Source:http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/02/10/learning-english-is-tough-but-worth-the-struggle-mallick.html

COMMENT

Richard Boraks BA, LLB

Barrister & Solicitor

55 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke Ontario   M8W 3S2

Tel: 416-588-8707 Fax: 416-588-8785

Email: boraks@workercanada.com

Hello Ms Mallick

Re: February 10 opinion: Language & Immigrants … Substance vs. Process

Allow me to declare both a commendation and a conflict.

Although a conservative, I nevertheless commend your passion and clarity. For years, your work has entrenched disagreement but acknowledged respect and forced reflection.

The conflict: I act for the European trades immigrants that Nicholas Keung interviewed. 

I apologize to all concerned if I failed to confirm that the issue is not the workers’ language ability.  

They can all read plans and contracts. They have passed Ontario trades safety exams. They have gone through a 12 week Ontario trades school language assessment process. They have all become successfully financially established in Canada. Many are also successfully self employed. Some employ Canadians. They all work, in English, for demanding, successful GTA trades employers and customers.

The issue is not language. The issue is process. The issue is that Ottawa changed the rules of the game, after these guys came to Canada. After 148 years Ottawa woke up one morning and decided that proven success in English means nothing. Language assessments by Ontario’s best teachers mean nothing. Customer references mean nothing. Six figure bank accounts mean nothing. Taxes mean nothing.  

Ottawa’s, but not Ontario’s, single deciding factor is a three hour exam written in a formal college setting. The problem is not language assessment. The problem is the format. What makes a good carpenter does not necessarily make a good 3 hour exam writer.  

At the end of the day, the choice is simple… Do you want your renovations done by:

• Someone who did a great job on your English speaking neighbor’s kitchen or
• By some guy who has never set foot in Canada , may not know what pine or oak looks like, but feels comfortable writing a “do or die” exam in a college under the eagle eyed supervision of a small army of monitors

Once again, my apologies if I got it wrong.

Regards,

  

Richard Boraks