The Canadian Economic Action Plan

                     

              The ever so popular Canadian Economic Action Plan pursues easing the immigration process, most specifically by creating work for individuals. The plan seeks to emphasize educational background in the immigration process, to ensure that those who do immigrate are ‘needed’ within the Canadian economy. This idea, analyzing those who wish to immigrate for their strengths in the labour-force creates a dominance of Canada over the immigrant (Government of Canada). This message portrays that it is a privilege, and not a necessity, to be accepted into Canada – and in fact, so many current citizens do view it as this. Language skills have also been emphasized, something, which would prove to be important in the transition from a home country to Canada’s English-dominant borders.

               However, as seemingly good as the plan may be, the Economic Action Plan is put forth for a limited 5-year test run, accepting 2,750 individuals at maximum per year. Although the plan may strengthen the process of immigration, it puts forth an exclusive approach towards immigration to Canada. This number seems shocking as an average 0f 250,000 people immigrate to Canada annually (Government of Canada). This approach also utilizes a point system, which succumbs immigrants to merely objects rather than people, awaiting their ‘rank’ or ‘score’ and hoping for the best. Not only will prospective immigrants be affected, but also employers in various provinces Canada-wide.

               There is no doubt that the Canadian Economic Action Plan holds good intentions. It’s surface offerings appear fair and just. However, when analyzing its proposition, in comparison to the amount of people who immigrate to Canada annually, and their trend towards lower wage occupations, this plan does have its faults. My personal bias is directed towards the fact that the plan views prospective immigrants as nothing more than a waiting list. Though some prospects deem to be more qualified than others, a point system based on various educational, language, and skill factors takes away from any form of acceptance for which Canada is globally known. In terms of development, I view this initiative as a setback, as it discourages new settlement based on a series of factors that may be unachievable for the majority of those living in the global-south.

               If Canada really is a ‘new beginning’ for so many people, how can we justify ranking them on their pasts?