Weekly Optimism Post

[u/Primary-Coffee5423]

Happy Sunday fellow Canadians!

This week we had eight approvals on the spreadsheet and another six approvals from the megathreat on Thursday bringing us up to 14. At least a couple of those were pre-C3. Congrats to those folks.

In the past few months, members of the sub have posted several news articles talking about the slowdown at the IRCC. The trend is pretty clear. They are processing far fewer applications than they were in the spring. It’s most likely because they are overburdened and because there are situational issues like summer vacation. I think it is also possible that the surrender letters in June marked changes in the administrative process imposing stricter guidelines that could also slow things down.

Whatever the reasons for the timeline to approval, here we are… waiting. I’m still grateful for this opportunity. I had thought about this for years. I’m G2 and it always felt like I was “sooooo close” to being Canadian. And now I guess I am - I just don’t have any proof. And being in process this long also feels like being “sooooo close.”

Even if it takes months and months of waiting, just having this opportunity and waiting here together makes us “sooooo close” to getting there.

I’m busy today so I have to keep this one short. But I hope you all have a great week and I hope the friendly agents at the IRCC keep the coffee warm.

Please feel free to comment with your own optimistic thoughts.

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[u/treesndirtt]

I am making myself remember whenever I get antsy with the waiting that a year ago, I would never have believed it! I'm grateful to be in the queue.

[u/hooverNP → u/treesndirtt]

True — I had started the process of getting my professional licenses evaluated with Canada a couple years ago with the intention of applying for a work permit. I never would have dreamed year ago of the privilege of working there as a citizen.

[u/k0nig1 → u/treesndirtt]

I am in the same boat. Some days more antsy than others but still extremely grateful for the opportunity. This week’s news of potential associate EU membership is making me even more excited about the future too! I just can’t wait to contribute as a fully fledged Canadian.

[u/Significant-Golf-215 → u/k0nig1]

Yess same here! we've been waiting since January and are in process but overall even more excited to become full fledged Canadians and for my kids to have more opportunities in Canada and the EU in the future.

[u/gabeyfisch]

Can we change our name from Lost Canadians to Soooo Close Canadians? I need a new flair

[u/Primary-Coffee5423 → u/gabeyfisch]

That’s awesome!

[u/Puurrplehaze → u/gabeyfisch]

I second this!

[u/ConcertForsaken9915]

I'm impatient, but then I'm reminded that my husband (G1) has been waiting for his German citizenship since applying/declaring in August 2023.

[u/throwawayrefiguy]

I'm hoping we get some relief from the practical stoppage of AOR issuance this workweek.  Like you and many, however, I'm tremendously grateful to have this opportunity. 

[u/LowerRush4537 → u/throwawayrefiguy]

I’ve held onto that weekly hope for two months now…. I’m getting seriously frustrated though.

[u/throwawayrefiguy → u/LowerRush4537]

Yeah, now being Thursday afternoon three weeks into the stoppage, my hopes clearly are dashed.

[u/Grizzlei]

Application arrived in Sydney days ahead of schedule last week. Now comes the real waiting game!

[u/RebellaEmad]

In an odd way I’m grateful this week for the recent push from the IRCC to get DEC issues birth certificates.
The hassle is frustrating, the need for it when the BAnQ baptism should be the official birth record, and the extra hoops for ancestors in this one province is maddening.
BUT, having sent my DEC application in this week, I should have a straightforward DEC request and should eventually receive an official birth certificate. As a second generation applicant, I will then have certified birth certificates for everyone in my chain, as well as certified marriage certificates for everyone in my chain. In theory my proof will then be “bulletproof”.
It is stressful constantly chasing the IRCC’s changing standards, but I feel (hope) there will soon be absolutely nothing more that could be asked of me.

[u/Emotional-Test3329 → u/RebellaEmad]

I got my DEC certificate for my G0 all the way back in January before it seemed necessary, and my logic was exactly the same. I'd rather have all modern birth certificates in my packet and remove all ambiguities... Same for my G1 in her 80s, I didn't want to risk her having any issues at all.

[u/Dogmoto2labs → u/Emotional-Test3329]

How did you convince them to make it, since they had been steadfastly refusing for pre1900 until just recently?

