Beyond frustrated with Montreal

[pooj97 89]

4 minutes ago, Alexag said:

 

Just watched this. I got really excited at first thinking they would give some concrete dates but it’s still the same wishy-washy automated info we’ve been getting visa email just in video format

[EllieK 10]

4 minutes ago, Alexag said:

 

Thanks 

the information is so vague but she seems competent? 
 

[AlexaC 28]

2 minutes ago, pooj97 said:

Just watched this. I got really excited at first thinking they would give some concrete dates but it’s still the same wishy-washy automated info we’ve been getting visa email just in video format

Just now, EllieK said:

Thanks 

the information is so vague but she seems competent? 
 

I got really excited too but it was a useless video tbh, she does sound very competent and honestly this is more than we've had in the whole 5 months they've been closed but come on give us something other than "just keep waiting for an announcement" 

 

 

[pooj97 89]

1 minute ago, Alexag said:

I got really excited too but it was a useless video tbh, she does sound very competent and honestly this is more than we've had in the whole 5 months they've been closed but come on give us something other than "just keep waiting for an announcement" 

 

 

Yup I’m glad they appointed her. She seems really nice and actually empathetic to our situation

[arae 81]

13 minutes ago, Alexag said:

well if the announcement was that twitter video then thats a joke, im sick of hearing them say they're "working on a plan" how hard can it be???

I appreciate them acknowledging concerns but they also put themselves in a position where people are repeatedly asking for information day in and day out because they've provided none. But how discouraging to hear that they're "actively working on a plan" again, with no details. Was no one actively working on a plan the last several months? This is beyond exhausting.

[EllieK 10]

2 minutes ago, arae said:

I appreciate them acknowledging concerns but they also put themselves in a position where people are repeatedly asking for information day in and day out because they've provided none. But how discouraging to hear that they're "actively working on a plan" again, with no details. Was no one actively working on a plan the last several months? This is beyond exhausting.

That’s the thing I think we have all shown tremendous patience regarding being separated from family members. We just want to have an idea of a general time frame and specific barriers. 
Many times it feels like they don’t understand we are intelligent people and think we will be satisfied with answers that make no sense. 
I have called the embassy before and have been told “well your interview got canceled because of a global pandemic called Covid-19” and then today “we are still figuring out how people can be safe in a building”.  
just a little condescending 

 

 

[arae 81]

24 minutes ago, EllieK said:

That’s the thing I think we have all shown tremendous patience regarding being separated from family members. We just want to have an idea of a general time frame and specific barriers. 
Many times it feels like they don’t understand we are intelligent people and think we will be satisfied with answers that make no sense. 
I have called the embassy before and have been told “well your interview got canceled because of a global pandemic called Covid-19” and then today “we are still figuring out how people can be safe in a building”.  
just a little condescending 

 

 

Right. And not to sound completely unsympathetic to the challenges that I'm sure the consulate is facing...but it's widely known that several consulates have started interviews again. In my line of work when we don't have an immediate answer, we call our colleagues. You mean to tell me a group of highly intelligent consulate staff haven't been able to muster up any sort of plan? Or haven't thought to get in touch with their colleagues on how to safely reopen?

 

If casinos in Montreal can get it done, surely the consulate has the same ability.

[Zaraliaya 122]

I'm glad she at least made a video...

 

But there's been nothing for months, and this just adds to the nothing, with no end seemingly happening anytime soon.

 

Eugh.

[:Sarah: 84]

So..them putting the video today means no opening tomorrow I guess.

 

Every month I'm wondering if the visa will be issued and nope and nope and nope....

 

Discouraged is the right word for me at the moment.

[EllieK 10]

51 minutes ago, arae said:

Right. And not to sound completely unsympathetic to the challenges that I'm sure the consulate is facing...but it's widely known that several consulates have started interviews again. In my line of work when we don't have an immediate answer, we call our colleagues. You mean to tell me a group of highly intelligent consulate staff haven't been able to muster up any sort of plan? Or haven't thought to get in touch with their colleagues on how to safely reopen?

 

If casinos in Montreal can get it done, surely the consulate has the same ability.

It’s tone deaf I agree.

at a certain point safety concerns don’t garner sympathy as dental, medical, food and entertainment services have found and implemented solutions and have resumed their modified operations months ago. 

It would be great to just have some more details because the impression this leaves is that they are not motivated in the least. 
do we continue to call and demand information? 

Edited August 13, 2020 by EllieK

[Ptitchou 117]

That was a waste of time watching it. Someone should just transcribe it so others can read quickly and just see that it's more of the same. I appreciate that they're acknowledging our existence, but I'm so beyond disheartened now as this tells us that there's definitely no resumption of interviews any time soon. The mental health of both my husband and myself are suffering (as are many of you out there) but I don't know what other options we realistically have. Some people are switching to AOS but I have too many ties and a career that I am not able to just up and leave yet without proper preparation. I need to be able to return to Canada in case of family emergency with ageing parents, so we went the CR-1 route.

 

The only silver lining in this for me is knowing by the time I finally get my visa, it'll automatically be the 10 year one since it'll have passed our 2 year anniversary. 

[Lovenature 117]

I am sharing this information on a couple of boards, I apologize if it is a duplicate reading to anyone. 

 

Based on today’s video released by the Montreal consulate, they are blaming the Quebec government in restricting them from reopening. 

 

According to the Quebec COVID guidelines, however, the consulate should be allowed to open under the exemption: ” service firms in respect of activities that cannot be carried out through teleworking.”  Visa interviews have to be conducted in person. If casinos can be open and gatherings up to 250 people held, there is no reason why the consulate could not be conducting our interviews. https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/reopening-maintaining-economic-activities-covid-19/

 

I have contacted the below addresses asking for them to allow Montreal to reopen, sharing in case anyone else who is waiting for Montreal to open wishes to do the same:

 

·         Lodge a complaint with the Quebec: https://www.quebec.ca/en/how-to-reach-us/complaints/

·         Contact Mr. Legault (Quebec Premier): https://www.premier-ministre.gouv.qc.ca/premier-ministre/joindre-pm/courriel/index-en.asp

·         Email for Deputy Prime Minister Freeland:  DPM-VPM@dpmo-cvpm.gc.ca

[murrv 8]

6 hours ago, Ptitchou said:

That was a waste of time watching it. Someone should just transcribe it so others can read quickly and just see that it's more of the same. I appreciate that they're acknowledging our existence, but I'm so beyond disheartened now as this tells us that there's definitely no resumption of interviews any time soon. The mental health of both my husband and myself are suffering (as are many of you out there) but I don't know what other options we realistically have. Some people are switching to AOS but I have too many ties and a career that I am not able to just up and leave yet without proper preparation. I need to be able to return to Canada in case of family emergency with ageing parents, so we went the CR-1 route.

 

The only silver lining in this for me is knowing by the time I finally get my visa, it'll automatically be the 10 year one since it'll have passed our 2 year anniversary. 

Hi, what do you mean switching to AOS?

[Ptitchou 117]

1 hour ago, murrv said:

Hi, what do you mean switching to AOS?

I mean abandoning my CR-1 application and filing for Adjustment of Status from within the US. I wouldn't be able to work or return to Canada during that time. 

[Zaraliaya 122]

2 hours ago, murrv said:

Hi, what do you mean switching to AOS?

BTW, you could do that if you're in the US, but if you're in Canada, and then go to the US with that intention it's fraud. So....