Canada’s future depends on immigrants

I was born and brought-up in a Canada which was different from the current one. I still remember how I used to stare every dark-skinned person I saw at that time. I attended one of the early speeches of Preston Manning in Ottawa twenty years ago as Reform party leader. White Anglos are all I have as friends.

But be it recession or not, I want immigration and I am not at all worried about the job competition due to immigrants. Rather, what really concerns me is the competition our country is facing from the likes of Australia, United States and Britain to attract quality immigrants. I do not accept the claim made by many that Canada’s character is being corroded due to immigrants, that is to say that there is no guarantee that we would become any safer if we reduce immigration.

The most important reason as to why I support immigration is the fact that I care for the future prosperity of Canada, which definitely depends upon immigrants. These immigrants being with them above average educations, sharpened skills, and they even begin productive businesses. Whether we accept it or not, but we desperately need the skills of immigrants.

Settlement and integration will not happen in one night. We cannot stop immigration in fear of recession and then one fine morning start admitting as many workers we need. Accepting good, skilled immigrants is a demographic investment which should be done on a regular basis; say year after year, like education investment, public health and infrastructure investment, etc.