Citizenship handed out too soon, immigrantion not managed well enough

[gsyh]

1. Citizenship: I really think that citizenship had been handed out and kept too easily. Instead of 3 years, it really should require 6-10 years, with 4 years set as an exception for immigrants under the age of 18 who have been raised in our schools. If people were to actually live aboard, the naturalized or the native-born, I think they should

Comments

[jawnbc]

3 years, not 4. Do your homework.

Were you born in Canada?

No

[gsyh]

Though I was a child when 'I' passed my citizenship, and I totally remembered it as 4 years, or maybe I never did look it up but settled on 4 years because of the voting thing.

Eeeep, just 3 years?

Re: No

[jawnbc]

Yup. Australia only requires 2 years of residency.

So long as you're willing to have these principles applied retroactively to yourself and your family...

We'll pass

[gsyh]

We've been here for a decade, there was a job lined up before we even got here which was another reason why it's Canada instead of the States (we've also been applying for years before and waited until we have been approved instead of illegally hopping), we never had to go on welfare, my parents already know some English since we were from Hong Kong, and both of them took night classes at some point, and the one that doesn't work 40h/wk volunteers.

I was a very precocious child that kept up with the news before I was grade school age in Hong Kong, and knew the politics there (though I've forgotten now). Had I been able to vote as soon as I've made citizen (which I couldn’t because I was underage), I would not have been ready. It takes more than 3 years, especially when you remember that much of that 3 years will be occupied by settling in (housing, language, job, networking).

[skaloop]

You might want to take some of those free English classes yourself. If you expect immigrants with English as a second language to be proficient, your writing should be flawless. As it is, this post leaves a lot to be desired.

I did and I got high marks way back then

[gsyh]

I know the rules, and I know what I usually break (tenses), it's just hard to regularly practice them after years of InstantMessaging... If this is a term paper I would have proofread it more and got someone else to as well. As this is the interwebs I aim not for coherency. Am I still understandable outside of the grammatical errors

[emptymotel]

You've obviously never had to deal with the immigration process first-hand, or as an adult. The system is demeaning, racist and extremely difficult. While i agree that no country has to accept any immigrants, Canada can certainly use more citizens, no matter what their financial contribution to society. I am happy to invite people in with open arms.

//The system is demeaning, racist and extremely difficult.//

[gsyh]

Please point out where any of my suggested reforms is demeaning and racist.

The reforms will add additional difficulty for the granting of citizenship, but it will also provide much needed support, so that when they are citizens, they will be like any other citizens in that they will be capable with a good knowledge of their rights and responsiblities.

Our country needs more citizens, capable citizens.

[ringzero]

Why is it racist?

As a personal anecdote, my family had great trouble immigrating to Canada in the 80s despite both my parents being highly educated, spoke English, had employment waiting, etc... We're white (duh, my userpic is a picture of me). Is it racist against white people?

I'm no expert on the immigration system but given the standard we had to meet it shocks me that anybody is able to immigrate into this country at all.

[siobhan63]

"As to "qualifying to our standards", I'm assuming you have come up with a standardized set of test for EACH and EVERY profession that requires retraining? From mechanical and nuclear engineering to medicine?"

Never mind the fact that we don't even have national standards for most professions - all this stuff is controlled by the provinces and they set their own...

[rogula]

BC and Alberta have the first inter-provincial agreement where almost all prefessions will be able to work in both provinces....

[allhatnocattle]

When did this happen? Apprenticing two years in BC didn't matter to Alberta's Apprenticeship program. The schooling is done different, in terms of length in school. I mean you can work in both provinces, but you can work in all by simply writing the inter-provincial exam(s). Link?

[rogula]

I like some of your ideas.

In general, at this point in time we some sectors and regions (Construction/IT in B.C.) need workers, and we should make it as easy as possible for temporary work VISA's. Citizenship should be extreemly demanding and not just something they get cause they want it. 10 years should be the minimum a person has to live here before they are granted citizenship.

Agreed

[gsyh]

We need a workforce like now, so residency and work permit should be granted earlier. Something as important as citizenship though, shouldn't be that easy.