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LETTER: Canadians benefit from diversity

All Canadians, from our indigenous peoples to today’s arrivals, benefit from learning from each other
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-Image credit: File photo

Mr. B. Campbell’s letter, “Is political correctness impeding free speech,” in the April 7 edition of the Shuswap Market News, exhibits a level of xenophobia and misinformation that begs a response.

Mr. Campbell alludes to Canada paying associated costs for settlement of 300,000 immigrants. This is factually inaccurate. Most new immigrants are self-supporting, or sponsored by Canadian family members. In 2015, the most recent year for Statistics Canada figures, Canada registered 271,458 new permanent residents. The self-funding economic class formed 62.7 per cent, 24.1 per cent sponsored by family, and only 13.2 per cent under the refugee and protected person category. Surely Canada – self described humanitarian leader – can welcome and support a refugee intake equal to barely 0.01 per cent of our population.

Mr. Campbell’s “forefather’s time,” when immigrants conformed to “Canada’s ways” is fantasy. Canadian immigration has always had an undertone of prejudice against the newcomers, often overt. In the 1800s, when Canada was dominated by the English, French and Scottish, Irish refugees faced widespread discrimination. The 20th century saw waves of immigrants from war-torn regions including Germans, Italians, Hungarians and Vietnamese. Every wave of immigrants faced racism and discrimination. Despite these challenges, each one enriched our country through hard work and sharing of their heritage, while adapting to their new home here in Canada.

Mr. Campbell should ask our First Nations brothers and sisters for their views of immigrants over the past four centuries, and how these immigrants failed to conform to the traditional values of this land we all now call home.

All Canadians, from our indigenous peoples to today’s new arrivals, benefit from learning from each other, sharing our experiences and working together to continue building this country. In celebrating Canada 150, let’s not forget the trials and conflicts of our past, while celebrating the successes that make this country one of the best places to call home.

R. Laug