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How Canadian are you?

MARINA JIMÉNEZ

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 4:49 PM EDT 12/01/07

Visible-minority immigrants and their children identify less and less with the country, report says ...Read the full article

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  1. Bob Handle from Canada writes: We need to change our policy now before we end up like Europe, soon to be, Eurabia. Integration is the key. Certain groups don't even bother trying to integrate, preferring to try to change our societey. The arrests last year of the terrorists in Toronto should of been a warning. It is time to wake up. Read Mark Steyn's book America Alone, if for no other reason the statistics on Canada's birthrate. Europe is lost, let's stop the cycle while it is still possible.
  2. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Are there signs that 'official' multiculturalism may be going the way of the dodo?
  3. Julian K from Canada writes: I'd like to say I am surprised by this report, but I am not. Beyond overt racism, many Canadians have a well developed unconscious bigotry and cultural insensitivity. Usually, I have found it represented most in those who long for the mythical Canada that 'was'. They hearken back to a reality that never existed about inclusion in this country instead of realizing that multiculturalism was an experiment to create a sense of inclusion and belonging, an experiment constantly in the process of being made. Some people believe that we have accomplished the aims of this experiment, without realizing that each new comer to Canada renews this experiment and demands that we continue to try to realize the experiments aims. Immigration is a two way street, yes; the new Canadian makes a pledge to Canada to respect its laws and constitution. However, all other Canadians have to reciprocate that pledge, while understanding that the civic nation we live in is continually evolving, and it is right that it do so. Cultural strife is nothing new to Canada, multiculturalism is meant to find the best way through the possibility of pitfalls for all Canadians, be they new arrivals, decedents of the colonists from the last four centuries or native populations. I think that all too often people forget that any change in a society is never final, but whether planned or unplanned, each change is in a constant state of being realized or unrealized. It is a knife edge, and every decision we make decides whether the balance will be maintained or whether we will succumb to communal divisions and ultimately violence of one form or another. Multiculturalism is a gift to us and our children; we dare not abandon the experiment.
  4. pran manga from Canada writes: Given the large sample size a provicial or regional breakdown would be useful or better still by major cities. With regard to voting in elections , how does immigrant behaviour compare with native-born Canadians?Also are visible minority immigrants really different from visible minorities born in Canada?
  5. Ravi M from London, United Kingdom writes: The first comment is so misguided and clueless that it makes it hard to take seriously. If Mark Steyn - a polemicist of the highest order - is taken as a barometer of truth or as an oracle of things to come, then we are in real trouble.

    I was born and grew up in western Canada, the son of Indian parents who emigrated to Canada in 1967, and have spent the past ten years living in Europe (split between London and Paris). A major reason Canada has NOT turned into Europe is precisely because of our policy of multiculturalism. Here, despite decades of postwar, post-colonial waves of immigration, levels of segregation are much more entrenched. Of course, there are huge differences between countries: multicultural Britain, for instance, and especially London, is far more progressive on this front than integrationist France, but both lag behind Canada.

    Every time I go back to Canada for holidays, it is striking how different things are. There, visible minorities fight to assert their rights and claims to being Canadian. Here, it is the difference which is emphasised.

    Canadian multiculturalism is a goal to be celebrated.
  6. E. J. from Brampton, Canada writes: What use is a study if it concludes without suggesting any remedies?. There are already so many similar studies all over the place. Immigration Canada published many of them. It is like reporting the news.

    Did the study also find out that a vast majority of Canada's immigrants come from 'closed xenophobic cultures.? Ultimately, this is a study of Asians in Canada's immigration culture.

    I once read somewhere that the best way to study the US is to watch Americans on Sunday... blacks go to black churches, whites to white churches, latinos to latino churches ...etc. Yet all serve and are descended of the SAME supposedly omnipotent all-inclusive God.

    In similar vein a study of canada must include a study of Canada's work environment. You can for example tell the country of origin of the Managers by looking at their staff. Chinese will hire 100% chinese, Indians will hire 100% indian, caucasians will on occassion hire the token underpaid-underappreciated-negro to sell the perception of fairness. ... and the beat goes on.

    The residiential communities are no different. Asians congregate in perdominantly Asian communities they don't tolerate others nor do they intermingle, so are the polish, Indians, italians, blacks ...etc.

    In Canada, it really isn't about White racism. Would'nt you keep your distance if you felt unaccepted? It is the imported xenophobic tendencies of the new immigrants that appears to be a problem. Many seem to be over-compensating for some perceived or hidden short-coming and blame it on racism. I call it a case of the kettle calling the pot black.

