Immigration comes in many shapes and forms. Immigrants come to work, travel study, gain permanent residency, or even seek refuge or political asylum from dangerous situations happening within their motherlands. With each of these types of immigrants, there are several processes that must be followed in order to maintain legal stay within Canada. With regards to Canada’s national immigration policy, it follows a strong tradition of focusing on “human capital,” specifically on inclusivity of diversity. [1] With these policies come both advantages and disadvantages that affect the economy, society, and political ideologies on a national and provincial level. Within this paper, these attributes of Canada’s immigration policy will be explored in depth in order to better understand if the United States should embrace or reject the legislation that is followed in the True North.
With regards to work, there are many careers that do not require work permits such as being clergy members, business visitors who are those that do international business activities without being involved in the labor market, aviation inspectors, emergency service providers for natural disasters, examiners or evaluators for research proposals or university theses, expert witnesses, military personnel, or even news media crews. [2] Those who do need a work visa are health care students, crews for advertising shoots that remain more than two weeks, those doing business under the North American Free Trade Agreement, other Free Trade Agreements, or the General Agreement on Trade in Services as business people. There are many more visa stipulations for immigrants attempting to gain permanent residency and others like refugee seekers that can be found on the Citizen and Immigration Canada website.
According to a 2011 National Household Survey, “one of 5 people in Canada’s population is foreign born.” [3] This represents 20.6% of the total population, and it is also the “highest proportion of foreign-born population in the G8.” The largest sources of immigrants, on a regional basis, were Asians who made up 56.9% of the immigrant population in 2011 – a significant increase from the 8.5% influx in the 1970s. The leading countries for newcomers were the Philippines with 13.1% of all newcomers, China with 10.5%, and India coming in a close third with 10.4%. Main reasons for immigrants to come to Canada largely reflect the economic climate. The vast majority of immigrants, 94.8%, move to four provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta – in those provinces, they tend to prefer the urban areas. This is mostly due to economic opportunities available in these locations when compared to relative job growth
in rural areas. According to the Summa Law Office, an immigration law firm in Ontario, main reasons for immigrants to come to Canada revolve around free education and medical services, opportunities in the IT sector for software professionals, as well as many social programs like unemployment insurance, social welfare allowance, and childcare benefits.[4] For starting families, these opportunities paired with a high standard of living, make Canada a highly desirable place for immigrants.
On a local level, the Canada Provincial Nominee Program exists in order to advance individuals who want to settle into a particular province for “fast-tracked immigration,” otherwise know as “Express Entry PNP.” [5] PNP allows for the immigrant to be actively engaged in the process of reaching permanent residency by “directly applying for a nomination under a specific stream” – the word “stream” simply means a precise demographic of skilled worker or professional. This points system will then place the immigrant in a ranking that consists of those in the Express Entry pool. It is designed to fit them with a job and province tailored to their skillset, and the province’s demands for said skillset.
In Ontario, this expedited process allows for immigrants to be nominated through a) direct application for the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program, or b) once nominated by Ontario, he or she can make a Canada Express Entry profile, including his or her `nomination within their credentials. [6] Most applicants get processed in less than six months; this includes family members of the applicant as well. One downside for the immigrant in this process lies in how “employer-driven “ it is. In other words, “you can only apply to the program if your employer is pre-screened. The position also needs to be preapproved and the employer needs to provide a nominee application package from the PNP Ontario.” In Ontario, the immigrant can apply for six streams: 1) general, 2) international student, 3) corporate, 4) entrepreneur, 5) human capital priorities, or 6) French-speaking skilled worker. All provinces, except Quebec, have PNPs with these categories or similar categories relating immigrants to streams that would advance the provincial economy, and allow for the immigrant and his or her family to settle down in the area of their choice. This creates an environment of security for both the immigrant and the province, asserting a designated place for newcomers within Canada.
