Citizenship test: Collective action required, or expect endless delays, years. Example of the effective lobbyng of people awaiting spousal sponsorship

[piotrqc]

I am sure IRCC is working on it. I hope they update us all soon.

I envy you ... I would like to be able to be able to hope positively like you (Maybe your European passport gives you this security) ... Unfortunately life has taught me that hope is often useless ... The world, unfortunately, is not a joyful universe of telletubies and teddy bears, always ending with happy endings ... Not at all.

In any case people seem to have understood it, and an event is taking place right now in social networks, to demand the resumption of citizenship tests.

Without being totally in agreement with the outcome of things(Too soft and forgiving in my opinion)... But it's still a good start, a framework to bring people together now exists ...

But the only way to get things done, as i mentioned in the title of this thread itself,- and as the soupsal sponsors have done efficiently and with a favorable outcome - is to make visible noise, to go outside in demonstrations in front of IRCC CIC offices, to demand the resumption of tests for citizenship.

The backlog will only increase day by day.

Hopefully the people who are virtually reuniting now don't have to wait much before stepping out into the real world ...

The sword of Damocles of a majority conservative government (And a cancellation of all pending citizenship applications, a change and tightening of the criteria to apply for retroactive citizenship, and even a cancellation until new order of citizenship procedures (they will be able to invoke the pandemic, and say that it is not a priority ... believe me that the bases of the conservative parties will applaud this)), is still present, plausible, possible, and real and easily feasible. Not science fiction ...

 

[zumbagirl]

The issue with changing the test is that I believe new laws will have to be created and voted on.
What they could do is have an oral test be done and then the oath if the person passes without having to actually change laws since an oral test is already allowed under the law.
If they can do the test and oath at the same time, then at least we get some people through the system. It won’t be as fast as before, but I guess it’s better than no movement.

No new laws!
citizenship test and live oath are departmental regulation , Easy to change, no parliament needed. Just immigration canada internal process change.

Suspend the requirement for test until the department could actually administer the test and cancel live oath, simply mail in a solemn declaration!

1 month and the more than half million citizenship backlog could be gone!

Where there's a will there's a way !!!!!

write to your MP

 

[EUK]

I envy you ... I would like to be able to be able to hope positively like you (Maybe your European passport gives you this security) ... Unfortunately life has taught me that hope is often useless ... The world, unfortunately, is not a joyful universe of telletubies and teddy bears, always ending with happy endings ... Not at all.

In any case people seem to have understood it, and an event is taking place right now in social networks, to demand the resumption of citizenship tests.

Without being totally in agreement with the outcome of things(Too soft and forgiving in my opinion)... But it's still a good start, a framework to bring people together now exists ...

But the only way to get things done, as i mentioned in the title of this thread itself,- and as the soupsal sponsors have done efficiently and with a favorable outcome - is to make visible noise, to go outside in demonstrations in front of IRCC CIC offices, to demand the resumption of tests for citizenship.

The backlog will only increase day by day.

Hopefully the people who are virtually reuniting now don't have to wait much before stepping out into the real world ...

The sword of Damocles of a majority conservative government (And a cancellation of all pending citizenship applications, a change and tightening of the criteria to apply for retroactive citizenship, and even a cancellation until new order of citizenship procedures (they will be able to invoke the pandemic, and say that it is not a priority ... believe me that the bases of the conservative parties will applaud this)), is still present, plausible, possible, and real and easily feasible. Not science fiction ...

I totally get it. There should be an update in October.

 

[Lex2019]

I totally get it. There should be an update in October.

Is there any indication of a coming update?

 

[gidriga]

I emailed my MP last week. I got a response from her office today that she will share this concern with her counterparts in Ottawa this week during their Caucus meeting. This is the time when MPs share the concerns of their constituents with the appropriate officials.

 

[piotrqc]

I emailed my MP last week. I got a response from her office today that she will share this concern with her counterparts in Ottawa this week during their Caucus meeting. This is the time when MPs share the concerns of their constituents with the appropriate officials.

Thank you for this update.

I'm curious. Who is you local MP, wich area, and wich party ?

Thank you.

 

[gidriga]

Thank you for this update.

I'm curious. Who is you local MP, wich area, and wich party ?

Thank you.

Our local MP is Anita Anand @ Oakville (from Liberal party). Responses from her office have been phenomenal so far.

 

[andy10]

I just sent an email to my MP...i believe if all the people in this forum who are waiting for their test write to their MPs, then something will eventually happen....
To all people reading this message, please contact your MP...it's the only option...

tweets, social media groups, calling IRCC, and even the media haven't helped so far...it's been more than 7 months!

 

[yawnman]

I emailed my MP last week. I got a response from her office today that she will share this concern with her counterparts in Ottawa this week during their Caucus meeting. This is the time when MPs share the concerns of their constituents with the appropriate officials.

Can you share the template? So that we can send it to other MPs

 

[piotrqc]

Can you share the template? So that we can send it to other MPs

Below is template that was posted before:

First, make sure you find your local MP on the following site, depending on your electoral region:

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en

Dear [insert MP name here],

Hoping this letter finds you well. I am a Permenant Resident of Canada, residing in the borough of [xx]. I have submitted an application for Canadian Citizenship this past [insert month here] and am currently waiting on any news.