    --
  7. Brian Dell from Edmonton, Canada writes: It is just a matter of time, of course, until today's visible minorities constitute the majority and then it will be the 'old stock' Canadians who no longer identify with the country. I predict that 100 years from now you will see many of the last few whites in Canada emigrating to Europe because they feel out of place here.
  8. George S from Toronto, Canada writes: My wife is a grade 6 teacher here in Toronto and her class last year of 30 kids had only one caucasion student. I asked her about integration and she said the children socialize with all. This bigotry found in this study must be a learned behavior that happens as we age. I know that in cities, such as here in T.O. and in Vancouver where I lived most of my life, is that immigration seems to make up most of Canada's growth and caucasions are soon to be a visisble minority.
  9. Jason D from TO expat, United States writes: Having recently left Canada to study in the US, I find it amusing that Americans consider me more wholly Canadian than my fellow Canadians, where I am regarded as a 'hyphenated' Canadian.
    Being a 2nd generation Canadian of South Asian descent, I fully identify with the responses of others in my segment with respect to feelings of discrimination and a lack of belonging. Perhaps the fact that 'we're' referred to as 'minorities'? Or the fact that immigrants are seen as having to integrate (read: conform) to existing white Canadian norms?
    Don't get me wrong; Canadians are warm, friendly, kind, and nice people (and super polite, sorry) - ALL Canadians, but from my experience 2 classes of Canadians have evolved: pre- and post-immigration liberalization, and with it the covert level of racism has been elevated - which harkens back to what I said about being a hyphenated Canadian.
    I also find it amusing that Canada represents itself as multicultural; it's NOT. If you're in Toronto, drive an hour west to Waterloo and look around. Same thing in the rest of much of Ontario, the Prairies, Coasts, Maritimes, etc - it's primarily monocultural.
    Basically Canada, like the US, is a white man's country - it's just the way it is (now). Change however takes time, and much of the colourization of the country has only been occurring over the past 45 years. The fact remains that Canada has afforded myself and my family more opportunity than India would have ever been able to over the same period and we're eternally grateful - the same can be said for the majority of minorities who've come here in the same period.
    God Bless Canada!!
  10. J Law from Canada writes: Really, I do not understand the true meaning of multiculturalism. I think it means that we recognize each others differences and then work side by side towards some goal. Like a company with one assembly line making Canada. But I see so many other people setting up other little assembly lines called Carribean Canada, Asian Canada, Africa Canada, etc. and all seem to be banging up against the Canada assembly line and knocking it off balance.
    And it becomes confusing and you begin to wonder what are we working to build on the assembly line.
    What is multiculturism really trying to accomplish?
  11. guy leaf from Langley, Canada writes: Unless your blind you should be able to see that multi -culturalism doesnt work. Every country with immigration has the same problems. Its a fact of life that if you move to a new country you want to have familiar things around you including language. Look at BC we have Indian and Chinese communities that are completely isolated and it causes misunderstandings amongst Canadians. There is no solution. Its no ones fault, its just human nature. The problem lies with canadians themselves. Look at the comments towards Iraq and Iran on this web site. People think its great that the US is bombing and invading IRAQ and IRAN because they dont understand other cultures. How many people who write these remarks even know people of other cultures or try to take part in other communities. I read comments about
    about Saddam and IRAQ and it appears people are still filled with racism and are not willing to open their minds to other ideas. If you think things are bad now, just wait for a few years or wait for the US to invade IRAN, maybe North Korea. Cultural misunderstandings are what cause this. Go hang out with some laborers on a construction site and you can hear racism all day long.
  12. Antonio Teixeira from Cuiaba - Brazil, writes: I am Canadian Citizen. I immigrated to Canada 11 years ago. In 2005, I saw two white police officers beating a black guy in Scarborough. I asked them to stop, and they charged me 'police obstruction'. Since they called me by names and they used the expression F--- Canadian. I decided to leave Canada for good. Today, I am professor in an University, since I have a PhD plus 3 pos secondary education in Canada. When I dream about Canada, it is a nightmare. I am doing odds jobs in such dreams. Here, in Brazil, I live with more dignity and nobody call me a F--- Brazilian.
  13. James Young from Brantford, Canada writes: Immigrants shouldn't feel too bad, Canadian Indians have been here since the last ice age about 10,000 years ago, and they are still trying to find their place.

    I have no idea what integration means, and neither does anybody else. Everyone who comes to Canada has the same fundamental values, which are essentially the same in the civilized parts of thew world.

    These are the Canadian values: rule of law, freedom of religion as long as it doesn't scare the horses and even then it is tolerated, speak one of the two official languages if one wants a job, claw one's way out of the minimium wage jobs as soon as possible, get on with life as one sees fit.

    When I hire somone, all I want is a person, who could do the job, and isn't too fat so he can fit around the spaces to repair the equipment. For babble jobs the criteria might be a little different. When they leave work they can have all the multiculturalism or intergration (?) they like. Do what you like but don't trangress on my space, and get on with life.

    Durgan.
  14. Clive Gingell from Canada writes: Ever since Mr Trudeau so graciously informed Canada that it was now a 'multicultural society', (without having an opportunity to contest the situation), the national emphasis has been that the country must unconditionally accept 'other cultures' while simultaneously downplaying its own.

    Small wonder that immigrants relate to the culture they know rather than the one they are unaware of and that is apparently not worth celebrating.
  15. West Coast from Victoria, Canada writes: Well, then Canada must be a true aberration. In Europe, multiculuralism is subverting the unique European cultures. Specifically, the U.K., France, Belgium and the Netherlands are at great risk because of immigrants that have been told they do not need to integrate and adopt the cultures of their adopted countries. Riots in France, calls for sharia in the UK and rioting because of cartoons in the Netherlands. In America, there is a nascent Aztlan movement. Guess what? Australia is also at the tipping point. (Remember the head imam of Australia who recently called Western women 'uncovered meat' that are at fault for being raped? Well, he jsut outdid himself.) These folks are not the radicals; they are the moderates. Multiculuralism is going to create Balkanization like the 700 neighborhoods in France that are no-go zones for law enforcement. the usual knee jerk reaction is to call someone like me who questions multiculturalism as a bigot. Folly. Witness the latest trans-national political party in Europe: the 'Identity, Tradition and Sovereignty' (ITS) Party. When you shout down anyone who diasagrees with party policy, you create conditions ripe for the rise of nasty political parties.
  16. Carson's Army from Canada writes: I came here from Belfast and honestly I can't stand it. The moral compass is a disgrace here - safe injection sites good but going to church bad?!?!?!?!?
    The overall ignorance of many Canadians I met is equivilant to the stereo-type of American and the high-and-mighty attitude here is vomit inducing.
    Thankfully in few months I'll be gone.
  17. Har Har from Canada writes: Comparing Canada to European disasters like France, where it is illegal to wear certain clothes to school is silly and unprofessional. We don't have ghettos in Canada the way they do in France. The riots in France were caused by economic disparity, but this article says economic disparity is not the problem in Canada. Of course we have discrimination towards immigrants, it is natural. After WW2 we discriminated against German immigrants, because during the war anti-German sentiment was obviously present. Now, there is massive discrimination against people who we consider to look middle-eastern, because we are in many ways at war with the middle-east. I think the level of this discrimination has peaked and will start to go down, look at the new CBC show 'Little Mosque on the Prarie', as an example. A bigger problem is discrimination against people who are not immigrants, people who were born in Canada but are considered to have dirty blood because of their ethnic characteristics. For example ask a black women how she feels about black men dating/marrying white women. Their is massive discrimination against white women in that case. There is also, obviously, massive discrimination against black people in Canada, regardless of whether they are immigrants or not.
  18. Dave T from midwest, Canada writes: Yes, the day might cpme where the House of Commons in session resembles the United Nations in session where everybody is wearing an earphone and translators abound in many languages. Great for the language programs at Universities, but maybe not so great for Canada.
  19. ken g from Mississauga, writes: Antonio Teixeira from Cuiaba - Brazil, you did like a lot of immigrants do, get a Canadian education and go then home.
  20. billy bob from Timmins, Canada writes: One thing which is never mentioned is that multiculturalism is a social experiment performed on us and our lives by our so called leaders.It is also one which by the way has never worked before so there is no reason to think it will here.A social experiment with no upside because we had a peaceful and prosperous country before but infinite downside because if there is one thing that history teaches it is that when different people of different religions, languages and races get together fighting always ensues.That is what history is about.So our leaders have run a social experiment on us with no upside but plenty of downside and with no exit strategy if the wheels come off.Sort of like the experiment at chernobyl where once it got out of control there was no stopping it.Of course this policy was sold to us by the liberal intelligensia and anyone who dared question it was pillioried.Thanks Pierre Trudeau.
  21. David Bakody from Dartmouth, writes: Perhaps this is why the Conservatives made such a big deal out of Stephane Dion having dual citizenship as his mother was born in France. If we could give him a majority he could make yet another new law all on his own. Even a promise like Income Trust means nothing, so a vote for PMSH is a vote for Canada whether you like it or not maybe?
  22. Alex M from metropolitan, Canada writes: I am a blond, green eyes, immigrant to Canada from Europe. I do not fall into the classification of visible minority but I speak English with an accent. Canadian institutions and corporations never stop to show me that I am considered something like a second class citizen: Canadian, but not really Canadian.

