Should all immigrants be required to pass a citizenship test?

[jbg]

There are two basic categories of migrants.

First, those who just want to get out of their own country. In such cases, they do not really have a loyalty to Canada per se.

Second, they searched for that beautiful land and settled on Canada as a place in which they will build their new home. They pledge their loyalty to this new land, find ways to contribute and enhance the economy of that land, contribute to social causes and through their positive actions, make their corner of Canada a little bit better by their presence.

For those belonging to the second category, a citizenship test is welcome. It helps them to know about the land, the history and the peoples. The culture. And above all, what it means to be a citizen of Canada.

My vote is 'yes' for the citizenship test.

I totally agree with this analysis. The kind of people that belong in a country such as the US or Canada are those that would kiss the ground when they arrive and hold that love for the new country.

If one isn't interested in finding out something about their new land, chances are they want to build "China in Canada" or "Pakistan in Canada". In either case, very bad idea.

[Wilber]

I just tried a 20 question sample citizenship test on the Richmond BC public library site. Pretty straight forward except for my ignorance concerning Richmond's municipal and provincial politicians. If our schools don't teach enough about Canadian history and geography for someone to answer most of these questions, we should be taking a hard look at our education system. I think all Canadian kids should be required to pass a typical citizenship test given to immigrants at some time before they finish secondary school.

I've worked offshore for foreign companies a couple of times. They didn't want me to become a citizen and I wasn't interested either. If I had, I would expect to do it on their terms, not mine.

[Mr.Canada]

I just tried a 20 question sample citizenship test on the Richmond BC public library site. Pretty straight forward except for my ignorance concerning Richmond's municipal and provincial politicians. If our schools don't teach enough about Canadian history and geography for someone to answer most of these questions, we should be taking a hard look at our education system. I think all Canadian kids should be required to pass a typical citizenship test given to immigrants at some time before they finish secondary school.

I've worked offshore for foreign companies a couple of times. They didn't want me to become a citizen and I wasn't interested either. If I had, I would expect to do it on their terms, not mine.

Well we used to teach Canadian History as Grade 9 history but the crying people changed that to be more inclusive and it's no longer offered.

[punked]

We need a civics class that is what we need.

[bush_cheney2004]

...Ever see that poster with a bunch of indians with rifles and the caption--"Fighting Terrorism since 1492?" It's so true when you look at the history of what the aboriginal people have gone through. SO propaganda has covered up this mass genocide an acts of terrorism in out own country.

Sure has...long before 1492 or the invention of rifles. Better include posters from the pre-Columbian Americas that depict tribal warfare, genocide, human sacrifice, slavery, and cannibalism. Ummmm...ummmm...good!

[KeyStone]

I have always considered citizenship tests to be a form of discrimination against newcomers to Canada. Why force a test on them if over 2/3rd of the Canadian citizens can't pass the test themselves? Does this mean citizens who don't know anything about Canada should have their citizenships stripped? I don't think so. So why are we doing this to immigrants?

Sure, 2/3rds can't pass.

But, I bet if they had a week to prepare, the vast majority of those citizens could pass.

Look, the test isn't all that hard if you study and it accomplishes the following:

1) Adds a little more weight to the citizenship. It's not just another form to fill out.

2) Creates a sense of achievement and a source of pride. (ie Not everyone can become a Canadian citizen)

3) Ensures that they are willing to invest a little time in understanding our country.

4) Educates them with some of the basics, especially since they are going to be able to vote.

[jbg]

I just tried a 20 question sample citizenship test on the Richmond BC public library site. Pretty straight forward except for my ignorance concerning Richmond's municipal and provincial politicians. If our schools don't teach enough about Canadian history and geography for someone to answer most of these questions, we should be taking a hard look at our education system. I think all Canadian kids should be required to pass a typical citizenship test given to immigrants at some time before they finish secondary school.

I took the 40 question version and got 3 wrong, one of those was peculiar to Richmond, BC.

I'm a Yank and know little about Canada, mind you.