A recent speech by Prime Minister Stephen Harper received the thumbs down on Little Green Footballs. At issue, were comments made by Harper regarding immigration to Canada. The issue of immigration has been divisive in North America ever since waves of immigrants began arriving on our shores in the early 1900’s. Each wave brings renewed criticism from former immigrants, who for one reason or other, feel threatened.
The current debate swirls less around ethnicity than it does around security and Islamist extremism. At Celestial Junk we look at Harper’s speech, and what it could mean, if anything, to immigrating Muslims, concerned Canadians, and multiculturalism: CLICK
ah, found the stats. The ‘visible minority (vm) population, by census metropolitan areas, 2001 census.
For example
Sherbrooke; total pop is 150,385. Total vm is 3,835.
Trois Rivieries 134,645. total vm is 1,240
Saskatoon, total is 222,635. vm is 12,410
regina 190,020, vm 9,880
Quebec City 673,105. vm is 11,075
Winnipeg 661,725 vm is 82,565
hamilton 655,055 vm is 64,380
edmonton 927,020 vm is 135,770
Montreal 3,380,645 vm 458,330
vancouver 1,967,480 and vm is 725,655
toronto 4,647,960 and vm is 1,712,535
you can see the rest of the stats at the site.
My point is, that the stats show a problem in Quebec in particular, in accepting immigrant populations. Most of the immigrant populations in Quebec are from Europe, particularly N and W Europe. Some from Africa (francophone countries).
The chief location is Montreal; the other Quebec cities are sparse with immigrants and particularly visible minorities. quebec city – 140 Korean, 145 Japanese, 60 filipino etc.
The Saguenay – total vm – 985, with 10 Japanese.
Other ‘low cities’ are Thunder Bay and Sudbury, St. john and St. John’s, but, there’s nowhere lower than the Quebec cities – other than Montreal.
These are facts that can’t be overlooked. I’m all in favour of immigration, but, I think a tremendous amount of work has to be done to reject multiculturalism and promote a sense that all people are Canadians and that we are all working together in that task.
I certainly agree that having ethnic enclaves is catering disaster. It lends itself to tribalisation. As we are now witnessing in Caledonia.
You either have a law for everyone or no law. Not groups with different rights & no obligations. Where law is arbitrary. Madness.
I have no problems with those that truly want to make a new life as a Canadian. This does not mean they have to lose there traditions. Except those that contradict a free & open society.
Witness how many cultures have adapted before the political correct nonsense called multiculturalism was pandered too. Held up as a false value. Or as I think of it. By an Ethnic with someone’s else’s tax monies if your a liberal.
As I see it immigration is now a net loss to Canada because of the low standard of skills now required. The many now on welfare & all the elderly now entering just for healthcare. Because of this policy. We are creating underclass’s. Wholly for political reasons. More delusion.
Those that do have skills are marginalized by our Unions. For that matter professional boards as well. To keep of course all the goodies for themselves, & add more power to there positions. By control of any newcomers. This assures those that do meet the requirements, know who is boss.
I think the American melting pot is the only rational approach. As is the Australian model.
I do not think we need fear a dearth of immigrants. Especially from Europe when the rats finally realize the ship of state has sunk .Multiculturalism being there means of suicide. Along with insane theories on human nature bedding down with Socialism.
Already many Jews see the writing on the wall & the French ones are moving to Montreal. Its only a matter of time before there rich & Intelligentsia figure it out in these Nations with low demographics & rampant Socialism.
This hemorrhage created by people fleeing a more totalitarian system under Islamic Jihadists. Or the fear of such. The fact regimes will become more authoritarian against this foreign take over, will push this as well.
You know we have a lot of homestead land left in Saskatchewan. AS well as crown land. Why not invite disenfranchised South African & Zimbabwe farmers. Those who have had there lands confiscated. Give them the same homesteading rights as out ancestors. Maybe teach Civics or History in classes. How about our responsibilities as citizens ? Nah To rational.
The point is we should have a good plan in order. When this does occur. Mass migration is not unusual in human history.
The trick is to retain the dominant moral & ethical structure of a culture. To do that the new arrivals must be exposed enough to become Canadian in ideals. Just my opinion.
new kid,…You are accurate in some of your characterizations of small town people which is why any way found to expose such individuals to diversity can only make the future brighter for all(I just seem to have more faith in their ability to adapt,I guess)…And,I fear our larger cities are becoming nothing more than a conglomeration of smaller,ethnically defined towns.
As per your”exclamation marks denoting a little humour”,I kid(pun intended)you not,only on Friday I was chastised by”rabbit”that on a blog they denote aggressiveness!!…It’s getting to the point that,without a handbook,I’m scared to death to type anything… 🙂
ET,indeed the infrastructure does not exist rurally to accept a large influx of immigrants,however,some of us here are trying to explain that what we believe is a start in this direction is crucial and long overdue.For example,how about incentives for immigrant businessmen to set up business in SMALLER cities to start?Again,just a thought,but it beats sitting around bitching that nothing CAN ever change.It must!
I also believe we have the right to make certain demands of new immigrants,especially if it is in the best interest of EVERYONE.After all,do not many of the cultures seeking a new life here have the utmost respect for the roll of host/hostess.Some may actually feel honored to take an active role here…
The bottom line(to me at least)is…we better do somrthing about the lack of respect,communication and understanding evident among many of the different(sometimes isolated)ethnic enclaves who seem busy carving out THEIR OWN little piece of Canada and concentrate on making ALL who come here Canadians who are welcome in all parts!We owe our newest citizens that at the very least,do we not?
