Female Adult Immigrants To Canada example essay topic

Immigration Open the book You asked about... immigration and citizenship. Turn to page 2. 'Immigration Canada aims to contribute to a stronger nation by: ... protecting refugees at home and abroad' (Immigration and Citizenship 2). Turn to page 5.

'Immigration assesses immigrants... standards that do not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion or sex' (Immigration and Citizenship 5). Disturbed? Turn to page 28. 'Canada encourages the admission of business immigrants... that contribute to the nation's economic and cultural well-being, and create job opportunities' (Immigration and Citizenship 28). How can a country offer such promise, and then go back on its words? They can, it's called unfairness, and in theory, many immigrants disapprove of it.

In reality, the history of the point system in immigration hasn't changed considerably. 'For much of Canadian history, there was little concern among policy-makers about the discriminatory treatment of immigrants, minorities, native people, French-Canadians, and women' (Ungerleider 1). The Chinese recipients back in the 19th century came to Canada working in canning factories and lumber mills, as domestic labourers, and as railroad workers. Once the railroad was completed and Chinese labour was no longer needed, the government of Canada passed a series of laws that restricted immigration activity for Chinese immigrants.

As well, were there similar treatments given to the people of Indian origin. 'The 1908 Act to Amend the Immigration Act allowed the government to prevent entry to Canada of any immigrant if he or she did not come to Canada by continuous journey from the country of origin' (Ungerleider 2). Though it wasn't stated directly to the people of India, the act did limit the immigration from that point of origin cause the only form of continuous passage from India was 'persuaded' (Ungerleider 3) by the Canadian government not to give tickets to Canada. To Webster, 'discrimination' is 'to make a distinction on the basis of prejudice' (Websters Dictionary 127).

During the 20th century the law on discrimination went into action stating that immigrants will not be discriminated on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion or sex. Though we may think that this immigration policy is in effect and has changed, it hasn't changed abundantly. Immigrants everyday, are still being discriminated upon by immigration officers who judge on appearances and opinions. They use the point system to their advantage.

It's a way for them to disapprove of your application without being labelled a 'bigot'. To these, should another category be added: gender? The best defence used, but yet hidden in the system. The point system favours skilled work typically performed by men, most female adult immigrants to Canada come through the family class, as the dependent spouse of a male independent applicant.

'The category of 'domestic workers,' which is uniquely comprised almost completely of female led migration from the Third World, is actually a separate program not covered by the point system' (Abu-Laban 2). Discrimination may not be an open issue, but it's not a closed issue either. It's just acted upon in a different way, to prevent labelling. The same treatment applies to refugees who come to Canada hoping to become citizens. We aim 'to contribute a stronger nation by: protecting refugees at home and abroad' (Immigration and Citizenship 5). If that statement is true than why are refugees being deported upon arrival?

Canada's immigration officials say 'immigrants are not only too numerous but not as 'skilled' enough because too many refugees and family class immigrants were entering at the expense of independent immigrants' (Abu-Laban 4). Critics showed some of the focal points from recent cases: In September, a Chilean family took shelter in a church basement in Saint John, New Brunswick, after their request for refugee status on compassionate grounds was denied. Marcela Roma, her spouse Elias Hurtado, and their two children, were on the run from Roma's former husband, a Chilean police officer who threatened to kill the family. (Bourrie 1) Mohamad Sharif Karimzada, an refugee who had served in the foreign ministry of a previous Afghan regime, was ordered to leave Canada in August, despite a plea for mercy from former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. The federal government said Karimzada could not stay in Canada because he had been an official of a repressive regime. He is appealing to the courts.

(Bourrie 1) Immigration system critics say the government has singled out groups such as gypsies and Kurdish refugees for unfair treatment. Both groups are required to get special visas before entering Canada, and gypsies say they have been refused access to Canadian immigration offices in Eastern Europe. (Bourrie 1) Refugees are being victimized by immigration officers who advertise their 'war-torn' (Bourrie 1) countries. They promise them immigration and refugee applications, and then later deport them back to their homelands where they may face execution or jail time. 'It's a Byzantine system that has very little regard for refugees as human beings' (Bourrie 2).

By allowing these number of immigrants each year we reap enormous benefits. There is a growing concern that 'Canada's population must not only be maintained but must actually increase if the economic and social infrastructure is to be supported' (Ungerleider 3). Canada always states themselves as the best country to be living in; the home of the free. It's one thing to state something, but it's another to go back on your words. Canada is in high depend for population growth. Without refugees where are they expecting to get it from?

'Canada needs more young people to balance the increasing proportion of elderly Canadians... A static or declining population would result in a decrease in the standard of living for all Canadians, including reductions in the services and social programs which currently serve the population' (Ungerleider 3). 'The system is so cumbersome and unfair that it's dehumanizing the public servants who are forced to work in it' (Bourrie 4). If Canada doesn't change the point system and make it fair for all, the statistics will continue to remain the same, and drop each year. Politicians have tried to label immigrants as a 'drain on welfare and health services' (Bourrie 1) and as potential criminals. Most immigrants that come to Canada, are relatively affluent and skilled people.

