Tam said:The maddening thing about the Canadian citizenship test is in the material you get to study, it says you have to be able to understand at least one of the two official languages to qualify to take the test. Then when you get to the Citizenship court to take the test, you see people in the hallways being given the test orally via a translator because even though they have been living in Canada for years by this time they do not understand either of Canada's official languages. Then we wonder why some think they can come to Canada and live by their own rules, the government doesn't even make them follow the rules to become citizens. :roll:
Oh and to give you a clue about the test, Picture yourself in a Citizenship Court side room where there is a flag standing in the corner and the first question is what color is the Canadian flag? :wink:
Basic Understanding of English Required
To qualify for U.S. citizenship, applicants must demonstrate a basic understanding of English, including an ability to read, write, and speak the language. They must also be able to show that they know the fundamentals of U.S. history and government.
If you are physically unable to comply, developmentally disabled, or mentally impaired, you may be exempt from both the English test and the U.S. civics and history test.
The immigration officer will also make sure that you have the ability to speak and understand English. Certain groups of people are exempt from the English requirement. For example, if you are fifty years or older and have been a permanent resident for more than twenty years, you are exempt. If you are over fifty-five years old and have been a permanent resident for more than fifteen years, you are also exempt.
hillsdown said:My husband became a landed immigrant in 1987. He applied for his citizenship finally in 2003 after complaining how our government watsed tax. In 2006 we still had yet to hear anything back and when you checked online it said his status was pending. Then we saw on the news that over 1000 immigrants, most of whom had only been in the country less than a year were being sworn in that week. Needless to say I had a conniption.
My husband, stellar citizen ,worked everyday since he has been here ,paid taxes in full ,and contributed greatly to the economy was not even given consideration to be given citizenship.
Maybe if he was a lazy bum ,who lived off the people, didn't bother to learn the language and walked around in wooden shoes he would have been at the top of the list. :roll:
One phone call to our MLA Bob Mills and he had a registered letter the following day with instructions where to take his test and where the citizenship ceremonies will be held at the end of the week. Sometimes having a pit bull for a wife helps. :wink:
Sure wish Mr. Mills had not retired, he was a good man to have in office. He actually cared about his constituency.