FSW WORLDWIDE
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Are you sure it was Ottawa Vo or the mail came from Ottawa VO. Asking because Ottawa is still processing Pre-March ones ?
That's my primary VO too. My agent sent them an email asking about applications and they said that due to covid, they are not working at full capacity etc etc.
people find that subreddit to be so pathetic, since it's reddit, users find it uncomfortable to share timelines, also most of them ignores direct messages. This forum is second to none. I came to know about EE on that subreddit but when i found this forum i didn't go back except for ppr posts.
Yet another week...They still have "limited capacity" for anything other than CEC
Express Entry applications
Last updated: November 23, 2021
Canadian Experience Class applications
We’re working at full capacity to process applications.
You may experience delays because we have a backlog of applications due to COVID-19.
We’re currently finalizing most applications we received between
March 21 and 27, 2021 ?
If your application is complex, it may take us longer to process it.
All other Express Entry applications
Express Entry applications
Last updated: November 23, 2021
Canadian Experience Class applications
We’re working at full capacity to process applications.
You may experience delays because we have a backlog of applications due to COVID-19.
We’re currently finalizing most applications we received between
March 21 and 27, 2021 ?
If your application is complex, it may take us longer to process it.
All other Express Entry applications
- We have limited capacity to process applications and you may experience a delay.
- If your application was approved on or before March 18, 2020, and your COPR has expired, you must follow these instructions.
In the early days of COVID shutdown back in 2020, out of boredom, I found a subreddit where people talk about their relationships, and another one where people come and confess about cheating on their partners. Wow, I wasted many a hours reading the juicy, almost unbelievable stories. That's as far as my Reddit adventure went
.Thank goodness there are cats on reddit. Neutralizes the cancer over there. Even cute pet subreddits like r/aww, r/cats, and r/eyebleach can get toxic in the comments sometimes. r/catsstandingup got clever and only just lets you comment "cat" lol. When it comes to politics, I am sure cats can be better leaders than most current politicians
Last edited:
Liberals promise to control pandemic, fight climate change and rebuild economy in throne speech
'Priority number one remains getting the pandemic under control,' says Governor General
The Liberal government is promising to bring the pandemic to an end while building the economy, fighting climate change, rolling out new child care deals with the provinces and pursuing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, Canada's first Indigenous governor general, unveiled those priorities today in a speech from the throne that pointed to progress in the relationship between the federal government and Indigenous peoples.
"Already, I have seen how Canadians are committed to reconciliation. Indigenous Peoples are reclaiming our history, stories, culture and language through action," Simon said In a speech delivered in English, French and Inuktitut.
"Non-Indigenous peoples are coming to understand and accept the true impact of the past and the pain suffered by generations of Indigenous Peoples. Together, they are walking the path toward reconciliation."
Simon said that, to strengthen that relationship, the federal government will take action on health care and climate change and get to the root of what took place at residential schools across the country.
Since the early spring, several Indigenous communities across the country have reported the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/climate-change-b-c-flooding-trudeau-1.6258852
Simon thanked MPs and civil servants for their work on fighting the pandemic, acknowledging the losses and hardships of the past 18 months.
"It has touched us all, including those in this chamber who lost a cherished colleague just a few days ago, Sen. Forest-Niesing. To her family and to all of you, my deepest sympathies," she said.
"Priority number one remains getting the pandemic under control. The best way to do that is vaccination."
Simon said that effort will require strengthening the health care system across the country and supports for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities.
"To ensure no one is left behind, support will be extended or added for industries that continue to struggle," she said.
Simon said the Liberal government is committing to supporting and promoting the French language, both in and outside of Quebec, by reintroducing the proposed Act for the Substantive Equality of French and English.
Earlier this year, the Liberal government said that because digital technology encourages the use of English over French, it would reinforce the place of French in Canada by using the act to guarantee the right to work in French in federally regulated private businesses with more than 50 employees.
"To support Canadian culture and creative industries, the government will also reintroduce legislation to reform the Broadcasting Act and ensure web giants pay their fair share for the creation and promotion of Canadian content," Simon said.
The economy and the environment
"There is work to be done. On accessibility. On care in rural communities. On delayed procedures. On mental health and addiction treatment. On long-term care," she said.
Improving the quality of life for Canadians, she said, means making life more affordable for everyone.