I am only one person of countless other individuals who have applied for citizenship and have not had any news since January 2020. Of course, we all understand the detrimental effect COVID-19 has caused in all aspects of life. In no way would we want our government workers to be in harm’s way because of the virus. We do, however, believe that we have at least the right to know what to expect for our application and to obtain more information. IRCC’s website has so far failed to provide any useful information for applicants other than “We are accepting new applications” and “all citizenship in-person events are cancelled”.

I am sure that IRCC agents have been overwhelmed with calls from anxious applicants. To that end, might it not be possible for IRCC to release a statement with the following information:

- Describing (preferably in numbers and figures) the size and amount of backlog currently facing citizenship applications.

- Estimating a timeline for AORs.

- Detailing the procedure they are following to process applications in the current circumstances.

- Giving any foreseeable plan of resuming citizenship tests and interviews, similar to what was done for oath ceremonies.

I think that receiving some concrete information will bring peace of mind for applicants, enhancing trust and transparency between them and the government.

Thank you very much for your time,

 

[gidriga]

Below is template that was posted before:

First, make sure you find your local MP on the following site, depending on your electoral region:

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en

Dear [insert MP name here],

Hoping this letter finds you well. I am a Permenant Resident of Canada, residing in the borough of [xx]. I have submitted an application for Canadian Citizenship this past [insert month here] and am currently waiting on any news.

I am only one person of countless other individuals who have applied for citizenship and have not had any news since January 2020. Of course, we all understand the detrimental effect COVID-19 has caused in all aspects of life. In no way would we want our government workers to be in harm’s way because of the virus. We do, however, believe that we have at least the right to know what to expect for our application and to obtain more information. IRCC’s website has so far failed to provide any useful information for applicants other than “We are accepting new applications” and “all citizenship in-person events are cancelled”.

I am sure that IRCC agents have been overwhelmed with calls from anxious applicants. To that end, might it not be possible for IRCC to release a statement with the following information:

- Describing (preferably in numbers and figures) the size and amount of backlog currently facing citizenship applications.

- Estimating a timeline for AORs.

- Detailing the procedure they are following to process applications in the current circumstances.

- Giving any foreseeable plan of resuming citizenship tests and interviews, similar to what was done for oath ceremonies.

I think that receiving some concrete information will bring peace of mind for applicants, enhancing trust and transparency between them and the government.

Thank you very much for your time,

Yup, i used exactly this template. Many thanks to the person who compiled it in this structured format.

 

[piotrqc]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservatives-we-opposition-day-1.5768993

Confidence vote, tomorrow...

 

[ott-613]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservatives-we-opposition-day-1.5768993

Confidence vote, tomorrow...

Citizenships tests seems to be the “least “ to worry about at this point. I think the wait will be for long.

 

[piotrqc]

Citizenships tests seems to be the “least “ to worry about at this point. I think the wait will be for long.

This is why we have to put pressure with public demonstrations in front of the IRCC CIC offices, massive contact with local deputies, contact the press, etc ... To make the resumption of citizenship tests a priority.

The spousal sponsors did the same, and several people at the beginning of their actions said that it is not a priority, that it would be useless, etc ... (Including some commentators here in this thread, to discourage people ...)

... The favorable outcome of their actions has shown us that it is all about the balance of power and pressure.

Keep silent = IRCC CIC employees will take advantage of this situation and of code 699 to the maximum, maybe a decade (ten years or more) ... Or enough in any case to reach a new Conservative government majority (= serious risk of files freezing, or cancellations with more severe change in retroactive rules).

Make noise and keep the pressure on = Get a reaction, and, at least : An clear communication with a deadline.

 

[hotshot45890]

I would accept that this is a least priority if we know that IRCC workers have been diverted from their regular work and are supporting on the front lines fighting COVID. As we all know that is definitely not the case. Then the question is why is this not a priority when there is a full department taking salaries from our taxes and apparently not working to their full capacity. This is is not only wrong it would be considered criminal negligence in many countries. This is precisely the reason there is no transparency or communication. They have nothing to communicate other than "we are at risk from COVID and therefore can't do our jobs right now".

They have had ample time to rejig their work processes and come up with a plan which they should have communicated to the public. Unfortunately it is obvious there is no plan and they divert resources towards who ever is making enough noise in the media. On top of that the minister is push on bringing the maximum amount of PRs and not pausing to bring their numbers. I wish someone in parliament would just ask the minister why they are not prioritizing getting their processes in order for the different service lines before adding more individuals in the back log. Wouldn't it work great if they dedicate those resources in streamlining and eliminating current backlogs and then ramping up immigration? It would be common sense especially with the significant employment losses in the short-term. There is no logic in bringing immigrants and putting them on CRB and supporting them financially when there are no jobs in the short-term.

In terms of next steps, assuming the government survives the confidence tommorrow, it is time to start questioning the performance of the ministry and the government in this regard. That is the only way to hold them to account and get appropriate results. This will be done effectively through the NDP and even the conservatives (yes the conservatives don't care about us, but they do care about highlighting the mismanagement of the government). And yes this is pure mismanagement and nothing else. We are easily looking to a 2-3 year period for citizenship processing if they get their act together now. If not this could be longer and I hope all the different stakeholders on this forum finally realize what is at stake and use the political process to push for change.