Oct. 2013 Canadian Discussions, News, Issues, Etc.

Yes but the common factor in all of that is people. Files advance over others because there is something in it for someone...

It's the bad apples that get the press and it is very rare that anyone is "caught doing good" It's just how things work 1 step forward for good is usually taken out by 4 steps for bad. It's not right it just is

No one talks about random acts of kindness. I try to do them don't talk about them though.

I have to agree that Immigration Canada has some problems. Wait times are long. If you have a question you can never get anyone on the phone. Once you get assigned a case number you can at least look for updates online.

We immigrated here 6 years ago. It took 5 years from the time we started the application process to the time we were granted permanent resident status. Most of those 5 years was the U.S. screwing us around on getting our criminal background checks done.

We applied for citizenship 2 years ago. About 15 months ago they started processing our application. At the same time they sent me a residency questionnaire. I had a month to fill out the form and send massive quantities of documentation proving I actually live here. It was a huge PITA and I'm not sure what about my application triggered it, or if they just send them out randomly and I got "lucky." Many of the things I had to send I had already sent with the original application.

I read some Canadian immigration message boards and the stories there of wait times and red tape worry me.

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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world" - Thorin Oakenshield to Bilbo Baggins, in JRR Tolkien's "The Hobbit"

US immigration system is about the same.

I don't doubt it.

And as much as I hate waiting, I think Canada's worth the wait.

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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world" - Thorin Oakenshield to Bilbo Baggins, in JRR Tolkien's "The Hobbit"

Doing Thanks Giving early!! Tomorrow is Turkey day here!!

Love turkey!! and cranberries and orange stuff... yum!

Ok, I have to know. What's "orange stuff?"

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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world" - Thorin Oakenshield to Bilbo Baggins, in JRR Tolkien's "The Hobbit"

Sorry rutabaga and carrots cooked together and mashed with a bit of butter. It's really good.

It's all peeled and in pots waiting even potatoes. Tonight Turkey and all the fixings. Tomorrow left overs. Tues toasted club sandwiches.

Happy early Thanksgiving. We are invited for TG dinner next Sunday so I don't have to cook. I am thrilled. My husband is not fond of rutabaga but he loves it cooked with carrots and also cooked and then baked in the oven in a cheese sauce. Just make a white sauce and add in your favourite cheese. We like Brick or Edam.

Oh I think I will have to try that.

Next weekend is at my parents hopefully with the new baby... She was due Sept 27th and is getting a little testy to live with. Of course all plans are carved in jello and suject to change in 1/2 a second. My first GS is being very slow!

I see paleontologists are in ecstasy flocking to Alberta right now. All that flooding that happened in Calgary and Bow River uncovered oodles of fossils including new finds the likes of which they've never seen or heard of before.

I guess the old saying is true... there is always a silver lining. It's small but it's still silver.

I tuned in late so only caught the last 15 minutes of it and will have to read the full hour script, but was pleased to hear that Malala has joined the ranks of such as the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandala and been made an honorary citizen of Canada.

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, delivered the Speech from the Throne to open the 2nd session of the 41st Parliament and outline the Government’s agenda.

Here is the full script for anyone interested. I gather that at over 1 hour it was the longest Canadian throne speech there's been.

http://www.speech.gc.ca/eng/full-speech