Write to your MP!
Jul 27th 2010, 6:44 pm
#1
Grumpy Know-it-all
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Write to your MP!
The amount of time it's taking to process LPR card renewals and citizenship applications has reached absurd proportions, I urge you all to complain to your MP about it. Essentially as LPRs we're being disenfranchised through bureaucratic slowness, which is wrong and I have a feeling it might violate Charter Rights because we're being denied the right to vote. Everything takes a reasonable time to do but six months plus for a PR card renewal and a year and a half (if you're lucky) for citizenship is unfair.
Couple of points to make:
PR cards are valid for ten years in the US;
Citizenship applications in the US are averaging around six months at present (although they are more expensive, $675, but at least they actually process them, $200 for nothing is more expensive imv!)
Couple of points to make:
PR cards are valid for ten years in the US;
Citizenship applications in the US are averaging around six months at present (although they are more expensive, $675, but at least they actually process them, $200 for nothing is more expensive imv!)
Jul 27th 2010, 7:05 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 506
Re: Write to your MP!
The amount of time it's taking to process LPR card renewals and citizenship applications has reached absurd proportions, I urge you all to complain to your MP about it. Essentially as LPRs we're being disenfranchised through bureaucratic slowness, which is wrong and I have a feeling it might violate Charter Rights because we're being denied the right to vote. Everything takes a reasonable time to do but six months plus for a PR card renewal and a year and a half (if you're lucky) for citizenship is unfair.
Couple of points to make:
PR cards are valid for ten years in the US;
Citizenship applications in the US are averaging around six months at present (although they are more expensive, $675, but at least they actually process them, $200 for nothing is more expensive imv!)
Couple of points to make:
PR cards are valid for ten years in the US;
Citizenship applications in the US are averaging around six months at present (although they are more expensive, $675, but at least they actually process them, $200 for nothing is more expensive imv!)
Jul 27th 2010, 7:06 pm
#3
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Write to your MP!
Denying our rights? really? That's a stretch isn't it?
I don't see what the US has to do with it. Different country, different system, blah blah.
I don't see what the US has to do with it. Different country, different system, blah blah.
Jul 27th 2010, 7:09 pm
#4
Grumpy Know-it-all
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Write to your MP!
It's a basis for comparison.
Jul 27th 2010, 7:12 pm
#5
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Write to your MP!
I'm not fussed.
Yeah, it takes a long time, whatever. Overall my immigration experience has been pretty straight forward, unlike some friends who have tried to go to the US. I don't see the point in comparing.
$675 is a lot. I prefer cheaper.
Yeah, it takes a long time, whatever. Overall my immigration experience has been pretty straight forward, unlike some friends who have tried to go to the US. I don't see the point in comparing.
$675 is a lot. I prefer cheaper.
Jul 27th 2010, 7:16 pm
#6
Grumpy Know-it-all
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Write to your MP!
Democratic rights of citizens
3. Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein.
3. Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein.
Jul 27th 2010, 7:21 pm
#7
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Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Write to your MP!
Not really a logical comparison though I suspect.
Unfortunately immigration is a low budget priority. Im broadly sympathetic, but cant in my own mind justify puting additional resources into processing the paperwork when government spending on things like healthcare etc is under pressure. PR cards and citizenship cards will come eventually.
I dont buy this bleeding the immigrant dry thing either, the majority of those posting here seem to be doing OK after the initial readjustment phase, and if you want to be a citizen, why should it be made easy for you to leave before it comes through? You can still travel as a PR, but your home base should rightly remain in canada if you wish to be a citizen. Thats my 2c anyway. Its frustrating if you are affected, but as a tax payer I dont want to throw more money at it.
Unfortunately immigration is a low budget priority. Im broadly sympathetic, but cant in my own mind justify puting additional resources into processing the paperwork when government spending on things like healthcare etc is under pressure. PR cards and citizenship cards will come eventually.
