No update from IRCC on citizenship oath ceremony. Next steps?

[Zero-Transparency]

Hello, I am among the citizenship candidates who have successfully passed citizenship test and interview. After some time, I had called IRCC helpline every few weeks. They have confirmed that my application is complete and only awaiting scheduling for oath ceremony. Now months have passed and I am in the same frustrating waiting situation as many others in this forum.

It may be due to manpower issues, process issues etc. But the backlog needs to be checked and cleared. IRCC is holding everyone's lives in uncertainty.
Even the complaints via the web-form process does not seem to work.

I have sent emails to the following to request help to speed up the citizenship oath ceremony process.
pm@pm.gc.ca;
justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca;
Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca;
marco.mendicino@parl.gc.ca


Note:

Now with the coronavirus risks, these ceremonies / gatherings should be stopped. Coronavirus is much worse than other virus outbreaks in the recent past.

An online process can be implemented which will help speed up the citizenship grant process, have an electronic consent in the applicant's file and moreover reduce the risk of spread of the coronavirus through mandatory presence in a gathering. This is mentioned in my emails as well

 

[immshunli]

All citizenship ceremonies were cancelled after today indefinitely as per IRCC: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-ceremony.html#resultList

 

[immshunli]

And I highly doubt they will use alternative way to grant citizenship, because each step is in the citizenship law, they can’t change it that easily.

 

[jt2020]

Yes, the policies and processes cannot be changed easily.


But with the health related issues, it is in the interests of all parties involved that the relevant authority implements new online processes asap

 

[Chrisstina]

Hello, I am among the citizenship candidates who have successfully passed citizenship test and interview. After some time, I had called IRCC helpline every few weeks. They have confirmed that my application is complete and only awaiting scheduling for oath ceremony. Now months have passed and I am in the same frustrating waiting situation as many others in this forum.

It may be due to manpower issues, process issues etc. But the backlog needs to be checked and cleared. IRCC is holding everyone's lives in uncertainty.
Even the complaints via the web-form process does not seem to work.

I have sent emails to the following to request help to speed up the citizenship oath ceremony process.
pm@pm.gc.ca;
justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca;
Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca;
marco.mendicino@parl.gc.ca


Note:

Now with the coronavirus risks, these ceremonies / gatherings should be stopped. Coronavirus is much worse than other virus outbreaks in the recent past.

An online process can be implemented which will help speed up the citizenship grant process, have an electronic consent in the applicant's file and moreover reduce the risk of spread of the Coronavirus through mandatory presence in a gathering. This is mentioned in my emails as well

You have pointed out a convincing alternative. I have also sent emails to pm@pm.gc.ca and minister@parl..gc.ca with alternate suggession that if a person can be hired for job on the basis of video conference or on phone than why govt can not take oath signed by the resident over video calling in which face of the applicant can easily be verified with the photo in record of IRCC. Even before asking to sign oath, IRCC can ask any questions to verify the credential of person/resident.
Last week I also suggested that instead of mass gathering IRCC can call individual to the nearest IRCC office along with all documents after scheduling appointment by opening offices/counter and in case even 25-40 persons in a day are dealt in one office with from Mon-Sat then within three weeks all backlog can be cleared without any risk of Coronavirus.

 

[egyed]

Dr. Adolf Ng, a professor at the University of Manitoba, was granted Canadian citizenship through historic virtual ceremony: https://globalnews.ca/news/6776510/coronavirus-canada-virtual-citizenship/

 

[canuck78]

Dr. Adolf Ng, a professor at the University of Manitoba, was granted Canadian citizenship through historic virtual ceremony: https://globalnews.ca/news/6776510/coronavirus-canada-virtual-citizenship/

Very specific case. I assume he needed to be a citizen to enter the top virology lab in Canada which is in Winnipeg. This would be considered as a nation safety reason. This is very different than general citizenship.

 

[ciscoccie]

Very specific case. I assume he needed to be a citizen to enter the top virology lab in Canada which is in Winnipeg. This would be considered as a nation safety reason. This is very different than general citizenship.

Yes very specific
https://umanitoba.ca/faculties/management/faculty_staff/academic_professors/adolf-ng.html

 

[egyed]

Very specific case. I assume he needed to be a citizen to enter the top virology lab in Canada which is in Winnipeg. This would be considered as a nation safety reason. This is very different than general citizenship.

I know. It is very specific urgent case

 

[Chrisstina]

SBS News had published that Australian Citizenship Oath Ceremonies to go ahead via video link from 6th April 2020 during Coronavirus Crises. Full details can be seen at www.sbs.com.au.news or any one can browse over google by typing Australian Citizenship oath ceremonies via video link.

 

[egyed]

“The department is examining options and processes for the resumption of service to people who have applied for citizenship, which could include virtual citizenship ceremonies.” said Kevin Lemkay, a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.

 

[sydcarton]

“The department is examining options and processes for the resumption of service to people who have applied for citizenship, which could include virtual citizenship ceremonies.” said Kevin Lemkay, a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.

Yep, read this last night too. By the time IRCC settles on a decision, picks a platform for example, tests it, it could be months.
I know New Zealand is just mailing those who have been approved their citizenship certificates. This seems to be the most cost-effective method. Symbolism aside, if IRCC can adapt and omit the need for an oath ceremony, it would help reduce the backlog.
Those who apply for proof of citizenship get their certificates directly mailed, not sure why this can’t be applicable to grant applicants as well.
Looks like we just have to play IRCC’s favourite game: the waiting game.

 

[immshunli]

Yep, read this last night too. By the time IRCC settles on a decision, picks a platform for example, tests it, it could be months.
I know New Zealand is just mailing those who have been approved their citizenship certificates. This seems to be the most cost-effective method. Symbolism aside, if IRCC can adapt and omit the need for an oath ceremony, it would help reduce the backlog.
Those who apply for proof of citizenship get their certificates directly mailed, not sure why this can’t be applicable to grant applicants as well.
Looks like we just have to play IRCC’s favourite game: the waiting game.

Agreed, they are like: okay, guess we are done for this year.

 

[jabrillo]

I understand why some citizenship applicants are impatient and desperate to become citizens. But the government is focused now in ending the COVID-19 pandemic. They need to maximize human and financial resources to help everyone affected by this crisis.

 

[jc94]

Last week I also suggested that instead of mass gathering IRCC can call individual to the nearest IRCC office along with all documents after scheduling appointment by opening offices/counter and in case even 25-40 persons in a day are dealt in one office with from Mon-Sat then within three weeks all backlog can be cleared without any risk of Coronavirus.

I think it’s worth noting that some offices like Scarborough process 1800 a week(actually in three days) via mass 300 person ceremonies twice a day.

Even 100 people a day is going to fall very short of these numbers. For some areas.