Secretary of MP of Edmonton/St. Albert doesn't care!

[charmainefrances]

I phoned the office of our MP Brent Rathbeger (Edmonton/ St. Albert) to ask for help regarding our application for permanent residency.

So I explained that we filed our application on Nov. 2010, then they transferred to Edmonton on Oct. 2011.



The secretary who thinks "she knows everything" asked questions like:



1. Why did they transfer your file to Edmonton?

I answered:

Well, based on the facts that I know, they will transfer your file to a local office if they think that your marriage is not genuine.

2. Did you receive a letter from them (Edmonton office) saying that you are already refused because your marriage is not genuine?

I said no .


3. then why did you think that's the reason?

I said I did not get an OWP and AIP when they transferred to Edmonton, and when I ordered Foss notes IO was questioning about short courtship, age gap etc. etc.

4. so what do you want our office to do?


I said- well, I have submitted more proofs that our marriage is genuine since the transfer, we are just wondering if the MP can help us follow it up.
ask what's going on now?

SECRETARY- well the current processing time in Edmonton will be 24-29 months.....so just wait for them to contact you.





Yeah great!!!!!! very nice of her! So frustrated because I have been paying taxes in years and this is the kind of service I can get! aLL WE WANT IS JUST A LITTLE HELP! THAT'S IT! They don't understand the agony because they are not on the situation so so so sad!

 

[computergeek]

My advice would be to write this up in a letter. Telephone conversations never have as much impact as an actual letter. Personally, when I have a letter of this type I send it via courier to the relevant party - I find that tends to bypass the gatekeepers, but it isn't strictly necessary.

 

[charmainefrances]

My advice would be to write this up in a letter. Telephone conversations never have as much impact as an actual letter. Personally, when I have a letter of this type I send it via courier to the relevant party - I find that tends to bypass the gatekeepers, but it isn't strictly necessary.

That's what I'm thinking to do! I was just so disappointed early Monday morning! i know some of the members of this forum asked help from their MPs and had answers right away. So i will give it a try again... and yes I will write a letter.

Thanks again!

 

[NBaker]

Bear in mind that an MP is not required to help with this process and may feel it better not to based on individual circumstances of a case, also consider of what party the MP is a member.

Also think of the number of people who contact the MP for the same assistance.

As frustrating as it may be an MP, while often suggested as someone to help with immigration matters, may not actually want to help, have an interest in helping or end up being helpful at all even if they agree to help. There is really little they can do and in the current climate related to all matters immigration it is not necessarily the top priority. They sure don't want something to come out that might result in bad press for them in the future!

 

[charmainefrances]

I'm not asking the MP to speed up the process. All we want is a little help by asking how is the application doing? Our situation now is very complicated. Don't wanna elaborate anymore because it just adds up to my frustration.

Now if MP does not want to help at all it's ok atleast we tried! And my husband knows who not to vote next time.

 

[NBaker]

An MP can only get access to the same information that you can have access to so if you already have applied for copies of your notes, file etc through an access to information request. If you have this, already you have more than the MP would have. The MP would only be calling the CIC office and told the same information.

 

[Kaycee1]

I live in St. Albert also, and remember reading a different thread about Brent Rathgerber - here it is:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t68145.0.html

I also agree that you should send a letter in writing, the girl at the front desk probably didn't even pass anything on to the MP.

 

[NBaker]

Certainly send a letter, putting something in writing is a wise thing to do, but it is extremely rare for an MP to actually become involved in these matters. There will be someone at their office that is tasked to handle, answer questions related to any number of requests that come in and that certainly includes immigration so it is very possible that the person spoken to is the one that will deal with the situation.

 

[muffy1]

I agree. It is usually an admin person that handles it. Normally, when you contact the MP's office, they will be unable to do anything if the application is within normal processing times, as well.

Certainly send a letter, putting something in writing is a wise thing to do, but it is extremely rare for an MP to actually become involved in these matters. There will be someone at their office that is tasked to handle, answer questions related to any number of requests that come in and that certainly includes immigration so it is very possible that the person spoken to is the one that will deal with the situation.

 

[charmainefrances]

I live in St. Albert also, and remember reading a different thread about Brent Rathgerber - here it is:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t68145.0.html

I also agree that you should send a letter in writing, the girl at the front desk probably didn't even pass anything on to the MP.

Thank you for sharing this! I appreciate this... I will try to write a letter!

 

[charmainefrances]

Nbaker and muffy1


I think it won't hurt if I write a letter. As I have said I don't wanna elaborate anymore about our case but it's a complicated one....It is better to just write a letter to him. If they write back (whatever the answer is- positive or negative) , It's ok... atleast we tried....

 

[muffy1]

Oh no, I agree with you! I would do the same thing. I just speak of my own experience, that's all. But, it definitely doesn't hurt to try! Beats sitting here *trying* to wait patiently for this whole process to play through. Good luck and keep us posted

Nbaker and muffy1


I think it won't hurt if I write a letter. As I have said I don't wanna elaborate anymore about our case but it's a complicated one....It is better to just write a letter to him. If they write back (whatever the answer is- positive or negative) , It's ok... atleast we tried....

 

[SenoritaBella]

Excuse me but an MP is elected to serve the people. They can not speed up processing so I don't see how doing their job will cause bad press. All they do is make inquiries and because of their "priority status", they are able to get a response within a day or few hours.

 

[charmainefrances]

Excuse me but an MP is elected to serve the people. They can not speed up processing so I don't see how doing their job will cause bad press. All they do is make inquiries and because of their "priority status", they are able to get a response within a day or few hours.

That's what I thought! I'm happy you said this! Thank you! I AM not asking the Mp to speed up the process...all i need is a little help to inquire what's going on.

 

[muffy1]

I understand! And you should. I was just telling you what our MP said that as long as it is within normal processing times of what is posted online that they cannot call or do anything until it has gone past the posted processing times.

Hopefully, you will have luck and your MP will be able to help! All the best!

That's what I thought! I'm happy you said this! Thank you! I AM not asking the Mp to speed up the process...all i need is a little help to inquire what's going on.