Conservatives government obviously has not done yet with their destruction plans toward immigrant communities. Their next step could be to impose education and language requirements on foreign spouses who want to come under spousal sponsorship. They want to isolate immigrants from the rest of a 'white Canada'
Ottawa floats idea of making immigrant spouses meet language and education requirements
Critics fear such criteria, aimed at protecting and integrating immigrant women, would simply exclude them from being sponsored.
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Avvy Go, executive director of the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, who attended one of the consultations, called the idea of putting educational and language demands on sponsored spouses “a direct attack on Canada’s family reunification program."VIEW 2 PHOTOSzoom
MICHAEL STUPARYK / TORONTO STAR Order this photo
Avvy Go, executive director of the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, who attended one of the consultations, called the idea of putting educational and language demands on sponsored spouses “a direct attack on Canada’s family reunification program."
By: Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter, Published on Fri Mar 21 2014
The federal government is considering imposing language and education requirements on people whose husbands or wives want to sponsor them as immigrants, the Star has learned.
The notion, which community representatives say Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has floated in a series of consultations since January, has raised instant alarm.
Some attending the consultation say the possible change is aimed at better protecting and integrating immigrant women. But critics fear it would prevent many overseas spouses, particularly those from the developing world who haven’t learned English or French, from ever qualifying for family reunification.
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Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has suggested in consultations that allowing sponsorship only of spouses with English or French language skills and a certain level of education would help prevent spousal abuse and encourage better integration.zoom
The government is also considering requiring Canadian sponsors to reach a minimum income level to be eligible to bring in a wife, husband or children from abroad, critics say.
Alexander’s office would not confirm if language and education requirements are in the cards. It said the government is proud of its record of condemning intolerance, hatred, and barbaric cultural practices.
“We can’t say the same for Justin Trudeau, who has refused to call honour killings barbaric,” said Alexis Pavlich, the minister’s press secretary. “Everyone is expected to respect Canadian values and abide by Canadian laws.”
Lawyer Avvy Go, executive director of the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, who attended one of the consultations, said such a move would be “a direct attack on Canada’s family reunification program.”
“We will go back to a bachelor society, like when Canada had its Chinese head tax in place and people were prevented from bringing their wives and children here,” she said.
Related:
What happened to family values in immigration?: Avvy Go
In defence of Ottawa’s citizenship shift: Chris Alexander
Alexander has been meeting with invited representatives of communities across Canada for input into a strategic plan to “strengthen the integrity of the immigration spousal sponsorship program.” In those meetings, he raised the idea of imposing the new requirements, some of those invited told the Star.
However, Pavlich, the minister’s press secretary, said it’s “irresponsible and unproductive” to characterize such discussions at the meetings as an indication of future policies.
“Just because the issues were raised by stakeholders at these roundtables, it does not mean they are about to become government policies,” she noted.
People who attended a consultation said Alexander cited the murder of an Afghanistan-born woman, Nasira Fazil, last July by her husband in Ajax, the minister’s own riding, as an example of why there is cause for concern.
“I am all for better protection of immigrant women,” said Debbie Douglas, executive director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, an umbrella group representing 200 organizations that provide newcomer settlement services.
“But keeping spouses with little English and without a high level of education from Canada is not going to protect immigrant women from violence.”
In the Ajax murder Alexander used as a prime example, the 31-year-old Fazil had actually come to Canada at the age of 6 and was not sponsored by her husband; in fact, she had sponsored him four years ago. Apparently, she did not seek outside help for her domestic problems.
“Highly educated Canadians whose first language is English do fall victims to abuse, too. It doesn’t discriminate,” said Douglas, pointing out that Fazil grew up in this culture and was a longtime Canadian.
Go said the minister had also discussed the possibility of new measures to deny polygamists entry to Canada, raise the minimum age for sponsored spouses from 16 to 18, and create self-employment incentives for immigrant women.
“Some of the ideas are good, but my biggest concern is the imposition of the new language, education and financial requirements,” said Go.
“I don’t question the motive of the government, but I question the potential outcome of those new requirements. If you are poor and if your spouse is not well educated and can’t speak English, then forget about bringing them to Canada.”
Mario Bellissimo, who chairs the Canadian Bar Association’s immigration law section and had not personally heard that the government might consider such measures, says it could be a further step by the Conservative government to shift Canada’s immigration system away from family reunification.
“We all agree that trying to deal with physical and mental abuse of women is a priority, but anything that would impact the precious status of spouses has to be closely and vigorously defended,” cautioned Bellissimo.
“One’s ability to develop his or her family goes right to the heart of the fundamental freedom of choice as human beings.”
Ottawa floats idea of making immigrant spouses meet language and education requirements
Critics fear such criteria, aimed at protecting and integrating immigrant women, would simply exclude them from being sponsored.
Share on Facebook
Reddit this!
