1. Immigration
How well do Canada’s immigration laws and policies respond to immigration issues?

2. 2011 census

3. Canada is a nation of immigrants
Our Aboriginal population consists of less than 5% of our total population (2011)
Early on we attracted immigrants from “preferred countries”
Britain, France, Germany
Later on – Eastern Europe
Much later on – Asia and Africa

4. Why does Canada encourage immigration
Economic factors
We need a strong workforce
We can attract skilled workers from around the world
Demographic factors
Our population is not replacing itself (not having as many babies)
Baby-boomers: large demographic cohort that is retiring and needs younger workers to support them in their retirement (pensions)

6. “I speak of a Canada where men and women of Aboriginal ancestry, of French and British heritage, of the diverse cultures of the world, demonstrate the will to share this land in peace, in justice, and with mutual respect.”
- Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, April 17, 1982

7. EXAMPLES OF IMMIGRATION ISSUES IN THE PAST

8. Chinese Head Tax
Canada encouraged Chinese workers to help build the railway
Between 1885 and 1923, Canada discouraged immigration from China by requiring every Chinese immigrant to pay a fixed fee, known as a head tax
Today people from Asia have made up the largest group of immigrants to Canada
In 2006, Canada’s government formally apologized to Canada’s Chinese citizens for the head tax

9. Chinese Head Tax(es) Head taxes applied to Chinese immigrants
Not applied to immigrants from Europe
Tax steadily increases into the 1920’s
Law finally passed that prohibited immigration from China

10. Komagata Maru
In 1914, immigrants from India arrived in Vancouver on a Japanese ship called the Komagata Maru.
At this time, Canada’s government allowed people from India to enter Canada only if they sailed directly to Canada without stopping anywhere.
Since no shipping line offered this service, Indian immigrants were forced to board ships like this one.
Canadian officials did not let the passengers of the Komagata Maru off the ship for over two months.
The Indians lost their case and the ship with all of its passengers was forced to return to Asia

11. Continuous Passage Act and the Komagata Maru
Continuous Passage Act would not allow immigrants from nations where ships could not make the trip without stopping
Targeted at India
Komagata Maru brought Sikhs from India
Turned back
Canada has since apologized

12. SS St Louis SS St Louis Ship with Jewish Refugees from Germany
Turned away from Cuba and US
Canada last chance
Turned away due to anti- semitism even though heading back to Nazi Germany
Most on board were killed in concentration camps

13. Japanese Internment
Any person of Japanese heritage – including Canadian Citizens – living on the coast of BC were forced into Internment Camps in the interior of BC
Due to racism and fear of espionage (spies)
Many were not released until 1948
Did not get businesses or homes back
Canada has apologized and paid compensation (as well as allowed repatriation of those who lost citizenship

14. Canada’s Doors begin to open after WW2
Canada opens up to immigration from Europe after WW2
Refugees from the war
Racist immigration policies begin to change

15. Case Study: The Boat People
Refugees displaced by the Vietnam War
In total Canada took in 60,000 refugees
Matching program: the government sponsored one refugee for each one that was sponsored privately
Opposition views:
“Think of Your Own People First”
fear that immigrants will take“our” jobs
What does this case study tell us about people’s attitudes toward multiculturalism in the past

16. Immigration Legislation

17. Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
OBJECTIVES
Provide social, cultural and economic benefits
Respect bilingualism and multiculturalism
Support minority official language communities
Support a prosperous economy across all parts of Canada
Reunite families
Promote the integration of immigrants into Canada society

18. FACTORS RELATED TO IMMIGRATION

19. Multiculturalism Canada became multicultural in the 1970’s
1971-Trudeau declared that Canada would be a multicultural country.
Brian Mulroney – 1982 – official multicultural act
Canada accepts that it is a mosaic of different cultures and each has its place
-All citizens are equal and have the freedom to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage.
-Multiculturalism promotes the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in all aspects of Canadian society.

20. ECONOMIC FACTORS Provide a workforce
Much of Canada’s economy and infrastructure has been built by immigrants. Ex. the trans-continental railway
Demographic changes include decreasing birth rates. Without immigration there would be limited labour force growth
In some industries Canada either lacks skilled labour or lacks people willing to do those jobs.

21. POLITICAL FACTORS
Immigration laws and policies reflect the interests of Canadians and the nation. The government has to balance both
Different governments will create different policies based on the beliefs of their party and what they believe the Canadian public wants
Immigration policy can also be influenced by relations with other nations. Canada may take immigrants and refugees in order to maintain good relations or to protect people from corrupt and unfair governments

22. HEALTH FACTORS Immigrants must prove they are in good health
May be refused entry if they put the health or safety of Canadians at risk or if their condition may put an excessive demand on our health care system
These conditions do not apply to refugees and family-class immigrants

23. SECURITY FACTORS
Canada’s modern Immigration and Refugee Protection Act can deny an immigrant’s access to Canada if they pose a threat to Canada’s safety.
Includes criminal records, engaging in terrorism, posing a threat to the stability of government, or belonging to a known terrorist or criminal organization

24. CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA FOR SELECTING IMMIGRANTS
Economic Immigrants (Independent) – usually the largest group
Skilled workers and business people
Need to match a need in Canada – job vacancies or willingness to invest
Must qualify using the Points System
Family Class
Spouses, partners, children, parents and grandparents of people living here
You do not have to qualify under the Points System
Refugee Class - usually the smallest group
People escaping persecution, torture, wrongful imprisonment, or cruel and unusual punishment
Purpose: to save lives and offer protection, fulfill Canada’s commitment to protect refugees (signed a UN convention), reflect Canada’s humanitarian ideals

