They Listened...

As some as you may be aware, about a month ago two wonderful mums from within our Ethiopian Yahoo group worked night and day researching and writing a Proposition letter to Immigration Canada. Then, some of you joined with us in signing the Support letters. Thank you to those that helped!

We got some interesting and exciting news today. We have yet to hear what exactly it is going to mean to our timeframes in bringing our adopted children home, but we do know they *heard* and are *listening*. Today, in the Canada Gazette they talked about the whole deal including the parents that worked to change things!! YEAH! Thisi s the full article. I have posted below it the stuff that pertains to us. We are still praying to hear in the New Year that the time frame will be short!!!

http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2007/20071226/html/sor281-e.html


Some stakeholders have expressed that requesting a medical declaration is unreasonable and discriminatory in the citizenship context and since there is no authority for the Department to look behind a signed declaration from the adoptive parents, the effectiveness of the declaration was questioned.

After considering all comments it has been decided to remove the medical factor in the assessment of the citizenship application.

Some stakeholders request that the processing delays be set at a maximum of four weeks, and that a "temporary citizenship" be issued in order to accelerate the return to Canada.

A group of approximately 140 adoptive parents raised specific concerns regarding processing delays for Ethiopian adoptions and requested that service standards be set to a maximum of four weeks in order to minimize the time spent by a child in institutionalized care. These submissions highlighted the undesirability of such care when the alternative is being quickly welcomed in a Canadian family. The processing of applications can be delayed by the need for officers verifying that the province or territory in Canada where the adoptive parents reside does not object to the adoption; that the adoption severs all pre-existing ties with the child's family; and that it is in accordance with local law. In the case of Ethiopian adoptions, local law can differ from region to region adding to the time required to review some applications. Citizenship applications under Bill C-14 will be processed with a high priority. However, the citizenship officer must continue to verify with that the adoption conforms to local legislation; that it severs all pre-existing family ties and that it satisfies other Canadian statutory requirements.

The Department has considered this recommendation and has identified applications for a grant of citizenship by adopted persons as a priority. Specific service standards for adoption cases are under development. The Department will ensure that service standards are created and processing times are minimized and monitored.