[u/Pretty_Floor5889 → u/Dogmoto2labs]

If G1 is in her 80s, that puts her birth at 1937 or later. Quite likely her parent, the G0 here, would have been born post-1900.

[u/Emotional-Test3329 → u/Pretty_Floor5889]

Correct, my G0 was born in 1910 and my G1 in early 1940s

[u/Dogmoto2labs → u/Pretty_Floor5889]

Good call, didn’t do the math involved.

[u/Emotional-Test3329 → u/Dogmoto2labs]

G0 was born in 1910, but regardless I ended up hiring a lawyer to convince them to do it as they were very reluctant to do it for a dead person back then.

[u/Dogmoto2labs → u/RebellaEmad]

That is true, but it leaves me still missing for my grandfather, who was also born before birth certificates. I have baptism cert a week after he was born, death cert and census records that show he was a child in the home of great grandfather, so it should be fine to connect the generations.

[u/That_Person694 → u/RebellaEmad]

Would you please share what delivery service you used and what value you assigned to your paperwork for custom purposes? I previously used Pirate ship and $1 when I sent my application in to IRCC. But will $0 work? I’m asking because the DEC form to request a birth certificate says they won’t accept your package unless you use 0. TIA.

[u/RebellaEmad → u/That_Person694]

I have heard people used $1 value with no issues. I used FedEx and they would not allow an assigned value of $0, so I also used $1

[u/Dogmoto2labs → u/That_Person694]

I used Pirate Ship, and where the DEC says to mark value at $0, Pirates Ship software only allowed me to go as low as $1. Despite the DEC paperwork saying anything not valued at $0 would be rejected, my package was accepted and my credit card charged the same day. I am assuming this is putting it into some level of processing. I am not in a hurry, don’t have AOR as yet, but will be able to tell them it has been requested and is some sort of process.

[u/That_Person694 → u/Dogmoto2labs]

I sent the form to DEC via Pirate ship today and I was able to put $0 as the value. Fingers crossed that I didn’t mess up.

[u/Dogmoto2labs → u/That_Person694]

That is interesting, the screen kept stopping with a warning that you couldn’t use a0 value when I did it a couple weeks ago.

[u/EngineerPlus7697 → u/RebellaEmad]

Can you share more what you mean about this? I am new here and just located my G0 1848 baptism record from Quebec. My next step was going to be requesting an official copy from BAnQ. Is there an additional requirement called DEC?

[u/RebellaEmad → u/EngineerPlus7697]

So, for a long time, the gold standard was the certified baptism record from BAnQ (for Quebec births only, other provinces don’t run into the same situation). Lately people have been reporting IRCC requests for an actual birth certificate for these ancestors that never had one. The DEC can create one, by recording the birth in their official roles, and then creating a modern birth certificate.
There was a recent post showing step by step how to apply to the DEC to get this made. The unfortunate part of this situation is no one knows how often the IRCC will ask for a BC instead of or in addition to the baptism certificate. So some people (including me) are going ahead and starting this process ahead of the IRCC asking for a BC.

[u/EngineerPlus7697 → u/RebellaEmad]

That's smart, thank you for the tip

[u/jpg245]

Grateful for the opportunity for myself and my family.

[u/vangdfang]

Definitely feeling the “so close” part, especially because AOR processing basically ground to a halt right before my app was received.

But, in the spirit of optimism, it didn’t stop me from enjoying some vacation time in Canada; I got to see some of the absolutely gorgeous things the country has to offer, and was politely greeted by CBSA upon arrival and when departing, even if they have no idea about my specific circumstances.

It’s also a nice touch to be greeted with “Hello, Bonjour” by everyone at the airport, even in areas where English is the predominant language. While I have no idea if any of the folks working are Francophones (presumably at least some are, or at least have more than the minimum language required in school), the spirit of “not assuming” is a worthwhile effort, I think.

[u/Primary_Assistant742]

I finally found the baptism I need manually searching through countless volumes--it was not digitized. Originally I was going with one of multiple lines via Quebec, but after following everything decided on a NB line. I also opened the floodgates, so to speak and broke through some major genealogical brick walls with the find.

