March 2, 1934 (17th Parliament, 5th Session)

Mr. CAHAN:

I think if it were left to
the municipality it would be found in many cases that their position would be adverse to the applicant, because our office has received during the last three years many protests from municipalities against granting certificates of naturalization to those who do not understand well either the English or the French language. They insist that the granting of a certificate of naturalization imposes a heavier burden upon the municipality in respect of providing relief, which it is not prepared to meet. Therefore they have in many cases protested very strongly against making any concession to the alien who does not understand French or English.