Kingston,Jamaica

[blondie1216]

Congrats ceeallen! You're on your way to stage 2!

[blondie1216]

Good mawnin!

Yes my boy loved that cake. I must say it was pretty good. I made a red velvet cake with cherry pie filling and cream cheese icing!


Sorry to say Blondie, but my file was transferred to KGN before Christmas and I have heard nothing since. With the small exception that they added my husbands address (in May??). I surely hope that you don't wait as long as I do!!

People have gotten emails at 3 & 4 in the morning; PPR on the weekends; and I even read on the forum once that someone got a telephone interview on a Saturday!  Not sure what hours they keep, another immigration mystery!

I know through God's grace that it won't be that long! My faith is strong and also I live it in my mind everyday... Call me crazy but I once reads book and it says that if u want something you have to live like you got it already.. I pray for us each night and I feel like they are trying to make it quicker, they are just not all on the same page yet.

You will hear something very soon! Believe it!

[Halfmoon]

I know through God's grace that it won't be that long! My faith is strong and also I live it in my mind everyday... Call me crazy but I once reads book and it says that if u want something you have to live like you got it already.. I pray for us each night and I feel like they are trying to make it quicker, they are just not all on the same page yet.

You will hear something very soon! Believe it!

Based on the audit report findings and management responses looks like they're really working on improving their targets and quotas. Since 2010, they've created a mail room!!

Some more reading for you Blondie

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/audit/kingston.asp

[blondie1216]

Based on the audit report findings and management responses looks like they're really working on improving their targets and quotas. Since 2010, they've created a mail room!!

Some more reading for you Blondie

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/audit/kingston.asp

Thanks Halfmoon.... I am trying to be like charlieD and hopefully I will by the time this is overin a few months! I just find it so strange that it takes soon long.. I would love to know why or offer some voluntary services lol.. I just can't understand with technology being the way it is... We shud be updated every time they open our files... It is a step by step process which requires input.. How else will they know what they have done already..

[Jamgirl]

Based on the audit report findings and management responses looks like they're really working on improving their targets and quotas. Since 2010, they've created a mail room!!

Some more reading for you Blondie

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/audit/kingston.asp

Awesome! Good reading on my night shift tonight Thank u for sharing the link!

[Halfmoon]

Thanks Halfmoon.... I am trying to be like charlieD and hopefully I will by the time this is overin a few months! I just find it so strange that it takes soon long.. I would love to know why or offer some voluntary services lol.. I just can't understand with technology being the way it is... We shud be updated every time they open our files... It is a step by step process which requires input.. How else will they know what they have done already..

Which is one their focuses based on the report. They really emphasize the CAIPS notes however those would have to be ordered and of course comes with a small fee. That's truly the only way to know though they also spoke on timely updates and even did a testing of 50 files which all seemed to meet the standards? That must have been a fluke because we all know it's hit or miss when it comes to updates from what I've read in this forum. I'm just surprised with all the revenues generated that they only have 23 full time staff members for an office that serves several regions.  

[blondie1216]

So in reading this link, I got the following:

Hardly anything was being documented which is why they can't answer questions or update files/ecas.

They are in the process ( which happens to be from 2009 thru 2010) of updated and getting everyone on the right page

They need more staff that is trained and updated etc...

But I wonder how much of this they actually have done.. Just a suggestion but wouldnt it be easy for the person in the mailroom to automatically send out an AOR before file is given to IO.

Just trying to understand y the simplest of things can't be done.. I know they may be short staffed but if we work smarter it wud be much easier to get things done in compliance to their mission statement or policies.

Anyway I still feel that the times are getting shorter for processing even if Kingston still says 16 months..

[blondie1216]

Which is one their focuses based on the report. They really emphasize the CAIPS notes however those would have to be ordered and of course comes with a small fee. That's truly the only way to know though they also spoke on timely updates and even did a testing of 50 files which all seemed to meet the standards? That must have been a fluke because we all know it's hit or miss when it comes to updates from what I've read in this forum. I'm just surprised with all the revenues generated that they only have 23 full time staff members for an office that serves several regions.  

