PR resident since 20 years without language proficiency

[lonelyinca]

This particular individual is living in Canada for just over 20 years as PR holder. She is a stay at home mother, never really got language courses so no real proficiency in english language. Is there an avenue for people like her to obtain Canadian citizenship? I have heard there are such cases and wondered how they get it?

Edit: forgot to mention, age: 57

 

[zardoz]

This particular individual is living in Canada for just over 20 years as PR holder. She is a stay at home mother, never really got language courses so no real proficiency in english language. Is there an avenue for people like her to obtain Canadian citizenship? I have heard there are such cases and wondered how they get it?

Edit: forgot to mention, age: 57

According to the instructions, the only exemptions are age, deafness or if you have a disorder, disability or condition that is cognitive, psychiatric or psychological in nature which affects your ability to submit proof of language ability.

Basically, if under the exemption age, she will need to meet the mandatory requirements.

 

[scylla]

This particular individual is living in Canada for just over 20 years as PR holder. She is a stay at home mother, never really got language courses so no real proficiency in english language. Is there an avenue for people like her to obtain Canadian citizenship? I have heard there are such cases and wondered how they get it?

Edit: forgot to mention, age: 57

No - no avenue.

She has two choices - learn enough English or French to pass the citizenship test OR wait until she turns 65 to apply for citizenship.

 

[nope]

I knew a woman like this in the United States -- green card, not enough English to become a citizen. She wanted to retire back in her own country, where her small social security payout would have been enough to live well; but she couldn't pass the citizenship test, and would have lost status in the country where she lived for 30 years after just 6 months abroad. Canadian PR is much fairer, it gives you three years -- but it's still kind of cruel.

 

[screech339]

I knew a woman like this in the United States -- green card, not enough English to become a citizen. She wanted to retire back in her own country, where her small social security payout would have been enough to live well; but she couldn't pass the citizenship test, and would have lost status in the country where she lived for 30 years after just 6 months abroad. Canadian PR is much fairer, it gives you three years -- but it's still kind of cruel.

It is still kind of cruel to Canadians/PRs in Canada whenever a failed RO required PR managed to get back inside Canada and regain PR status waiting 2 years in Canada.

 

[scylla]

I knew a woman like this in the United States -- green card, not enough English to become a citizen. She wanted to retire back in her own country, where her small social security payout would have been enough to live well; but she couldn't pass the citizenship test, and would have lost status in the country where she lived for 30 years after just 6 months abroad. Canadian PR is much fairer, it gives you three years -- but it's still kind of cruel.

I don't think it's cruel at all.

If someone can't be bothered to learn, then we (Canada) can't be bothered either. It's a two way street. You make no effort = we make no effort.

Citizenship is a priviledge. If you can't be bothered, then remain a PR.

 

[nope]

'Bothered to learn' is pretty judgmental. The woman I knew came as a refugee, her family was poor from the get-go. She worked for almost all of her time at the night shift at a chicken-packing plant. She was in her late 20s when she landed, with a grade 5 education. She contributed to the US as a worker and an honest citizen, and it's harsh, after decades spent in the US, to say that her status there is still so ephemeral that she can't travel for more than 6 months without losing it, along with access to her family, forever.

 

[Bigudi]

Cruel?!?!?! Are you kidding me? The person lives 20 freaking years in a country to enjoy its benefits and quality of life and didn't submit self to the trouble of learning the language?
Do you REALLY think this is reasonable?

If you want to migrate, it is up to you to blend and be part of that new culture. It is up to you to learn the languages and the customs.

Citizenship is not a right, it is a privilege. And like any other privilege, it comes with a price.

For Cthulhu's sake... 20 freaking years... this person doesn't even know she lives in Canada.

 

[Bigudi]

'Bothered to learn' is pretty judgmental. The woman I knew came as a refugee, her family was poor from the get-go. She worked for almost all of her time at the night shift at a chicken-packing plant. She was in her late 20s when she landed, with a grade 5 education. She contributed to the US as a worker and an honest citizen, and it's harsh, after decades spent in the US, to say that her status there is still so ephemeral that she can't travel for more than 6 months without losing it, along with access to her family, forever.

