BEING FOREIGN

When I first arrived in Canada in 1960, I was sometimes called a DP. This was an appellation attached to European refugees, or "displaced persons", which I was not. Being young and with little command of the English language, it went "over my head."

As a European , I did not face the cultural shock that today’s immigrants from places such as Asia face; but I was still in a strange land with a different language, foods and customs. I too, felt a disconnect between the old and the new country’s culture.

Though the pull of the “old country” waned as time went on, I still had the feeling of being a foreigner, even as I integrated with the culture and language of my chosen home. I travelled “back home” less and less often, especially after my parents died, and old friends died or moved away. I began to feel like a tourist in my own country, a sense of not belonging there, while at the same time I felt more “Canadian” –although there was still a piece missing; that of my childhood in the “old country”.

My connection with other expatriates became less frequent as my identification with native Canadians grew stronger. Yet, there was always that “missing link” of childhood experiences, a kind of duality that still lingers; a feeling of them, instead of us. Yes, as a “willing foreigner”, with extended family “back home”, I could have returned. I chose not to. After many years away, you cannot go back again; the adjustment would be too great; the roots in the new country too deep.

Of course, Canada is a kaleidoscope of cultures and races, so no one needs to feel like an outsider in this happy human alphabet soup. However, immigrants of all kinds will always be a little schizoid; with one foot planted in the new; the other tentatively in the old. In my case, this was especially wistful, as I lost my Norwegian citizenship when I bcame a Canadian citizen in 1965. Norway does not recognize dual citizenship, so I had no choice if I wanted to fully partake in Canadian society. Most Norwegians here retain their Norwegian citizenship, leaving the door open for a return, even after years of life in Canada. I sometimes resent it when I hear these people critizise our government, yet they do not care enough to become citizens.

The first generation of immigrants, no matter how integrated, must live with the dichotomy of “being foreign” it in all its many manifestations, theough they might have little or no connection with the country they left.

In the end, what's important is not whence you came, but where you are going.

“We can’t talk about immigration” –Mark Steyn, Maclean’s Aug.17th



Yes, we can! But, it does little good, because like the weather, no one can do anything about it. Lately, it seems I agree with Steyn half the time. That’s not bad for an old contumacious curmudgeon like me.

Steyn need not go to Germany and Sweden to find examples of “reunification” abuses and welfare dependency among immigrants. We Canadians have also made it so, by making it too easy to claim refugee status, or to enter as a dependent under the reunification program. What you get, are older parents who come here to enjoy our free medical system and other entitlements (I know whereof I speak: I personally know “new Canadians” who put their mother in a government supported seniors home, even though they were rich).

As to the many professional, independent immigrants who are doing menial jobs here; part of the reason is that they have been “oversold” on Canadian opportunities, possibly by local immigration officials, and also by their own relatives or friends all ready here, who send them glowing accounts of their success here, with nice photos of their new houses, though devoid of furniture, they, like some people, look nice on the outside. Some more realistic picture should be presented to potential immigrants, and some basics in Canadian laws, mores and expectations should be inculcated before their landed certificate is issued. Another issue is that sometimes their educational standards are not always comparable to ours. This was perhaps more so in the past, but I know, for example, that China’s educational system was at least 10 years behind ours until fairly recently; and during Mao’s time, almost non-existent. You got accepted by the university based on how good a Communist your parents were, and if you came from the right proletarian background (for example, surgeons at the hospitals were required to read a chapter of Mao’s Little Red Book before commencing an operation!). I would want to know that before someone began surgery on me, they were truly skilled and qualified.

Then there is the issue of latent or subtle discrimination. Today’s “visible minority” immigrants are more “visible” than the earlier European immigrants, and their cultural and religious backgrounds are more “foreign” to the native population. They take longer to integrate –perhaps as much a two or three generations, and they cling to the “old country ways” longer than the immigrants of yore. This is, however, one area where Canada does better than Europe, because we are attuned to immigration –we are an immigrant country. Europe, in particular the two countries mentioned by Steyn; Germany and Sweden, have a much a more homogeneous society than do we. This causes them to, in spite of the “official” welcoming stance, be more wary of newcomers, especially if they persist in setting themselves apart and creating ethnic ghettoes.

Immigrants do not help themselves either by supporting such nuts as Mullah Krekar in Norway, where they have tried to deport him for some time; but he is still there. There is even a Facebook page dedicated to sending Krekar home! [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37022756828].

Canadians are concerned about our rather loose immigration policy, and even more so, the ability for wannabe immigrants to claim “refugee” status once they manage to get here by hook or by crook. It is unfair to the Canadian public and it is unfair to new Canadians who have come here the legal way. By all means, bring in qualified, skilled immigrants that we need, but to let in people willy-nilly is asking for trouble down the road –in fact, it’s all ready here. Being more critical in our immigration policy does not mean that we should revert to the discriminatory policies of old, where, in the case of Jews, “one is too many”, or like the Chinese Exclusion Act.

