WEEK 7 - IMMIGRATION and MULTICULTURALISM Flashcards
Canadian Exceptionalism
Canadian exceptionalism refers to the belief or perception that Canada has a distinct and exemplary identity, culture, and political model that set it apart from other nations, particularly its southern neighbor, the United States. This idea is often framed around Canada’s values and policies, which emphasize multiculturalism, social welfare, peacekeeping, and a strong commitment to inclusivity and human rights.
MASS IMMIGRATION
DEMOGRAPHIC and OFFICIAL multiculturalism
ECONOMIC / FAMILY / HUMANITARIAN MIX
PUBLIC and POLITICAL SUPPORT
but need to consider other element of this:
- canada looking for ecnomic migrants. unwanted migrants subject to entry visas and detention - esp under harper gov
CANADA and IMMIGRANTS
We relied on immigrants to growwwww
- as mentioned by Triadafilos Triadafilopoulos, we have been steadily increasing in amount of immgrants since 2008 crisis
- immigrants = 36% physicians, 40% dentists
this has made Canada multicultural
Jennifer Elrick: Multiculturalism Act, 1988
MULTICULTURALISM AS A MARKER FOR CANADIAN IDENTITY
Fundamental characteristic of Canadian society
2 aims:
1. non-white nation (symbolically)
2. immigrant integration policy (reasons cultural change in federal services)
BUT canada is NOT immune to racism and xenophobia
Jennifer Elrick: Problems with immigration in Canada
- lots are overqualified…..rip. leads to brain WASTE
Jennifer Elrick: The Past: Building success
Canada has a unique political and institutional environment:
Permanent residence AND fast access to citizenship.
Means immigrants tend to concentrate in urban centres.
Electoral system = first past the post system
Has created a disincentive for anti-immigrant politics
Even if public opinion is not totally supportive, we live in an institutional envr where its really hard to translate this into force
KEY: we believe that we select immigrants, they dont select us
The Present: internal and external changes
temporary admission
- lots overstaying on their visas.
- temporary admission also a problem bc even if get residence, they won’t get benefits that Canadians get while they are on temp permits
Two step program
- Canada’s Two-Step Immigration Program refers to the process by which many immigrants first come to Canada on a temporary basis—often as international students or temporary foreign workers—before transitioning to permanent residency. This approach is increasingly common in Canada’s immigration system and serves to address labor market needs while also offering a pathway to long-term settlement.
Visible irregular arrivals
- perceived problem in 2022, canada renegotiated the safe 3rd country agreement with usa (treaty between USA and CA that allow them to work together to maintain refugee claims from third countries)
The Future according to Jennifer Elrick
Effects of growing temporary and 2 step
Growth in undocumented populations
Can happen bc of unintentional loss of status due to complicated slow bureaucracy
Loss of public support
Collision of high intakes and shortages in housing and healthcare and other sectors
who introduced canadian multiculturalism act:
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney enacted the Canadian Multiculturalism Act in 1988
HUGHES: JULY 21st 1988, “Multiculturalism Act” 10 days that shaped modern Canada
Key things leading up to it:
Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (1963): Initially aimed at promoting French-English unity but led to multiculturalism due to objections from other ethnic groups.
1971 Multiculturalism Policy: Trudeau’s policy emphasized cultural freedom and recognized all cultural groups as equal contributors to Canadian identity.
House of Commons Committee on Multiculturalism (1985): Called for policy updates to address concerns of non-European immigrants, leading to the 1988 Act.
Canadian Identity and Multiculturalisms role
Multiculturalism is seen as a defining Canadian trait; it has shaped the country’s national identity by promoting tolerance and diversity.
Polls indicate strong public support for multiculturalism, ranking it high among Canadian values.
Impact of Multiculturalism on Immigration and Integration:
Canada’s policies favor well-educated immigrants and maintain high immigration rates, contributing to a highly diverse society.
Multiculturalism has fostered integration and economic growth by welcoming skilled immigrants, though integration and adoption of Canadian values are also emphasized.
Cultural Mosaic:
A metaphor describing Canada’s multicultural society, where diverse cultural groups maintain unique identities while contributing to a cohesive national identity, contrasted with the U.S. “melting pot.”
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982):
A constitutional document entrenching multiculturalism, recognizing it as part of Canadian identity in Section 27.
Charter of Quebec Values (Bill 60):
Proposed law by the Parti Québécois (2013) aiming to limit religious symbols in public service, ultimately withdrawn but indicative of Quebec’s distinct approach to cultural integration.
Triadafilos Triadafilopoulos: ARGUMENT ON CANADIAN IMMIGRANTION POLICIES and POLITICS
Elite and popular support for robust immigration levels extends to canada’s official multiculturalism policy
- EMBRACED AS IDENTITY MARKER
Article suggests that Canada embraces these diff ppl, but paradoxically, marked by ambivalence and hostility to racialized and unwanted minoirities