Avvy Go, executive director of the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, who attended one of the consultations, called the idea of putting educational and language demands on sponsored spouses “a direct attack on Canada’s family reunification program."VIEW 2 PHOTOSzoom
MICHAEL STUPARYK / TORONTO STAR Order this photo
Avvy Go, executive director of the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, who attended one of the consultations, called the idea of putting educational and language demands on sponsored spouses “a direct attack on Canada’s family reunification program."
By: Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter, Published on Fri Mar 21 2014
The federal government is considering imposing language and education requirements on people whose husbands or wives want to sponsor them as immigrants, the Star has learned.
The notion, which community representatives say Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has floated in a series of consultations since January, has raised instant alarm.
Some attending the consultation say the possible change is aimed at better protecting and integrating immigrant women. But critics fear it would prevent many overseas spouses, particularly those from the developing world who haven’t learned English or French, from ever qualifying for family reunification.
Photos View photos
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has suggested in consultations that allowing sponsorship only of spouses with English or French language skills and a certain level of education would help prevent spousal abuse and encourage better integration.zoom
The government is also considering requiring Canadian sponsors to reach a minimum income level to be eligible to bring in a wife, husband or children from abroad, critics say.
Alexander’s office would not confirm if language and education requirements are in the cards. It said the government is proud of its record of condemning intolerance, hatred, and barbaric cultural practices.
“We can’t say the same for Justin Trudeau, who has refused to call honour killings barbaric,” said Alexis Pavlich, the minister’s press secretary. “Everyone is expected to respect Canadian values and abide by Canadian laws.”
Lawyer Avvy Go, executive director of the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, who attended one of the consultations, said such a move would be “a direct attack on Canada’s family reunification program.”
“We will go back to a bachelor society, like when Canada had its Chinese head tax in place and people were prevented from bringing their wives and children here,” she said.
Related:
What happened to family values in immigration?: Avvy Go
In defence of Ottawa’s citizenship shift: Chris Alexander
Alexander has been meeting with invited representatives of communities across Canada for input into a strategic plan to “strengthen the integrity of the immigration spousal sponsorship program.” In those meetings, he raised the idea of imposing the new requirements, some of those invited told the Star.
However, Pavlich, the minister’s press secretary, said it’s “irresponsible and unproductive” to characterize such discussions at the meetings as an indication of future policies.
“Just because the issues were raised by stakeholders at these roundtables, it does not mean they are about to become government policies,” she noted.
People who attended a consultation said Alexander cited the murder of an Afghanistan-born woman, Nasira Fazil, last July by her husband in Ajax, the minister’s own riding, as an example of why there is cause for concern.
“I am all for better protection of immigrant women,” said Debbie Douglas, executive director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, an umbrella group representing 200 organizations that provide newcomer settlement services.
“But keeping spouses with little English and without a high level of education from Canada is not going to protect immigrant women from violence.”
In the Ajax murder Alexander used as a prime example, the 31-year-old Fazil had actually come to Canada at the age of 6 and was not sponsored by her husband; in fact, she had sponsored him four years ago. Apparently, she did not seek outside help for her domestic problems.
“Highly educated Canadians whose first language is English do fall victims to abuse, too. It doesn’t discriminate,” said Douglas, pointing out that Fazil grew up in this culture and was a longtime Canadian.
Go said the minister had also discussed the possibility of new measures to deny polygamists entry to Canada, raise the minimum age for sponsored spouses from 16 to 18, and create self-employment incentives for immigrant women.
“Some of the ideas are good, but my biggest concern is the imposition of the new language, education and financial requirements,” said Go.
“I don’t question the motive of the government, but I question the potential outcome of those new requirements. If you are poor and if your spouse is not well educated and can’t speak English, then forget about bringing them to Canada.”
Mario Bellissimo, who chairs the Canadian Bar Association’s immigration law section and had not personally heard that the government might consider such measures, says it could be a further step by the Conservative government to shift Canada’s immigration system away from family reunification.
“We all agree that trying to deal with physical and mental abuse of women is a priority, but anything that would impact the precious status of spouses has to be closely and vigorously defended,” cautioned Bellissimo.
“One’s ability to develop his or her family goes right to the heart of the fundamental freedom of choice as human beings.”
R for most people, I couldn't help but reply to the line quoted above. Whatever their internal motivations or intentions, the ostensible reason for considering a language requirement is the opposite of what you stated. I'm not sure how I feel about all of this, but it is possible that spouses who do not speak the language or understand the culture will be MORE isolated, less likely and able to seek help should their Canadian sponsor turn out to be abusive. Additionally, there is concern that those who can't speak with citizens of the country to which they immigrate will have no desire/ability to assimilate into and participate in the culture of the country. That's something worth thinking about, at least, rather than reacting to. And regardless of whether or not a language requirement for incoming immigrants through spousal sponsorship is right or ever comes to fruition, learning one of the two official Canadian languages will do nothing but open more doors for incoming immigrants and allow them to be less isolated.
