MP says Tories wiping out rural services
By Alex Atamanenko MP
Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko says he was dismayed to hear the news that the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) office in Kelowna is slated for closure earlier today.
“The Conservatives are dismantling Canada piece by piece,” he said. “This will result in a critical reduction in services related to citizenship and immigration matters for the people in my riding.”
Although CIC is expanding the use of online processes, which is helpful in some circumstances, Atamanenko says his office receives calls from many people who don’t have computer access or who don’t know how to use them.
“Those living on limited incomes or who don’t have access to the internet at home can’t always get to places of public access,” he said. “Once again, rural communities are paying the price for corporate tax cuts.”
Ironically, he added, at the same time as this news was released, the Harper government also announced that it is axing the Community Access Program, which has been supporting programs to make computer access available to as many people as possible.
Permanent residents in the riding may face further difficulties since they are required to pick up their Permanent Resident (PR) cards in person from a CIC official. Since the cards expire every 5 years, this will place an increased burden and cost on permanent residents in the BC Southern Interior and other communities at distance from BC’s lower mainland. Once the Kelowna CIC office is closed, the nearest offices will be in Vancouver or Surrey.
“I am categorically opposed to the closing of the Kelowna CIC office and urge the government to reconsider. This is another example of the grave disservice being done to rural residents. At the absolute minimum, in-person pick-up service for PR cards must be offered at local Service Canada centres to ease the burden on those who can’t travel,” Atamanenko concluded.
