YOUR M.P. OFFICE CAN GET YOUR YOUR APPLICATION MOVING.....

[chikloo]

I was told by the MP office that they are a-political and have no political affiliation . So if the next election there is a change of power in the riding and a new party is elected, the MP office stays staff the same. At least this is what they said - if you believe it or not is up to you.

How can a MP be non political? He may mean that he is independent but he is still has political affiliation. It is just that he is alone in it. When there is an issue or a bill in motion. He aligns with government or opposition no matter what. Off course he can stay neutral and will not solve any purpose for him or his constituency.

 

[ItkExpert]

How can a MP be non political? He may mean that he is independent but he is still has political affiliation. It is just that he is alone in it. When there is an issue or a bill in motion. He aligns with government or opposition no matter what. Off course he can stay neutral and will not solve any purpose for him or his constituency.

I did not mean the MP himself but the staff at the office which are the ones actually doing the inquires to CIC.... It would make sense for them to be not affiliated politically because their duty is to be a liaison between residents and the government. If they were politically affiliated in any way voters for other than ruling party in that riding might feel discriminated against.

 

[chikloo]

I did not mean the MP himself but the staff at the office which are the ones actually doing the inquires to CIC.... It would make sense for them to be not affiliated politically because their duty is to be a liaison between residents and the government. If they were politically affiliated in any way voters for other than ruling party in that riding might feel discriminated against.

So the staff. Ok but they will be replaced if the MP changes. Usually MPs align their staff with their own friends.

 

[screech339]

How can a MP be non political? He may mean that he is independent but he is still has political affiliation. It is just that he is alone in it. When there is an issue or a bill in motion. He aligns with government or opposition no matter what. Off course he can stay neutral and will not solve any purpose for him or his constituency.

I think it is meant that the office is a-political in the sense that they must do the work for every inquiry asked by their constituents, regardless of whether the person inquiring is a liberal supporter, conservative supporter or a dipper supporter. After all the MP now represents a district comprising every type of voters.

 

[DAN11]

Does it have to be your MP or any MP should work ?
I am in Ottawa and I guess all MPs have their offices here too.
Plus does it matter if the MP is from the majority or from the opposition ? Was yours from the opposition or majority ?

It must be your local MP

 

[DAN11]

Does it have to be your MP or any MP should work ?
I am in Ottawa and I guess all MPs have their offices here too.
Plus does it matter if the MP is from the majority or from the opposition ? Was yours from the opposition or majority ?

Your local MP. I don't know which MP it was all i know it was a MP and seems to be working on it. I would go both since both are looking for a victory

 

[chikloo]

I think it is meant that the office is a-political in the sense that they must do the work for every inquiry asked by their constituents, regardless of whether the person inquiring is a liberal supporter, conservative supporter or a dipper supporter. After all the MP now represents a district comprising every type of voters.

In an idealistic world you are right and all MP office (whatever their affiliation is) will try to portray the same. In reality they have their opinions, affiliation and prejudices which reflects on their work.

Chris Alexander is a MP and do you think he is going to be a-political if someone goes with some issue on the new citizenship law. He may get the petition and respond some diplomatic answer.

 

[alphazip]

I did not mean the MP himself but the staff at the office which are the ones actually doing the inquires to CIC.... It would make sense for them to be not affiliated politically because their duty is to be a liaison between residents and the government. If they were politically affiliated in any way voters for other than ruling party in that riding might feel discriminated against.

Here's an article on constituency offices: http://www.agora-parl.org/sites/default/files/37n2e_14_printversion.pdf Says it's "extremely rare" to keep staff when there's a political change in a riding. So, the staff is not apolitical, but they do have to help everyone in the riding, not just members of the MP's party.

 

[HighFive]

When I talked to our MP's secretaries they clearly told us they dont have any influence on CIC or can put any pressure on them either.
We are in Thornhill....

 

[DAN11]

When I talked to our MP's secretaries they clearly told us they dont have any influence on CIC or can put any pressure on them either.
We are in Thornhill....

Hmm, one will tell you that but if your try another rep in the office they might be able to help. As I mentioned in my post you might have to be referred by centers such as YMCA etc.

 

[screech339]

In an idealistic world you are right and all MP office (whatever their affiliation is) will try to portray the same. In reality they have their opinions, affiliation and prejudices which reflects on their work.

Chris Alexander is a MP and do you think he is going to be a-political if someone goes with some issue on the new citizenship law. He may get the petition and respond some diplomatic answer.

Asking Chris to inquire on your file at CIC is not the same as being handed a petition. Inquiring on your file at CIC is an example of a-political work. Sometimes his staff handle the inquiry if there is a perceived sense of conflict of interests.

But to be handed a petition to an MP is a request of changing the current laws. Then it becomes a political issue. You can't expect any MP to be a-political when a petition is submitted.

 

[screech339]

Here's an article on constituency offices: http://www.agora-parl.org/sites/default/files/37n2e_14_printversion.pdf Says it's "extremely rare" to keep staff when there's a political change in a riding. So, the staff is not apolitical, but they do have to help everyone in the riding, not just members of the MP's party.

I agree with alphazip on this. Staff are replaced whenever there is a new MP in placed. Normally MP is suppose to hand over the constituents information over to the new MP. But I am sure some of them don't. There was a case of an MP pretty much took all the constituents information with him when he left, leaving the new MP with nothing. The new MP would have to start from scratch building up constituents information once again. I can bet that the MP would still refuse to pass this info to the new MP believing that they worked hard to building the list themselves and why a new MP gets the easy way.

 

[HighFive]

Hmm, one will tell you that but if your try another rep in the office they might be able to help. As I mentioned in my post you might have to be referred by centers such as YMCA etc.

there are only two secretaries in that MP office and we talked to both of them, both said same thing.
Dare I ask what is YMCA (sounds like an old song name though )and why they (MP office) would listen to YMCA....?

 

[alphazip]

there are only two secretaries in that MP office and we talked to both of them, both said same thing.
Dare I ask what is YMCA (sounds like an old song name though )and why they (MP office) would listen to YMCA....?

YMCA is The Young Men's Christian Association, though nowadays the religious aspect is quite secondary. They have sports centres (pools and such) and, I guess, help with settlement and translation issues.
Some "Ys" act as hostels, providing inexpensive rooms for men, and that's what the famous disco song is about. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YMCA

 

[Canadiandesi2006]

Did you know that your MP office can get your application moving? Yes they can, they have access to your local office. I went to the YMCA who helped me with my application just to voice my opinion. The YMCA rep then gave me my MP office address and phone number, I went to the MP office and discuss my concerns with them and to my surprise they took my information, made up a file for me and made a call to CIC infront of me. I asked the rep if its the same number that we call they call they said no.

Further, they then said that they will call the local office later in the day as they can't call now else they won't answer. This morning I was informed by the MP office that I will need finger print and they will ask the local office supervisor why this request wasn't sent out before. The MP rep told me that they can also help with getting oath dates... You may have to go to a centre such as YMCA or any other centres similar to the YMCA for the contact information before you go to the MP office. Although you might know where your MP office is located the MP may ask you who sent you because they did asked me although I told them st8 up as I enter but they still asked. We all know anyone can go to MP office but I guess because of the nature of the subject they asked.

Appreciate sharing your experience. As other reader mentioned, most of us including me tried getting some help of MP's. All they write to CIC and get the status, that your case in processing and will be informed once done. At the most, that shows on your ATIP report.

Probably if your MP belongs to Federal Ruling party or if your MP is quite influential that might make some positive impact.

I'm happy it helped you and sincerely wish you the best, as we all are sick and tied of this unending wait. ;D