Immigration Laws: November, 1996 - Number #9

Canada anticipated the arrival of 220,000 immigrants and refugees in 1996 but, as of October, only about 160,000 had arrived.

The platform of Canada's governing Liberal Party calls for the annual addition via immigration of one percent of the country's population, which would mean about 300,000 immigrants per year. However, Canada publishes an expected level of immigration each year and, for 1997, it expects to admit between 195,000 and 220,000. About 113,000 will be economic migrants, persons admitted under a system that awards points for education and skills, 61,000 are family unification immigrants and 26,000 are refugees.

In 1971 Canada launched a national policy of multiculturalism. A Ministry of Multiculturalism was established in 1973, and in 1982, the Canadian Charter or constitution was amended to say that it should be interpreted to preserve and enhance "the multicultural heritage of Canadians." The Canadian government was pledged by law in 1988 to preserve and enhance multiculturalism.

The Liberal government recently reaffirmed multiculturalism despite widespread criticism that state-funded multiculturalism is accelerating the break-up of Canada. Toronto in 1996 won the United Nations' Best Practices Award for the integration and celebration of immigrants.

A recent poll in the Vancouver Sun found that many immigrants from Hong Kong believe they are victims of racism. Some analysts say the racism stems from reactions of jealousy from the native community over the wealth of the Hong Kong immigrants.

Manitoba, which attracted 3,400 immigrants in 1995, won permission in October 1996 to relax some of Canada's immigration restrictions to meet the province's goal to attract 8,000 immigrants per year.

The UNDP ranks Canada first among 174 nations in human development, even though Canada was only one of three rich countries--the other two were Finland and Ireland--considered worse off today than in 1980.

Anne Dawson, "Fewer coming to Canada," Toronto Sun, October 29, 1996. Peter Rekai, "Canada's upscale influx," New York Times, September 16, 1996. Pierre Longnus, "Taiwan immigrants to Canada settle in Vancouver," Agence France Presse, August 17, 1996. Pierre Longnus, "Chinese immigrants feeling racism pressure: poll," Agence France Presse, August 18, 1996. "Manitoba, Canada Recruiting Skilled Scottish Workers," Universal News Services, July 5, 1996.

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