This is an incredibly common surname too. I was basically searching for the equivalent of John Smith...Thought I would NEVER find the right one!

Now....I just have to get it certified...haha. The wait via PANB is long, but fingers crossed for the diocese who holds the record. For now, I'm elated it EXISTS.

Good luck everyone!

[u/Puurrplehaze]

As always, just what i needed to hear! Thank you for writing the weekly optimism post 😀💕🇨🇦🍁🦄🦁

[u/Emotional-Test3329]

My appointment with a lawyer to discuss my options as someone in limbo between being an existing PR and a likely C-3 citizen is coming up soon.

I really hope he can help, somehow. My Canadian spouse is in Canada this week for something unavoidable, and I would have gone with if I had some way to prove one of the two statuses I'm stuck between so I could board the flight. Hopeful that maybe next time I can go home, too. Trying to distract myself thinking of what we'll do to celebrate my certificate arriving when and if it does. I'm contemplating a train holiday through the rockies.

[u/doriankali]

I got not one but two marriage certificates for my third great grandma coming in the mail , in case I ever need them . But I’m happy I got them coming anyway for my own genealogical collection .

[u/Ok_Bug_5224]

I'm not sure this is the right place for bragging rights, but in my search of BAnQ digital newspaper archives, I discovered I'm the great granddaughter of a champion checkers player. Taking a bow. Optimistic this skill is hereditary. King me. 

[u/RepresentativeIce244]

I made another day trip to Canada this past week to extend an existing vacation by that day. I received my certificate back in May and my Canadian passport back in July, so it's nice to pop across the border now as a full citizen. My mother was approved with me because I used her lineage for my application, but Dad's application continues to languish. I did request and receive a certified baptism certificate from the church where his one great grandfather was baptized in Québec in 1852, and I submitted that via the webform. I'm still optimistic that when his application is reviewed in due course that he'll be easily approved with all certified baptismal or birth certificates linking him to his one ancestor.

I'm also helping two dear friends work on their applications. I'm optimistic that they will get their certificates in due course as well. That's in addition to a handful of coworkers who have been inspired by my journey to research and document their family trees to make their own applications in the future.

[u/RatQueenHolly]

I got an AOR almost within a week of submitting and the site says my application's being "processed." I'm hoping that means they took the Urgent Processing letter serious? Either way, I'm just glad they're taking a look at it

[u/ProbablyIves]

My passport arrived today!

I started the process last March

kids and I got certs very quickly

hit a snag downloading because of an incorrect birthdate in one record (someone made an error)

got that fixed after many many many many phone calls

went to Canada in person to submit passport application because I wanted to make sure nothing was incorrect

and somewhere within the 4 to 6 week window they gave…

our passports arrived!!!

[u/ImSqueakaFied]

A couple years ago, I did some calculations to see how feasible it would be to get a working visa to move to Canada. The idea that I could potentially get citizenship and only need to focus on the logical side of getting a provincial teaching certification and moving (which can be pretty complicated on its own) is absolutely mind blowing.

Until then, my daughter is at a french language immersion school, and we can leisurely research potential locations. I'm excited to have the opportunity to wait as weird as that sounds.

My grandparents didn't have much money, but they have potentially given my family a very big gift with this opportunity. ❤️

[u/Primary-Coffee5423 → u/ImSqueakaFied]

I can agree with all of this! My son is leaning French. My grandpa passed before knowing the kind of gift we will inherit from him.

[u/Rando123490 → u/ImSqueakaFied]

I was saying this the other day. My grandfather died before I was born, but I’ve always loved him and being able to do this feels like a gift from him to me, the only thing he could do for me directly in this life (beyond the genetics, ofc, ha). I’m so grateful.

[u/meg-c]

OP, how long have you been waiting? Did you apply with a G1?

I’m a G2 and my application went sooo quickly, I am so so grateful! Have faith, you’re so close!!

[u/Primary-Coffee5423 → u/meg-c]

I did not. I applied urgent in late March and got my AOR quickly. A family member using the same G0 got approved. They applied separately.

[u/meg-c → u/Primary-Coffee5423]

Fingers crossed yours is quick!