I dont buy this bleeding the immigrant dry thing either, the majority of those posting here seem to be doing OK after the initial readjustment phase, and if you want to be a citizen, why should it be made easy for you to leave before it comes through? You can still travel as a PR, but your home base should rightly remain in canada if you wish to be a citizen. Thats my 2c anyway. Its frustrating if you are affected, but as a tax payer I dont want to throw more money at it.
Jul 27th 2010, 7:22 pm
#8
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Write to your MP!
not that I know or care, really, but I don't see how it can be quantified. I mean, it's bureaucracy.
Jul 27th 2010, 7:22 pm
#9
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Write to your MP!
Not really a logical comparison though I suspect.
Unfortunately immigration is a low budget priority. Im broadly sympathetic, but cant in my own mind justify puting additional resources into processing the paperwork when government spending on things like healthcare etc is under pressure. PR cards and citizenship cards will come eventually.
I dont buy this bleeding the immigrant dry thing either, the majority of those posting here seem to be doing OK after the initial readjustment phase, and if you want to be a citizen, why should it be made easy for you to leave before it comes through? You can still travel as a PR, but your home base should rightly remain in canada if you wish to be a citizen. Thats my 2c anyway. Its frustrating if you are affected, but as a tax payer I dont want to throw more money at it.
Unfortunately immigration is a low budget priority. Im broadly sympathetic, but cant in my own mind justify puting additional resources into processing the paperwork when government spending on things like healthcare etc is under pressure. PR cards and citizenship cards will come eventually.
I dont buy this bleeding the immigrant dry thing either, the majority of those posting here seem to be doing OK after the initial readjustment phase, and if you want to be a citizen, why should it be made easy for you to leave before it comes through? You can still travel as a PR, but your home base should rightly remain in canada if you wish to be a citizen. Thats my 2c anyway. Its frustrating if you are affected, but as a tax payer I dont want to throw more money at it.
Actually this is better than my post.
I agree.
Jul 27th 2010, 7:23 pm
#10
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Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
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Re: Write to your MP!
You dont have that right until you are a citizen, so its a catch 22. They are not denying you the right to vote, as you are not a citizen. And there is no right to Citizenship as a PR, its a privileged. Hey ho.
Jul 27th 2010, 8:16 pm
#12
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Re: Write to your MP!
I got my PR a month ago and I already feel like a prisoner in my home. I can't imagine myself here waiting for four more years to get my citizenship. I'm already looking for a way to move back to the States, mainly because there are no real jobs in my field. I have been here for three years. So after two years I'm eligible for citizenship. But then I have to wait for another two years for my citizenship? Wow, depressing. I was looking forward to getting a TN visa after two years. Oh shit, I have to wait for another two years!
Jul 27th 2010, 8:21 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 9,708
Re: Write to your MP!
Hi
So in other words, Canada was just a stepping stone to get your PR and then citizenship so you can apply for a TN visa to work in the US? You really had no intention to make Canada your home, now did you?
I got my PR a month ago and I already feel like a prisoner in my home. I can't imagine myself here waiting for four more years to get my citizenship. I'm already looking for a way to move back to the States, mainly because there are no real jobs in my field. I have been here for three years. So after two years I'm eligible for citizenship. But then I have to wait for another two years for my citizenship? Wow, depressing. I was looking forward to getting a TN visa after two years. Oh shit, I have to wait for another two years!
Jul 27th 2010, 8:25 pm
#14
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Re: Write to your MP!
No, I have plenty of intention to make CA my home, when I retire, like many other immigrants.
Jul 27th 2010, 8:28 pm
#15
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Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Write to your MP!
I got my PR a month ago and I already feel like a prisoner in my home. I can't imagine myself here waiting for four more years to get my citizenship. I'm already looking for a way to move back to the States, mainly because there are no real jobs in my field. I have been here for three years. So after two years I'm eligible for citizenship. But then I have to wait for another two years for my citizenship? Wow, depressing. I was looking forward to getting a TN visa after two years. Oh shit, I have to wait for another two years!
Two years is a long time anyway, enought time to change your mind about a place anyway. Happily employed immigrant goes a long way towards being a happy immigrant. You wouldnt be the first to finaly land a decent job and change your mind about the immigrant experience in Canada. Good luck!