A special needs teacher of French origin lost her job because she was unable to obtain a new permanent residence card. This precious piece of plastic is necessary for her to prove that she is indeed a resident and thus obtain a new social insurance number (SIN) in order to be paid by her school.
“Everything is in order: I have a job, I have legal status, but I don’t have the card I need to get a new SIN [exigé par] the payroll department,” explained to the Duty Charlotte Biélitzki-Sacré, a Frenchwoman who has lived in Quebec for 10 years.
While waiting for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to send her the proof of residence requested several months ago, this mother living in the Quebec region must stay at home, without any income. “It costs me all my energy and my mental balance not to lose all hope of seeing my situation improve,” she says.
Even a simple letter confirming his residency status and allowing him to apply for a new SIN seems impossible to obtain. The one she had at the beginning while waiting for her first card has now expired. “I called everywhere, at immigration, at Service Canada. I sent emails, but no one can answer me so far,” she breathes, discouraged. “No one can provide it to me. They are only doors that close in front of me. »
Difficulties with IRCC
Just like her husband, Ms.me Biélitzki-Sacré obtained his permanent residence in 2021 and the card proving it some time later. But following a bag theft while traveling, she applied for a renewal in December 2022 to get another one. However, not only was there radio silence for four months, but she has just learned from an Immigration Canada agent that there is nothing in her file to this effect. “My request was misplaced or, in their words, “never received”. »
To follow up on her request, she says she made numerous calls and sent multiple emails to the relevant immigration authorities. In vain. “Ten years ago, when we arrived, it was possible to talk to someone, but now it’s robots telling us on the phone to do option 1, option 2, she laments. What’s crazy is asking questions, getting kicked around and not getting answers. It’s alienating. »
Joined by The duty, IRCC indicates that it cannot comment on specific cases, but affirms that the deadlines for a renewal of a permanent residence card are currently 63 days, or approximately 2 months. “Requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. However, if a request is complex, it may take longer than the normal processing time,” said spokesperson Julie Lafortune.
Worried about her job
This is nothing to reassure Charlotte Biélitzki-Sacré, who does not want to wait all this time to get her card back and settle her situation with her employer. “It’s 63 days to get a card, but me, it’s [plusieurs] months without receiving a salary. It’s still incredible, when I have a job. »
She and her husband have both found a new job and have recently moved to Quebec with their two children aged 4 and 1. “I got this job as a special education teacher in Quebec because there are needs,” she says. After a month in this new job, still without proof of her permanent residence and even less of a SIN, the human resources of the school service center, although very compassionate, had to thank her. “I can’t be kept. It sure is stressful. »
It’s 63 days to get a card, but me, it’s [plusieurs] months without receiving a salary. It’s still incredible, when I have a job.
“I am ready to have my pay suspended, to be paid later, but I want to work,” she continues. I’m one for one with an elementary student who has non-verbal autism. If I’m not there, I don’t know what will happen with him because they have such a hard time recruiting. »
Mme Biélitzki-Sacré repeats asking only for proof that she is a permanent resident, a status duly obtained two years ago. “I already had my residence card and my SIN. It must be noted somewhere that I am a permanent resident! she says. I feel like I’ve been the little rock in all the gears of the system and nothing works anymore. In the end, even after everything I’ve done, I’m a number like any other. »