Language Tests Used for Canadian Admissibility Criticized as Money-Making Machine
Language proficiency tests required for immigrants seeking entry into Canada have come under criticism as a money-making machine, according to advocates and critics. Last year, a record high of 431,645 permanent residents was invited to Canada, and most were required to demonstrate proficiency in either English or French.
Applicants have the option to take either the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), both of which cost over $250 and have a validity period of only two years. French tests also have the same validity period and cost a similar amount. The exam results are often necessary for university enrollment or work permit applications.
Critics argue that the cost and limited validity of the tests pose significant problems. Ukwori Ejibe, who moved to Canada from Nigeria in 2020, holds multiple degrees and attempted the IELTS test twice in Nigeria, where English is the official language. Ejibe’s first scores were not high enough for permanent residency, but after a second attempt, she was invited to immigrate. However, she was later required to take the test a third time to gain admission to the university program she wanted to attend in British Columbia.
Ejibe expressed frustration at the test’s cost and the implication that her English proficiency was being questioned despite her educational background in English-speaking countries. Syed Hussan, the executive director of the advocacy group Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, described the tests as a massive money-making machine and criticized the two-year expiry date, suggesting it is merely a tactic to generate more revenue.
The application fee for permanent residency is $1,365, and Ejibe estimates that she has spent approximately $1,000 on language tests alone, adding to the already expensive immigration process. She questions the discrepancy in requirements for citizenship applicants, who are not required to retake the test if they have previously passed it, even if their results have expired.
Elena Ashford, an immigration lawyer based in Ontario, agrees that the cost of the tests is a significant issue and questions why the validity period is limited to two years. While the British Council, which offers the IELTS, recommends a two-year validity period, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states that language proficiency must not deteriorate over time before landing in Canada.
The IRCC highlights the importance of language proficiency in economic outcomes and increased earnings. However, critics argue that these tests do not accurately predict an individual’s ability to thrive in Canada. When the temporary resident to permanent residency pathway was introduced in 2021, there was a surge in traffic on the language testing sites, leading to crashes.
Some suggest updating the assessment system entirely and relying on factors such as work experience or previous study in Canada. Critics believe that these measures would provide a more accurate evaluation of an individual’s suitability for residence without the financial burden and time constraints associated with language tests.
Overall, while language tests remain a requirement for many immigrants entering Canada, critics argue that they are not a reliable indicator of an individual’s ability to succeed in their new country of residence. The cost, limited validity, and potentially unnecessary repetition of the tests are seen as significant drawbacks, prompting calls for a reevaluation of the current assessment system.
