Consular Services Held in Calgary Organised by BCAOC

Calgary, Canada’s third-largest city by population, has a significant number of Bengali speakers. With a population of approximately 1.1 million, the city continues to attract more immigrants daily. Although accurate statistics for Bangladeshis in nearby satellite towns are unavailable, according to the province’s Multiculturalism Associate Minister Muhammad Yasin, there are nearly thirty thousand Bangladeshi immigrants in Calgary.

As the Bangladeshi-descendant population grows, the demand for consular services has also increased. The Bangladesh High Commission in Canada, along with the Ottawa and Toronto Consulate General offices, provides services through camps in different cities at the request of community organisations. Previously, these camps were held biannually, but now they are organised once a year.

Just two months ago, the Toronto Consulate General office provided nearly seven hundred services over two days in Calgary. Thousands of applicants sought services. Iqbal Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Canada Association of Calgary, said, ‘On 16 and 17 November, a team from the Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa will provide consular services at the local Bangladesh Centre from morning to evening. Nearly twelve hundred immigrants have already registered for services including new passports, passport renewals, no-visa certificates, and powers of attorney. Due to limitations, no more registrations can be accepted.’

Local Bangladeshi immigrants are satisfied with the services provided by the High Commission and the Toronto Mission. Despite past challenges, there is great enthusiasm among expatriate Bangladeshis for obtaining passports and no-visa certificates. The Bangladesh Association has completed all preparations to ensure maximum service delivery.

Saiful Alam Mission, a coordinator from BCAOC, said, ‘Considering community demand, we have organised consular services for the second time within just two months, yet it is not possible to serve all applicants.’

BCAOC Secretary General Asif Hossain expressed gratitude to the Bangladesh High Commission and the Toronto Consulate General. He emphasised that establishing a permanent consulate office in Calgary is essential. Community organiser Mehedi Hasan Roni stated that a Bangladeshi consular office in Calgary is now a timely necessity and could also serve as a significant source for foreign revenue collection.

Khaborwala/TSN