Proper treatment of immigrants needed to a healthy economy

The recent raids are only a component of the modifications in immigration policy by the Conservative government led by Stephen Harper. Without any argument, the passing of the Bill C-50 is one of the most biased new policies, which empowers the immigration minister to assign quotas on the types and categories of people who can come into Canada. The minister can even set quotas on home countries of immigrants.

The fact behind so many new policies regarding immigrants is not that our government cares for them, but that our government still sees immigrants as mere economic commodities and not human beings.

One thing that needs to understood is that many immigrants do not come to Canada willingly, but because they are forced to come here as their home countries have been torn apart by wars and neo-economic modes that encourage destruction of local economies.

As per the changed introduced by the Tories, immigrants who are rich can be given priority and gifted with Canadian citizenship. But poor immigrants have less chance to acquire citizenship and are forced to come under migrant worker programs, in case they are willing to come to Canada. This increases the number of temporary workers in the country who have little rights.

As far as the economic crisis is concerned, it must be noted that we are not competing with immigrants for jobs. Providing equal rights to all people living in Canada by granting status to all will check the fluctuations of wages and increase the power of purchasing. This, along with various other measures, like making employment insurance realistic and livable, can make way for a healthy economy which meets the needs of people.