Rethinking the rules of citizenship –Martin Regg Cohn, Star May 19th

Rethinking the rules of citizenship –Martin Regg Cohn, Star May 19th

Mr. Cohn brings up several valid points in today’s column. I would like to make a few comments.

The earlier immigrants, after WW II, came here to escape from the ravages of war, and later, for economic reasons, to escape the poverty of their homelands. Many of them, Finns, Italians, Portuguese and others came with little or no education but with strong backs, a willingness to work hard, and to build a future for themselves in the new land. Because of language difficulties, but also because of cultural differences, they stayed with their fellow countrymen whenever they could. This was especially so with the large cohort of Italians that came in the fifties and early sixties. Many never learned to read English, and they still speak with heavy accents. But they paved our roads, dug our ditches, built our houses, and cut our hair. They were frugal and industrious, spreading out from Oakwood & St.Clair, to Mimico, Weston and Woodbridge; moving northward as their families and fortunes grew upward. Yes, it was easier for a labourer to find work in those days, as Canada was in a post-war boom, but nevertheless, their lot was not an easy one, though few complained, and even if they did, no one would listen. There was no ESL for newcomers, nor immigrant services and little help of any kind.

Martel’s “Canadian hotel” citizens, new and old, are a more recent phenomenon, partly as a result of our economically integrated society, or “globalism”. Educated Canadians find it easy to work overseas, and in many cases, immigrants –Chinese in particular –park their families here to obtain a Canadian passport and an education for their children, while the father works in the “old country”. For educated Chinese, it is easier to work in their expanding economy there, where their education is recognized and the language is familiar, than drive taxis or work in Chinese grocery stores here. Expatriate Canadians do not contribute to Canadian society the way one domiciled here, and might in fact be using more resources and services for their family’s education and medicare, than they contribute in taxes. This problem was illuminated a couple of years ago when hundreds of expatriate Lebanese-Canadians had to be “rescued” during that country’s short conflict with Israel.

A reasonable ability to speak one of the official languages is a must for anyone expecting to succeed economically here in today’s economy. There are not enough unskilled labour-type jobs to accommodate the number of immigrants now arriving. In the case of family reunification, language might not be as crucial for dependent parents, but another issue is the extraordinary strain these newcomers put on our social and medical services, free to people who have contributed nothing to the Canadian economy.

As to knowing about our past, a rudimentary knowledge of Canadian history and traditions should be a minimum; but I have to say that even the Canadian born are sadly deficient in historical knowledge, and are more likely to cite American history than their own. For this, I blame our schools and the various Provincial school officials.

There is no easy way of forcibly inculcating love for flag and country; and we would not want the jingoism and excessive patriotism that lead to xenophobia and wars in the twentieth century. What we can do and must do, is gently nudge our children towards becoming responsible and loving citizens, teaching them how the past is our heritage, our mores and our culture, and how it can also be part their future.

As an immigrant, albeit an old one, I can understand that a new-Canadian has affinities to his “old country” and its culture; such things as the foods one grew up with, our native language and even religion, has strong emotionally strings attached to it. I had it rather easy; I was young and single, and intent on adjusting. I started off with only rudimentary English, but learning a language is also much easier when you are young. I believe, though, that when it comes to politics and societal commitment, your loyalties must be here, not there. If you cannot accept this, then you don’t belong, and unless you are a true refugee, you should be encouraged to return whence you came.