    I love Canada and I want it to be my country. But does the country loves me equally?
  23. matthew thomas from London, United Kingdom writes: The question about 'multicultualism' is not whether it is working. The fact is that it has worked to deal with the world, as it existed twenty-five years ago. Times have changed, people's perception of the world has changed and multiculturalism must change with it. Try thinking what Canada might look like if we hadn't tried it. The real question is what is Canadian culture. If we are to fall into the trap of a backward looking exercise of Canadian culture being a basically white middle class idea of 'cottages, hockey and Christianity' then we will fight an endless rearguard action as Canada comes to terms with being a part of the planet. We have so far succeeded dramatically. Living here in the UK has really opened my eyes to the success that Canada has made of integration. This is mainly because we didn't insist that being a Canadian was a single monolithic experience. Now, we have taken advantage of a natural affinity to avoid conflict and a long period of economic growth to shield ourselves from change, but we have made a better start than most. Yes, the world has changed and every Canadian is going to have to change with it. Because of Quebec we have never tried tp proscribe Canadian culture and we musn't start now. Now is the tiome to think about what we can be and not what we might have been. In conclusion, I will say that this is not an attack on white middle class Canada; new Canadians must understand what they are coming to, but they must be shown that they can add to it rather than simply conform.
  24. Bill McGuire from Hamilton, Canada writes: #13 - james, you have as part of the canadian values, the ability to speak one of the two official languages if one wants a job. there in lies a problem. many immigrants cannot speak either official language, and they end up secluding themselves in neighbourhoods with other immigrants from their homeland. There are plenty of areas in major cities (except in Quebec) where you see all sorts of stores and restaurants, and unless you go in, you have no idea what they sell as their signs are not in English or in French. I take that as a sign that they do not want anyone but their own countrymen to buy their products. They isolate themselves, then cry racism. And I keep reading articles decrying Canada as a racist country. If it is so bad, why stay?
  25. Jason Roy from Nova Scotia, Canada writes: Carson's Army from Canada writes: 'I came here from Belfast and honestly I can't stand it. The moral compass is a disgrace here - safe injection sites good but going to church bad?!?!?!?!?'

    I have to agree with CA 100%.

    Although it it usually occurs when the current discussion becomes political; the number of people who seem to criticise others who exercise their right to freedom of religion by believing in God by calling them 'Bible-thumpers' and 'right-wing religious wackos' (to name a few) is truly disturbing; especially when I don't see those who are believers calling the non-believers names.

    For the record I am non-religious.
  26. M K from Ottawa, Canada writes: Ha! This is such an amusing argument. With what exactly can one 'identify with Canada?' National culture is most often politically constructed, spoonfed half-truths. There is no such thing as Canadian; there can't be in such a regionalized country. There are Maritime, Quebecois, Ontarian, Prairie, BC, and Northern cultures that have difficulty being combined into this confederation.
  27. Anthony B. from Sydney, NS, Canada writes: It's a two-way street. How can you feel 'included' if you cling to your past identity? Those who persist in considering themselves Chinese-Canadian, Indo-Canadian, etc, end up being neither one nor the other. What is surprising about the survey are the numbers of second and third generation 'whites' who don't identify as Canadian. Either these data are seriously flawed or we have a real problem.
  28. Cantab Grad from London, United Kingdom writes: As a second-generation Canadian I feel like I am treated with respect by most individuals because I share the same set of qualifications and experiences, and because I call the last letter of the alphabet 'zed' and know how to spell 'Saskatchewan'. However first-generation immigrants such as my parents (who are lucky not to be doing 'odd jobs') are not so lucky because their qualifications and experiences are not recognized by Canadian institutions and companies. There is a tremendous waste of human capital and potential here in the name of protecting 'Canadians' and because of lack of knowledge/understanding of foreign cultures, and this creates a sense of injustice that is carried forward to subsequent generations, who learn that immigrants face an uphill struggle to establish their lives in a new country.
  29. feo . from Canada writes: Well....I'm white and when I lived in the USA for 8 years, I identified myself more with Canada than the USA. I think everyone identifies themself with their homeland for a few generations
  30. Mikey Mike from Canada writes: The original idea of Multi-Culturalism has been corrupted. Instead of diverse cultures coming together in harmony in Canada to the benefit of all, we ended up importing religious intolerance and ethnic hatreds, all funded by the generosity of multi generational Canadian taxpayers. The policy is flawed and should be scrapped
  31. poida smith from Canada writes: what a surprise! NOT! the Americans have it right with respect to creating a culture which promote pride in the country and citizenship regardless of race more so than Canada.

    Canada is merely a collection of subcultures existing within a recognized sovereign border with a British parliamentarian system of government as a form of governance. Our most recognized cultural value and trait is hockey and it is 'lily white' in hue. Mutliculturalism as a policy and social engineering experiment is an adbject 'failure' and it's time to scrap it since it promotes differences in people rather than shared values. All it promotes and creatives in the final analysis is a sense of 'divisiveness' within a society.
  32. Tim Robinson from Hoylake, United Kingdom writes: The article stated that 70% of immigrants voted, and 82% of Canadians voted; that's a median of 76%, yet only 60% actually voted. Since this figure is distorted, how distorted are the rest? What is the hidden agenda of the authors? Multiculturalism is just a ruse to allow the Francophone take over of the federal government. Don't wake up; it's already happened. Carry on ... nothing to see here.
  33. Dark Angel from The West, Canada writes: My European roots in this country go back five generations while my 'First Nations' roots can't be calculated. Growing up in the 60&70's I was quite satisfied with living in Canada particularly since we traveled the country, and then travelled abroad. People come to Canada expecting it to be the promised land, and forget that you have to adapt. I went to see the old country that we came from and returned knowing that I live in a much better place. We are a young country and are still growing. If others can't adapt and contribute then they've come here for the wrong reasons. I respect other cultures but if I wanted to live in theirs then I'd move there.
  34. Progressive Canadian from Canada writes: I was born and raised in Canada, and I'm identifying less and less with this country too. Immigrants aren't the problem, most Canadian born people have little respect for this country as well, whether they admit it or not.

