I just landed here an year ago. I am not even a citizen of Canada yet. But honestly I am a bit offended by your post that is subtly negative about Canada. So I just thought of sharing my thoughts about your post.
I think they should do what they have done with the 500 illegal aliens that came on a ship from Sri-lanka, make them legal. Canada needs immigrants whether its legal or illegal, it cannot sustain without them. Since we unfortunately don't have a Canadian Nationalist Party being Canadian is a very complicated and open ended question.
Canada has a very comprehensive system to handle immigration. It is regularly fine tuned according to the needs of the country. There are millions out there who would jump on the opportunity to come here. Yes, Canada needs legal immigrants, and it can get them accurately tailored to its needs.
But does it needs illegal immigrants. No. However, they are often accepted. This is not based on any commercial benefits. It is based on humanitarian grounds. It is based on Canada's obligations as per international law. Canada walks the talk, upholds human rights and follows the rule of law. Be proud about it.
For naturalized citizens, for some, its about following your own religion, culture, values (because they've been persecuted in their own countries because of their beliefs), waving the Indian, Pakistani, British, German, Japanese, Palestinian flags on their respective national days or if they win some sports match. Wearing their national dress, eating their national food, watching their national news on TV. Which only "they" know about. So its all about "them" and celebrating the "other" culture. This could also mean being Canadian to a lot of people.
For Canadian born citizens, its all about drinking beer and watching hokey and maybe celebrating and adopting the heritage their parents or grandparents take very seriously because they were immigrants themselves. Then you get the "I am 1/4th Chinese, 1/9th Spanish, 1/8th German, 1/16th Afghan, 1/12th Namibian etc". There is nothing called Canadian culture cause to the best of my knowledge we don't have one. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Yes Canada is a very matured. (It even let you keep your previous nationality with no issues). Canadian society is extremely matured to accept and tolerate alien cultures and practices with ease. On the other hand if you could only think about dirking bear and watching hockey as Canadian culture, you seriously need to break out of your shell.
Honestly, mingle with the people; visit the public venues, art galleries, theatres, museums and concerts. If you are already in Canada, it does not take a long to understand that Canadian culture is rich and diverse. Additionally Cultural activities are strongly supported by the government.
Therefore whether you come here legally or illegally nobody is Canadian cause if we were to define what being Canadian is you'll get millions of answers. Its left at your discretion. Half the people come here fleeing and the other half come here as economic immigrants.
Just look through these forums. You can see how many highly skilled successful professionals, doing very well in their respective countries are wanting to come here? Are they fleeing or are they economic immigrants?
Immigration is not an easy decision. Whether you like it or not, you are going to live and adapt to an alien culture; Your children are going to follow the culture of the host country. If you believe a country has no culture and just migrate there for economic reasons, you are being very short-sighted.
Personally, I was not fleeing my country and I was doing economically very well back in my former country. I migrated to Canada because it has a very stable and matured political/economical/administrative structure that treats every citizen equally. I migrate to Canada because it is a matured society with strong values; It is the least racist in the world; and it is very tolerant and welcoming about different cultures and practices. I want to live in this society and up bring my children in this society. I like my generations to live in this country. This is the reason I migrated here and I am sure that I am not the only one.
So unlike other countries there is really no hard and fast rules about definition of identity or what it is to be Canadian, people just continue to follow what they deem is right and how they have interpreted themselves to be Canadian. So if there are 33 million Canadian living in Canada today there are 33 million ways to identify and define what is Canadian.
Exactly. Yes that is the identity of Canadian. They come in many colors, they come from many backgrounds, but they all have something on common; they all accept that everyone can live the life the way they want (well.. as far as it does not contradict with core values of Canadian society).
The Germans are good with technology
Americans are good with media and corporations
Chinese are best for production/industry and exports
Japanese make great cars
Canada is good for immigrants (legal and illegal)
What is this??
Anyway, if you like over simplification perhaps you should say (in my perspective)
Canada is good for a great happy life.
Canada has lots of talent at their disposal the government just needs to harness this talent in a positive way.
I totally agree with you in the first part of the sentence. Having lived in about half a dozen countries before moving to Canada, I can confidently say that related to many other countries, Canadian government is very successful in harnessing the talent in a positive way. C'mon, this is one of a very happy, successful and powerful nation in the world. How can you even complain?
There is nothing wrong with that its just what course the government and the judicial system decide to take.
If I've offended anyone then I do apologize cause it really wasn't my intention.
I think, you kind of made everyone (In your words: Canadian born citizens, naturalized citizens, immigrants and also yourself) look a bit cheap and shallow. But if you really sit back and give a second thought, I am sure you would realise that is not true...
Cheers
,
Sorna