The reading is an introduction of Integration and Inclusion of Newcomers and Minorities across Canada, which aims to delineate “the range of policies and programs being implemented in various communities across Canada”. (p.1) The authors believe that integration and inclusion should not only be newcomers’ responsibility, Canadians play important roles in achieving the goals of immigrant integration and inclusion. Following this premise, the authors present various benefits of immigration to Canada and to the Canadians, and how different levels of governments act and respond to the benefits. The volume presents and compares the provincial and territorial approaches on immigration, integration and inclusion, which the introduction chapter summarizes some of those policies and development, and provides the context of the discussion. The introduction highlights the six themes of issues and challenges, including: 1. Canada has yet to capitalize the immigrant resources to ensure inclusion and integration of all Canadians.2. How we should balance and coordinate the interest and approaches of different levels of governments on immigrant integration. 3. Immigration demography has changed significantly, and thus leads to other community shifts and impact policies. 4. Broader consideration beyond traditional major immigration destination cities is essential. 5. In addition to provincial and territorial level involvement, municipal and city level engagement in immigrant integration is required and critical. 6. This volume aims to provide a complete view of immigration, integration and inclusion policies among Canadian provinces and territories, lack of data in some areas cause some challenges and difficulties.
As an immigrant myself, this introduction really resonates some of my personal experience of integrating into the Canadian society. It takes not just some policies, immigration assistance agencies and immigrants themselves, but all Canadians and all institutions to be inclusive. Respect and cultural sensitivity is also critical. Someone once offered me a coffee, and said “but you don’t drink coffee in China”. This is just one of the examples of the assumption that Canadians have about Chinese and other immigrants. When I took my daughter to the IKEA playroom, and the first question I get is “does she speak English?” Just because I am Chinese, her assumption is my daughter does not speak English?! Even she might not necessarily mean that, I felt offended. She then explained that otherwise they would not know what she wanted if she did not speak English. Did she imply because we are in Canada, everyone should and do speak English?
My association manages the Canadian Immigration Integration Program (CIIP) funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). My colleagues in CIIP division deal with immigration integration for almost a decade. One of the challenges they told me for newcomers to find a job in Canada is Canadian companies’ reluctance. Employers need to be open-minded, to value international experience and different perspectives when they recruit staff. Many of them still believe that Canadian experience is the most important, but how would those newcomers gain Canadian experience without the chance to enter the workplace at the first place? Because of the current economic situation and upcoming election, even the government agencies and different political parties are very careful in any topic related to immigrants and their integration, when they want to play the “Canadian first” cards. If Canada would continue to be recognized as a welcoming society, we need to be constant in what we say and what we do. The frequent and sudden changes in immigration policies over the past two years are more than the changes over the past few decades. The unintended consequences can damage the welcoming and inclusive image, and we have already seen some of the negative impacts.
I think this introduction raises a lot of good questions, but that is just the beginning of the journey, we need to find answers, solutions and initiatives for our integration and inclusion.
By the way, I went to visit the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba last night. We should remember and learn from our "dark history", and the museum is a good statement, but just not enough.
Hi Feifei,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful posting.
I totally agree with you on the subject that not only the immigration and inclusion programs and policies but also all Canadians have to help newcomers integrate easily into the Canadian society. However, this is not always the case. Tolley et al. (2011) argue that although integration programs facilitate the settlement of new immigrants, there are reports stating that the children of these immigrants still experience discrimination and feelings of exclusion even when they were born in Canada and are well-educated. I personally believe that for Canada to remain an attractive destination for immigrants and enjoy the benefits of immigration, all Canadians have to accommodate newcomers, tolerate their different behavior and beliefs, as well as value the advantages of immigration and diversity (Tolley et al., 2011). I personally agree with Tolley et al. (2011) that the integration and inclusion of newcomers can only be achieved through both government action and society collaboration.
Thank you for your insightful post, Feifei! I enjoyed reading about your personal experiences as an immigrant and unfortunately am not surprised by the assumptions people often make about your language abilities or cultural understandings of being Canadian. Your comment and observation on having to speak English if you live in Canada is particularly astute. It is unfortunate we live in a culture (and country) that values English first and foremost, and often equates English language ability to indicate intelligence.
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