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| Learner | Posted
on 11-Aug-03 01:07 PM
OCASI - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants Without immigrants Canada will not survive, but Canada continues to turn its back on newcomers The trends shown by the 2001 census data released by Statistics Canada on March 12, 2002 are of little surprise to the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI). As an advocate for the immigrant-serving sector, OCASI has always maintained that immigration is vital to this country's economy, social and cultural life. Studies have also shown that on average, newcomers are more educated than the average Canadian-born and use fewer social services. Despite the fact that over the last five years 1.16 million immigrants were added to Canada's population and are therefore the main source of Canada's population growth, the reality is that the Federal government continues to make it difficult for immigrants to come to Canada. Immigration intake consistently falls short of government's immigration targets and the government maintains a small number of immigration officers abroad, especially in the developing countries. While talking of openness, the government's new immigration bill and regulations will make it even harder for people to immigrate to Canada. In the meantime, many newcomers are unable to practice their professions because of systemic discrimination. Political will is needed at all levels to ensure easier access to the labour market for newcomers. In addition, government settlement policies do not address appropriately the multifaceted integration process. While the great majority of immigrants live in the major urban areas, Canada's biggest cities are in need of a concerted effort from the provinces and the federal government to ensure that adequate funding is available for ethno-specific and multi-ethnic immigrant-serving agencies. Studies has shown that some newcomer communities living in urban centres such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal suffer disproportionately more from unemployment, lack of appropriate housing and education than their Canadian-born counterparts. It is also alarming that time and again immigrants are criminalized. The rise in racist attacks in the aftermath of September 11 events are a testament to this sad and painful reality. Equally, immigrants are seen as a burden on our society when in fact without them, Canada will be on an economic, demographic, social and cultural decline. If Canada is truly committed to making immigrants welcome in this country, not only the laws need to be more open, but Canada has to invest in educating Canadians of the value of immigration and in fighting systemic discrimination and racism. - 30 - Contact Information: Debbie Douglas Executive Director OCASI 416-322-4950 x229 ddouglas@ocasi.org Copyright ® 2003 Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. All rights reserved. |
| Learner | Posted
on 11-Aug-03 05:14 PM
I have seen and experienced the same thing as described in the article... |