I do think that there is a valid economic argument for immigration, in addition to the skills we need for the economy; we are also a nation with a low birth rate, below the level of replacement. Thus, if we want to grow economically and also to have enough young people who can pay our old age pension, we need immigrants. But, not just any immigrant –we don’t need people who become a burden on our society –we need productive, intelligent people who can build on what we have achieved so far, and even make it better –regardless of colour, creed or nationality.

A CRACKDOWN ON QUEUE-JUMPERS – Maclean’s Aug.3rd

As a one-time immigrant myself, I must agree with Jason Kenney’s attempts to limit the continuing abuse of our over-generous, liberal refugee system. Of the many and varied arguments for stemming the flood of illegal immigrants –costs to our country, lack of screening for undesirables, etc. –the major reason I hear from immigrants here is that they think the system is unfair. They often have to wait for years to bring relatives here, and they resent the fact that phoney refugee claimants can jump the queue, while they had to wait their turn, following the rules and going the proper route. It is highly unfair to everyone, and there should be legislation remedying this inequity. Requiring visas for specific problem areas, while justified, is a short-term measure akin to putting a band-aid on a festering sore.

"NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT!!"

"I am completely ticked with this disruption by less than 3% of a city's population and every one a foreigner wanting the country they adopted to solve the problems of the country they left.

Round up every Tamil protester, provide transportation and send them back to "help out." Sort out your own mess. Don't blame the country you chose to live in because that country will not devote massive resources to your cause.

Go back home and speak out there against the atrocities that you see happening and help fight it from there. Sacrifice yourself, your sons, your daughters and your wealth, as little or as much as that might be. Put your money where your mouth is not our money and our families where your mouth is!!
Our ancestors stood up to carve out a way of living that we enjoy today. They did not go to your country, accept your hospitality then disrupt your way of life & demand you fix the injustices that they themselves would not address. Accept responsibility for allowing your country to fall into the chaotic state it is in today!! Don't shirk your own part and think we will arbitrarily shoulder your social debts."


Don Warnell
RCAF/1St Cdn Sigs Regiment/Airborne/4yrs attached to RCN east coast

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.

Angus Reid Poll -- Maclean's

Maclean’s John Geddes has provided a balanced and interesting delineation of the Angus Reid online poll. Islam, in particular, has been getting much negative attention since 911, much of it justified, if one look at the rabid, extremist Muslim factions. Sikhs also have been involved in extremist acts; the Air India affair being the worst example. Tamils, though practically “inventing” suicide attacks, have had less impact on Canadian society.
It is unfortunate that new Canadians bring their origin countries conflicts with them here, especially when it leads to violence in their adoptive country. It does seem that the current crop of immigrants, especially those with strong ethnic and religious connections, have more difficulty accepting and adjusting to the values of their host county, than did earlier arrivals. The extremist behaviour displayed by some groups, reflected in some youth and a few families such as the Khadr clan, is causing damage to the Muslim image everywhere, and one can fault, to a degree, the moderate Muslim community for not taking a more vocal and firm stance against the few recalcitrant extremists among them.
However, one need not be a historian to know that these problems have always been with us, in one form or another. For example, Irish Fenians caused much conflict and consternation both in Canada and the United States, including physical attacks and the assassination of a member of the Canadian parliament and former sympathiser, Thomas D’Arcy McGee, in 1868. The Irish have maintained a strong Irish cultural identity over the years, but no one would suggest today that they have failed to adapt to Canadian society.
It is unfortunate that extreme tribalism, both of the political/social and the religious mode, is allowed to prevail in our society, but it is difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. The same churches, temples, synagogues and mosques that serve as a support system for new arrivals, can also act as an incubator for extremism. We must always be vigilant in ferreting out the lunatic fringes, but also be mindful that given time, the greater good for our society will persevere. It did in the past, and it will do so in the future. Our ship of state is built for stormy weather, and behind the clouds the sun is still shining.

“Mother ‘trapped’ in Saudi Arabia” –Star April 16, 2009

I find it very hard to feel sorry for this woman who on her own volition went to Saudi Arabia to get married and now, after seven years and two children, has second thoughts after her marriage did not turned out to be the Cinderella story she envisioned. She has returned here twice, so she isn’t imprisoned there, but now she wants to leave again, with the children who are Saudi nationals. And, of course, she is looking for the Canadian government to help her leave.

Her “plight” must really resonate with the many really abused Canadian women in shelters here. Give me a break!