Immigration is vital to Hamilton’s future

Immigration helped to define the city’s identity, but that rich history is at risk

“Hamilton for All” is a recent public awareness campaign by the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council and the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion that highlights Hamilton’s exemplary reputation as a welcoming community for newcomers.

Since the early 20th century, the city has served as an important and primary destination for immigrants and refugees coming to Canada. Hamilton’s legacy as a welcoming community continues to this day, with close to 4,000 immigrants arriving in the city annually from all parts of the globe.

Yet, there are signals that intolerance could be on the rise, challenging Canada’s primacy as a destination of choice for those arriving on our shores seeking sanctuary, dignity and prosperity for themselves and their families.

A recent report by the major polling firm EkosPolitics shows that public opinion is shifting in respect to immigration. A sharp divide is emerging along the political spectrum when it comes to attitudes about immigration, and suggests that immigration policy will remain a politically divisive issue.

As public perceptions shift, so too does public policy as witnessed in Quebec with the introduction of Bill 21, the province’s new secularism legislation.

These trends are worrisome, and it is incumbent on Hamilton to remain resolute and vigilant in embracing diversity and inclusivity as a hallmark of Hamilton’s past and as a springboard that mobilizes the city’s future.

We must remind ourselves to cherish the community we know as a bastion of refuge and compassion for families arriving in Canada from abroad. Immigration will continue to fuel the vibrancy of Hamilton, and newcomers bring so much to our community.

Economically, we benefit from newcomer skills and talents that are essential to our thriving competitive business climate, and that play a pivotal role in supporting the capacity to establish global commercial networks.

Socially, immigrant families are emphatically appreciative of having the opportunity to start their lives over in Canada, and more often than not invest their time and resources in forming lasting community connections, expressing their gratitude through community and volunteer efforts.

Culturally, new Canadians enrich our community fabric through cuisine, music and arts, fashion, language, festival celebrations, and more.

Fundamentally, the future of our community depends on all of us building trust, interconnections and interdependencies with each other. Moreover, our collective prosperity depends on each member of the community being able to express their fullest potential, regardless of language, faith, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.

Newcomers share in the vision of Hamilton as a vibrant community that continues to grow in importance economically, socially and culturally, a place where diversity is a pivotal asset that underpins our future together.

As the outgoing Chair of the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council, it has been a privilege for me to serve the newcomer community. I am immensely proud of the work of the Council and its member organizations for their unwavering dedication and commitment to offering hope and opportunity to global citizens seeking a new home in Hamilton.

Let us celebrate our collective talents and rich cultural fabric, and not lose sight of the immigrant legacy that has helped define us as a community of families.