OTTAWA - Immigrants who want to become Canadian citizens could soon face tougher testing.
The federal government is considering tighter rules on language proficiency, insisting Canadian citizens speak either English or French or both.
“Some people, believe it or not, have been able to take translators with them into an oral test, with citizenship judges. What's the point, exactly?” Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Monday. “I have met too many citizens that don't speak English or French. That never should have happened. Under this new system that's not going to happen any longer.”
Currently, Canada requires potential citizens between the ages of 18 and 54 to communicate in one official language, but they are not objectively tested by a third party. A new plan would change that, also needing proof of graduation from secondary school in English or French.
The opposition is considering the idea, but says caution is necessary until they have examined the proposals.
“In general, I am in favour of any measure
This is just basic common sense.
