REGINA – She’s lived in Saskatchewan for over four decades, but as she looks to become a Canadian citizen, Kathy Clark is having trouble proving it to the federal government.
In 1974, Clark’s family came to Canada to farm.
“I was 16 and a half years old and I came from a place called Utica Michigan, which is just outside of Detroit,” she said.
Since then, she’s called Canada home. Clark has paid taxes, worked, and raised her family in Regina.
“I can’t carry a Canadian passport and I can’t vote. I have every other right and privilege of a Canadian,” she explained.
In January 2014, she applied to become an official citizen. “This is where my family lives, my kids are here, my new grandson is here. I don’t really want to go anywhere else.”
She’s still waiting to be approved, almost two years later. First, she needed to send newer pictures, next she had an interview.
“Then I started getting more requests for information regarding my entry and exit records out of Canada,” she said.
It still wasn’t enough. They asked for her kids’ report cards, her mortgage information and health details.
“Now they’ve sent me a letter stating they’re having a hard time determining my residence,” she said. “I’m flabbergasted. I don’t understand what the glitch is. I don’t understand what they’re not seeing. And I’ve provided all the information.”
Clark is hoping to go to her niece’s wedding in Mexico in January, but even the permanent residency process is backed-up and she’s worried that delay could soon grow.
“With the new proposal to bring the refugees in, I think it’s going to backlog the system even more,” Clark said. She is supportive of the refugees coming, but doesn’t want to be pushed to the bottom of Canada Immigration’s pile of paperwork.
In a statement, Clark’s MP, Ralph Goodale, said he can’t discuss personal matters, but blamed the Conservatives for the backlog.
“Under the previous Conservative government, processing times doubled for citizenship applicants. Their mismanagement was troubling and harmful. Our government is committed to fixing these problems,” Goodale said.
Just when that fix will happen, Clark doesn’t know.
“There is no other proof. Short of them coming to my house and seeing where I live,” she said.
Global News reached out to Canada immigration but did not receive a response in time for the story.