dabas said:
Canada prosperity hinged on: Hard Work (yes), Fair Play (is it fair) and Due Process (is CIC accountable?)
Some of the hardest working people I know are janitors. They are not particularly prosperous.
Prosperity requires several things: Hard work, towards something of value, and a system that protects what is earned.
If you work all day digging a hole, then the next day filling it, you get nothing. If you get robbed every day, you keep nothing.
Since I joined this community few days ago, I have read 10s of appalling and sad stories of unfairness and undue delay?
That is like complaining that dinner is late when someone invites you over for dinner. You are the guest, and they set the schedule. If you don't like the way the host does things, you're free to leave and not eat dinner with them.
1. Who is the voice of immigrants? is there any?
Generally, immigrants are the voice of immigrants. Since permanent residents can't vote, the government doesn't really care too much about their wishes until they get citizenship.
2. How can immigrants hold CIC accountable?
Accountable for what? They promise you nothing, and you might get something. You are entitled to procedural fairness, which means that they won't treat you in a demeaning or arbitrary way, and that they will follow the law. They do, and you are entitled to nothing more.
3. Is there a complaint procedure?
For what? It takes longer than you want it to? You can call and talk to the phone representatives, who will tell you to call later. If you live in Canada, you can talk to your MP.
4. When it is unfair, can an applicant commence the litigation process?
You can attempt it, and it will likely result in your case being thrown out:
http://www.visaplace.com/blog-immigration-law/investor-immigration/chinese-investor-law-suits-thrown/
“[T]here is no absolute right to the issuance of a visa following the mere fact of having made an application,” Justice Mary Gleason wrote in her ruling.
“Would-be investor immigrants to Canada had no legitimate expectation of a visa or Canadian residency, and that the government acted within the law”.
Occasionally, an individual or two wins, and compels faster processing:
http://cases.slaw.ca/post/35778876119/liang-v-canada-minister-of-citizenship-and
It's expensive, and a gamble.