"While Canada's economic performance is better than many of our partners, we must keep tackling the rising cost of living," she said. "To do that, the government's plan includes two major priorities — housing and child care."
Strengthening the country's economic rebound will require the federal government to continue working with provinces to establish a national $10 a day child care program, Simon said.
She said the government also sees immigration as essential to the post-pandemic economic recovery.
"That is why the government will continue increasing immigration levels and reducing wait times, while supporting family reunification and delivering a world leading refugee resettlement program," Simon said.
Simon cited the Liberal government's goal of capping and cutting oil and gas sector emissions while working toward a "net-zero electricity future."
Guns, floods, conversion therapy
"The government will also strengthen action to prevent and prepare for floods, wildfires, droughts, coastline erosion and other extreme weather worsened by climate change," Simon said.
The Liberal government is also pledging to continue its gun control efforts by implementing a "mandatory buyback" program for banned assault-style weapons and to work with any province or territory that wants to ban handguns.
Simon said the Liberal government will also ensure the ban on conversion therapy is realized.
After months of debate and some Conservative opposition, the last bill on this topic died on the order paper when the government called the September election.
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole criticized the speech, saying the Liberal government spent more on pandemic assistance than the United States and has seen slower economic growth.
O'Toole said the Liberals are ignoring the plight of workers in the energy, auto and steel industries and that his party would provide those workers with a voice.
"We've seen a recycled set of promises going back to the first throne speech on reconciliation, other issues like that. The same language, no concrete actions," O'Toole said after the speech.
"What we'd like to see — a focus on the cost of living crisis, get the country back to work, get expenses under control and work on national unity at the same time."
Later, in the House of Commons, the Conservatives raised the issue of mandatory vaccination with Speaker Anthony Rota.
Conservative MP Blake Richards asked Rota to consider whether the decision taken by the Board of Internal Economy, the House of Commons' governing body, to bar MPs from the House precinct unless they're fully vaccinated or have medical exemptions appeared to violate the rights of MPs.
Rota thanked Richards for his detailed arguments and said he would go away and consider the issue.
Don't count on us, says NDP, Bloc
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said the speech showed the Liberal government has "run out of ideas and run out of steam."
"We see a throne speech that does not respond to the urgency of the crisis that we are up against," he said.
Singh said he did not see enough emphasis in the speech on affordable housing, measures to fight climate change and adequate funding for health care.
"This is not a speech that demonstrates a willingness to work together or shared values about building a better Canada," Singh said. "We want to make it clear to the Liberals … Don't take our support for granted. This is not a speech that looks like they are interested in working together."
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said the speech had a lot of buzzwords but little to say.
"There is just an assemblage of 24 pages of completely empty words," Blanchet said.
"Even read slowly, the throne speech is short so that prompts me to conclude, unfortunately, that I have absolutely no reason to vote in favour of the throne speech. I have no reason to vote against the throne speech."
'Priority number one remains getting the pandemic under control,' says Governor General
The Liberal government is promising to bring the pandemic to an end while building the economy, fighting climate change, rolling out new child care deals with the provinces and pursuing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, Canada's first Indigenous governor general, unveiled those priorities today in a speech from the throne that pointed to progress in the relationship between the federal government and Indigenous peoples.
"Already, I have seen how Canadians are committed to reconciliation. Indigenous Peoples are reclaiming our history, stories, culture and language through action," Simon said In a speech delivered in English, French and Inuktitut.
"Non-Indigenous peoples are coming to understand and accept the true impact of the past and the pain suffered by generations of Indigenous Peoples. Together, they are walking the path toward reconciliation."
Simon said that, to strengthen that relationship, the federal government will take action on health care and climate change and get to the root of what took place at residential schools across the country.
Since the early spring, several Indigenous communities across the country have reported the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/climate-change-b-c-flooding-trudeau-1.6258852
Simon thanked MPs and civil servants for their work on fighting the pandemic, acknowledging the losses and hardships of the past 18 months.
"It has touched us all, including those in this chamber who lost a cherished colleague just a few days ago, Sen. Forest-Niesing. To her family and to all of you, my deepest sympathies," she said.
"Priority number one remains getting the pandemic under control. The best way to do that is vaccination."
Simon said that effort will require strengthening the health care system across the country and supports for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities.
"To ensure no one is left behind, support will be extended or added for industries that continue to struggle," she said.
