Assignment 1: Critical Commentary on Canadian Immigration Policy

Assignment 1: Critical Commentary

There are various policy issues currently being discussed in the media and the general public in Canada related to political economy. This commentary task focuses on Canadian Immigration Policy covering a wide range of demographic effects on economy and social services. The matters related to Canadian immigration have been examined widely in this critical context with the particular attention given to its current difficulties, and wider implications for society. The piece under discussion is “What Is Canada’s Immigration Policy?” written by Cheatham and Roy in 2023. This renowned source is used by the authors to reveal what lies behind Canada’s reputation for its openness towards immigrants, including an acute labor shortage, deportation increases and a growing number of asylum claims. The objective of the critical commentary is to provide a sophisticated analysis for what are considered as major arguments in Cheatham and Roy's work while creating cross-connections with overarching themes discussed across the assigned readings. 

Summary of the Issue 

In “What Is Canada’s Immigration Policy?” by Cheatham and Roy, the authors discuss Canada's immigration policy uncovering significant arguments that shape policy discussion. One primary point is focused on Canada’s historical reliance of immigration as a source for social development. The article delineates the origins of immigration in Canada's period after independence with major focus on how this policy has contributed to economic development in Canada. However, over time there have been legacy shifts of the parliament and changing perceptions by public which has changed Canada’s immigration policy. For instance, the post-war period, Canadian immigration policy focused on accommodating the influx of refugees and those who had been displaced from war. The policy was also influenced by the Cold War. For example, the policy accommodated anti-communist and Soviet-block immigrants during this period. 

One of the key themes considered in this article addresses immigration’s economic aspects, showing how immigrants have become an indispensable part to maintain Canadas workforce. The native population is getting older and fertility rates are declining, implying that immigrants play an important role in meeting labor market demands. The authors point out the recurrent problem of a skills shortage, despite efforts to draw qualified specialists. As a consequence, Canada’s economy heavily depends on immigrant labor supply. In addition to that, the article focuses on intersectionality of immigration pointing out multi-culturality which reflects a phenomenon characteristic for Canada. In 1967, the implementation of a points-based system boosted immigration over from various regions such as Africa, Asia and Latin America creating new cultural mosaic within Canada. 

Further, the article provides crucial insights on the public sentiment surrounding immigration in Canada. Contrary to many Western nations grappling with anti-immigrant sentiments, the Canadian public has historically held favorable views toward immigration. This positive outlook is attributed, in part, to the government's active promotion of multiculturalism, which has seamlessly integrated diversity into the national identity. The article refers to a 2022 survey indicating that less than 30 percent of Canadians felt immigration levels were too high, showcasing a prevailing acceptance of the multicultural ethos. However, the authors caution that this support could be vulnerable, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, where public sentiment toward immigration may experience fluctuations. 

The article concludes by examining the demographics of those immigrating to Canada, emphasizing the record-setting number of permanent residency grants in 2022. The data reveals that India, China, the Philippines, and Nigeria constitute significant source countries for new Canadian permanent residents. The government's ambitious plans to increase immigration levels in the coming years underscore the critical role immigrants will continue to play in shaping Canada's demographic landscape and contributing to its economic vitality. 

Why the Issue was selected and How it relates with the Assigned Readings 

The issue of immigration policy presented in the article was selected because it is supported by the assigned readings. The major issues and themes presented in the article by Cheatham & Roy relate with the themes discussed in the assigned readings. In “Section 1 (Units 1–3),” the historical approach to Canadian citizenship presented by Zirong Liao is promoted through Immigration Act of Canada, which was passed in 1910. The act led to a clear distinction between desirable British subjects residing in Canada and the undesirable migrants by various discriminatory practices such as Chinese head tax and Komagata Maru incident. This historical background is reflected in the article by Cheatham and Roy, which states that Canada’s immigration polices constantly changed while implying different groups of immigrants. While referring to Sharma’s approach, the information provided Thomas et al. (2019) adds another layer to the conversation and highlights that colonialism had persisted as a historically unwavering theme within Canada. Their argument coincides with the overarching trend to challenge borders and national institutions of citizenship, which has been discussed in Liao’s reading. Thomas’ case of the temporary foreign workers program as a modern embodiment of historical practices attests to nation states borders not only between them but within. The struggle between anti-immigration rhetoric and people that migrate due to temporary foreign worker programs, as discussed by Sharma, describes an important facet of capitalist social relations implemented within individual nation states (Sharma, 2006). Additionally, the article "Change and Continuity" further illuminates the tension within the Canadian labor market, particularly regarding the coexistence of anti-immigration discourses alongside increased entries through temporary foreign worker programs (Thomas et al., 2019). This tension, as explained by Cheatham and Roy, is portrayed as productive for Canadian and global capitalism in the context of neoliberal globalization.