25. Refugees
“So often the world sits idly by, watching ethnic conflicts flare up, as if these were mere entertainment rather than human beings whose lives are being destroyed. Shouldn't the existence of even one single refugee be a cause for alarm throughout the world?” Urkhan Alakbarov

26. Refugee Policies
Canada allows many refugees to be first in line to immigrate to Canada
Refugee is a person seeking refuge (safety) from their own country
Canada received the Nansen Medal for its efforts with refugees

27. POINTS SYSTEM 1967
A series of questions designed to determine a person’s suitability for immigration to Canada
Canada’s new immigration policy attempts to have no discrimination
Applies only to economic immigrants
An applicant must score enough points to be considered for immigration
Questions are based on skills, education, and other factors related to successfully integrating into Canadian society

28. Issues Relating to Immigration

29. What languages do immigrants to Canada speak?
According to a survey done in 2006, immigrants’ knowledge of both of Canada’s official languages (English and French) was:
53% - spoke English
5% - spoke French
9% - spoke both English and French
33% - spoke neither
The top 5 language spoken by immigrants coming to Canada:
1) Mandarin
2) English
3) Arabic
4) Punjabi
5) Spanish
How can this impact language minority groups trying to protect their language and culture?

30. Protection of minority languages
Quebec attempts to attract French speaking immigrants.
Canada-Quebec Accord
allows Quebec to choose a certain amount of immigrants
can also require immigrants to send their children to French-language schools
Francophone groups outside Quebec attempt to attract French speaking immigrants to their communities.

31. Aboriginal Perspectives
Aboriginal peoples are partners in Canada. They have an impact on the creation of immigration policies.
Issue: when there are such conditions of poverty, poor education, health problems and employment for Aboriginal peoples, immigrants can be seen as creating more problems as Canada seeks to fill skilled jobs partly through immigration, and many immigrants fill education and training spaces. First Nations leaders argue we should be improving the quality of life for those within our country before we seek to encourage others to come to our country

32. Provincial Involvement
Provinces have a say in immigration policies.
Provincial Nomination Program – provinces can specify that they need immigrants with certain skills. Some provinces have their own immigration offices in other countries
Helps locate immigrants in places where their skills and labour are needed
Alberta receives about immigrants per year. Ontario and Toronto receive the most

33. Many immigrants choose to live in large urban areas

34. Where immigrants settle in Canada
Top 3 locations in Canada where immigrants settled in 2007:
39% Toronto
15% Montreal
14% Vancouver
32% the rest of Canada
One objective of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of 2002 is to share the economic benefits of immigration across all regions of Canada. Based on the information above, how well has Canada achieved that goal?

35. Pressures on Schools
With many new immigrant families come children who may not speak English or French
Funding for ESL programs
Often refugee students come with emotional stress from the conditions they have experienced before coming to Canada
PTSD
Cultural differences can cause conflicts
Eye contact
Equality being affirmed

36. What percentage of immigration to Canada does British Columbia receive?
50% Ontario
18% Quebec
17% British Columbia
8% Alberta
4% Manitoba
3% rest of Canada

37. Perceived Changes to Canadian Society
Depending on your perspective, the increased number of visible minority immigrants is either
Great as it adds to Canada’s multicultural heritage and makes us a world leader in race relations
Threatening Canada’s culture and changing our country in a way that is not in the best interest of Canadian-born citizens

38. Visible minorities by province
Is there a threat to non-visible minority populations in Canada? (aka white people)
Visible minorities by province
British Columbia (4,074,380): Not a visible minority: 75.2%
Chinese: 10.0%, South Asian: 6.4%
Ontario (12,028,895): Not a visible minority: 77.2%
South Asian: 6.6%, Chinese: 4.8%, Black: 3.9%
Alberta (3,256,355): Not a visible minority: 78.4%
Chinese 3.7%, South Asian 3.2%
Manitoba (1,133,515): Not a visible minority: 87%
Filipino 3.3%, 17% Aboriginal
Quebec (7,435,900): Not a visible minority: 91.2%
Nova Scotia (903,090): Not a visible minority: 95.8%
Saskatchewan (953,850): Not a visible minority: 96.4%
New Brunswick (719,650): Not a visible minority: 98.1%
Prince Edward Island (134,205): Not a visible minority: 98.7%
Newfoundland and Labrador (500,605): Not a visible minority: 98.9%

39. Toronto (5,072,070): Not a visible minority: 57.1%
South Asian 13.4%, Chinese: 9.6%, Black: 6.9%, Filipino: 3.4%
Vancouver (2,097,965): Not a visible minority: 58.3%
Chinese: 18.2%, South Asian: 9.9%, Filipino: 3.8%
Calgary (1,070,295): Not a visible minority: 77.8%
Chinese 6.2%, South Asian 5.4%
Edmonton (1,024,825): Not a visible minority: 82.9%
Chinese 4.6%, South Asian 3.9%
Montreal (3,588,520): Not a visible minority: 83.5%
Black 4.7%
Ottawa-Gatineau (1,117,120): Not a visible minority: 84.0%,
Black 4.0%
Winnipeg (686,040): Not a visible minority: 78.6%
Filipino: 8.7%%, South Asian: 3.5%, Aboriginal: 11.7%
Quebec City (704,185): Not a visible minority: 97.7%

40. Apologies and Compensation
In the last two decades the Canadian Government has recognized the wrongs of racist policies in the past
Apologies and compensation for:
Head taxes
Japanese Internment
Komagata Maru incident