Simon said the Liberal government is committing to supporting and promoting the French language, both in and outside of Quebec, by reintroducing the proposed Act for the Substantive Equality of French and English.
Earlier this year, the Liberal government said that because digital technology encourages the use of English over French, it would reinforce the place of French in Canada by using the act to guarantee the right to work in French in federally regulated private businesses with more than 50 employees.
"To support Canadian culture and creative industries, the government will also reintroduce legislation to reform the Broadcasting Act and ensure web giants pay their fair share for the creation and promotion of Canadian content," Simon said.
The economy and the environment
"There is work to be done. On accessibility. On care in rural communities. On delayed procedures. On mental health and addiction treatment. On long-term care," she said.
Improving the quality of life for Canadians, she said, means making life more affordable for everyone.
"While Canada's economic performance is better than many of our partners, we must keep tackling the rising cost of living," she said. "To do that, the government's plan includes two major priorities — housing and child care."
Strengthening the country's economic rebound will require the federal government to continue working with provinces to establish a national $10 a day child care program, Simon said.
She said the government also sees immigration as essential to the post-pandemic economic recovery.
"That is why the government will continue increasing immigration levels and reducing wait times, while supporting family reunification and delivering a world leading refugee resettlement program," Simon said.
Simon cited the Liberal government's goal of capping and cutting oil and gas sector emissions while working toward a "net-zero electricity future."
Guns, floods, conversion therapy
"The government will also strengthen action to prevent and prepare for floods, wildfires, droughts, coastline erosion and other extreme weather worsened by climate change," Simon said.
The Liberal government is also pledging to continue its gun control efforts by implementing a "mandatory buyback" program for banned assault-style weapons and to work with any province or territory that wants to ban handguns.
Simon said the Liberal government will also ensure the ban on conversion therapy is realized.
After months of debate and some Conservative opposition, the last bill on this topic died on the order paper when the government called the September election.
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole criticized the speech, saying the Liberal government spent more on pandemic assistance than the United States and has seen slower economic growth.
O'Toole said the Liberals are ignoring the plight of workers in the energy, auto and steel industries and that his party would provide those workers with a voice.
"We've seen a recycled set of promises going back to the first throne speech on reconciliation, other issues like that. The same language, no concrete actions," O'Toole said after the speech.
"What we'd like to see — a focus on the cost of living crisis, get the country back to work, get expenses under control and work on national unity at the same time."
- Anthony Rota re-elected as Commons Speaker
- Liberal House leader says multiple vaccine exemptions for Tory MPs 'statistically' unlikely
Later, in the House of Commons, the Conservatives raised the issue of mandatory vaccination with Speaker Anthony Rota.
Conservative MP Blake Richards asked Rota to consider whether the decision taken by the Board of Internal Economy, the House of Commons' governing body, to bar MPs from the House precinct unless they're fully vaccinated or have medical exemptions appeared to violate the rights of MPs.
Rota thanked Richards for his detailed arguments and said he would go away and consider the issue.
Don't count on us, says NDP, Bloc
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said the speech showed the Liberal government has "run out of ideas and run out of steam."
"We see a throne speech that does not respond to the urgency of the crisis that we are up against," he said.
Singh said he did not see enough emphasis in the speech on affordable housing, measures to fight climate change and adequate funding for health care.
"This is not a speech that demonstrates a willingness to work together or shared values about building a better Canada," Singh said. "We want to make it clear to the Liberals … Don't take our support for granted. This is not a speech that looks like they are interested in working together."
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said the speech had a lot of buzzwords but little to say.
"There is just an assemblage of 24 pages of completely empty words," Blanchet said.
"Even read slowly, the throne speech is short so that prompts me to conclude, unfortunately, that I have absolutely no reason to vote in favour of the throne speech. I have no reason to vote against the throne speech."
B.C. woman fined $5,700 at border said agents unaware of new travel exemption issued by Canadian government
Marlane Jones fined after 10-minute trip to Washington state to buy gas
Marlane Jones thought she was doing the right thing by heading across the border to buy gas in the U.S.
Instead, her 10-minute trip ended with a $5,700 fine and scolding from Canadian agents at the Pacific Highway border crossing in Surrey, B.C.
"I was in tears. I was a bit frightened. I didn't know what was going to happen to me," said the 68-year old.