    Post #5: very well said.
  35. Rodger Harding from Canada writes: Importantly, immigrants come to this country because it blinks as a beacon of freedom and opportunity like few other countries....People vote with their feet in support of this on a daily basis.

    As a white skinned immigrant I have had my share of rejection and am aware of the difficulties other groups face....Still, I feel privileged to call myself a Canadian.....(Nobody forced me to come here) ....

    For me a greater awareness of 'birth' Canadians of the reverence the world has for this country might temper enthusiasm for the sabre rattling Reform/Harperites who seem hell bent on tarnishing this wonderful reputation/history in the pursuit of a might & right image....

    This awareness would help first generation immigrants through the difficult first years...providing a greater motivation than impossible notions of instant accommodation....
  36. France G from Ottawa, Canada writes: Quite a touchy subject if you ask me....and one that will forever be debatable......If immigrants don't feel well taken care of here in Canada, where 'welcome wagons' and 'start-up programs' abound, I cannot imagine how they must feel in Europe. Europe is much more threatened by immigration than Canada, especially because Europe was NOT founded by immigrants; consequently, Europeans feel threatened and there is MUCH more racial discrimination over there than here. So I don't really understand what some people who are not really making an effort to integrate (not assimilate, but integrate) are complaining about?
  37. Bruce Banner from Toronto, Canada writes: Ditto - Ken G. Antonio Teixeira - I suppose the gang attacks in Rio and the police corruption / brutality in Sao Paolo are more palatable? Carson's Army - while I agree with you that Canadians are on the whole pretty smug (for what I am not sure), I think you have issues in general with Liberal-secular societies and not multi-cultural ones. Especially given that most immigrants are far more conservative than indigenous Canadians. Unless I read the statistics wrong, it seems that with time successive generations feel more and more 'Canadian'. It is only natural that recent immigrants don't/can't identify with Canada - how could they? As for the Canadian identity who can blame them? I sure as hell don't identify with the Hockey Town, MCains fries, propaganda CRAP that is spewed forth from the CBC. I also don't identify with many of the core beliefs or political values espoused on 'the hour', 'the current', by the Trudeaus/Raes/Laytons/Millers/Kleins et. al. or any other representative of our political and 'intellectual' elite. I am still a Canadian however, born and bred.
  38. ken m from Canada writes: We Canadians like to think we are above Europe and the states in matters of Immigration. The truth is we are not and experience the same issues (not all of the violence , yet) . I do not have a positive or negative view on immigration but it is not the Utopia Pierre Trudeau imagined. God forbid his son runs for political office!
  39. Dave Medich from Windsor, Canada writes: #1........ You're right on the money. European culture is disappearing before our eyes as they succumb to misguided multiculturalism causing social unrest. As they experiment in their utopian, socialist nirvana, their society is crumbling around them and Europe will be unrecognizable in a generation. Under the guise of 'tolerance' they are slowly wiping out centuries of history and tradition. The vacuum being left is being filled by 'intolerants' who are slowly forcing the Euro-wimps to bend to their will. The Europe as we know it is on life support. The saddest part is that the cause of its death will be suicide.
  40. Alan Padington from Canada writes: This article and several posters are saying multi-multiculturalism doesn't work because we end up with multiple cultures. Isn't that the point of the policy? It's right there in the name, more than one culture. Sorry, but I don't feel my culture is so superior that I need my neighbour to adopt it.

    Several people here seem to be confused that multiculturalism isn't making everyone adopt their white culture. That's the point.

    The usual xenophobic crowd is out today predicting nonsense like ethnic riots where racial tensions hardly exist here yet (#15), whites fleeing the country (#7)
  41. Chris Perry from Bristol, United Kingdom writes: How heartening to see a couple of comments from Canadians who have routes in the Indian sub-continent; they and their famalies have obviously integrated very well into Canada and although they have probably been descriminated against still feel proud to call themselves Canadians.

    Unfortunately there are people that immigrate to Canada for the benefits Canada has to offer but don't want to be Canadian and really want everything else to be the same as the country they left (including the language).

    My parents immigrated to Canada from the UK in the 50's and I was born and brought up in Toronto and went to school with many Italians, Greeks, Carribeans, and Chinese and I can never remember any of them saying they weren't Canadian. What has changed and why? Why have mini countries been created within City's (how many China town's in T.O.? little Italy?). I welcome these but it is now approaching a situation that in some areas you need to speak the language they brought with them to be able to communicate.

    Canada is still evolving but needs to look at the mistakes being made in Europe and stop them happening there. Some times minorities have a louder voice than majorities and this survey has added fuel to the fire.
  42. The Centrist from Canada writes: The neocons don't have to fear this great country becoming diversely multicultural as Harper and Canada's New Government (TM) drive to strip minorities of their rights and ban immigrants as they turn Canada into a police state.

    What an absolute disgrace and outrage this government is!!
  43. greg panke from brampton, Canada writes: Surprise, Surprise! The basis of multi-culturalism is that people do not have to integrate, we just try to tolerate the differences, even when they go against Canadian standards. The more people don't have to integrate the more inviting Canada is to people who don't want to.

    Most countries include racism and other forms of intolerance as part of their standard everyday life, if we expect that to end when people come to Canada we should not be surprised, especially when so many come in such short periods of time that they can form their own societies just as they had them in their own countries.

    Our immigration levels are so high that some parts of Canada are becoming more like the countries of origin, with all their problems in addition to our own, than many new people are becoming like Canadians. We do get some really good immigrants from all countries, but we also get a lot that really are only here for the money and have no respect for the country.

    Unfortunately the situation will not get any better without some massive changes including slowing immigration right down until the new immigrants can be properly integrated or asked to go home. If we had been more careful with immigration this would not be necessary but we have almost no standards for immigrants in terms of their desire to live in a 'Canadian' fashion. Many want to be Canadian, and many don't.

    At least we should adopt a program similar to what the Dutch have, testing people to see if they are able to adapt to our variousstandards. I am sure there are a lot of other things that can be done, but this would be a start.
  44. Ravi M from London, United Kingdom writes: My own experence might offer some practical guidance on how multiculturalism manifests itself on the gorund and why the Canadian example works.

    Partly in reply to Jason D, I grew up in a small towns in Alberta and BC that were almost entirely white. I'm not white but the key point is that this was never a problem. The key issue is that I am Canadian and that was all that mattered. So, saying that because there aren't any darkies once you get out of the big cities is a bit of a facile argument.

