|
Published by the Ottawa Citizen, March 3, 2006
RE: Make Immigrants Take Oath, Ottawa Citizen, March 1
The Fraser Institute’s ill-conceived scheme to counter terrorism by forcing new Canadians to take an oath of loyalty manages to be both simplistic and insulting at the same time.
The paper proposes that those who immigrate to Canada should be told “what is expected of them” and that they should be sent packing if they "fail to live up to expectations."
One could argue that the government has fallen short in providing resources to fight terrorism. But does the Fraser Institute seriously think that a terrorist would have second thoughts about coming into Canada because he or she would be afraid of swearing an oath of allegiance? And when, oh when, will the Fraser Institute stop blaming the one in five Canadians who were born elsewhere for all Canada’s problems?
In fact, recent research done by the Canadian Council on Social Development clearly shows that the majority of new Canadians strive to show their meaningful allegiance to their new country and new communities in their everyday lives. They give generously of their time and money to the voluntary sector. They exercise their right to vote. They are interested and active citizens, engaged in current affairs and in helping others. And the data also show that the longer they are here, the more involved they become.
Not surprisingly, recent immigrants are more heavily involved in adjusting to their new homeland. Significant economic barriers tend to restrict their ability to contribute either time or money to community activities. Lower rates of participation among recent immigrants suggest that additional community supports would enable them to be more fully engaged in Canadian society.
True commitment to a country is more than just words. It is a lived experience. And it works both ways.
Gail Dugas
Vice-President, Canadian Council on Social Development
Note: CCSD will be launching a report entitled Making Connections: Social and Civic Engagement Among Canadian Immigrants in April 2006.
CCSD Media Room
Canadian Council on Social Development,
190 O'Connor Street, Suite 100,
Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2R3
Tel: (613) 236-8977, Fax: (613) 236-2750, Web: www.ccsd.ca, Email: council@ccsd.ca
| 