Social Studies 9

Unit 4 Review9.1.8 Assess, critically, how legislative processes attempt to address emerging issues of immigration

What factors influence immigration policies in Canada?

• Immigration is when people leave their homes to go and live in another country

• Canadian gov’t makes sure people who come will be good for Canada and people already living here

• Gov’t makes policies about who is and is not allowed in Canada

• They are economic, politics, health, and Security

Cont’d…

• Economics…– People who have skills and knowledge who would

benefit Canada’s economy are considered desirable– As are people who have already been offered jobs– They will contribute to the economy immediately– Gov’t also knows that population growth can help

boost an economy– Canada’s accepts more ‘economic immigrants’ than

any other type

Cont’d…

• Politics…– In some countries, people are persecuted as a

result of their political or religious beliefs– These people can come to Canada as refugees– This make international political statements that

Canada will not condone human right violations– Canada’s political parties all have different views

on immigration which can affect policy

Cont’d…

• Health…– A factor the gov’t considers when receiving

applications for immigration– Except for those immigrating under refugee or

family status, a person may be refused entry if he or she has a dangerous contagious disease or one that would put strain on Canada’s health care system (AIDS, SARS, Bird Flu, etc.)

– Some mental health conditions may also be reason to restrict a person’s access to Canada

Cont’d…

• Security…– Security of the nation and people living in Canada

is something that governments consider carefully when drafting immigration policies and laws

– Gov’t does not want to allow entry to convicted criminals or people who are engaging in subversive activity

– Since 9/11, these measures have increased as Canada tries to limit terrorist activity

How are changes to Canadian policies on immigration and refugees a reflection of world issues?

• Canada’s immigration policies have changed considerably since Confederation

• World events and issues have major influence about who is allowed entrance to Canada

• 9/11 led to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in 2002 – preventing people suspected of terrorist acitivies

• Through various times in Canada’s history, people were denied entry based on ethnicity and race (Chinese head tax)

• Under today’s laws, such qualifiers are no longer acceptable for denying applicant entry

What impact does increasing immigration have on Aboriginal peoples and communities?

• From the perspective of many Aboriginal people and leaders, Canada does not adequately address the needs and issues facing Aboriginal peoples

• Immigration is believed to further compound these issues

• Gov’t seeks foreigners to fill job vacancies that could be fill by Aboriginal people if barriers to education and training were addressed

How are provincial governments able to influence and implement immigration policies?

• Because populations and economies vary across provinces, their needs and desires for immigrants also vary

• Alberta’s need for workers (until this year), has influences the gov’t’s immigration policies

• There was a need for skilled workers in the oil and gas industries which affected other industries (services)

• Through the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP), provinces can specify the need for immigrants in particular areas and set up recruitment programs in other countries

How is the implementation of immigration policies in Quebec an attempt to strengthen the French language

in North America?

• Canada-Quebec Accord was signed in 1991• Allows Quebec to choose French-speaking

immigrants from around the world (federal gov’t actually clears applicants)

• Allows Quebec to insist that immigrants settling in the province send their children to French schools or enroll in French programs

• Policy has increased number of French-speaking immigrants coming to Canada and helped preserve and promote Francophone culture

What is the relationship between immigration policies in Canada and the Rights guaranteed in the Canadian

Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

• People seeking immigration to Canada have more rights than they did before 1982

• Supreme Court states that rights guaranteed in Charter apply to all people physically living in Canada

• Any immigrant on Canadian soil is protected• If immigrant application is denied, they have right to

remain in Canada until after trial• For those seeking refugee status, the gov’t will

provide necessities until decision is made• i.e. Singh Decision

To what extent does Canada benefit from immigration?

• Stronger economy as a result of more workers for companies and a larger market

• Major part of Canada’s identity is multicultural makeup and immigration solidifies this

• Canada is a world stage – a welcoming country

Which of the following scenarios is an example of Canada using immigration as a means of expressing its views on human rights?

A) Allowing the immigration of a woman from Germany with skills in the computer programming industry.

B) Preventing the immigration of a man who has served time in jail for theft in South Africa.

C) Allowing the immigration of a man who practices a religion that is illegal in Cuba.

D) Preventing the immigration of a woman with ties to a terrorist organization in Syria.

Although Canada’s immigration laws state that a person may be denied entry to the country if their health poses too much of a burden for the health system, which of the following potential immigrants may be exempted from this rule?

A) A woman from Sudan fleeing a civil war.

B) A man from China who works as a courier.

C) A doctor from France with no family in Canada.

D) An engineer from Mexico who has a job arranged in Toronto.

In 2005, which of the following groups of Canadians called on the Canadian government to freeze immigration to Canada until issues in its community were addressed?

A) AnglophonesB) First NationsC) FrancophonesD) New Canadians

Which of the following statements regarding immigration rights in Canada and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is true?

A) Only immigrants seeking refugee status are protected by the Charter.

B) There is a separate section of the Charter related to the rights of immigrants in Canada.

C) The rights listed in the Charter apply to immigrants as soon as they are on Canadian soil.

D) Immigrants to Canada are protected by the Charter only after they have become citizens.

Which of the following rights and freedoms from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms does not apply to people living in Canada who are not citizens?

A) Freedom of assemblyB) The right to enter, remain in, and leave CanadaC) If convicted of an offense, the right to an expedient trialD) The right to be secure from unreasonable search and seizure

Which of the following provinces most strongly believes that language is of particular importance in immigration approval?

A) AlbertaB) OntarioC) QuebecD) New Brunswick

During which of the following situations would Canada most likely increase the number of immigrants its accepts?

A) Canada is involved in a warB) Canada’s economy is in a

boomC) Canada’s economy is in

recessionD) Canada is facing a natural

disaster