Citizenship and Immigration Committee on April 14th, 2016

[Debbie Douglas]

The 14- to 18-year-olds are enrolled in our school system. If they came in at that age as new immigrants without either of our official languages, they are often enrolled in English as a second language. But for us, the majority of these kids actually have been in the school system for a number of years and do have English.

The problem is about having to pay for a test to prove they have that language ability, which we find problematic. Also, there is no evidence for why that requirement was put in place through Bill C-24. If parents are applying for citizenship and including their 14- to 18-year-olds and they go in and write their tests, we hope that our school systems are teaching our kids enough civics that they would understand how our country operates. As for the fact that now parents have to take on this extra cost of proving language, we never did understand why that was necessary. That's why we support the changes that are happening in Bill C-6.

Also, as you've heard me talk about, on the other end of the age spectrum we do have permanent residents who come into Canada and who have had such traumatic experiences, especially our refugee seniors, that there is absolutely no way that they will ever acquire enough language skills or be comfortable in writing in either of our official languages, and especially when literacy is an issue. We've heard from Ms. Kwan, whose mother had a grade 6 education. That's not unusual with some of our older immigrants and refugees.

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

My next question is for you, Mr. Bissett. Earlier, you indicated your support for the lengthening of the extended period of naturalization that was created in Bill C-24. We have now had some time since that legislation came into force. What changes in the quality or the other attributes of new citizens have you observed since then that you can link to this change and that justify the decision to make permanent residents wait a longer period before being able to apply for citizenship?

[The Chair, Liberal, Borys Wrzesnewskyj]

You have 10 seconds.

[James Bissett]

I haven't noticed any changes at all, but it has been a short period of time, and we won't know the changes, if there are any. I'm not objecting to the idea that many people who come here can be eligible to apply in the three years, but generally speaking that's not the case.

[The Chair, Liberal, Borys Wrzesnewskyj]

Thank you, Mr. Bissett.

I'd like to thank our witnesses for appearing before the committee today.

Before the committee adjourns, I'd also like to bring this to the attention of committee members for reference as per the subcommittee request. There is a report that shows the projections for a budget for a study and a comparison between a study that travels across the country and a study that is done here on the Hill. That will be disseminated to all committee members.

Ms. Kwan.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Before we adjourn, I'd like to officially request this. For the submissions presented to us today, some of the witnesses were not able to complete their presentations due to time limitations, and I want to make sure that the written presentations they have provided us will be incorporated into our proceedings so that none of the information would be lost and it would be taken into consideration as we embark on the next phase, after all the witnesses have been heard and as we prepare for the next phase.

[The Chair, Liberal, Borys Wrzesnewskyj]

Thank you, Ms. Kwan. Yes.

Do we have a motion to adjourn? Thank you.

We are adjourned.