Jones said she decided to gas up in Blaine, Wash., after seeing the news about Ottawa approving an exemption allowing British Columbians from flood-affected areas to make short trips into the U.S. for gas or essentials without having to provide a negative PCR test for COVID-19.
The exemption was introduced to help ease supply shortages resulting from recent extreme rain that washed out highways and rail lines in southwest B.C., and was announced on Sunday by Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair.
But the border agents Jones dealt with on Monday had no knowledge of it.
"[The agent] was quite stern and said I was violating the [Quarantine] Act because I didn't have the PCR test. I told her [the regulation] had been changed, but she wasn't buying it," said Jones.
Jones said, after being sent inside the border enforcement office, agents there gave her two options: accept the hefty fine or turn around and go back to Washington state for a PCR test and possible 72-hour wait for results.
"They also said I was the ninth person they had ticketed already early in the morning. I said they should maybe watch TV and see what we were being told."
On Tuesday, Blair admitted there was some confusion around the exemption.
"That direction was given to border services and clearly some clarification was required. But that's now been given," he said.
He said cases of those who were possibly fined in error were being reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada, which oversees quarantine violations.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said there can be a transition period that "may lead to some inconsistencies'' when operational guidelines are changed.
"We are working to ensure clear application of this at the border," CBSA said in a statement to CBC News.
Jones said it's surprising that border agents were unaware of the exemption, especially because it was widely covered by news organizations.
"No one has phoned me officially and told me my ticket has been bounced," she said. "I guess the proof will come when I go to pay my insurance in January."
CBSA is reminding people that the B.C. exemption does not apply to discretionary, non-essential travel.
"This means that travellers who enter the U.S. for the purposes of shopping for non-essential goods, or to eat at restaurants, visit friends or attend events, would be deemed discretionary and would not be exempt from the requirements for a molecular [PCR] test," the agency said.
Marlane Jones fined after 10-minute trip to Washington state to buy gas
Marlane Jones thought she was doing the right thing by heading across the border to buy gas in the U.S.
Instead, her 10-minute trip ended with a $5,700 fine and scolding from Canadian agents at the Pacific Highway border crossing in Surrey, B.C.
"I was in tears. I was a bit frightened. I didn't know what was going to happen to me," said the 68-year old.
Jones said she decided to gas up in Blaine, Wash., after seeing the news about Ottawa approving an exemption allowing British Columbians from flood-affected areas to make short trips into the U.S. for gas or essentials without having to provide a negative PCR test for COVID-19.
The exemption was introduced to help ease supply shortages resulting from recent extreme rain that washed out highways and rail lines in southwest B.C., and was announced on Sunday by Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair.
But the border agents Jones dealt with on Monday had no knowledge of it.
"[The agent] was quite stern and said I was violating the [Quarantine] Act because I didn't have the PCR test. I told her [the regulation] had been changed, but she wasn't buying it," said Jones.
Jones said, after being sent inside the border enforcement office, agents there gave her two options: accept the hefty fine or turn around and go back to Washington state for a PCR test and possible 72-hour wait for results.
"They also said I was the ninth person they had ticketed already early in the morning. I said they should maybe watch TV and see what we were being told."
On Tuesday, Blair admitted there was some confusion around the exemption.
"That direction was given to border services and clearly some clarification was required. But that's now been given," he said.
He said cases of those who were possibly fined in error were being reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada, which oversees quarantine violations.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said there can be a transition period that "may lead to some inconsistencies'' when operational guidelines are changed.
"We are working to ensure clear application of this at the border," CBSA said in a statement to CBC News.
Jones said it's surprising that border agents were unaware of the exemption, especially because it was widely covered by news organizations.
- Flood-affected B.C. residents who must go to U.S. for essentials exempt from COVID-19 testing, quarantine
- Federal assistance arrives in B.C. as province starts rebuilding from floods
"No one has phoned me officially and told me my ticket has been bounced," she said. "I guess the proof will come when I go to pay my insurance in January."
CBSA is reminding people that the B.C. exemption does not apply to discretionary, non-essential travel.
"This means that travellers who enter the U.S. for the purposes of shopping for non-essential goods, or to eat at restaurants, visit friends or attend events, would be deemed discretionary and would not be exempt from the requirements for a molecular [PCR] test," the agency said.
Them much concerned about the pandemic. if they gave a quarter of the concern to control the housing crisis, it'd have helped their own people."...getting the pandemic under control."
Who is going to tell them?