Man... immigrating is not a joke... is not a game. It is a HUGE sacrifice and it come with a price. Becoming a citizen is a HUGE privilege that requires a price to be payed. A very low one, if you ask me.
30 years and didn't learn any english? Serves her right. It's up to her to adapt to the country she chose to live.

 

[nope]

Man... immigrating is not a joke... is not a game. It is a HUGE sacrifice and it come with a price. Becoming a citizen is a HUGE privilege that requires a price to be payed. A very low one, if you ask me.
30 years and didn't learn any english? Serves her right. It's up to her to adapt to the country she chose to live.

That's an odd response. What did I write that made you think I suggested that this woman's life, supporting her family in a country that she arrived in as an adult, with no skills or education, by working nights at a tough job, was a game or a joke?

I'm curious, Bigudi, because I've generally considered you a decent commentator -- when you emigrated to Canada, did you speak any English? Were you familiar with what life would be like in the West? Did you have an education that might be useful in finding a job? Did you have $20,000 CAD in a bank account? Can you imagine how life might be different, with none of those, particularly if you were emigrating to the United States where there is far less in the way of social support?

And I'd like to point out that you have made the jump from 'can't pass the citizenship language application' to 'any English'. It's not a jump that is warranted.

 

[Bigudi]

That's an odd response. What did I write that made you think I suggested that this woman's life, supporting her family in a country that she arrived in as an adult, with no skills or education, by working nights at a tough job, was a game or a joke?

I'm curious, Bigudi, because I've generally considered you a decent commentator -- when you emigrated to Canada, did you speak any English? Were you familiar with what life would be like in the West? Did you have an education that might be useful in finding a job? Did you have $20,000 CAD in a bank account? Can you imagine how life might be different, with none of those, particularly if you were emigrating to the United States where there is far less in the way of social support?

And I'd like to point out that you have made the jump from 'can't pass the citizenship language application' to 'any English'. It's not a jump that is warranted.

Well... what I meant about being a game is, for me it looks like that people who leaves 20 or 30 years in US or Canada without learning the language take the matter lightly, like it's not their responsibility.

 

[insighty]

There are free english language classes you know.
This is a small obstacle, others face bigger barriers! Moreover, 20 yrs is without excuse. What was she doing the whole time? She could always wait another few years and not do the test

 

[Bigudi]

That's an odd response. What did I write that made you think I suggested that this woman's life, supporting her family in a country that she arrived in as an adult, with no skills or education, by working nights at a tough job, was a game or a joke?

I'm curious, Bigudi, because I've generally considered you a decent commentator -- when you emigrated to Canada, did you speak any English? Were you familiar with what life would be like in the West? Did you have an education that might be useful in finding a job? Did you have $20,000 CAD in a bank account? Can you imagine how life might be different, with none of those, particularly if you were emigrating to the United States where there is far less in the way of social support?

And I'd like to point out that you have made the jump from 'can't pass the citizenship language application' to 'any English'. It's not a jump that is warranted.

And you are right. I was a bit rude there. I excuse myself. But I still think 20 or 30 years without learning the language is inexcusable, honestly.

 

[MBK2]

This particular individual is living in Canada for just over 20 years as PR holder. She is a stay at home mother, never really got language courses so no real proficiency in english language. Is there an avenue for people like her to obtain Canadian citizenship? I have heard there are such cases and wondered how they get it?

Edit: forgot to mention, age: 57

Only if she applied before they changed the age limit form 54 to 64! I think that change was done this year?

Also, I don't know everyone is reacting so, situations like these are quite common, and nothing to over react about. Life is not the same for everyone, we should remember this.

 

[nope]

And you are right. I was a bit rude there. I excuse myself. But I still think 20 or 30 years without learning the language is inexcusable, honestly.

I was rude as well, my apologies -- I always forget that there are some subjects I shouldn't argue about, and which it's not necessary that everyone agree with me.