Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)
Status
Defeated, as of Feb. 24, 2021 (This bill did not become law.)
Summary
This is from the published bill.
This enactment amends the Citizenship Act to require that permanent residents who ordinarily reside in Quebec must have an adequate knowledge of French in order to obtain citizenship.
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-223 amends the Citizenship Act to require permanent residents residing in Quebec to demonstrate knowledge of French to obtain citizenship. It also raises the maximum age for language and knowledge testing from 55 to 65.
Bloc
Require french for citizenship: The Bloc proposes Bill C-223 to require permanent residents residing in Quebec to demonstrate adequate knowledge of French to obtain Canadian citizenship.
Address french language decline: This bill is presented as a necessary measure to stop and reverse the alarming decline of the French language in Quebec and ensure integration.
Bill is constitutional: Backed by a legal opinion, the Bloc argues the bill is constitutional, reflecting an asymmetrical approach needed for substantive equality and recognizing the Quebec nation.
Criticizes opposition parties: The Bloc is disappointed that other parties oppose the bill, viewing their arguments as weak and preventing the bill from being examined in committee.
Conservative
Supports french language requirement: The party supports the principle of making knowledge of French mandatory for permanent residents in Quebec seeking citizenship, recognizing the urgency of protecting French.
Concerns about age limit: Conservatives have concerns about increasing the maximum age for the mandatory language requirement from 55 to 65, particularly for older immigrants seeking family reunification.
Prefer canada-quebec accord: The party prefers working with Quebec to enhance its immigration powers under the Canada-Quebec accord rather than amending the federal Citizenship Act directly.
Support bill at first reading: The party supports the bill at first reading, wishing to ensure concerns about the age limit are reviewed in committee and addressed if necessary.
NDP
Supports bill's objective: The NDP supports the bill
The objective to defend the French language and francophone demographic weight, but believes the bill is the wrong tool.
Bill is ineffective and harmful: The bill is criticized for being difficult to enforce, ineffective, and potentially having harmful unintended consequences, especially for refugees and family reunification.
Hinders French language learning: The NDP is concerned the bill does not facilitate immigrants' access to French language courses, which is essential for integration and promoting French.
Liberal
Citizenship promotes integration: The Liberal party emphasizes that obtaining Canadian citizenship is a fundamental step for successful integration and belonging in Canadian and Quebec society.
Bill C-223 creates barriers: Liberals argue the bill would undo previous efforts to ease citizenship access by increasing the age range and removing language choice, creating barriers for vulnerable groups.
Support for linguistic duality: The government values linguistic duality and promotes French through specific programs, investments, and the Canada-Quebec accord, supporting francophone integration.
Immigrants acquire French over time: Census data shows high rates of French acquisition among immigrants in Quebec over time, suggesting the proposed French-only requirement may not be necessary.