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Dear Chair,
Following the scrutiny call for evidence, around the migration and population review proposals, I wish to submit feedback as follows.
My initial consideration is a cultural one, and surrounds the requirement for proficiency in English as a positive point' by which someone can achieve permanent residency under the points-based scheme. Given that French remains an official language of the island, and the recognition of Jerrias as a regional language within the island - I believe that these should be permitted as official languages for any residency test, much like Canada in your example.
My second point relates to criminal record checks, and whilst under the CTA rules we cannot bar someone from entering the island from UK or Ireland, we can and should disallow someone from taking up permanent residence on this basis and should do this equitably with any proposed records checks relating to immigration from outside the UK and Ireland (eg EU).
My third point relates to identity card provision, which should apply equally to persons from the UK and Ireland migrating to the Ireland for housing or work purposes, as it would do from further afield. It may also be of benefit for local residents to be able to apply for an ID card on an optional basis, which should be given consideration. The Government of Gibraltar have a national identity card scheme which would be a good benchmark to review, with two categories of card available - one for permanent residents and one for temporary workers. This appears to work well and is fully integrated with their national ID.
I hope these points are of useful benefit to the scrutiny panel.