The Transatlantic Council on Migration, a subsidiary of the Migration Policy Institute – “a nonpartisan think tank dedicated to analysis of the movement of people worldwide” [7] – wrote a report titled “What’s So Special about Canada? Understanding the Resilience of Immigration and Multiculturalism.” [8] It focused on how Canada has managed consistent positive consensus on its immigration system, particularly the institutional practices that led to this positive consensus. The report attests that Canada was able to build this consensus by “fostering a multicultural view on diversity.” Immigration is seen as a “solution to economic and demographic challenges” in Canada; this is mainly due to their low birth rate of 1.61 births per woman [9] and their population density of 3.94 persons per square kilometer, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world. [10] Its “multicultural approach to diversity” avoids poising discourse within the political arena as a security concern, wherein the priority lies in protecting and fortifying border. 8 Rather than this traditional approach that is seen in other countries such as the United States, Canada promotes “integration while enabling minority groups to maintain their cultural practices.” A microcosm of this would be how there is no singular Canadian culture or cuisine, but more of an amalgam of cultures such as two distinct colonial cultures, indigenous peoples, and others, making Canada a “combinatorial culture.”
As seen in other countries, “integration paradigms” have surfaced from societies that accept immigrants. 8 Their legislation is based on two approaches: 1) basic goals for integration, and 2) regulatory programs that help achieve this goal. These approaches result in four integration paradigms: 1) Excluding immigrants and refusal of integration or expectation of any permanent stay status i.e. Singapore and their approach to temporary workers; 2) Not providing integration services on a national level, and leaving it up to the states i.e. the U.S.; 3) Stipulate expected social norms and require assimilation to national values, such as mandatory integration programs that determine permanent residency i.e. France and the Netherlands; or 4) Multicultural policies that promote integration and enable legal cultural practices i.e. Canada and Australia. This fourth form of an integration paradigm is embedded into Canada’s national fabric to the point of manifesting itself in both the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as being a key policy agenda in both major political parties – the liberals and the conservatives. 8
Another way in which Canada has been able to reach a positive consensus lies in how the political convergence on immigration differs from that of the United States. In the United States, a distinct divide between the Democrats and the Republicans exists with regards to how unauthorized immigrants should be treated; this is not the case in Canada. The Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Parties all hold “virtually no difference in their views on immigration and how they are incorporated into electoral platforms.” The main source of criticism amongst the parties lies within how to be more inclusive of immigrants in the labor market – this view juxtaposes dramatically with immigration reform in the United States. 8
American conservatives believe that the influx of immigrants will take jobs away from otherwise willing Americans, but in Canada, immigrants are seen as a gateway to economic prosperity. A microcosm of this can be seen within the 2011 Canadian election, where a conservative administration “doubled the budget for settlement and integration services, was tough on crime, and consistently advocated family values.” In the U.S., this would be the equivalent of the Republican Party “gaining the majority of African American votes in a national election” – something that has been unprecedented since before FDR. This unexpected success led to the first majority government for the Conservative Party in well over a decade, and it did not go unnoticed by opposition parties that soon mirrored “immigrant-friendly” policies attempting to appeal to constituencies in the 2015 elections. 8
Unfortunately, distinguishable sets of safety concerns arise with immigration and globalization. Radicalization and terrorism devastated cities such as New York and Oklahoma City, as well as London and Paris. “Homegrown terrorism” was seen in 2014 with assaults at the Parliament building, 8 as well as with the Quebec City shooting at a mosque, resulting in the deaths of six people. [11] Youths within the country are also seeking to join terrorism organizations like the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. 8 On the other hand, Canada “does not face many fundamental tests of humanitarian principles.” Other countries in the EU as well as in the United States deal with a constant barrage of media messages on unauthorized persons using “clandestine means of entry” in order cause harm – Canada does not have this fear. Immigration is seen as “a controlled system,” and immigration does not have the same negative “under-siege” mentality that other affluent countries have with respect to visible minority groups. Although Canadians worry about terrorist attacks on their soil, it does not “spill over into negative attitudes about immigration.” 8
Throughout this paper, issues regarding Canadian immigration policies have been addressed with regards to how the government has been successful in fostering inclusivity and diversity. Lessons can be learned through these immigrant friendly policies for the United States, particularly with regards to how immigrants can be a solution to economic and social issues, instead of a hindrance or potential burden on job growth. Canada’s strong tradition of immigrants making up a large part of its demographic resembles that of the American melting pot but, as was learned in class, it does not have the colonial baggage or the infamous reputation for invasive big stick policies like the U.S. These experiences allow for immigrants to be both thoroughly integrated and assimilate without fear of rejection, as would be the case in France i.e. burkini ban. This type of integration paradigm is an integral fiber that is missing in American immigration polices, specifically on a federal level. The divide between the parties in the United States also causes more problems than solutions, leading to partisan legislation that is unbeneficial to immigrants in the long-run i.e. President Trump on DACA. The American laissez-faire approach towards immigration does not create coherent legislation, becoming problematic for those whom enforce it and those that follow it, which means leaving it up to the states is not a feasible solution for immigrant integration.
