I think it's a question of balance. I accept totally the evidence suggesting that mastery of one of the two official languages is a good thing, that it promotes and enhances an individual's ability to do well in Canada, to get good jobs, to integrate. On the one hand, we do favour language requirements. On the other hand, I think for older newcomers it's less important.
I think one has to take into account cultural issues. I think for many years, for decades if not forever, people have come here from countries where the first language isn't English. Many upon arrival have not mastered the language properly, but almost always their children do, and certainly their grandchildren do. I don't think that has been a negative factor for Canada over the years. That is why we are returning the age range to where it was, so that older Canadians....
I don't regard 55 to 64 as super-old, but those above the average age will not necessarily be required to do this, even though as a general principle we believe that the mastery of English or French is important for the success of newcomers.