Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Retaking language test unfair: immigrants

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Apr, 2021 05:28 PM
  • Retaking language test unfair: immigrants

International graduates and essential workers eligible to apply for permanent residency under a new program say requiring them to retake language proficiency tests is unreasonable, especially during a global pandemic.

Akshay Aman, a law clerk graduate currently working as a security officer in Toronto, says international students have already passed language tests and proved their proficiency in English or French when they got their school admission and student visa.

He says the websites of the government-approved language tests have crashed since the announcement of the new program last week leaving thousands of applicants struggling to register for a test during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alexander Cohen, a spokesman for Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, says the department wants to assure prospective applicants that the process will be fair for everyone, but he didn't say whether the department will drop the language requirement for those who have already passed proficiency tests.

The new program aims to grant 90,000 essential workers and international graduates who are currently in Canada permanent status.

On May 6, the immigration department will start accepting up to 50,000 applications from health care and other essential workers and 40,000 applications from international students who graduated from a Canadian institution.

MORE National ARTICLES

Charities hope budget lends them a helping hand

Charities hope budget lends them a helping hand
Imagine Canada, a charity that promotes the work of the sector, said groups have on average seen just over two-fifths of their earnings disappear due to the pandemic.

Charities hope budget lends them a helping hand

Air Canada aid package 'bittersweet': WestJet CEO

Air Canada aid package 'bittersweet': WestJet CEO
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday that talks continue with Canadian airlines, including WestJet.

Air Canada aid package 'bittersweet': WestJet CEO

NDP MP proposes decriminalizing drug use

NDP MP proposes decriminalizing drug use
MP Don Davies introduced a private member's bill today that would scrap Criminal Code provisions on drug possession, expunge criminal records for the same offence and mandate low-barrier access to a safe supply of medically regulated substances.

NDP MP proposes decriminalizing drug use

Vancouver Aquarium has been sold to US tourism operator, Herschend Enterprises

Vancouver Aquarium has been sold to US tourism operator, Herschend Enterprises
The agreement ensures that Vancouver will continue to have a world-class aquarium with the financial strength to continue building on its 64-years of success as an animal care and animal rescue facility, a cherished educational venue, and one of BC’s top tourist and event destinations.

Vancouver Aquarium has been sold to US tourism operator, Herschend Enterprises

New building to replace B.C. residential school

New building to replace B.C. residential school
B.C. Premier John Horgan, federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller and area Indigenous leaders, including Deputy Chief Harlan Schilling of the Daylu Dena Council at Lower Post, made the announcement today during a virtual news conference.

New building to replace B.C. residential school

Delta hospice reopens after lengthy fight

Delta hospice reopens after lengthy fight
Members of the former Delta Hospice Society objected on religious grounds to a requirement to offer medically assisted deaths, prompting legal action, removal of provincial funding and an order for the society to vacate the facility.

Delta hospice reopens after lengthy fight