    So, what does multiculturalism mean? Well, in Canada, no one questions how Canadian I am just because I am not white. In Europe, the same can't be said.
  45. M Phillips from Canada writes: So how is this any different to any other period in human history? We are wired to survive and so we tend to look at all things outside our small gene circle as potential threats to that survival. You don't think that when Canada was mostly European that English Europeans were not fighting with French Europeans, say 250 years ago? Or, that when French Europeans had lost their influence that lower class English speaking people were fighting with higher class elements in the society, say the American revolution. These types of tensions will always be present since at their core is the idea of personal and gene survival. Our best defence as a result is to ensure our constitution protects the rights of all people, and will not allow anyone group or idea to have dominance over another. If we can continue to do that, and we are doing a good job with this now, tensions will continue but for the majority of people at anyone time they will be a minor distraction. Long live Canada!!!
  46. Dana Still from Canada writes: Good grief, the last thing I want to see is a return to the old white bread and mayonnaise Canada that I grew up in. Dull, flat and monochromatically boring beyond words.

    Today's Canada is much more interesting, vibrant and flavourful. I love walking down urban streets and hearing 4 or 5 languages in the space of a block. I love the fascinating mixing and cross pollination of cultures that's ocurring all around me. I love the foods I can taste and the music I can hear. It's all good.

    Welcome to the future on planet earth.
  47. Time Out from Canada writes: Its all biology folks, and it has been known for a long time. ' Birds of a feather, flock together' We always have and always will associate with those who we instinctvely feel safe, our own, and no amount of social engineering is going to change that. We need to embrace our differences at a personal level, and respect those differences.
  48. Proud Canadian from United States writes: '...suggesting multiculturalism doesn't work as well for non-whites, according to a landmark report...'

    Who do they they multiculturalism is supposed to work for. Hell, if multiculturalism isn't working for visable minorities then GET RID OF IT!! The Canada today is not the one I grew up in. It's time to take a break from immigration and save Canada for Canadians. Certain governments have sold out this country in order to stay in power and now the chickens are coming home to roost.

    My plan for a better Canada
    1) Drop immigration levels to less than 50,000 a year, preferably none until we get our house in order.
    2) Rescind Canadian citizenship for any Canada who spends more time out of Canada then in it.
  49. Alfred James from Gull Bay First Nation, Canada writes: I think Canada must embrace and nurture its new-found role in the world. I believe that Canada should never be the world's conscience or hammer. I believe that the powerful technological, intellectual and moral forces at play can assure us that this country will not become a destination of permanence for the peoples of the world. I believe we can better serve the world community by acting as a transition point where refuge, peace and stability are found.

    Finally, as an Anishnabe from northern Ontario, I am justly proud of the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to our country, land and Nation.
  50. Proud Canadian from United States writes: These people whom come to Canada and then complain about our way of life and our beliefs should be sent packing. It's like those people whom move near the airport and then complain about the noise. If you people don't like it in Canada, well no one is stopping you from leaving. Don't come hear and try to change my country to something else!! You came to Canada becuase it is a good country and obviously was better than the country you left. Don't bring your problems, ethnic tensions, religious bigotry to this country!!!

    As I said above, if you don't like it here, don't let the door hit you on the way out.
  51. Dave . from Ottawa, Canada writes: As a Canadian born and raised in the capital, yet having been away for almost a dozen years overseas I am totally surprised and concerned by the Canada I live in now.

    While I can distinctly remember perhaps three (!!!) 'visible minority' students at school during my education in Ottawa, that is no longer the case. I am glad to see that Canada has opened its doors to the world and Ottawa is becoming a multi-cultural city. Yet, I am also very disturbed by the FAILURE and STUPIDITY of our Federal gov't (in particular the Liberals who dreamt up the massive influx of refugees, etc..) in having NOT planned adequately for INTEGRATION!

    The complete loss of a 'Canadian Identity' is overwhelming today. I'm glad to see so many cultures and traditions of others, but the outright DESPISEMENT by some and REJECTION by others of Canada's heritage is an absolute SHAM. The lefties opened the doors wide to the world without proper preparation to integrate 'Canadian values' (ie. hard work for some, holidays, etc..). The loss of what it means to be a Canadian is a growing trend, other than the simple flag waving which anyone can do.
  52. Armchair March from Canada writes: So this study is measuring 'perception of discrimination', and notes differences between generations. That may be useful in determining whether immigrants are happy, but it doesn't sound like it is a measure of actual discrimination or unequal opportunity. It gives me the impression that perhaps the subjects of the study have unrealistic expectations, or are just self-conscious or uncomfortable around other ethnic groups.

    Many white people don't feel totally comfortable here, because once you leave the cities the people in general (in general ok) sure are different if you know what I mean.
  53. W R from toronto, Canada writes: The only reason for Trudeau and the Liberals pushing multiculturalism was to make the idea of bilingualism palatable to the whole country. Beyond that there was never any real plan to honour and respect other cultures.
  54. Stews 49 from Canada writes: Antonio Teixeira from Cuiaba - Brazil,

    And once you got your education ??? You did what? Why did you stay so long in this godforsaken hole of white bigotry?

    This country is a mess , not because of the mass immigration but because that no one has to identify with or work towards a new Canada. Keep all your customs , all your religions , all your social cultural . To heck with starting fresh . Take all that can be offered and give nothing in return.
  55. robert marshall from Scarborough, Canada writes: Couldn't have put it better myself # 14
  56. Sunny Vegas from Waterloo, Canada writes: We can start the blame on Trudeau policy.

    Funny thing is I am an Immigrant. Came to Canada about 17 years ago. Work hard, pay my taxes and love this beautiful Country. I got my Canadian ciziten the first day I am elligible for it. Here's the funny thing. Everytime I tell people I am Canadian they laugh or don't take seriously me cause I am Chinese. But if I lie and say I am American people tends to believe me.

    Funny world.
  57. anu bose from ottawa, Canada writes: Multiculturalism, as practiced in Canada, is outdated, outmoded and an excuse for the worst kind of tokenism, cultural relativism and patronage. The problem is xenophobia and racism often makes immigrants from visible minorities want to be moles and live in their ethnic holes.

    Whatever happened to citizenship as a concept?
  58. Big D from Canada writes: Comments like #3 are typical of people who feel insecure with their only feelings. Sure, someone who disagrees with your opinion and views things differently then the ultra 'affirmative action' view MUST be a racist.

    Get over it!

