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Canadian Immigration Views Worth Repeating ? "I Want My Mommy"
by Berto Volpentesta
With the tragedy and hardship wreaked by the torrents of nature upon so many families Asia, the Tsunami and earthquakes remind us once again of the importance of family. The response and rush to help our brothers and sisters in the affected areas has been moving showing that human nature truly is compassionate. It appears we are truly born to care and nurture just as parents to their children.

Canada's relief efforts are admirable as well. In addition to the significant dollar contribution and human resources that will be utilized, there are special programs as well. Citizenship and Immigration Canada is working closely with other federal departments and the international community to help those in need. The department is committed to doing as much as they can to help reunite close family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have been, and continue to be, seriously and personally affected by the disaster http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/tsunami/index.html.
Once again, the government of Canada is restating the importance of family and the reunification of family in Canada. But these statements are doubtful to many Canadians and Permanent Residence who have sponsored their parents and grandparents to be reunited in Canada as processing times for these sponsorships have skyrocketed. In all likelihood these parents and grandparents will not be reunited with family in Canada in their lifetime.

A few months ago I wrote an article on the significance of the Family Class and how it has been the cornerstone of Canadian immigration. My article went on to indicate that this precious stone has been developing some cracks and was in need of dire attention. But it is worth repeating.

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration reported to parliament the plan for the coming year as well as a report on the previous year. In her report the minister states that the number of people that were admitted into Canada as parents or grandparents in 2003 was 19,376. In 2004 the report of admissions as parents and grandparents is 10,233 (to August 2004) and this represented nearly all of the planned admissions for the year. And, in 2005 the minister plans to only between 5,500 and 6,800.

These numbers depict a grave situation indeed. Many parents and grandparents will die before their applications are approved. Simple math indicates that if Canada only wants between 5,500 and 6,800 in the coming year and with the number of sponsorships remaining constant, it would be 15 ? 18 years before sponsorships and the application is processed (i.e. Parents or grandparents get visas to Canada).

Since my last article I have received many calls on this subject pleading for help. One has formed a group of concerned Canadians, created a petition and held meetings on the subject. She is also planning a website. She is trying to bring attention to this subject. If you are interested in signing the petition you can e-mail her at jenia20@hotmail.com.

In fact, the only relief that can be brought is by your government. The government must agree that it is important. The government must agree to allow more parents and grandparents to be landed each year. It is simply a numbers game and your Member of Parliament can help change those numbers. There is no doubt that if we ignore this now in a short few years parents and grandparents may not be eligible at all for migration to Canada.

Everyone should contact their Member of Parliament (http://canada.gc.ca/directories/direct_e.html) and let them know that this situation is unacceptable. Show them this article. Ask them stop the damage and to repair the cornerstone of Canada for as the family goes, so goes Canada.




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About The Author

Berto Volpentesta of Cannex Immigration Specialists has been a practicing consultant in Toronto since 1991 and is a Member, Director and Secretary of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants and a Member of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants. You can reach him at: (416) 398 8882 or (416) 787 0612 or by email at berto@canneximmigration.com and on the web at www.canneximmigration.com



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