English language tests for everyone applying to live in Canada permanently
July 21 2010 by Liam Clifford
Many people applying for Canadian work visas under the skilled category are angry that they now have to take long, expensive English tests to settle in Canada – even if they are native English speakers.
The compulsory English tests for all skilled migrants looking to move to
Canada were introduced last month, and is already proving
controversial. Some applicants, such as Dodi Robbins, who spoke to
Canadian newspaper The Star, were “outraged” about the tests.
Dodi was born in New York and is a Harvard graduate. She has practiced
law for 13 years and has been working in Canada for four years on a
Canadian work permit. She decided she wanted to apply to settle in
Canada permanently, but was told she would have to sit the mandatory
English test. She said, “I was outraged, insulted and floored.” “I
almost fell off the chair. I’ve been practising law here for years and I
have to prove my proficiency in English?” she added.
The Canadian government argues that the tests represent the, “fairest,
most transparent, objective, consistent and accurate” way to measure
language skills.
The English language tests include 30 minutes of responding to
questions, an hour of reading, an hour of writing and an interview. The
test, through IELTS, costs CA$285. 
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