    The poster who agree with the conclusion of this study aren't advocating segregation, any-sort of pro white/english/christian view, they are simply stating that Canada has it own and unique culture/values/identity (just as any people or nation does) and that those who wish to join us should be people willing to share this idea rather than free-load off our resources and qualitity of life just to try to impose unwanted change upon us.

    Take the Christmas tree in the courthouse situation as a perfect example. The celebration of christmas has been apart of main-stream Canadian society since colonization yet the ultra-left wing/fear as being seen as a racist because you celebrate your culture side of Canada can't stand the idea for fear it might offend someone else.

    How about the controversy in the UK regarding the dress of Islamic women. It is inappropriate and for any person to completly cover themselves (with the exception of a small slit in the eyes) in that culture. If you think this is racist, see what would happen if a white male dawned simliar clothing (any white people that think I am wrong, put on a ski mask and walk into a bank... see what happens and see how many people symapthize with you when something does happen). But on top of that, the issue became heated and brought to light with the firing of a teacher because she refused to adhere to the dress code. This is an employer who has a standarized dress code... I work for a company which also has a dress code, if I wear jeans to work (which is arguablly the most common article of clothing in North American culture) and refuse to change inorder to comply with the dress code than I too would be fired. Is its racist for her to be fired but not me?
  59. Cynthia C from Toronto, Canada writes: Finally, someone is acknowledging something that has been a problem for decades! Multiculturalism can lead to ignorance! I can't tell you how many uninformed people are surprised to hear that Chinese brides can wear white! Many people now believe that even if someone has been in Canada for thirty years or more, that they still keep their old culture!

    And to E.J. from Brampton: Latinos in the US go to predominantly Latino churches because they are for the most part, Spanish-speaking Catholics who want to attend Mass in Spanish.
  60. Scott Bradley from Toronto, Canada writes: This report sounds like a lot of numbers but not a lot of truth. Isn't this one of the Conservatives goals to make people more 'Canadian'. We are what we are and we will become what we become. I am different than my parents and I expect that the youth of this country will continually grow to be a mix of their past and present. All of my 'visable minority friends', who are around the age of 30 and second generation canucks are as Canadian in their approach to politics and culture and I am. Sure I have a bit more of a hoser edge, but that's not really Canadian anyway.
  61. Inretro Spect from Dartmouth, Canada writes: First let me declare that I am not a racist and welcome people of all cultures as do my wife and children. I guess in the case 'perceived' is the operative word. I know that racism exists everywhere in Canada as it is a normal human reaction to respond in a way that is perceived to be negative when confronted with someone that at first is hard to identify with. I think this is what many immigrants are experiencing, but it does not mean it is a racist reaction or that it is meant to be derogatory or unwelcoming. Immigrants have to try harder to not be so sensitive to such harmless reactions. In terms of the Black population in Canada, in Nova Scotia, which is becoming an increasingly multiethnic province racism is continually perpetuated by many in the Black community. For many Blacks it serves a greater purpose to declare that they live in a racist society as it keeps the issue in the public domain and offers political protection and sheltering. It keeps the funding levels high for programs like subsidized education and other social welfare initiatives, protection from the community when Black youth break the law, and ensures affirmative action in the work place. The post baby boomer generation of Black parents perpetuate the myth that all Blacks are treated unequally and do not make the effort to foster a good community or work ethic in today's young Black people. The point that I make is how much of what is allegedly experienced in Canada is actual racism, and how much is actually negative stereotypical conditioning by immigrant or misguided parents who had at one time had a negative experience and decided that their children also need a biased attitude to protect themselves from something that they perceive may happen to them? It does work both ways.
  62. Vern McPherson from Toronto, Canada writes: I don't believe this bunk for one second. Fear of racial attack ? Where ? In this city one cannot interface with any of the three government entities and most businesses without encountering accents from all comers. It's just an attention getter and a mishmas of stats by a couple of nobodies.
  63. Frank Stogre from Vancouver, Canada writes: After going around the world a few times i have to say Canada has to be the lest racist country in the world .. Immigration and multiculturalism would be called and act of the insane where most of these visible minority new Canadians come from ..We have come along way in the last 50 years in Canada and we have a way to go for true multiculturalism but no other country comes close to what Canada has ..
  64. Kevin Chew from Germany writes: What fuddle duddle! The sky is not falling, in Europe nor in Canada -- the country to which I, the son of two immigrants (one 'visible' and one 'invisible') identify 100% despite my long absence from its borders.
  65. polar camel from Toronto, Canada writes: It's mostly the parents' responsibility to ensure that their kids feel at home in the country they chose to live in. If the second generation would not consider themselves to be Canadian, what do they actually consider themselves to be? The article doesn't touch upon it.
    We have chosen to come here, to Canada. We have chosen to have kids here and bring them up here - I would consider it my failure and some tragedy if my child would not have a sense of belonging to Canada. And I would mostly blame myself that I did not make sure that such a sense of belonging, love, respect, interest, responsibility for the country has not been part of my child's upbringing.
    As for the isuue of discrimination, it is an ongoing struggle everywhere in the world and people are unfair towards each other for various, mostly very stupid and petty reasons wherever we go. Combining these two issues: feeling (or not) Canadian and racial discrimination seems to be rather unfortunate. One can feel very Canadian and still experience discrimination while someone else might have never experienced discrimination while not feeling Canadian either. Marina Jimenez seems to have some agenda to prove how unhappy the new immigrants are in Canada. Well, there are thousands of us who can prove her wrong, but it's not such a catching topic for the first page text, is it?
  66. lynette whiley from Canada writes: I'm not sure that the issue is one of skin colour; Canadian discrimination lives on regardless of skin colour and Canadians feel strongly that immigrants need to become Canadian. I've found that whilst on the surface Canadians claim to be 'multicultural', there is in fact, little tolerance for immigrant cultures that are new and different. We are expected to become the same as everyone else - the result is a potential to become very bland. We should celebrate differences like little India, Chinatown etc.... that's what Canada is all about. Discrimination lives on not only in terms of culture but also in terms of work experience - for some reason, Canadians believe that industry in Canada is so different to the rest of the world, that non-Canadian experience is not good enough. I find this to be incongrous in a country that claims to want immigrants.
  67. Adam Parkin from Canada writes: The photos of our war dead speak volumes. I compare those to the US and it is painfully obvious that there are two classes of Canadian citizens.
  68. S F from Miramichi, Canada writes: If Canada becomes defined solely by what makes us different, there will no longer be a reason for Canada.
  69. Natarajan Chenthil from Toronto, Canada writes: I am reminded of what Kennedy said ' Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country'...lets make Canada a place that everyone loves to live in..Personally, I have had positive experience in Toronto integrating into the Canadian way since the day I arrived here as an immigrant..There are countless positive instances of encouragement, guidance and support from Canadian and immigrant fellowmates without which it would have been tough to integrate/survive..I do miss the place I came from but still this is my place now..

