Visitor Record

Gibsons - Highest number of Breweries Per Capita

Thu Mar 24th 

Moody morning off Hopkins Landing

We thought obtaining a Visitor Record (an IMM 1442) would be plain sailing now that we had our Super Visas in place.  The form is issued automatically if you extend a 6 month visitor stay beyond the initial period and it allows you to obtain a BC driving licence and therefore open a bank account.  

When we 'flagpoled' around the Peace Arch border crossing to have the Super Visas added to our passports we asked for the Visitor Record and were told they would only stamp the passport, allowing our initial two year stay until Feb 2024.  Neither of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers we dealt with had ever heard of a Super Visa, so they wouldn't issue the Visitor Record which we were entitled to.  Our visitor extension approval to stay from 3rd Oct 21 to 2nd Oct 22 has still not come through and we are still without a Visitor Record.

No problem our immigration advisor said, provide ICBC (the driver licensing agency) with your Super Visa letter and passport stamp and it should be OK.  Wrong.  They want an IMM 1442 aka Visitor Record   Arrgghhhhh!   Ring CBSA - "we don't deal with Visas, talk to Immigration".  They are so busy at the moment, they tell you to call back later after going through five minutes of 'menu selection".  Double Arrgghhhhh! 

So tomorrow I will be up for 0500 to call them when their phone lines open on the East Coast at 0800!

We expect to have to go back to the Peace Arch border crossing to obtain the form, but need to do so, when an Immigration officer is present, not just CBSA staff.  Except you can't contact them beforehand to check one will be on duty.  Rant over.  We know how fortunate we are compared with those in and fleeing Ukraine.  It is nevertheless frustrating.

In other news, Gibsons has got through the first two rounds of the CBC (Canada's BBC) South West BC regional small towns competition.  We're not surprised.  You can read more here.  Apart from nestling in the stunning scenery of West Howe Sound, the harbour and surrounding area has a real sense of community.  It's why we're delighted to be staying in the Gibsons area, albeit it just on the outer edge.  Needless to say, we're voting!

And as for the headline, there are three breweries in Gibsons and I am pleased to report we have carried out market research on all of them - several times!  They are: Persophone, Tapworks (best views from the top deck) and the 101 Brewhouse (and distillery - nice gin).  We also have several other Breweries, Cideries and distilleries further along the Coast. We are making good progress on those as well!

Tapworks deck looking across West Howe Sound
The week didn't get off to a great start when we heard that Canadian Pacific railroad staff had gone on strike on Monday and we were unsure where are shipping container was.  Tuesday, the strike was called off after employers and unions agreed arbitration.  Wednesday we heard our 'home in a box' will be arriving in Vancouver on Mon Mar 28th.  We wait to hear when we will need to visit a Customs office to see if duty will be payable.




News here, as everywhere, continues to be dominated by the appalling events in Ukraine.  Canada is opening its doors to Ukrainian refugees and local groups are being set up to raise funds.  Trudeau, who has just done a deal with the liberals to stay in power, is regularly on the news on the subject, though has resisted the temptation to link the Ukrainian people's fight for freedom with any domestic agenda!

STOP PRESS

I failed to get up in time for an early morning call to Immigration this morning.  Our immigration advisor rang at 09.11 this morning to say I don't need to call them - our Visitor Extension has been approved so we get our IMM 1442s early next week.  Phew.

Sunday week we will have been in Canada for a year.  What a year and how it has flown by!


Hopkins Landing Wharf

Pear Blossom on the beach!

Sunrise this morning


  







   


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