As Canadians we pride ourselves for our “mosaic” culture, we accept all religions, languages and ethnicities into our country. In fact accepting multiculturalism is part of our national policy. Canada prides itself on being a country that gifts its citizens with countless rights and freedoms. We are a country that fights to bring those rights to other nations throughout the world. As can be seen with the peacekeeping mission to Afghanistan Canada has participated in over the past eleven years. Allowing a high number of immigrants to move to Canada follows the mindset of a free society. This open-mindedness has allowed Canadian citizens to enjoy experiencing unique traditions and customs, such as Chinatown Summer Market, or Caribana, both held annually in Toronto during the summer months. However, do Canadian citizens benefit economically from the high immigration rate the country boasts? Ideally, Canada seeks to attract skilled and educated immigrants with an immigration point system, a system that awards value to those who have arranged employment, high levels of education and previous work experience. This plan has seen success as about 22% of Canada's work force is foreign born, this compared to the 17% of foreign-born workers employed in the in the USA.
The Canadian immigration system does more than simply attract skilled immigrants; it places the responsibility of funding an immigrant in the hands of a sponsor, versus the welfare system of the province. Immigrants under the title of family class must have proof of sponsorship before their arrival in the country; this includes a place to live as well as the commitment of financial support from the sponsor. In doing this, the government ensures immigrants will not become a burden upon the economy.
Not only do immigrants place little financial burden on the economy, they actually allow the economy to function by providing much needed numbers to the workforce. In recent years the fertility rate in Canada has dropped significantly, from a rate of 2.26 in 1970 to just 1.59 in 2012 , falling below the replacement rate of 2.1. Canada and other developed nations are expected to see an unprecedented switch in population statistics as the number of persons over 60 years surpasses that of children under 15 years. This means that without immigration the Canadian workforce will not be large enough to support dependency load, a majority of which will consist of citizens over 65 years of age, we will experience a birth dearth. The implications of which involve an increased retirement age (Canada now rewards old age security at age 67, versus at age 65, as it was just five years ago. ) and an increased stress on the healthcare system, as there are fewer taxpayers than needed to fund an aging population. It is for this reason that Canada needs immigrants.
With a great need for immigrants it is no wonder the government continues to encourage immigration within the country. As previously mentioned it is written in the national policy that immigrants be allowed to express their culture. This eases the worries of new immigrants, as they do not have to completely alter their style of life upon arriving in Canada. Another way in which the government encourages immigration is through a high number of immigrants welcomed each year. The Canadian government allows about 250 000 new immigrations each year, even through times of recession this number has remained steady. A high number of acceptances encourage immigrants to choose Canada as their new home.
Whether you were born in Canada or chose Canada to be your home, it can be agreed upon that this country, with its diversity, freedoms and therefore beauty is one unmatched elsewhere on this planet.
The Canadian immigration system does more than simply attract skilled immigrants; it places the responsibility of funding an immigrant in the hands of a sponsor, versus the welfare system of the province. Immigrants under the title of family class must have proof of sponsorship before their arrival in the country; this includes a place to live as well as the commitment of financial support from the sponsor. In doing this, the government ensures immigrants will not become a burden upon the economy.
Not only do immigrants place little financial burden on the economy, they actually allow the economy to function by providing much needed numbers to the workforce. In recent years the fertility rate in Canada has dropped significantly, from a rate of 2.26 in 1970 to just 1.59 in 2012 , falling below the replacement rate of 2.1. Canada and other developed nations are expected to see an unprecedented switch in population statistics as the number of persons over 60 years surpasses that of children under 15 years. This means that without immigration the Canadian workforce will not be large enough to support dependency load, a majority of which will consist of citizens over 65 years of age, we will experience a birth dearth. The implications of which involve an increased retirement age (Canada now rewards old age security at age 67, versus at age 65, as it was just five years ago. ) and an increased stress on the healthcare system, as there are fewer taxpayers than needed to fund an aging population. It is for this reason that Canada needs immigrants.
With a great need for immigrants it is no wonder the government continues to encourage immigration within the country. As previously mentioned it is written in the national policy that immigrants be allowed to express their culture. This eases the worries of new immigrants, as they do not have to completely alter their style of life upon arriving in Canada. Another way in which the government encourages immigration is through a high number of immigrants welcomed each year. The Canadian government allows about 250 000 new immigrations each year, even through times of recession this number has remained steady. A high number of acceptances encourage immigrants to choose Canada as their new home.
Whether you were born in Canada or chose Canada to be your home, it can be agreed upon that this country, with its diversity, freedoms and therefore beauty is one unmatched elsewhere on this planet.