    At the same time it is good to have constructive criticism/feedback from people who feel let down..that helps us as a country to improve..lets contribute to a better Canada by taking the first step ourselves....lets treat our fellowmates equally with respect,care and dignity as much or better than what we expect them to treat us..no matter where they are from or how they look..
  70. Rob Smith from Canada writes: Maybe those immigrants who complaine should make more of an effort to assimilate rather than trying to change the system to accomadate them. How many are really Canadians or just here to take advantage of the system, there are many dual passport holders an example of that was Lebanon last year.
  71. C. K. from Toronto, Canada writes: This is one of the saddest stories I have read about our country in the G
  72. ben s from Cayman Islands writes: I will do what the immigrants do. When I move back to Canada I will find a nice Caucasian neighborhood and settle in.
  73. Harry Yousefian from Canada writes: I came to Canada in 1989, before coming I already had knowledge of history & geography of Canada. I had tough time to find a job but eventually I did. Canada is a great country with many opportunities, like education for everybody.

    I think there is more than enough freedom for some.

    I hope all visible minorities will have chance to get into parliament and have their voice with either official language.
  74. Dastardly Rapscallion from Pur Laine, Quebec, Canada writes: After 35 years of the state encouraging immigrants not to identify with Canada or assimilate in any way, this is no surprise at all.
  75. Paul-Charles Howell from Montreal, Canada writes: Or is it that Canada doesn't see itself as the people who live here? Multiculturalism looks like one of Canada's most distinguishing and positive qualities. Better to embrace it than try to make visible minorities act like 'us.'
  76. otmar zambo from Canada writes: Hope they stop coming! Tired of bending over backwards to please visible minorities!
  77. André Villeneuve from Canada writes: I think that number 1 has made a comment pertaining to another article. If not, he has some serious problems about living in our modern society or he is a member of the Neo-Con party of Canada.
    Mr.Law on the other hand seems to have a pretty good understanding of what we should all be when sharing the same values and objectives but one has to me reminded that there are extremists in all cultures and not much can we do to shut them up. Giveing publicity and coverage over the media accentuate their raison d'être and motivate them to seek for more members. Most of cultural groups are celebrating their traditions so they do not forget about their past and want their children to learn and remember who culturally they are. Radicals exist in all cultures including our canadian society and fortunately it is not the norm.
    As for Mr. Carson from Ireland, well not everyone can adapt to a new country and I am glad that he has come to that conclusion all by himself so and can take his positive attitude towards the world back to a country where people get kill for not being a protestant or a catholic...
  78. Two Cents from Toronto, Canada writes: Canada does not really promote being Canadian. There is too much promotion of multiculturalism at the expense of nationalism and patriotism. I'm not at all surprised by this article.
  79. MJ Salovaara from Osaka, Japan writes: Official policy or no, when was Canada not multi-cultural? That whole notion is ripe full of cultural imperialism - which completely ignores the First Nations that were already in Canada. Multiculturalism is a white man's label so he can feel good about himself and ignore past atrocities. Multiculturalism did not start with Trudeau, try Cabot instead.
  80. S Boatright from Canada writes: I think Canada sends a mixed message. We say that we respect the differences of others, and yet we spend all our time and energy putting down those who have a different opinion that ourselves - and not very nicely I might add. We say that we want Canadians to identify with Canada, and yet we're always bombarded with the threat of separation of the country. We say that Canada is a land of freedom and opportunity - and yet we pick and choose which freedoms and opportunities we might be allowed to exercise (i.e. the politically correct flavour of the week). We say that Canada is 'broker of peace' - and yet we are incapable of having a peaceful discussion with our own countrymen (read these boards for a couple of hours and you'll soon see some pretty blatant examples of this). I'm not surprised that this study has concluded that immigrants feel alienated in Canada - but what I am surprised about is that we've overlooked the fact that 'mainstream society' feels the same way. I think it's time that we live up to the reputation that we used to have for being a 'glorious and free land'. Gay or straight, Christian or agnostic, white or visible minority - if you persecute ANY of the above - then you have just proven your inability to be truly tolerant.
  81. Black Adder from Toronto, Canada writes: And why immigrants don't feel like they belong - read posts #1 and #7

    For those who feel multiculturalism doesn't work, you should really make an attempt to get out more, outside North America (or at least outside your small mind). Yes there are problems with the policy, but it is recognized as a model of tolerance throughout the world because of its selfless nature - letting people acknowledge, share and celebrate their differences.
  82. The Objectivist from Canada writes: guess what? its not just the visible minorities who feel disassociated with Canada, its the white multigenerational Canadians as well. The was never an attempt with multiculturalism to promote integration, it was perfectly acceptable (gag) to describe oneself as a ___________ Canadian. There was never an attempt to seek immigration from cultures promoting similar values. It's not racism to be against immigration from cultures who don't share our values, like the value of human life and the wrongness of taking it. I don't care about the skin colour, I just don't want the behaviour - tell me how we're better for it?

    And stop all these idiotic nonsensical references to racism. almost everyone exhibits forms of racism, look at the neighbourhoods people live in and who they choose to socialize with, date and marry. Even on dating services, using 100% anonymous data, people who state 'no race preference' turn out to be liars, with 95% choosing to contact people of their own race. People are more comfortable around those like them, imo not because of race or religion, but because of similar social conventions and habits, values, ethics, etc. The segregation exists and makes all feel less connected with the whole and more isolated within their part. this is the breakdown of Canada. Multiculturalism was a bad idea and a failure.

