(U.S.) Thanksgiving in Canada

I had a very enjoyable and relaxing trip to Canada to visit over the long U.S. Thanksgiving weekend. My husband took very good care of me and even booked a very nice suite for us to stay in for my visit. (more about this later as I am dog tired right now and had a return flight back that was 80% turbulent, so no sleeping for me!).

I did, however, remember to pick up my mail, and in that stack was a letter from my husband's MP. The letter reads:

October 9, 2007

The Honourable Diane Finley, P.C., M.P
Minister of Immigration
Journal Tower South
21st Floor
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON K1A 1L1

Dear Minister,

I am writing to you on behalf of my constituent, Mr. MXXXX XXXXXX, who approached my office seeking assistance with the sponsorship of his spouse, Ms. SXXXX XXXXXX.

Mr. MXXXX XXXXXX filed an inland Family Class sponsorship on February 11, 2006 to sponsor his spouse. This file was referred from Case Processing Centre in Vegreville, Alberta to the local office in Etobicoke, Ontario on November 7, 2006. The local office put the file in queue for review, which is estimated to occur in the final months of 2007.

Due to the amount of time needed to process this inland sponsorship case, the couple has decided to withdraw the sponsorship and move to a different country (see attached letter).

Minister, I am extremely disappointed that my constituent will be leaving Canada because of the time needed to process this inland spousal sponsorship application. You should be aware of this problem. Perhaps adjustments can be made to reduce the processing times of inland spousal sponsorships.

Thank you very much for your assistance in this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.

Yours sincerely,

Hon. Roy Cullen, P.C., M.P., Etobicoke North