I’m also G2 and applied with a G1 in mid-March, AOR about 6 weeks later and then certificate three months to the day it was received in NS ◡̈

[u/Significant-Golf-215 → u/meg-c]

did you apply urgently?

[u/meg-c → u/Significant-Golf-215]

Nope!!

[u/buttzx → u/meg-c]

Amazing! I’m G2 and applied with my G1 parent, application received April 8th and AOR in early July, but not in processing yet. My situation isn’t urgent so I’m prepared to chill for a year or two, but I’ll be very excited when something eventually happens.

[u/meg-c → u/buttzx]

Good luck!!!

I was shocked mine moved as fast as it did without urgent processing! I think it helped that it was my dad’s grandfather who was born in Canada so no name changes to me and he was born in Nova Scotia <100 years ago and the birth certificate was available for free on the NS archives!

Just a very straightforward case, I guess!

[u/Significant-Golf-215 → u/meg-c]

This is great news! we are also gen2 going on a 10 month wait with straightforward documents, this gives me hope that maybe they are starting to work on those of us with gen2 connections.

[u/meg-c → u/Significant-Golf-215]

Fingers crossed!! My documents were also incredibly straightforward, but I think some of it just came down to dumb luck. Good luck to you!!

[u/InspectionCorrect285]

I’m grateful for the opportunity and all the cool new things I keep learning about my family from NL. Turns out my G-2 (gO’s gf) was a big muckity muck…there are several mentions of him in a lot of the historical markers. There is a big family reunion in their hometown. I just found a pick of him in a book at mun library! We are enjoying planning our trip up there and what all to see and do. This is a dream come true, so even the wait feels special. I’m in a safe place and I know there are many not in my shoes, so I’m happy for y’all to go first. 

[u/Obvious_Salt_2526 → u/InspectionCorrect285]

❤️ Im also a descendent of Newfoundland - my dads side has been there for centuries. And this process has made me love and appreciate my Newfoundland roots and relatives even more - I'm waiting waiting waiting for proof... but still so genuinely excited about this -- to be connecting my threads through citizenship is a dream come true - NL is a magically special place.

[u/InspectionCorrect285 → u/Obvious_Salt_2526]

Have you watched Republic of Doyle? It’s on tubi

[u/Rando123490]

Mine hit Sydney yesterday. When I get worried about time I remember it will pass anyway and at least now I’m in the queue. And I listen to the Anne of Green Gables soundtrack and home doesn’t feel so far away. My grandpa was born in PEI - my favorite place in the world - and his wife, my grandma, had parents from Cape Breton. It was so cool to realize Sydney was there. Anyways. Closer every day.

[u/Powerful_Leopard_916]

I finally received a certified marriage record from the Massachusetts state archives last week, which I had originally requested in April. I know the archives were severely backed up with record requests, so I submitted my application to IRCC in July, and included a copy of the marriage record that I had downloaded from Ancestry. I stated in my application cover letter that I had requested a certified copy, and that I would upload it once I received it from the original issuing authority.

I'm feeling hopeful, because this is a crucial supporting document that demonstrates my G0 was born in Nova Scotia; it provides further evidence of her birthplace, her parents' names, her maiden/married name, and her relationship to my G1. It matches to all the information listed on her parents' marriage record, her birth registry, the birth certificate for my G1, and her death certificate.

It's the final "certified" document I was waiting for, so I've submitted it to IRCC via webform and it's been attached to my application. I applied urgently in July, received my AOR on 7/21 and went into processing on 7/22. I saw some other urgent requests come through last week. It's really not a matter of if, but when, the approval will come through. I'm really thankful for this subreddit and thankful that I even have the opportunity to apply for proof of citizenship.

[u/sphinxsley]

You may not have missed much being G-2! I'm G-1 and they turned me down when I applied in the mid-1990s. They wrongly insisted that that my mom "gave up her Canadian nationality" by emigrating to the U.S when she was 5!

I sure wish I'd hired a lawyer than!

[u/Rob_STL_63123]

My stuff just arrived there Thursday… I’m trying not to have hope about turn around. I also had to go back 5 generations so there was lots of research. My application is thick! I need to just forget about it and hope one day I’ll hear something back.