10 Surrey/North Delta Leader Tuesday, November 22, 2011
THE CITY’S CHANGING FACE
Newcomers needed to build a nation, SFU professor argues Immigration: ‘Surrey’s population growth is right there’ by Tricia Leslie
W
ith glowing hearts, many Canadians are heartily proud of living in a country that is beloved around the world; a country known for its politeness, its love of hockey, and its welcoming and industrious nature. Canada is also a world leader on the national stage in many ways, from medical advances and technological discoveries to renewable energy efforts and competitive business strategies. Its major institutions are recognized, respected and imitated by other countries around the globe. Whether it be the friendly reputation or the amazing opportunities offered under the maple leaf flag, several hundred thousand citizens from other countries are choosing to make Canada their home every year, with many – more than 5,000 in 2006 alone – selecting Surrey as a settling point. In total, Canada receives a range of 225,00 to 250,000 new permanent residents each year, with last year (2010) showing a spike, with a total of 280,681. That equals about 38,000 to 42,000 new permanent residents in B.C. each year. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) spokeswoman Nancy Caron noted that, since 2006, the federal government has welcomed the highest sustained level of immigration in Canadian history. EVAN SEAL / THE LEADER Immigration has been Students fron Regent Christian Academy sing the Canadian national anthem during a citizenship court ceremony in October. At this important in the building particular ceremony, 79 new Canadians from 34 countries were sworn in as citizens. of this country, she said, as immigrants bring their skills, culture, traditions and people to support long-term economic growth and meet curworkers,” she said. knowledge. rent labour market needs,” Caron said. In Surrey, new permanent residents come primarily from “They innovate and contribute to the social and economic Simon Fraser University retired economics professor Don India, Asia, the Middle East and the Philippines, according to success of Canada,” she said, adding 2006 census data shows the DeVoretz agreed with that, although he disagreed with other 2006 statistics. proportion of Canada’s population who were born outside the immigration policies, including a recent announcement made With a current population of more than 462,000 and growing country reached its highest level in 75 years (6,186,950 foreignby Immigration Minister Jason Kenney means Canada will by the hundreds each month, the City of Surrey is one of the born). fastest-growing cities in Canada, and while the expansion is More importantly, immigration is needed to keep the country no longer accept applications from people who want to join their children or grandchildren, saying the purpose is to clear a definitely needed, it can pose challenges to the city in terms of financially viable. pressure on its health care system, infrastructure, schools and “During CIC’s most recent consultations on immigrant levels backlog. “I see it as out-and-out racist,” he said, noting the largest two community facilities, DeVoretz said. and mix, stakeholders all indicated that Canada still needs entry gates for grandparents are South Asia and China. He also said the government needs to address people getting Despite that, DeVoretz said Surrey and Canada need immia “passport of convenience” at “Hotel Canada.” gration in order to grow. “If they hold a Canadian passport but live abroad, (govern“That’s Surrey’s population growth right there,” he said. ment) should make them pay taxes and for their own private “I think what we need to do is build a nation and that takes health care.” immigration. If we didn’t have immigration, the population But many of them stay and live in the country as proud would decline... Canadians don’t have (enough) babies.” Canadians – and Canada has long been a destination of choice Children really are the future, he said, as they will be future for immigrants, Caron said, adding immigrants represent virtustudents, labourers, parents and professionals. ally one in five of the total population, the highest proportion SFU sociology professor Wendy Chan concurred. since 1931. “It seems obvious to me that without immigration, we will “Much of Canada’s success with and public support for immifind ourselves in a serious dilemma in another 10 years time gration is based on the positive outcomes of immigrants and Nancy Caron when the population continues to age, the birth rate remains their contribution to our economy and society,” she said. steady or likely declines, and there is a massive shortage of newsroom@surreyleader.com
“They innovate and contribute to the social and economic success of Canada.”