CanadaCanada’’s Immigration and s Immigration and Multiculturalism PolicyMulticulturalism Policy

The Ripple Effect on SocietyThe Ripple Effect on Society

What does immigration and multiculturalism mean to us as individuals and as Canadians?

Mosaic or Melting Pot?Mosaic or Melting Pot?

Canada has often been referred to as a Canada has often been referred to as a ““Nation Nation of Immigrantsof Immigrants”” (Irving Abella, 2006)(Irving Abella, 2006)

Trudeau envisioned a multicultural society Trudeau envisioned a multicultural society within a bilingual framework – Why?within a bilingual framework – Why?

Official Bilingualism ran the risk of alienating Official Bilingualism ran the risk of alienating the multicultural make-up of Canadathe multicultural make-up of Canada

American writers argued that people of different American writers argued that people of different backgrounds must have a common sense of backgrounds must have a common sense of purpose and national identitypurpose and national identity

Immigration PolicyImmigration Policy

Historically, CanadaHistorically, Canada’’s immigration s immigration policy has been quite racistpolicy has been quite racist

Canada bars the door to European Jews Canada bars the door to European Jews escaping Nazi persecutionescaping Nazi persecution

““None is Too ManyNone is Too Many”” Until the 1960Until the 1960’’s immigration criteria s immigration criteria

included race and national originincluded race and national origin

A National IdentityA National Identity By 1970 it was clear that By 1970 it was clear that

CanadaCanada’’s immigration s immigration policy did not reflect the policy did not reflect the make-up of Canadamake-up of Canada’’s s populationpopulation

Trudeau envisioned Trudeau envisioned multiculturalism as a multiculturalism as a ““third forcethird force”” influencing influencing the make-up of Canadathe make-up of Canada

Official Multiculturalism Official Multiculturalism was to be part of our was to be part of our ““National IdentityNational Identity””

There was a hope that There was a hope that ethnic pride could be ethnic pride could be interlaced with pride in oninterlaced with pride in onee’’s new homelands new homeland

New Immigration PolicyNew Immigration Policy

Immigration Act of 1976 Immigration Act of 1976 Three Categories of ImmigrantsThree Categories of Immigrants::

1.1. Family ClassFamily Class – close relatives in Canada – close relatives in Canada

2.2. Refugee ClassRefugee Class – coming to Canada to seek – coming to Canada to seek protection from persecution/warprotection from persecution/war

3.3. Skilled Workers ClassSkilled Workers Class – skills/capital which – skills/capital which will enhance Canadawill enhance Canada’’s economys economy

Points would be awarded based on various Points would be awarded based on various criteriacriteria

Limits and ExceptionsLimits and Exceptions

The Immigration Act prohibited the The Immigration Act prohibited the entrance of persons who might be a threat entrance of persons who might be a threat to:to:

1.1. Public healthPublic health2.2. Safety & orderSafety & order3.3. National SecurityNational Security

People could be accepted into Canada for People could be accepted into Canada for Economic and Humanitarian ReasonsEconomic and Humanitarian Reasons

Bill C-11: Immigration Act is replaced by the Bill C-11: Immigration Act is replaced by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (2002)(2002)

Changing Face of ImmigrationChanging Face of Immigration MulticulturalismMulticulturalism was was

intended to:intended to:1.1. Help minority groups Help minority groups

preserve their culturespreserve their cultures2.2. Help ease the transition Help ease the transition

into a full participatory into a full participatory member of Canadian member of Canadian societysociety

3.3. Promote cultural Promote cultural exchanges and exchanges and understanding in order understanding in order to advance National to advance National UnityUnity

4.4. Assist in the Assist in the acquisition of one acquisition of one official languageofficial language

Immigration Today: Fact or Fiction?Immigration Today: Fact or Fiction? ““Recent immigrants are not integrating and threaten Canadian values. Recent immigrants are not integrating and threaten Canadian values.

Their level of education is low, and many cannot speak English or Their level of education is low, and many cannot speak English or French.French.””

Fiction:Fiction: The majority actually speak English or French before arriving The majority actually speak English or French before arriving and about 1.5% of people do not speak English or French (2001 and about 1.5% of people do not speak English or French (2001 census). On average, they are more educated than the Canadian-born census). On average, they are more educated than the Canadian-born and over 80% become Canadian citizens. and over 80% become Canadian citizens.

““The annual inflow of immigrants is over 200,000 a year.The annual inflow of immigrants is over 200,000 a year.”” FactFact ““Immigration accounts for 60% of total population growth.Immigration accounts for 60% of total population growth.”” FactFact ““Immigrants take jobs away from "real" Canadians, increasing Immigrants take jobs away from "real" Canadians, increasing

unemployment and driving down wages.unemployment and driving down wages.”” Fiction:Fiction: There is no established link between immigration and There is no established link between immigration and

unemployment. In fact, the economy actually grows during periods of unemployment. In fact, the economy actually grows during periods of high immigrationhigh immigration

Immigration is “bleeding Canada dry”• "Immigration and refugee policies in Canada are no longer just a joke. They are life-threatening to Canadians and to the rest of the world." - Diane Francis, Jan 4 '00 - National Post

• Criticism: screening of immigrants is too lax – people from third world countries with dangerous infectious diseases like TB are being allowed into Canada

• When the sick immigrants get to Canada, they put pressure on our overstretched health care system and spread disease - ‘real’ Canadians suffer