Appreciation of Canadian values motivates immigrants
It’s what makes Canada attractive to them in the first place, writes Rajesh C. Shukla.
The ongoing conversations on diversity make me think: What does it mean to be a Canadian citizen, particularly for a first-generation immigrant like myself ?
I came to Canada some 18 years ago as a student with a dream, but not much money or resources. I completed my studies at the University of Ottawa and in due course decided to build my life in this country.
I have done a fair bit of travelling and come across different people and cultures. And each time I catch my flight to Ottawa, after travel or a conference, I am reminded how lucky I am to live in a country so peaceful, prosperous and welcoming.
It is no surprise that, in my estimation, Canada is one of the best countries in the world and that diversity is its greatest strength. This country takes hundreds of thousands of immigrants every year and puts them on the path to citizenship within a span of a few years. People want to come to Canada because they know that in this country they will have a fair shot in life, and they will be able to realize their hopes and dreams. It is a democratic country with rule of law and its political culture is marked with immense civility and calm.
So I find it very perplexing when Canadian diversity is pitched against the calls for integration, as if it is impossible to be a proponent of diversity and integration at the same time. I think this attitude forces Canadians to make false choices, is inherently flawed, and should be corrected.
Canada has become a successful multicultural society because of its political and social values, which allow newcomers to find their mooring in this country, providing them with various economic, social and cultural opportunities. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) is a shining example that seeks, among other things, to promote the equality and dignity of all human beings.
To strengthen the realization of charter commitments, it is essential, in my opinion, to draw a distinction between two notions of integration: dispositional and political.
The dispositional view of integration, as I understand it, stipulates that in an open and democratic society, citizens must be willing to support its institutions and political values that shape them. If an individual wants to be a productive member of such a society, they must be open to accepting its widely shared values, particularly regarding the protection of marginalized groups, women and children.
Moreover, when immigrants like myself have an opportunity to interpret our identity, we should do that in association with the values of our adopted homeland. This is important because we expect fellow Canadians to show respect for the value system of immigrants. If cultivated, such notions of identity and integration not only contribute to social solidarity, but also to the idea of affectionate pluralism, which resides at the heart of millions of Canadians.
Political integration, on the other hand, calls upon the state institutions to work actively for the integration of its citizens in civic life, and has become the face of our current moral and political fault lines. Some leaders support it, others remain skeptical.
Our goal, then, should be to develop the idea of dispositional integration, infusing it in our public life and institutions. One way to do that could be to recognize that an overwhelming number of immigrants come to Canada because they appreciate Canadian values, not because they want to define their identity against such values. We need to build on such appreciations, encouraging ourselves to be kind and gentle toward our fellow citizens, who live a different life with a different value system.
People want to come to Canada because they know that in this country they will have a fair shot in life, and they will be able to realize their hopes and dreams. Rajesh C. Shukla