OK First the problem...
I was awarded permanent residency in early January. I was required to go to Montreal for an interview (I live in Quebec City). I gave my "first" set of photos to the agent who sent them off to be processed. The guy did warn me that there might be an issue with one of them as it had a smudge on them. So about 6 weeks later (end of February), I received an email that my photos needed to be resubmitted. I got 2 more photos at Gosselin Photo done and sent them off about early March.
I never received confirmation from the CIC about the photos. I have been trying to reach them for the past 3 weeks via email (because you can't reach anyone by phone without calling about 20 times a day). After 3 emails to them, I received a short email that I need 2 more photos!!! I thought this could not be correct. So I called and after about two hours of trying to reach a representative by phone, I was told that I did indeed have to send 2 more photos (a 3rd set).
Although he was a very nice, the agent I spoke with was unable to tell me why my photos were rejected. He even told me that they looked fine to him but he doesn't create the cards. The card creators apparently don't even give these agents reasons why photos are rejected.
My assumption, I mailed my photos via Canada Post to the Nova Scotia Permanent Residency card offie during a time that the East Coast was inundated by storms. I have a feeling (because it happens with mail we have received) that the photos were destroyed in the mail during the storms. Thanks Canada Post.
To make this even more ridiculous, the agent said the CIC mailed me a letter on March 19th to tell me that my photos were not valid. On April 16, I still have not received said letter. He said, most likely "Canada Post lost it". Way to go Canadian government agencies. So now I'm stuck getting my 3rd set of photos.
What I want to know is: What could possibly be wrong with my photos if it wasn't just destroyed in transit? Has anyone had issues with Gosselin Photos not giving adequate photos? Does anyone recommend somewhere else in the Quebec City region? Anyone who is a CIC authorized photographer?
If the CIC is so picky about their photos and they drag me to Montreal to be told if my application is approved, why can't they do these photos on site? I get my photo done at the DMV in the States. Why can't these government agencies hop on board. You are required to show up for interviews.
