Immigrant spouses may have to meet language and education requirements

[emamabd]

interesting article:

http://canadianimmigrant.ca/news-and-views/ottawa-floats-idea-of-making-immigrant-spouses-meet-language-and-education-requirements

 

[zardoz]

That would be excellent... We already enforce that in the UK if you want to have "Indefinite Leave to Remain" (Full PR). Otherwise, you only have "Further Leave to Remain" (Time limited PR). This does only test language and knowledge of the UK, not education levels.

 

[truesmile]

This will NEVER happen. We already have millions who cannot speak French and almost a whole province that refuses to speak English . . . Not in a million years.

 

[Hnhkrk]

I think that a language test is a good idea, especially since those language test usually only test the basic language skills that someone has after a month or two of class. I'm no so sure about the education test, though. There are plenty of ways to further your education after coming here there is no need for that.

I hope that if they do they they will give the option between French or English.

And, I live in Quebec. People like to make it sound like no one will speak English, but I've never had a problem getting by. Of course there are those few people who are anti-anglo, but I see a lot more anti-francos than anti-anglos and when you go to any hospitals or governmental building your can get your service in English without a problem.

 

[QuebecOkie]

I'm not sure how I feel about this (or how I *would* feel about this, should it come to pass). I feel it's incredibly valuable to be able to "get by" at the very least in the language of the land, be that French or English. I'm also not sure I support the immigration of individuals who have absolutely no desire or intention to integrate into the culture of the land they with to live in.

However, I try to be understanding, and I know learning a second language is quite a challenge. I don't know how much impact language has on the domestic safety of women. If I had really needed help with something, when I spoke only a few words of French, I would have sought help. I think it has more to do with the mindset of the individual, with the norms of their cultural upbringing, and with their awareness and understanding of the resources available to them (the last of which, I would imagine, is probably greatly helped by a working knowledge of the dominant language).

And, I live in Quebec. People like to make it sound like no one will speak English, but I've never had a problem getting by. Of course there are those few people who are anti-anglo, but I see a lot more anti-francos than anti-anglos and when you go to any hospitals or governmental building your can get your service in English without a problem.

Just to add my $0.02 on the subject of language in Québec...

Where you live in Québec will affect your experience. In and around Montréal, you can quite easily live without speaking a word of French. However, where I live (north of Québec City), while there are *sometimes* people who speak enough English to help an Anglophone at government offices or hospitals, you most certainly can't assume that there will be. My experience with hospitals here is that most doctors speak and understand some English, but most other staff do not (nurses, administrative staff, etc.). My experience with governmental offices is more limited, as I hadn't tried to do anything for myself until I had enough French to do it in French. Basically, it can be VERY hard to "get by" here without at least basic French.

Having said that, I haven't really encountered any anti-Anglo sentiment. I know plenty of other Anglophones who have, but personally, I've had exactly one person, in a year and a half, be less than kind to me for an issue obviously related to language. (And that was in Québec, not in the city where I live. I asked a staff member at a medical clinic - where I'd gone for my immigration exam - to please repeat herself, as my French was not very good. Asked in French. And she replied, in French, "Well, I don't speak English!" in a very snotty tone. Probably just a snotty person in any language, haha.) But that may be because I go out with a good attitude, and I have worked hard to learn French. I always at least try in French (there's often no other choice here), and people are very kind and supportive of my effort to learn. A lot of the Anglophones here (military community) make no effort to learn the language, knowing they'll be posted out of Québec again in the future.

 

[Hnhkrk]

I wish that there was a "like that" button on this forum...

 

[truesmile]

I wish that there was a "like that" button on this forum...

There is. It's labelled [Good].

 

[CrazzzyCatLady]

I say bring it on =)) And this is an emotional, not a rational reply =)) I'll take their test of both education and language skills.

 

[Gumper]

Germany and France are two others that I know of that require language proficiency before getting full residency rights. It's funny because the paper part of their applications are far less voluminous and demanding (no "proof of relationship" supported by photos & other evidence, for example) than Canada's -- AND MUCH QUICKER (2-3 months MAX based on a complete application). They seem more concerned that once the person(s) land they will "hot the ground running" as best as possible.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I agree with the language requirement. Sponsored family members should have sufficient English or French. It will help them integrate into Canada instead of living solely within their ethnic community. It will help them get a job, to be more self-sufficient and less reliant on their spouse.

I don't agree with the education requirement. The biggest problem I see with it is that it can be very difficult in some countries, even dangerous, for women to get a high school education, let alone any further education. This requirement would unfairly discriminate against them.

They also mention a possible minimum income level for sponsors. Many sponsors are housewives/househusbands, stay-at-home parents or students who are being completely supported by their foreign spouses. The current method of analyzing the family finances as a whole seems to be a fair and effective way of doing it.