CANADA’S IMMIGRATION POLICY

CANADA’S IMMIGRATION POLICY

What makes Canada a top spot for refugees and immigrants?

INTRODUCTION to CANADA’S IMMIGRATION POLICY

With its cosmopolitan and open atmosphere, Canada has proven to be a home for many refugees, asylum-seekers, workers and students. This point is clearly demonstrated by the fact that one- fifths of the Canadian population comprises of foreigners.

Due to the United States of America’s restrictive policies on immigration under president Trump, Canada has come out to be an appealing option for many. This in turn has boosted their economy and reversed the harms caused by an aging population demographic.

HISTORY OF IMMIGRATION IN CANADA

The influx of immigrants into Canada has provided a context to their society and culture for a very long time, much like any other nation. Freed from the rule of the United Kingdom back in 1867, Canada opened its borders to immigrants of that era to facilitate the development of stretches of lands.

Although the government supported this move through recruiters and campaigns, not all immigrants were welcomed into the country. Certain sects of people including non-Europeans, disabled, ill and non- Christians weren’t allowed due to the restrictive policies back in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

All this however changed during the bizarre conditions created by the postwar period. Refugees left Europe, xenophobia eased and demands for a more robust workforce were heard.

In 1967, due to a point-based system for immigration, Canada saw a rise in the number of applicants from Africa, Asia, Latin America etc. The 1971 policy first supported a multicultural environment in Canada and the 1976 legislation solidified the need for immigration to meet the various demands of social, financial and cultural change.

As the birth rates continue to slow (1.5 births/woman) and the population ages, immigrants bridge the gap created by the need for skilled workers. This gap, however, still needs fixing despite the Government’s consistent efforts to attract immigrants.

IMMIGRATION THROUGH THE EYES OF CANADIANS

Canadians have a favourable opinion on immigration, as evident by the 2019 poll where only one-third of the respondents were against it. They view their country’s immigration policy more positively as compared to the respondents in the States. Their national identity proudly embraces diversity. Moreover, Canada doesn’t see a lot of illegal immigration, as is more common in the USA.

WHO ARE THESE IMMIGRANTS?

A whopping number of immigrants were welcomed in the country last year (3,40,000). The States, with a population at least nine times of Canada, welcomed only 577,000 permanent residents that year. The greatest number of immigrants were from India.

Ontario is the most attractive province for immigrants, with majority of them settling in Toronto, the largest city in Canada.

THE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION PROCESS

Canada has four categories through which it admits immigrants. These are:

• ECONOMIC STREAM:

-Mainly through high-skilled worker programs. With the help of the point-system, young people with good experience and fluency in English and French can gain entry. Once every two weeks, top individuals get a chance to apply for a permanent residency, following language testing and biometric screening.

-The Provincial Nominee Program gives people a chance to apply to specific provinces, which then choose applicants based on their economic needs. This program mostly guarantees permanent residency. Michigan in 2014 was inspired by this scheme but couldn’t implement it.

• FAMILY SPONSORSHIP

Spouses, children and family members can join people living in Canada through this. They can be sponsored through the permanent resident. Same-sex couples can apply through this too.

• PROTECTED PERSONS AND REFUGEES

Canada is home to more than twenty-eight thousand refugees mostly from the Middle East and African regions. Refugees can be:

– Government-assisted: By the UN High Commissioner for Refugees

– Privately sponsored: are sponsored by government-approved citizens and organizations.

Rigorous screenings and checks precede their residency.

• HUMANITARIAN AN OTHERS

These include broader hardships and challenges the immigrants may face in their homeland.

In 2018, majority of the residents entered through the economic stream with only 1% of immigrants entering through humanitarian causes.

CANADA AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

Asylum seekers don’t get government approval prior to their arrival into the country. Canada’s policies help and support them in a lot of ways.

However, two- fifths of them enter the country illegally, as of 2017. Once they claim asylum, it may take two years for their claim to be approved. In 2018, 60% of seekers were granted asylum! They may also get residency through Humanitarian and Other causes.

Not everyone is happy with it, though. It is felt that these policies allow the asylum seekers to enter the country with more ease than those who enter through other ways. Even before they become eligible for residency, asylum seekers receive multiple benefits like housing, healthcare etc.

LIFE AS AN IMMIGRANT

Immigrants are provided a chance to adjust to Canada through skill training, orientation and other programs. These programs account for almost 70% of the federal agency’s funds. Immigrants themselves report on their satisfaction and ease of assimilation into the Canadian society.

There are some economic gaps between immigrants and native Canadians, although they are rapidly declining. They have to work extra hard to find suitable employment, primarily due to their language barrier.

TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAMS

To support the country’s economic and cultural advancement, there are certain temporary foreign worker programs.

These can be obtained through:

• The International Mobility Program- work visas to those who fit the criteria.
• The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)- if businesses can’t find workers in Canada, they can approach foreign workers. Labour protection is available to them with proper inspections.

There are downsides here too as corruption and abuse within these systems are a common site due to inefficacy of officials.

There were around 3,40,000 work permits available in 2018. Highly-skilled individuals can avail the benefits of these programs to gain permanent residency.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN CANADA

Illegal immigration isn’t a huge problem in Canada due to its geography and strict screening and checking procedures. There are only 200,000–500,000 illegal immigrants in Canada.

The Canadian public is against unauthorized immigration, as is evident by a 2017 Reuters/Ipsos poll. However, there are many sanctuary cities and “access without fear” policies to protect undocumented guests. There are no such restrictions on companies to hire undocumented immigrants too.

THE US AND CANADA’S IMMIGRATION POLICIES

A “Beyond the Border” strategy was formally introduced by the USA-Canadian governments in 2011 to promote trade and travel as well as security. The two countries share information about their applicants and this has solidified a good relationship between the two countries. This was said to last for years, regardless of political changes.

However, due to Trump’s policies, asylum-seekers have almost doubled in Canada. Placing immense pressure on the Canadian government, this move forced them to secure their borders more, recheck their own policies and discourage future immigrants.

The Canadian judiciary in July, 2020 stated that the previous arrangement that asked Canada to return asylum seekers from the US, violates their own policies. This arrangement would put immigrants at a risk of being detained and the Parliament has until 2021 to respond to this claim.

Not all of Trump’s actions have harmed Canada. His policy of denying of issuing of visas back in June, 2020 directed the flow of eligible workers to Canada that in turn made it easier for these workers to get visas and residency in Canada.

IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON IMMIGRATION

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Canadian government has naturally applied travel and immigration restrictions right now. Canada banned most foreign travel and transits and also refused to host asylum seekers from the USA, sparking concerns among humanitarians. Refugee settlements, work visas and residency applications were suspended. However, Ottawa opened its doors to international students, unlike Washington.

There have been many cases among the farm-workers, prompting the government to think about healthcare systems in place for these workers.

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