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#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#There are rules yes. Whether people follow them... that's another story.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Xena - the statement I bolded is far from true. There are MANY ways to come to Canada beyond what you described. One can be sponsored by a parent, a brother, a sister. They can also come as a visitor, up to six months. They can get a study permit to attend University. They can apply for permanent residence, etc. There are SO many ways to immigrate to Canada. Not just working and being illega or being marriedl.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#What happens is that often, for example, an immigrant here to study will not leave when their permit expires. THere are oodles of those cases out there.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Don't be fooled by thinking there are only a few illegal immigrants. Some criminals, some not. Some are actually fugitives from their own countries, here to escape the punishment of a crime they committed.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Cadence - of course, I can't say this for sure but sometimes, Immigration Canada has their own reasons for refusing entry to certain people and sometimes, that reason may not always be apparent. For example, 'burden to Canadian society' is not automatically saying they are poor. Often, it can mean that the person trying to immigrate has a serious medical condition and the treatment of this condition would be a burden. Or, it could also mean that the person has a criminal record in their own country (sometimes as little as driving under the influence). No matter what type of criminality it is, a person is not allowed into Canada if they have a prior conviction.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Before throwing facts around about what kind of immigrants are in Canada and what Canada does about them, it would important to get the facts and laws straight. They are all available on the Immigration Canada site. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Aside from all that - the point is not about how many are nice and how many are not. I don't think anyone disputes that some immigrants are genuine and extremenly nice and others are just here to take advantage. It's like anything else, there is the good and there is the bad. It's the fact that there are some (define 'some' however you want) that are here and that don't respect the Canadian legal system and culture and put down Canadians for it. THAT's what the writter is upset about. Why come to Canada if you are not interested in assimilating into the culture and respecting the Canadian icons... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#xena_n_joss wrote:#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Immigrants cannot stay in canada unless they are working or unless they are staying here illegally which is very likely, or unless they are married to a canadian#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl#. If there were so many immigrants just coming to canada and going on welfare we wouldnt be bringing them in. A guy I worked with, his mother worked in an immigration department in toronto, still does... They actually have strict rules for people coming to canada. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Beautifully written, RioG, and I agree wholeheartedly. The point (most of) the others are trying to make is about the ones who aren't willing to try to learn.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#RioG wrote:#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Wow, this is a hot topic, and one people are obviously very passionate about. All I can say is perhaps we should all try to put ourselves in the shoes of others for a short time. Until we know what it is like to be faced with building a life in a land and culture completely foreign to what we are used to, until we truly know how difficult it is to try to live day to day not understanding and not being able to make people understand us, until we can honestly say that we feel unsafe in the land of our birth and so feel it is a matter of life and death to get out, we aren't really in a position to judge others.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Each and every immigrant is an individual, a human being, a person, and as such deserves respect and understanding. Until you truly know a person's story, it isn't right to impose our judgement on them.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I haven't read all of the posts in depth, so forgive me if I am repeating comments already made. It may sound trite, but I feel I am not only a Canadian, but also a citizen of the world. I would hate to think that others would ever feel unwelcome in this country, just as I would hate to feel unwelcome somewhere else.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Edited just to add I hope that didn't come off as rude - I don't mean it to, just my feelings.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#
#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Most of them aren't trying to impose anything, except the recent Shiite (sp?) Muslim thing. Instead, they're getting Christianity shoved down their throats from all angles (everyone who is non-Christian gets Christianity shoved down their throats.. sigh). So maybe they're only trying to fight back.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Canada changed the beliefs and values upon which the country was built when they took it over from the Native Americans, so it's kind of hypocritical, but I agree.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I wonder what Canada would be like today if the British hadn't invaded it and the Native Americans had been allowed to carry on.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#chenders01 wrote:#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# But *don't* ask Canada to change the beliefs and values upon which the country was built, just to accommodate YOUR beliefs and values.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#
#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#No, I think I understand that part Chenders. What I am saying is that we need to be more patient. Perhaps in their fear/anxiety this is the only way they feel comfortable behaving? That is a very generalized statement, and I hate to generalize, but am not sure how to put it in better words.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On an individual case basis those people who deliberately and knowingly abuse/take advantage of Canadian society of course need to be dealt with. But I can't comfortably say that just because a person new to this country appears to be demanding and unappreciative truly feels that way. In all likelihood they feel overwhelmed, afraid and unsure of how to proceed. Were I to suddenly find myself living in Afghanistan as an immigrant, I know for sure that is how I would feel.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#chenders01 wrote:#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#But Rio, I think you missed the point of the letter. The writer isn't saying that he/she does not welcome immigrants. The point is that he/she doesn't feel that Canadian society should conform to *their* beliefs and values, which is what a lot of them seem to be demanding.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Oh goodness... don't get me started on this!! I have some passionate views on this subject. But we can not un-do the past and instead need to learn how to move forward in a manner that is healthy for all.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I wonder what Canada would be like today if the British hadn't invaded it and the Native Americans had been allowed to carry on.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Thats a good point. But honestly, I think as Canadians, being so immersed in a diverse culture adapt more readily--most of us do not stop at periods during the day to pray, and when I used to work at a huge High-Tech company, they'd be praying in the conference rooms when they had been booked, and wouldn't leave, or they would be washing their feet at the bathroom sink. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Don't get me started on the issue with the gentleman who gets to wear his turban instead of the standard canadian mounties hat. It angers me. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#RioG wrote:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#No, I think I understand that part Chenders. What I am saying is that we need to be more patient. Perhaps in their fear/anxiety this is the only way they feel comfortable behaving? That is a very generalized statement, and I hate to generalize, but am not sure how to put it in better words.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On an individual case basis those people who deliberately and knowingly abuse/take advantage of Canadian society of course need to be dealt with. But I can't comfortably say that just because a person new to this country appears to be demanding and unappreciative truly feels that way. In all likelihood they feel overwhelmed, afraid and unsure of how to proceed. Were I to suddenly find myself living in Afghanistan as an immigrant, I know for sure that is how I would feel.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#chenders01 wrote:#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#But Rio, I think you missed the point of the letter. The writer isn't saying that he/she does not welcome immigrants. The point is that he/she doesn't feel that Canadian society should conform to *their* beliefs and values, which is what a lot of them seem to be demanding.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#
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