But with the point system that immigration has it makes entering Canada very difficult. The Canadian system is unfair, they are the only country in the world that places head tax on refugees and immigrants; about $975 per adult aged 19 and over. 'A panel set up by the government to make recommendations to reform the system wants immigrants to pay even more: the cost of English or French language education for refugees who don't speak any of Canada's two official languages' (Bourrie 1). 25,000 immigrants out of 212,000 people who immigrated to Canada last year were refugees. Being that the system is so hard to get through in, refugees either give up because of frustration or are turned away. So, 'on one hand, it contends that immigration is essential to economic and cultural vibrancy; and on the other hand, it becomes obsessed with the financial burdens immigration imposes' (Wynnyckyj 1).

Throughout history, Canada has used immigrants to issue national needs while ignoring their right's. The Canadian immigration policy has served five purposes for the past century. Canada has used immigrants and immigration polices to: 1. Occupy the country in sufficient numbers to discourage the expansionary tendencies of the American colossus. 2. Protect the Pacific Rim from heavy Asian immigration.

3. Create economies of scale and rational East-West axis for an independent polity and viable economy. 4. Maintain a British hegemony by combating separatism, whether in its Prairie Metis and Indian form of the last century or in its Quebecois form in this one, and to counter the re vance des of the Canadians against the British conquest. 5. Foster an image of Canada as a new place of opportunity, a country of potential greatness, and a land of second chance, characterized by the fairness of British institutions and now by the civility of state-sponsored democratic pluralism in the form of official multiculturalism (Ungerleider 2).

Canada's goal has always been about meeting its obligation to Commonwealth subjects, such as, its social and economic development. All of that is well said and done, but how far will Canadians take it, to accomplish just that? Immigrants who arrive to Canada, each year, come with the intentions that Canada is here to 'help and serve'. In actual fact Canada is here to help and serve themselves. As stated in the passage, Prime Minister Mackenzie King said: The people of Canada do not wish, as a result of mass immigration, to make a fundamental alteration in the character of our population [and] large-scale immigration from the orient would change the fundamental composition of the Canadian population... Canada is perfectly within her rights in selecting the persons whom we regard as desirable future citizens.

It is not a 'fundamental human right' of any alien to enter Canada. It is a privilege. It is a matter of domestic policy. Immigration is subject to the control of the parliament of Canada (Ungerleider 6). In all aspects, it's about serving Canadian purposes. Canadians complain about the expense by allowing numerous about of immigrants into the country.

But, it is these immigrants who help Canada compete in globalization. The following evidence shows: 1. Although there are some notable discrepancies among groups and between males and females, Canada's visible minority group members are over-represented among the most educated members of society. 2.

With notable variations between groups and between men and women, Canada's visible minority group members participate in the workforce in greater proportion than their non-visible counterparts and arc under-represented among the unemployed. 3. In spite of their educational attainments and their participation in the labour force, visible minority group members earn less than their non-visible counter parts. 4. Where the opportunities for employment arc more directly under the control of the individual (professional workers), members of the visible minority group fare reasonably well. Where, however, they are dependent upon being hired by others (management or skilled craft or trades work), they fare less well than Canadians who are not visible minorities.

So, while Canadian immigration is being unfair to refugees and immigrants, they are the ones who are most likely helping this nation to grow and prosper. They are more than willing to bend over backwards, for what Canadians wouldn't think of doing for their own homeland. Yet today immigrants are treated with the least respect and there is little help for them here. Ontario attracts almost two-thirds of immigrants each year, and yet does the least for them amongst the other provinces. Equity programs are killed. Adult education programs are eliminated.

Legal aid has cut backs. Funds for cities and schools that make it possible for newcomers to feel at ease into society is no longer. This is all from a country that promises to aid at the needs for refugees and immigrants. Do you still think that Canadians immigration system is here to serve and protect? Canada is demonizing refugees and new immigrants, the same way that they have already done to people who are on social assistance. 'We must hue to the Canadian principle that a person in need is a person in need, new immigrant or old' (The Toronto Star).

In Canada money out weighs human rights any day. Canada wants refugees coming in, so that they can help the nation continue to develop, but doesn't want the financial burden that comes with it. As it was stated, 'We cannot deal with the costs, we cannot deal with the numbers' (The Toronto Star). So, to limit the number of refugees that are accepted, immigration makes accusations based on opinion about whether people who claim protection are actually refugees. 'The quasi-judicial Immigration and Refugee Board has a backlog of 29,000 cases, the equivalent of more than one year's tally of legal refugees' (Bourrie 1). It's no wonder that very few refugee's are migrating to Canada lately.

They basically get the same treatment as they do in their own homeland. Can you imagine being scared of whether you will live or die today? That is something that immigrants go through everyday of their lives. We as Canadians take so much for granted (food, shelter, clothing etc. ), that comes as luxury to them. We worry about the little things in life, which doesn't even compare to what these people go through everyday. They migrant here hoping for some form of protection, some form of a better life, and what do you do? , we push them away.

Why? , because having them here would be using taxpayers money. But, still we would like them to be here so they can help the economy to grow. How does that work? We just use, abuse and then toss away? These people are human's, just like we are, striving to make a live for themselves. We constantly state that Canada is the best place to live, so why not prove just that.

'In a free and democratic society, it is important that citizens know exactly what their rights and freedoms are, and where to turn for help and advice in the event that those freedoms are denied or rights infringed upon. In a country like Canada -- vast and diverse, with 11 governments, two official languages and a variety of ethnic origins -- the only way to provide equal protection to everyone is to enshrine those basic rights and freedoms in the Constitution' (Ungerleider 10). United we stand, divided we fall. Bibliography

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