This amendment seeks to eliminate the requirement to pass a knowledge test in one of the official languages. Presenters who came before the committee included the Canadian Bar Association, the Metro Toronto Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, individual Peter Edelmann, and also the Canadian Council for Refugees, who support this amendment. They raised the point quite eloquently, I thought.
In terms of the amendment, under the changes made by the former government, the Conservatives, the knowledge test of Canada, required to obtain citizenship, now amounts to a double testing of language skills. Prior to the Conservative changes, individuals had the ability to take the test with the aid of an interpreter. Due to the changes, the interpreter is no longer provided. This amounts to not only a second language test but a language test that is arguably more difficult than the actual level of English or French someone must have to pass the actual language test. This amendment seeks to remedy that.
At this time, I would also advance this issue. There really should be the opportunity for an amendment to eliminate the upfront proof of language levels on the question around proficiency, but as that matter is dealt with by regulation, no amendment can be advanced to deal with that. That issue was advanced by, again, a number of the witnesses before us. For many, particularly refugees and some immigrants, the proof of language levels is such an onerous measure that many of them would not be able to meet it. In that regard, hopefully the government will take into consideration the witnesses' presentations around that issue and make changes to the regulation.
At this point, because it would be out of the scope, my amendment is only to deal with the double testing issue. That's amendment NDP-22, reference number 8191635, Mr. Chair, and I move it accordingly.