First of all we need to establish what immigration really means for a country like Canada who opened the immigration traffic back in 1960 with the skilled worker program. As you can guess that very first intent was to regulate the quality of immigrant that got to establish their business in the country. By sorting the candidates under categories and job skills Canada was making sure their social development was getting richer instead of just importing cheap handwork to their market.
Later on the flow of naturalization applications just got higher and higher what ended up in a citizenship test.
New comers to Canada had work visas and needed to prove they could self sustain inside the country boundaries. But what about the Canadian spirit? What about getting involved with Canadian values, making the country their own? That was one of the questions the Canadian government started doing themselves. There was almost no way to ensure immigrant inclusion. The language was another important requirement. When immigrants started coming from Latin America, Asia and Africa the language barriers started to get thicker. That’s when the citizenship test was born. That was a simple solution two the two main issues, the English level of the test ensured that the applicant could understand and communicate in both English and French. The Test content ensures new citizen inclusion and knowledge about the Canadian historical, political and cultural roots. In a way the main focus was to turn that new citizen into a civically active individual that had the possibility and will to vote and impact the day to day society.
The citizenship test is a summary of the Canadian way of life and values, our symbols and our way to see the world. It also gives a head start to all new citizens to be involved in our democratic society and the, for some, odd fact that we are ruled by both a Prime Minister and a Queen. Canada is personified through Elizabeth II in our eyes, a concept difficult to grasp even for someone born in Canadian territories.
The Discover Canada guide used to get prepared for the citizenship test gives a thourough look to our government structure and a even closer look to our democratical voting procedures. It also enumerates the civil rights all citizens have and their responsibilities.
Still the citizenship test is not the only way Canada helps newcomers to integrate. We also have free language courses in French and English to all residents all over the territory. No one is left behind, even refugees are being assisted with language and work inclusion. Our country is rich in cultures and creates a prolific environment for identity and communion.
The citizenship test is just one of the stages to become a true Canadian, not only legally speaking but in mind and spirit. It opens the door to our culture and values. That’s how we like newcomers to see the citizenship test, not as a regulation tool or a filter to avoid them to become citizens but as a set of skills that will help them in their future in our land as well as other places in the world.
Nice approach. All that has been said is actually true. Since I came to Canada (10 years ago), I had a tough time integrating with my neighbors but then, when I begun the process to become a Canadian citizen, I started to gain more knowledge regarding Canada’s history, economy, symbols, etc and I had more and more things to talk about with them. Nowadays, I dinner with my neighbors once or twice a week and it feels fantastic!
I agree on the whole identity porpoise and the fact that there has to be a way to teach the new citizens the values and the electoral system and all. I get it. But the fact that the test can be taken only once, is like a filter. feels like a stop for massive citizenship request, has a bad taste of mouth.
My opinion.