    I don't even know what the word racism means anymore, other than a word the mentally feeble gravitate to when they've exhausted their intellect in a discussion. I don't want hate or prejudging of people like they seem to do in most of the world; asia, europe, africa and the middle east. However it is idiotic to not to see and hear reality, to be cheering away at the emperor's new clothes while we all know he's as naked as a jay bird. Be against hatred but not rational thought, facts and reality.
  83. MAYBE OR MAYBE NOT! from Canada writes: Maybe when these people come into Canada there should be a time limit of about 5 years to allow them to form a nice warm identity with Canada. If they are having problems after 5 years ship them back from where they came from. There is no room in this country for half Canadians or maybe I am or maybe I'm not Canadians. There are lots of other people around the world that would give their life to be Canadian and have no identidy problems at all. The gang wars and killings in Toronto tell me we are maybe doing a poor job of screening who is allowed to come to our country. If these new canadians commit a crime within this 5 year period they should be out immediately. It takes very high standards to become a Canadian and to remain Canadian, if they don't realize this ship the home!
  84. John Broomer from Toronto, Canada writes: Our kids' school is what I euphemistically refer to as the 'United Nations'. However, I see the inequity every year. My children come home with crafts they have produced at school from lessons taught on Hannukah, Dewali, Eide, Black History, Asian History and so on. At Christmas, we have to fight to have the Christmas tree put up in the lobby (I think it appeared around the 18th this time around). I don't believe there is any class time devoted to Christmas. No Christmas concert for carols or fun Christmas songs. If anything, it's a 'Holiday' concert and incorporates songs from other cultures (read: religions). I've been told (tongue in cheek) to wait patiently until I'm a minority and then claim my 'rights'. When I tell someone (who is first or second generation) I am Canadian they ask, 'No, really, what are you?'. BTW, mid-40s, white and 5 generations here on BOTH branches of the tree.
  85. Black Adder from Toronto, Canada writes: People who are against multiculturalism are people who insecure about their own culture or worse, have none -
  86. john chuckman from Toronto, Canada writes: I don't believe there is much new or useful in this study.

    It has always taken a long time for immigrants who are very different in appearance and culture to be absorbed into any new society.

    It is a bit perverse to blame the policies of Canada for this. This is a generous and decent country. Few others in the world can compare.

    Historically, the onus is always on the immigrants. After all, acceptance here means free education, medical care, and many other things not always available in other migrant-built societies. It is much harsher in the US for example.

    In Canada or the United States, Northern Europeans are absorbed fairly quickly. Southern Europeans and Asians less so, and people of African origin slowest of all.

    This is the experience of many immigrant-built countries of Northern European origin.

    What is different today than in the past is the numbers and proportions of slower-absorbed immigrants. That is a problem in many places.

    Discrimination is a nasty subject to bring up. It exists everywhere in the world to some degree, but Canada is about as fair as it gets, and it surely reveals some flaw in attitude to accuse Canada particularly of this.

    If people feel they are experiencing overwhelming discrimination here, they might try examining their own intentions and efforts in integrating before putting a nasty charge against their adopted society.
  87. Ken Hass from Edmonton, Canada writes: In Edmonton the police recently identified several gangs by name. Some of them were,
    The Red Alert, The West Side Jamaicans, The North Side Jamaicans, The Crazy Dragons, The Red Posse and The Dragon Killers. These names tell the story and future of Multiculturalism. Disaster!
  88. Jacques Gagné from Montréal, Canada writes: Someone said: ' I saw the police beating a black guy '. Maybe the police were fighting with a criminal... Who saw the color and the race ? With all the «supposed' accommodations, what we do is create ghettos and when you create ghettos multiculturalism is out the door. You have to respect peoples religion and cultures, but they are coming to Canada and they have to go by Canada's rules, then you become a Canadian. If you live in Canada with Pakistan culture and Sharia's law, how can you feel Canadian ? Political correctness has to stop and let's be practical while staying respectful.
  89. Derek Lefebvre from Vancouver, Canada writes: after reading some of these postsl it seems obvious how to stop visable minorities (VMs) from feeling discriminated against...close the country to them. We can simply hope more whites will want to come to Canada or that we will start having more children to support our economy (well we may need to ensure that the whites develop the same understanding/belief in post secondary education like VM immigrants do. Sounds like a terrific solution - short sighted, ignorant and insane but hey Canada must stay White to be right huh. Please give me a break. I can't believe that we (and the authors of the report) can jump to such conclusions from ONE study. One should be asking - is this a new/growng trend? Perhaps 10-20 years earlier the percentages were higher for feeling non-canadian? Or not.
    I agree with some posters that we are not Europe and aren't doing some of the foolish things they are which lead to riots. We do need to find better ways to integrate from both sides (I am aware that there is great discrimination coming from some VM as well as from whites). The insular behaviour new immigrants attempt when coming here to Canada usually does not last beyond the next generation or two as their children usually have to attend schools with kids of others races/cultures and they understand there is more to their world. But it certainly doesn't help when our own 'real' canadians remain afraid, intolerant and impatient with people who don't look or speak exactly like them.
  90. all good from Canada writes: Can somebody enlighten me and explain WHAT exactly is this canadian thing?In a coutry that the so called natives claim that they are not canadians(see Caledonia) , and somebody born here is not a native of this country ,where the Quebec nation (are they canadians ? )has more rights than then therest(7$chldcare ) and the politicians play to the tunes of every so called minorities in order to get a vote ,it is hard to find an identy.The hockey becames way to expensive for the averege Patel , and the rest is just political talk .There is no canadian.WE have less and less in common every day.
  91. j clark from cincinnati, United States writes: I married a Canadian and I love Canada for many reasons but I fear for her as I fear for my country regarding immigration. Canada has unfortunately allowed immigrants to come into the country and hasn’t demanded that they not only assimilate but also become CANADIAN.
    Immigrants pour into Canada relegate themselves to their own villages maintain the cultures and languages they left behind and in many cases refuse to honor your history, culture or even the laws. I was appalled that Muslims would even attempt to demand sharia law be recognized over Canadian/ English law and that the discussion was even taken seriously. I sincerely hope that the government sees the folly of multi-culturalism and recognize it for what it is.
  92. David E from Canada writes: Yes, all immigrants must integrate and conform upon arrival -- just like the British and the French did when they first arrived. Oh, wait....
  93. George Osicki from Kraków, Poland writes: Just a short comment . 15 years ago as a born in Canada Canadian who had served successfully in high federal civil service and been very successful later in business I went to try to assist newly developing democracies in Eastern Europe.
    I am still there , having accomplished much as a Canadian but returned to one Canadian city 2 1/2 years ago for some 5 months.
    It is amazing the amount of discrimination I saw and felt in returning home . They were all little things in general ,very sublime ....BUT , in the end I felt uncomfortable in my own home of Canada !
    I would have to write too much to explain , but let me just say there is a lot more ACTIVELY we should be doing for multiculturalism than we are and it needs obviously a different perspective ( paradigm ) , now , while it is a smaller problem .
    George S. Osicki
  94. felix atance from london, Canada writes: My father came to Canada in 1920, my mother in 1925. They came from Europe, were Christians and had many affinities with their fellow immigrants and others born in Canada. Within a few years, indeed months, they had friends from many other European countries. Why? Because there were not huge cultural barriers to overcome. We now have people coming from vastly different religions and cultures. I personally think that's a great thing, but the barriers are enormous and you can't expect people who come from cultures vastly different from ours to willinglly accept our culture. What I'm trying to say is that my parents never felt