Hello everyone! 
Good news... I received my "accusé de réception" (AOR) today, via email. I was hoping for the mythical brown envelope via snail mail, but alas -- email. Hey, I'll take it...
Dear Sadupops, regarding the French level, no disrespect intended... My biggest concern for myself was representing myself accurately, so that I couldn't be rejected or disqualified on the grounds of dishonesty. When we sign the actual application, we're signing under a paragraph, part of which states:
I declare that the information contained in this application and appended documents [...] is complete and accurate.
I understand that the MICC may:
– confirm, or have a third party confirm, the accuracy of information provided, and that I am breaking the law and am liable to a penalty if I
give the Minister, an inquiry officer or reviewer any information that I know [...] is false or misleading with respect to an application
for a selection certificate.
– reject any application that contains false or misleading information
I've often thought the same thing: "Why not state my level higher than it is, study French in the meantime while the file is being processed, and voilà: my new actual French level would match what I stated on the application last year when I sent it in..." However, I didn't feel comfortable gambling with something that I want so dearly: emigration and citizenship to Canada and Québec. It would be devastating if I was rejected for "misrepresenting" my French level, especially after the financial, time, and emotional investment. Speaking from a strictly technical / legal standpoint, if one states level 4 on a signed and dated application, but is not actually at a level 4 when it was signed and dated, that could easily fall within the category of "false or misleading" to a tough immigration agent.
To me, getting permanent residence (and eventually citizenship) in Canada would be the highest honor. Canada is a very special, unique place, and is NOT equally interchangeable with other industrialized countries (i.e. USA or Australia). IMHO, the only other countries that would even compare to Canada regarding that special "je ne sais quoi" loveliness would be the Scandinavian countries. In pursuing Canadian citizenship, I'm not simply "looking for greener pastures". I'm wanting to become part of a country whose values I admire: inclusion, stewardship, compassion, peace, freedom; respectable domestic policy and foreign policy. I want to live in a country where I can actually sing the national anthem with pride. No country is perfect, and no country could ever be "perfect" in the eyes of every citizen within that country, but Canada is among the closest one can get to that ideal here on Earth within my lifetime.
That's why I personally don't want to jeopardize my chances to get in. When Immigration Québec says "Jump!", I say "How high?!". Actually, I would say "What do you want me to jump out of? Off of? Into? You want my first-born son? You want all of my money? My blood? Okay, no problem. Done." So, I admit... I'm neurotic, but highly motivated to do anything and everything to get to Canada. Technically, according to Immigration Québec, we are signing and dating that our application is as honest, accurate, and complete as possible at the time that we're turning it in. That is why I gave the advice I did.
Good news... I received my "accusé de réception" (AOR) today, via email. I was hoping for the mythical brown envelope via snail mail, but alas -- email. Hey, I'll take it...
Dear Sadupops, regarding the French level, no disrespect intended...
My biggest concern for myself was representing myself accurately, so that I couldn't be rejected or disqualified on the grounds of dishonesty. When we sign the actual application, we're signing under a paragraph, part of which states:I declare that the information contained in this application and appended documents [...] is complete and accurate.
I understand that the MICC may:
– confirm, or have a third party confirm, the accuracy of information provided, and that I am breaking the law and am liable to a penalty if I
give the Minister, an inquiry officer or reviewer any information that I know [...] is false or misleading with respect to an application
for a selection certificate.
– reject any application that contains false or misleading information
I've often thought the same thing: "Why not state my level higher than it is, study French in the meantime while the file is being processed, and voilà: my new actual French level would match what I stated on the application last year when I sent it in..." However, I didn't feel comfortable gambling with something that I want so dearly: emigration and citizenship to Canada and Québec. It would be devastating if I was rejected for "misrepresenting" my French level, especially after the financial, time, and emotional investment. Speaking from a strictly technical / legal standpoint, if one states level 4 on a signed and dated application, but is not actually at a level 4 when it was signed and dated, that could easily fall within the category of "false or misleading" to a tough immigration agent.
To me, getting permanent residence (and eventually citizenship) in Canada would be the highest honor. Canada is a very special, unique place, and is NOT equally interchangeable with other industrialized countries (i.e. USA or Australia). IMHO, the only other countries that would even compare to Canada regarding that special "je ne sais quoi" loveliness would be the Scandinavian countries. In pursuing Canadian citizenship, I'm not simply "looking for greener pastures". I'm wanting to become part of a country whose values I admire: inclusion, stewardship, compassion, peace, freedom; respectable domestic policy and foreign policy. I want to live in a country where I can actually sing the national anthem with pride. No country is perfect, and no country could ever be "perfect" in the eyes of every citizen within that country, but Canada is among the closest one can get to that ideal here on Earth within my lifetime.
That's why I personally don't want to jeopardize my chances to get in. When Immigration Québec says "Jump!", I say "How high?!". Actually, I would say "What do you want me to jump out of? Off of? Into? You want my first-born son? You want all of my money? My blood? Okay, no problem. Done."
So, I admit... I'm neurotic, but highly motivated to do anything and everything to get to Canada. Technically, according to Immigration Québec, we are signing and dating that our application is as honest, accurate, and complete as possible at the time that we're turning it in. That is why I gave the advice I did. 
