We finally got our answer...
After Betania had to pay $4400 RD for a medical, and her passport was sent to Haiti for nearly two months, the day finally come where Betania received the news that her passport was waiting for her in Santo Domingo. She went to the Capital to pick it up, very excited at the prospect of "mejorando su vida". She received her passport and a letter, declining her application. This is what gets me: the reason for the decline: "The applicant does not speak enough English to fulfill her job duties in Canada". Okay.
#1) She never was asked to give an interview, so how would they know that she doesn't speak English? She actually DOES speak English, she has taken an advanced English course, and writes to me all the time in English to practice. There is absolutely no indication on her application papers what-so-ever that even hints at the possibility that she does not speak English.
#2) How much English does one have to speak to work as a gardener on a farm?
I am totally disgusted with this process right now. Every day, in the papers in Calgary, I hear about how there is such a labour crunch in this city that many shops are closing their doors due to lack of workers. She has a guaranteed job for which she has 6 years of experience. She has $5,000 Cdn in the bank, in case this job does not pan out, to sustain herself. She has some University courses behind her, plus speaks very good English, yet the Embassy didn't even give her an interview to figure that out.
The letter says that this case is closed. If she wants to re-apply, she must pay the $130 application fee again, but her situation must change substantially before they will consider looking at the application again. It appears as though there is no appeal process.
This has been a heartbreaking experience, especially for Betania, but as well for our family.