Canada’s positive consensus on immigration comes from both national values and necessity. Due to its diverse founding by both the British and the French, along with its native aboriginal population, inclusivity is convenient because it promotes great trade relations between these groups. On the other hand, it is necessary because, as Canada’s population continues to live longer and have fewer children, newcomers can help fill this economic gap that will be left behind by the lack of young workers and the overabundance of retired persons. Canadians understand the safety concerns that come with allowing immi`grants into their land, but they don’t conflate national security with immigrants attempting to terrorize or cause harm to the mainland, as Americans tend to do. Finally, these immigrant friendly policies provide Canada with a prosperous and distinct country, where inclusivity and integration are not only political mottos, but also concrete legislation; diversity is constitutionally incentivized and protected, leading to a society where immigration policy is always treated with a delicate, yet open mind.
[1] Challinor, A. E. “Canada’s Immigration Policy: A Focus on Human Capital.” Migrationpolicy.org. Migration Policy Institute, 02 Mar. 2017. Web. 09 May 2017. <http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/canadas-immigration-policy- focus-human-capital>.
[2] Government of Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Communications Branch. “Find out If You Need a Work Permit in Your Situation.” Government of Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Communications Branch. N.p., 22 July 2016. Web. 09 May 2017. <http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit- result.asp?results=all>.
[3] Chui, Tina, John Flanders, and Thomas Anderson. “Immigration and Ethnocultural Diversity in Canada.” Census Program. N.p., 15 Sept. 2016. Web. 09 May 2017. <http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-010-x/99-010- x2011001-eng.cfm>.
[4] “Why Immigrate to Canada?” Why Immigrate to Canada? | Immigration Point. Suma Law Office, 2010. Web. 09 May 2017. <http://www.immigrationpoint.ca/why_canada.htm>.
[5] “Canada Provincial Nominee Program Guide.” Canada Express Entry. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2017. <http://www.canadaexpressentry.org/provincial-nominee- program/>.
[6] “Ontario Immigration 2017.” Canada Express Entry. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2017. <http://www.canadaexpressentry.org/provincial-nominee-program/ontario.php>.
[7] “Mission.” Migrationpolicy.org. N.p., 31 Aug. 2015. Web. 09 May 2017. <http://www.migrationpolicy.org/about/mission>.
[8] Hiebert, Daniel. “What’s So Special about Canada? Understanding the Resilience of Immigration and Multiculturalism.”Migrationpolicy.org. The Transatlantic Council on Migration, June 2016. Web. <http://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/whats-so-special-about-canada- understanding-resilience-immigration-and-multiculturalism>.
[9] “Fertility Rate, Total (births per Woman).” Worldbank.org. The World Bank, 2015. Web. <http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN?locations=CA>
[10] “Canada – Population Density (people per Sq. Km).” Population Density (people per Sq. Km) in Canada. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2017. <http://www.tradingeconomics.com/canada/population-density-people-per-sq- km-wb-data.html>
[11] News, CBC. “Why Accused in Quebec City Mosque Shooting Isn’t Likely to Face Terrorism Charges.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 02 Feb. 2017. Web. 09 May 2017. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/why-accused-in-quebec-city- mosque-shooting-isn-t-likely-to-face-terrorism-charges-1.3961837>.
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