers.
“It will take people longer to get their documents,” Lennon said on Wednesday.“People have to give themselves plenty of time to renew their documents.” Permanent residents —landed immigrants who haven't obtained citizenship—are being asked to check the expiry dates of their permanent residency cards if they're planning a trip. They cannot travel using an expired document and won't be allowed to board a return flight to Canada.
Union national president Jeannette Meunier-McKay said the wait time will increase from [size=10pt]18 months to 24 months[/size] due to the layoffs.
source: 24h Toronto, dated April 15, page 8 (Breaking News section) - I think this was also published in 24h Vancouver, just not sure of the details
