A Canadian province will soon require economic immigrants to pass a “values test” under a newly proposed policy.<\/p>\n
Quebec Premier Francois Legault says potential immigrants to the province should be aware of values like the equal rights of men and women.<\/p>\n
The provincial government says the test questions will be based on its charter of rights.<\/p>\n
The policy is to take effect on 1 January 2020.<\/p>\n
Potential immigrants can retake the online values test if they fail. A passing grade is 75%.<\/p>\n
They also have the option of taking a course covering the topics in question if they struggle to pass.<\/p>\n
Mr Legault said newcomers should also know about a provincial secularism bill that bars civil servants in positions of “authority” from wearing religious symbols like the kippah, turban, or hijab while at work.<\/p>\n
That controversial legislation includes judges, police officers and teachers.<\/p>\n
The 20-question evaluation will focus on issues including democracy, French-speaking Quebec society, state secularism, and equality between men and women.<\/p>\n
Its goal is to ensure those newcomers “integrate in French into Quebec society and adhere to Quebec values”, said provincial immigration minister Simon Jolin-Barrette.<\/p>\n
Examples questions include: “In Quebec, men and woman have the same rights and are considered equal by law, true or false?” and “Identify which of the following examples are discriminatory: refusing to hire a women who is pregnant, a person who doesn’t have the required diploma, or a person based on their ethnicity.”<\/p>\n
The values test is part of an immigration system overhaul by the centre-right CAQ party, which estimates up to 26,300 newcomers – economic immigrants and their family members – will take the test next year.<\/p>\n
Quebec has a special agreement on immigration with Canada’s federal government and has broad powers in the selection of immigrants, in particular in the economic category.<\/p>\n
An immigrant wishing to settle in the province must apply to Quebec for a so-called “selection certificate” for which passing the new test will be a prerequisite.<\/p>\n
He or she must obtain that certificate before applying for permanent residence with the federal government.<\/p>\n
The policy is unlikely to be challenged by the federal government. During the recent general election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it is within the province’s mandate to impose such a criterion.<\/p>\n
Fo Niemi, of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations, a non-profit civil rights organisation, says he does not oppose the values test per se, but warns “the devil is in the details”.<\/p>\n
He worries that the protection of minority rights does not appear to be a topic emphasised in the test.<\/p>\n
Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"