Immigrants owes the responsibility to “preserve the culture”.

Canadian novelist, Neil Bissoondath, said that New Brunswick needs to develop a more organized set of guidelines for its new immigrants in order for its founding cultures, particularly, the Acadian culture to be preserved.

Bissoondath was not specific in terms of what these rules might be, but cited the example of Quebec, where French speaking immigrants are given priority over others. The author, famous as an outspoken person, had emigrated from Trinidad in 1973 and was a teacher for the past eight years, had criticized Canada’s multiculturalism policies in the past.

The author further said that every province is different and but we have to accept the historical reality of the founding groups, and we should not allow a wave of immigration to drown our cultures.

University rector and vice-chancellor Yvon Fontaine praised Bissoondath for helping the country cope with the multicultural society. Fontaine said that the university must work to preserve the Acadian culture, but at the same time, should be open for changes and diversities. He further said that the society should be an inclusive society. As intellects, people are trained to learn about other cultures and be open minded, and so he believes that they should lead the way.