Canadian Immigration Policies and
how they have impacted on its identity.

Canada has an extensive and rich experience in regards to
immigration policies and immigrants and it’s deeply embedded in its sense of
nationhood. The immigration policy of Canada is one which is very explicit in
part due to it being the government’s population policy. Immigration policies
are tailored so as to control the growth of the nation. Since the era of
Confederation, the immigration policy has been customized to allow for growth
of the population, provide financial capital and labor for the economy and
lastly to settle the land. The immigration policies of Canada has a long time acted
to reflect the Canadian attitudes as well as the security concerns of the
nation.

Canadian immigration policies require immigrants migrating
to the country to have a high proficiency on at least one official language
which is used in Canada. This means that the language spoken by immigrants has
a big impact on determining whether they will be allowed or not to enter into
the nation (Al-Haque and Marianne Larsen 11). The language effect on the
immigrants is emphasized upon since the nation mostly requires economic
immigrants who have identifications and are able to communicate fluently so as
to be able to transition efficiently in the Canadian culture. The language
effect is considered as a key element since facilitation of economic activities
as well as the cultural and social participation in the Canadian ways of life
will only be achieved by using a language which is instrumental in uniting
Canadians and immigrants together.

It has been observed that Canada has over the last century
had a less stellar record in matters of immigration policy. This is due because
of having excluded or rejected Blacks, Jews, Chinese and Indians in various times.
Currently, the country no longer practices these policies and so, the new image
projected by Canada is one whereby all immigrants are not discriminated based
on their skin color or culture or even religion. The government does however
reject immigrants who are from certain occupations and there is a prerequisite
of the immigrants having a certain prerequisite in terms of their language proficiency
(Nelson et al 7.). This in turn leads to having immigrants from certain parts
of the world being only able to be accepted in Canada.

 

In order to target a certain class of immigrants only,
Canada in 1967 introduced the points system. This system targeted only
potential immigrants who had characteristics which did coincide with the
growing interests and needs of the nation. The points system had a number of
programs which immigrants had to pass in order to fulfill immigration policies.
The federal policy program is one of the points system used in this
determination. This program is responsible for having a total of 81% of all the
economic immigrants’ admissions and 46% of the total admissions which are
conducted. Skilled workers are required to have at least work experience of one
year in a skilled, professional or managerial occupation so as to qualify for
this program. They are further evaluated by the points system in regards to
their age, adaptability French or English proficiency and education level (Snooks
3).

 

Immigration allows societies to appreciate, respect and
celebrate diversity in terms of cultural differences as well as the minorities
being allowed to express their own distinctive cultures. Assimilation and
social integration is achieved by building common national identities. Canada
unlike other European nations which have had trouble in maintaining social
cohesion due to the risk of the rising ethnic diversity brought about by
immigrants has escaped violent protests, clashes and demonstrations between the
minority groups and the state through being able to reasonably accommodate all
other minority groups and immigrants in its borders(Snooks5). The various
immigrants entering into Canada with diverse religious views as well as cultural
differences have been able to leave in harmony with the local natives of Canada
due to a number of reasons.

Unlike other nations, Canada has never sought out to build
a single national identity. Since its beginning in 1867, there were two
founding fathers who had totally different cultures, languages, histories and
religions. There are the French in Quebec and the English in Ontario. So it is
evident the image of Canada from the beginning was one which aimed at
accommodating different cultures and groups as equals and in this process, it
has become a tradition which is still being observed. There are also concerns
of protection of the minorities rights such as the English individuals
inhabiting in Quebec as well as the French minorities residing outside Quebec
during the creation of Canada(Al-Haque and Marianne Larsen 19). This
manifestation can be traced up to the recent creation of the Canadian Charter
Rights and Freedoms. Undoubtingly, this rich history of Canada has influenced
greatly the manner in which immigrants and individuals from other cultures as
well as other backgrounds are able to seamlessly integrate into Canadian
culture.

After the creation of Canada and even before it was
incepted, it was already a nation of immigrants. Immigration has for a long
period of time been a part of the natural order in which has led to the
economic growth of the nation.  A significant number of Canadians pride
themselves as a nation which embraces and welcome nationalities from diverse
backgrounds, the expectation in return is to have the immigrants contribute
positively towards the growth of the nation. Canadian immigration policy is
different from a number of European nations since it has different perspectives
towards allowing immigrants in its borders.  This is evidenced from the
immigrants being highly educated sometimes much more than the Canadian born
citizens. This in return has led to the immigrants having high adaptation
towards modern knowledge based societies. In addition, the typical Canadian
immigrant is one who is considered as highly literate and has the skills to
succeed in the Canadian culture and society (Nelson et al. 23). So the image
created of the Canadian immigrants is one which they are highly motivated,
ambitious, educated as well as a capable individual who has the potential to
contribute to the society in a positive manner. So, the image Canada has
created when compared to other European nations and U.S in general is that its
immigrants are highly educated unlike their counterparts in other nations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In summary it is evident the immigration policies of Canada
have overtime favored immigration who are highly educated and have the
potential to contribute positively towards the economic growth of the nation. Canada
as a nation is tolerant and racially diverse thanks to its immigration policies
which allow individuals from a number of societies around the globe to live in
its borders