Citizenship and Immigration committee  They have offices. We go to their offices, but they are far away and it is not easy for us to get there. We did go the first time. The second time they said to us that there is an office at the library and perhaps we could come on Monday or a Tuesday. When we went, we found the office closed.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  No. They were looking for people, but basically they told us, “You're on a waiting list; 40 families have come to the hotel, so just wait until your turn comes up.” There was too much waiting. We wanted to register our kids at school and to utilize the time for learning, for the benefit of ourselves and our kids.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  The ISS was looking for it, but for two months they could not find it. Then we found it in the area. More than 10 families who lived in the same complex had the same situation.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  When I was in the hotel, I told them I had a condition and I needed to go and see the doctor. They sent me to the doctor. They provided a car. There was a translator present. For the second appointment, the ISS brought the interpreter, but they said to me that I would have to find my way back to the hotel.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  For four months I'd been going back and forth to the hospital for different tests and appointments. Two months after the mammogram was done, the doctor said there were cancer cells and I would have to go through some more testing. We don't know if I was called and did not get the message, but basically they said that it's the hospital that has to call me directly, and they won't answer anyone else who tries to call the hospital on my behalf.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Well, I call the hospital and sometimes I go to the hospital and there is no interpreter, so they are not able to communicate with me. Sometimes they call Mr. Imad to try to get the help, but they say no, there has to be somebody with me in the room itself to discuss the tests and then I was postponed for another week and then eventually the hospital is the one who brought the interpreter, but not the agency.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Well, the first week I went, I had no interpreter. The second week I was called to go and get the results and again I went and there was no interpreter to advise me of the result. There was somebody else from Iraq who was there and I said I could not understand, so that person volunteered to help me.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Two months.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  On several occasions, we have asked the government organizations for support. I have said, for example, that we have this particular problem. My health is vulnerable. I need support. Can I have a family member brought over to Canada? I am told that is not possible.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  [Witness speaks in Arabic]

Citizenship and Immigration committee  First of all, I would like to thank the Canadians who have welcomed us. I would like to thank the Canadian government for having given us the opportunity to come here and to change our lives. We were in a situation that was extremely difficult, but thanks to God, we were able to come to Canada.