Immigration: The Need for Community Resources

As an incoming immigrant, it is understandable that an individual may feel lost in the multiculturalism, inclusiveness, and nationalism of a country such as Canada. In the example of the province of Ontario, significant funding cuts have issued against settlement agencies. In 2011, $53 million worth of budget cuts were made in this field, $45 million made within Ontario (CBC News 2010). One example of this can be seen with Toronto’s South Asian Women’s Centre, which after 20 years of service may have to close its doors due to such cuts, in this case over $250,000 – half of it’s operating budget (CBC News 2010). The association, which serves to aid female immigrants in achieving their full potential within their new Canadian homes serves as a source of refuge for the many women struggling to find their place post-immigration (CBC News 2010). Such a closure would leave thousands of women annually without the help they require to access jobs, housing, and other essentials. As a plan of action, it is clear from both the example of the Toronto South Asian Women’s Centre and the implementation of large province-wide cuts that these cuts must not be continued as they take away from the community resources intended for new immigrants hoping to settle seamlessly within Canada’s border.

            In other examples, providing healthcare to immigrants in Canada eases the transition of immigration through offering safety, which meets, and exceeds, universal human rights. Once landed, immigrants may apply for Public Health Care in their individual province, which is deducted from their taxes upon use (Government of Canada 2012). Due to the extremity in population of Canada’s incoming immigrants, their health and the health care options prescribed to them are crucial to Canada’s well being. The health of immigrants is an important aspect in determining whether or not Canada is “maximizing the returns to its large-scale immigration program” (McDonald 2004:1613). As well, the health of incomers also delivers crucial knowledge to maintaining the health of current Canadian citizens and is one of the major factors that has justified the costs and benefits of Canadian immigration policy.

                        From a personal standpoint, I believe that extending services to Canadian immigrants has demonstrated the acceptance Canada provides to prospective citizens and eases any adaptations that may be crucial to life in Canada – culturally, economically, or otherwise. However, the implementation of budget cuts does not show this same form of acceptance, and instead shows hostility towards new members of our nations community. How is Canada to portray itself as a welcoming place if its programs, originally formed to ease the transition of immigration, are removed? How does this appear on a global-scale, and to the individual immigrant? Globally, this does not shed light on Canada’s acceptance, which proves to be ironic as Canada is viewed as a dominant country in the welcoming of immigrants and refugees. To the individual, this may have an ever-lasting impact. Without the availability of support programs, new immigrants to Canada may feel lost in a new country where they are viewed as minorities. Situations like this perfectly establish systems such as the poverty cycle – a cyclical notion that poverty is difficult to escape and regenerated in families and communities.

                        In order to remain a nation who’s image portrays warmth and acceptance, Canada must discontinue budget cuts that negatively impact landed-immigrants. What current Canadian citizens must realize is that our culture is built upon the bricks of various other nations. We have been woven from the influence of millions of individuals, and without this, we are nothing. Within Canada, the dominant order has been established through hegemonic relations, so who are we to allow or disallow newcomers? Without tolerance Canada would not stand where it does today. The establishment and maintenance of community resources, especially those who distinctly aid in the process of immigration, are crucial to maintaining Canada’s beloved acceptance of all things new, including an individual seeking refuge.