It took 7 years to get my family to Canada. I’m unsure if any party truly supports immigrants [Video]

“It’s going to take about seven or eight years.”

I gripped the phone handset tighter as I listened to my local MP’s staff member explain the immigration process. She sounded apologetic.

After applying to sponsor my parents and sister to immigrate to Canada from Kuwait in early 2009, I hadn’t heard anything in many months.

Anyone who has ever had to deal with Canadian immigration matters knows the federal government’s website is rarely accurate about wait times.

A friend told me if I contacted my constituency office, it could look into it on my behalf and I’d get an answer faster. A few days later, I received the call.

“There’s a huge backlog … so many want to reunite with their family,” my MP’s staff member continued. I thanked her and hung up.

I felt dejected. 

This news about the wait time meant I needed to stay employed to meet the financial requirement for the sponsorship. I’d already gone through two layoffs …