Relevance to Personal Life 

Reading about immigration policy in Canada in the selected article is relevant in my life in many ways. Influenced by willingness to stimulate positive changes in human life, Canada’s immigration policy has significantly altered my views. Having studied an article “What Is Canada’s Immigration Policy?” by Cheatham and Roy, one can define the implicit nature of immigration policy stating that a properly controlled influx of mass people generates significant contribution towards positive economic development throughout all Canada. The issue of immigration has negatively been presented in the media. However, recognizing the constructive role of immigrants in reversing effects stemming from an aging population, enhancing economic productivity and strengthening labor demand opened my eyes to immigration as one positive force for cultural progress. The personal relevance of this topic is grounded in the fact that it questions conventional beliefs, emphasizing the crucial importance for well-crafted policies to capitalize on immigration benefits and catering potential limitations. As I acknowledge the impact that immigration had on people in my community, it makes me continue thinking about sociocultural relations and possible avenues for promoting integration and embracing diversity to promote mutual benefits.

Lessons Learned 

I have learned various lessons from this reading. The main lesson I have learned is that we should always analyze issues in all perspectives before making judgment or conclusion. Before this exercise, I had the notion that immigration is a bad or challenge because of how the media have always portrayed it. I have seen how countries such as the U.S. developing extreme policies including building of border walls to manage the issue of immigration. However, by the immigration policy problem in Canada, I can say that immigration is not a purely demographic mechanism. I have learned that with effective policies in place and support from the public, it can play the role of an economic development. This exercise has enhanced my ability to look at what occurs in the juncture between political economy, citizenship and immigration as connected with how complexities emerge within national boundaries. With respect to the historical perspective, which can be reflected in readings such as Zirong Liao and Thomas et al. (2019), my knowledge of how colonial legacies now impact modern-day immigration policies has deepened profoundly. 

Strengths and Limitations 

The strengths of Cheatham and Roy’s article that addresses Canada’s immigrant policy include its multidimensional analysis of the main aspects involved in this problem. A strong point is that the authors convey a historical overview of immigration in Canada describing its development and placing within economic and social growth. The use of data and statistics strengthens their arguments, providing empirical evidence for the analysis. Other strengths of the article include its ability to skillfully show how immigration relates with economic factors, labor-shortages and geopolitical shifts which aid in forming a comprehensive overview about policy effects. The sociopolitical dimension is included in the authors' attention to public perceptions and governmental efforts on multiculturalism. However, the article has some shortcomings that need to be taken into account. Although it discusses economic issues of migration, the analysis of social and cultural aspects is rather short. While a more detailed analysis of these dimensions may allow for a better understanding on how immigration influenced Canadian society. In addition, the article would greatly benefit from a clearer statement of possible biases or influences such as those related to political and economic concerns. Critical observations as to what approach has been used in the methods section show that while using historical analysis and statistical data, expanding on different voices or perspectives of immigrants themselves would help enrich this reflection. 

Glossary/Definition of Key Concepts and Theories 

Policy: A conscious set of procedures implemented to manage a particular problem or achieve specific results.
Immigration: This is the process of people moving into a country for purposes of living there permanently which may requires a change of legal domicile status (Thomas et al., 2019)

Citizenship: National citizenship with corresponding rights and obligations. It is a legal and political bond between one person and a government (Thomas et al., 2019) Politics of No Borders: Such an ideological position views that there should be no restrictions to national borders, and the world must promote free movement (Leao, 2024).

Canadian Political Economy (CPE): The relationship between politics and economy in the Canadian perspective through which political institutions affect economic structures and vice versa (Kellogg, 2015).
Indigenous Communities: Inhabitant of a region or country, often speaking their own language and having unique cultural norms as well as distinct historical events (Thomas et al., 2019).

Bilingualism: Refers to the mastery of more than one language.

Multiculturalism: An organizational or societal approach that acknowledges and embraces cultural pluralism, creating a culture of acceptance for diverse groups (Kellogg, 2015). Staples Theory: A theory on economics that emphasizes the role of natural resource staples in determining an economy’s development (Grant & Wolfe, 2016).
Orthodox Economic Theory: Mainstream economic theories that follow the traditional principles generally connected to neoclassical economics and free-market ideologies (Thommas et al.,, 2029).   

                              References

 Cheatham, A., & Roy, D. (2023). What Is Canada’s Immigration Policy? Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-canadas-immigration-policy.

Clement, W., & Vosko, L. F. (2003). Changing Canada: Political economy as transformation. McGill-Queen’s University Press. 

Grant, H., & Wolfe, D. (Eds). (2016). Staples and beyond: Selected writings of Mel Watkins. University of Toronto Press. 

Kellogg, P. (2015). Escape from the staple trap: Canadian political economy after left nationalism. University of Toronto Press. 

Liao, Z. (2024). Section 1 (Units 1–3): Canadian Political Economy in a Global Context: Theories and Approaches 

Sharma, N. (2006). Home Economics: Nationalism and the Making of “Migrant Workers” in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Thomas, M. P., Vosko, L. F., Fanelli, C., & Lyubchenko, O. (Eds.). (2019). Change and continuity: Canadian political economy in the new millennium (Vol. 248). MQUP.