Entry
This news article produced by CBC contains the results of a study that took place in March 2018. The study included the opinions of newcomers to Canada, immigrants that have obtained Canadian citizenship as well as the general public in Canada. The study was funded by “Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as part of ongoing research to gain a better understanding of the attitudes of Canadians toward immigrants and the federal government’s immigration programs” (para 3).
This news article relates to border crossing and migration as it focuses on the feelings of all of those impacted by immigration (current and former asylum seekers, general public) as well as Canadians thoughts on the logistics, honestly of the seekers and economic factors that are being impacted with the influx of immigrants.
Rationale
I chose this news article because it is a valuable read for everyone; those who are coming to Canada seeking refuge, those who have already arrived in Canada (applications pending) and Canadian citizens. This article and the study that took place in particular, gives everyone a chance to learn about how the people on the ground, not the government, but the real people feel about immigration reform. It is important for everyone to hear about how the people of the nation are feeling about immigration and not just be hearing the opinions of the government. The article allows the real time thoughts and feelings of Canadians be heard which is important because the Canadian government, as do most governments operate as a nation-states and do a very good job of sugar coating the new reforms and opinions of its residents. Canadians do “believe immigration has a positive effect on Canada, on the country’s economic prospects and on ‘shaping Canada’s cultural mosaic” but do not know if the seekers are applying with legitimate reasoning or are over-exaggerating their situations to fast track their immigration applications (para 4).
This article is important to read and contextualize within an intersectional, decolonial transnational praxis as immigration is something that is navigated through colonial processes and capitalist regimes. Decolonial and transnational movements are necessary within this case as Canadians need to be educated properly, not given the sugar coated fluff as to why immigration is good not only for Canadians but for the world.
Keywords: Asylum Seeker, Canada, immigration, government, citizen
Pseudonym: H Dimes
Comments