I don't understand this either however maybe they have to pay the salaries of the consulates in the different countries as well. We have a consulate here in the bahamas and I don't see why most of the information for those in the bahamas can't be done here and just finalized in KGN. What are they doing at these consulates because every time I talk to them, they seem to have the most free time to talk...

Again just another suggestion... Maybe I should send these to cic head quarters..

[Halfmoon]

So in reading this link, I got the following:

Hardly anything was being documented which is why they can't answer questions or update files/ecas.

They are in the process ( which happens to be from 2009 thru 2010) of updated and getting everyone on the right page

They need more staff that is trained and updated etc...

But I wonder how much of this they actually have done.. Just a suggestion but wouldnt it be easy for the person in the mailroom to automatically send out an AOR before file is given to IO.

Just trying to understand y the simplest of things can't be done.. I know they may be short staffed but if we work smarter it wud be much easier to get things done in compliance to their mission statement or policies.

Anyway I still feel that the times are getting shorter for processing even if Kingston still says 16 months..

Keep in mind this report was finalized in 2010 however the audit review and testing was from 2008-2009. Based on historical data, I'd say the processing times have improved overall.  I believe the process improvements are ongoing in other words "work in process". The system is not perfect but they've identified key areas that need improvements both for the mission office and clients. Unfortunately, in a government office, sick days are not treated the same as sick days in the private sector. Employees can call in sick for days on end as they actually accrue 1.5 sick days a month that are accumulated in a sick bank that they are required to use.  Not to mention they receive generous vacation days, family days, the list goes on hence the reason for the shortage of staff often times. They also didn't have a succession plan as indicated in the report which puts a lot of weight on the rest of the department especially with difficulties in getting replacements .

But I like the improvements as they do work towards clients advantage so I'm feeling confident this means good news for us. Something did cross my mind though, I thought all employees working at these offices would be Canadians?  

[Halfmoon]

I don't understand this either however maybe they have to pay the salaries of the consulates in the different countries as well. We have a consulate here in the bahamas and I don't see why most of the information for those in the bahamas can't be done here and just finalized in KGN. What are they doing at these consulates because every time I talk to them, they seem to have the most free time to talk...

Again just another suggestion... Maybe I should send these to cic head quarters..

Read the report for CIC M - the revenues generated from applications is just mind blowing vs the budget!

Table 1 provides information on the revenue, budget, employees, and number of applications received and processed, as well as the inventory at the CPC since 2005–2006.

Table 1 – Overview of CPC Mississauga

Year          Revenue            Budget Expended  FTEs           Sponsorship Applications Received      Sponsorship Applications Processed                                                     Inventory                         
2005–06    $77,346,055    $5,072,792    91    79,653            71,737                                       40,859
2006–07    $76,024,419    $6,246,835    103    77,676            82,984                                       34,794
2007–08    $54,111,231    $4,205,196    95    61,564            64,002                                       32,475

[ceeallen]

Thank you all for showing so much love!!! I know approval is right around the cornor, then i'll b heading over to Kingston, Jamaica!

[Jamgirl]

Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday!

Here is a personal favorite song of mine that may remind u of why we all are going thru this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdN5GyTl8K0

[ready_fi_move_on]

Omg my patience is wearing thin this not hearing anything from kgn is getting to me I miss my family soooooo much GOD this is soooooo hard

[Halfmoon]

Evening everyone - hope you enjoyed the nice weather outside. Went to the zoo and had an amazing time!! and it didn't rain one drop!!

Quick question, I read in a forum somewhere that something has to be written on the back of one of hubby's passport photos. I don't recall writing anything. Just only a date stamp from the photo shop. Is this all that's needed? 

Also, I just took a look at his police certificate, and underneath where the photo is sealed, it was left blank where my hubby should have signed? Oh I hope this doesn't affect too much?

[Anada]

Congrats Ceealen~! we're that much closer than we were before..

as for me...my weekend was blahh compared to the last 2.

back to it all u know...makes me wanna kick and scream and fly down there, and just not move till its time for us to move.

hmmmm.