Essay About Immigration Canada And History Of The Point System

Immigration
Essay Preview: Immigration
Report this essay
Immigration
Open the book You asked aboutimmigration 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 nations 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, its called unfairness, and in theory, many immigrants disapprove of it. In reality, the history of the point system in immigration hasnt 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 wasnt 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 hasnt 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. Its 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 its not a closed issue either. Its 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? Canadas 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. \”Its 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 \”Canadas 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. Its one thing to state something, but its 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 its dehumanizing the public servants who are forced to work in it\” (Bourrie 4). If Canada doesnt 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