Street Advertisement Encouraging
Immigration to Canada in
Romania by basescu
Canada is famous for its multiculturalism (which is even stated in the constitution), and the United States is enviously looking across the border to observe what seems to be perfectly effective immigration policy. Less than one third of Canadians in a recent poll view immigration as a problem more than an opportunity — a substantially lower proportion than in any other country featured in the survey. Not being a native Canadian doesn’t seem to be a major obstacle in a career or education, as the society recognizes the potential of its young and qualified labour force. Where does such a favourable public opinion come from?
Getting over the hurdle
Multicultural Canada
China Town Gate in Edmonton, AB
by Hugh Lee
The main difference between Canada and other countries is that here, nobody believes that immigrants are stealing jobs from native Canadians. On the contrary, even the unemployed claim that immigration actually supports the creation of new jobs. The quotas and immigration requirements have gotten tighter, but we’re still experiencing a string of immigration as the applicants meet the necessary criteria. Since about half of all immigrants are university-educated people who are ready to pursue their professional and personal lives and who are motivated to become members of Canadian society, Canada is a clear-cut winner here.
Furthermore, Canada seems to have a working system of services for immigrants. Not everyone is arriving perfectly prepared for the new environment, and the state tries to mitigate the potential problems with adaptation in their new home. Programs provided by the authorities include language trainings, mentorship programs, and trades and apprenticeships opportunities. This can be crucial for some of the new arrivers as programs can help them to make the first step towards their new life.
Immigrants and Real Estate
Toronto China Town
by Daniel Acuna
It is also interesting to see how immigration shows its power to change the face of the real estate market in the city. It’s not only about foreign Chinese investors buying condos in Toronto (a trend against which authorities react with senseless restrictions), but also about a growing number of newly wealthy Asians as well as a number of others who have found their new homes in Canada and become a force on the market.
Most Canadians are only happy to live in a culturally varied neighbourhood, as they believe that interaction with other cultures (ethnic restaurants included!) provides extra value for their homes. It’s further widely recognized that immigrants and foreign investors substantially helped the Toronto real estate market during the crisis, as they took advantage of the opportunity to buy homes for cheaper prices and thus contributed to re-establishing the money flow in the system.
