Hardly news

Canadians are a racist lot, confirmed once again by a poll reported in the Globe and Mail today. According to the article, over 60% of people here (of undefined ethnic origin) feel that Canada makes too many "accommodations" for minorities. (Cuz you know, after they roll out the red carpet at CIC, there are headhunters and real estate agents throwing jobs and homes at everybody.)

The reasoning behind this is revealed in the answers to further questions, such as the 45% of people who feel immigrants "hold onto their own customs for too long." While 65% of people who live in Canadian cities feel that diversity enriches society, this is also an essentially selfish view, as if the only purpose for the presence of minorities is to make the lives of "real" Canadians better. This is so depressing, I don't even think I can rant about it.

Do you feel lucky?

Those of you who participated in the papers pool are now drooling with anticipation, I know. I should make a correction, though, because when I set the estimate at around 6 to 7 months, I was actually referring to the time to the AIP rather than the actual landing date, which we now know will come much later. Mr. O noticed this right away and changed his bet, but since we are not immigration lawyers and can't be expected to understand all this double speak, rather than postponing the pool or making you all bet again, I thought I'd just reword it to the above. So the same dates still stand for the AIP letter, and for those who haven't bet, there's still time!

Pick me!

It seems as if the government is moving closer to passing Bill C-31, the amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act it proposed last month. The system aims to decrease backlog (though it only applies to applications received after Feb 2008) and fast-track those applicants who have the skills most needed in the Canadian labour market.

Speaking of backlog, in the CIC FAQ on the topic I found this interesting tidbit, answering a nagging question:

...just before the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act was implemented in 2002, there was a flood of applications from people who wanted to get their applications in before the new rules took effect.

It seems that this applies to the skilled worker class only, in which it can currently take up to, wait for it, 68 months. In theory, anything to reduce this wait will be a good thing, and setting annual limits would help stop the strain on resources (because as nice as it is to let everybody in, what's the point if we're not going to back it up with money?) but I'm suspicious of the Conservatives and how they might play this (a stripper ban?). Critics say that this will block people who are coming to be reunited with their families, and it remains to be seen if resources from family class will be diverted or if the money promised to immigration will cover new resources. It's also unclear how those doctors and other badly needed professionals will be integrated once they arrive...how's about a bill on that, boys?

Just when you've given up hope entirely...

You get this in your mailbox, a month ahead of schedule:

We received your application for permanent residence on October 29, 2007.

We started processing your application on November 26, 2007.

Medical results have been received.

A decision has been made and you will be contacted.

How cryptic and tantalizing is that?! Is it possible that after all this lateness they might be fucking early?! I hardly dare to consider...

It has been that kind of day. Mr. O's boss called him in today to negotiate his permanent contract, and gave him all kinds of compliments and even a bit of space to vent. Bottom line: he's got a good offer coming. So IF the above is in fact the impending AIP and not a swift kick out the door, that would save us yet another round of temporary visa paperwork. Which is a good thing.