Revnant Dream,Xcellent post..However,I do not believe you will EVER get Canadians to turn their backs on this sacred icon of Canadiana…doesn’t mean we cannot redefine it though!
A melting pot society that celebrates and respects our vast richness and diversity of culture is what I believe we MUST seek.Sadly,we often demonstrate ourselves,as a society,to be far more interested in our differences than our commonalities.I still hold hope though…
Correct me if I am wrong but I don’t believe that the state determines where immigrants settle. The big cities are probably just because they know of the place and/or have kinfolk there. I’ve known a few immigrants who ended up working in Calgary after landing in TO. I don’t think the government really cares other than to give them a change of address.
Just some observations on todays thread on immigration. It seems most are good hearted and posters are attempting to reason the sharing of our wealth with those who are seeking a better life.
To New Kid on The Block: You made a major faux pas about Cdn Observer who is a salesman in Western Canada. You denigrated that he had something to sell. Sure he did. Everyone has something to sell. Canadian Observer probably knows you better than you know yourself in his area of expertise because that is how he makes his living. Never underestimate that experience. Said with all respect.
To Charley from small town Quebec as well as Montreal. You say you lived “at border Ottawa”. Anyone who is Pan Canadian would not say the word “border” but would simply say across the river from Ottawa in that context. Said with all respect.
To Vetruvius: K-sub-undo? This is secret talk. You want secret talk go elsewhere. Speak the common language. Also, even more important is the question. “What is a Muslimist? In today’s context this is the supreme question. You have left us all hanging. Both of you.
For Pete’s sake, Mel N. What I meant by making the comment that Canadian Observer had something to sell and I didn’t was simply a fact–and I think he now knows what I meant.
When you have something to sell, and I used to be in the book business so I know all about, at least, book salespeople, you make a special attempt to be friendly, courteous, dynamic, and persuasive. On the other hand, when you are staying with your boyfriend’s family, year after year, you’re not as likely to be attempting any of those traits on a regular basis.
That’s all I was saying. My comments had nothing to do with denigrating his expertise or experience. Geesh.
Not secret talk, Mel, algebra. Robert asserted that one bad guy would undo the desireability of 1000 good guys, that is, n-sub-bad equals k-sub-undo times n-sub-desireable. He asked what was wrong with his equation. I gave my opinion. My apologies to those who didn’t read algebra.
Harper’s building towards a majority. He’s going to check everything he says to the centre. The Liberal plan for immigration was whatever served them best in order to remain in power. Muslims largely vote Liberal. Hence, former foreign affairs minister, John Manley’s arbitrary and unbelievable invitation for Palestinians to resettle here. Fortunately they were insulted and rejected the offer out of hand.
At the expense of sounding bigoted, I think Canada should put a moratorium on Muslim immigration. Sure there are moderate and decent Muslims, the problem is who? And given all the other potential points of immigration, why should we import hatred and ignorance from the middle east? Until they have their own affairs sorted out, why should citizens safety be compromised (not to mention millions in security tax dollars) for the sake of so-called multi-culturalism?
CJUNK has erroneous information on site: “most Canadians are immigrants”. Read the below from Statistics Canada to see that in fact only a small minority (typically 1 of 6) is an immigrant.
New data from the Census showed that Canada was home to about five million immigrants in 1996, a 14.5% increase since 1991. This increase was slightly more than three times the growth rate (4%) of the Canadian-born population. Immigrants represented 17.4% of the population, the largest share in more than 50 years. This share had remained at around 15% to 16% between 1951 and 1991.
Breaker, breaker, good buddy. I think we have a convoy. PM Harper is no rubber ducky. (CW McCall) …-
Harper says most journalists are ‘left of centre’
While he believes most journalists are “left of centre,” Harper says they’re also largely free thinkers. The (press) gallery, he believes, has become too institutionalized, and too convinced that it can control the news. “I think if we can break that up in any way,” he says. “That is helpful for democracy.” …- via nealenews
CBC Zolf Alert:
CBC’s Zolf thinks Harper is so socially conservative he’s losing the middle-class…
via nealenews
Mike: the reference was meant to be taken in general terms, in that most Canadians are of immigrant ancestry, as compared to Europe, where most have an indigineous presence that goes back hundreds of years. If you take second generate Canadians out of the equation, then of course most are not immigrants.
“Harper says most journalists are ‘left of centre'” maz2
Harper’s right. A survey conducted in the mid ’80s revealed, surprise, surprise, that 80% of journalists go to neither mosque, temple, nor church on any regular basis and that they champion most non-conservative causes: abortion on demand, radical feminism, extra-marital affairs, gay “rights,” etc.
Harper’s making no value judgment: He’s simply stating a fact.
Just read this guy Zolf’s column…maybe second time I’ve ever read him.
The man is either utterly mad or assiduously practicing “big lie” propaganda. Assuming the former, this nut must have a worldview that is so fractured I am suprised he is still coherent. Maybe we can export him to the USA to replace Michael Moore.
I’ve seldom read a screed so packed with nonsense, falsehoods, distortions and disconnects from reality. “Hello” – do we live on the same planet?!
I think I’ll send him some tinfoil and instructions on how to make a helmet…maybe it will help.
Henry, Larry Zolf is a leftie-MSM has-been. I’m not sure why the CBC lets him have a soapbox to spew his garbage. ‘Haven’t read his latest yet, though I suppose I’ll have to take a look at it sometime, just to see what he–and the compiant CBC–is up to.
Yeah, send him some tinfoil, and be very specific about the instructions.