My MP Ron Cannan got back to me and followed up on the letter I wrote (copy below.)  I have to tip my hat to Ron – he’s been such a good advocate for this issue!  Anyway, he is talking to the Minister. 

How are your letters being received?

I thought I would post a few ideas about talking points if you have a chance to speak with your MP, their staff, or the Ministry.  Just suggestions, but here they are:

• The purpose of the Bill C-14 legislation was to end the discrimination and to treat foreign born children adopted to Canadians the same as children born to Canadians abroad. 
• The intention of the legislation is not being met.
• It is in the best interest of the children to minimize the time they spend in institutional care and to get them into loving families.  Institutional care, no matter how well run, is detrimental to the growth and complete development of a child.
• The Ministry ensured this new process (Citizenship) would be be in the best interest of the child in that it would be quicker than the old process (Permanent Resident Visa).
• A year later, the Citizenship route (processing Part B) is taking substantively slower through the Nairobi High Commission than the Permanent Resident Visa (old) route. This means children in the citizenship process are spending weeks and months longer in institutional care.
• Part B of Citizenship is being processed much quicker at other Canadian offices, such as China.
• The intention of the legislation is not being met – the process must be sped up.