Immigration, Ethnicity, and Race: The Transformation of Transnationalism, Localism, and Identities -

Presentation by: LAURA, JOANNA and MILENA

Immigration In Canada In the late twentieth century, immigration was based on a pattern – this means that mainly white males from the United States, Britain, and Europe were migrating to Canada (a white settler colony) In the late twentieth century, immigration was based on a pattern – this means that mainly white males from the United States, Britain, and Europe were migrating to Canada (a white settler colony) Presently, immigrants to Canada are from Asia, the Caribbean, South and Central America, and Africa Presently, immigrants to Canada are from Asia, the Caribbean, South and Central America, and Africa

Past vs. Present In the past, there was immigrant integration Migrants adopted a Canadian way of life, and broke away from their ancestral homes Now, there is an increasing transnational approach to being a Canadian citizen Immigrants and ethnic groups possess links with other communities, institutions, and political systems

Vic Satzewich and Lloyd Wong argue that… Transnationalism is transforming the Canadian political economy of immigration, race, and ethnicity.

WHY??? Well, we must first look at the CANADIAN IMMIGRATION POLICY and the global political economy Well, we must first look at the CANADIAN IMMIGRATION POLICY and the global political economy

Canadian Immigration Policy Based on #1) ECONOMICS: Based on #1) ECONOMICS: Canada no longer wants unskilled or semi- skilled workers like in the past, it wants highly skilled workers from the high-tech industries from China and India Canada no longer wants unskilled or semi- skilled workers like in the past, it wants highly skilled workers from the high-tech industries from China and India These immigrants are called “value- added” immigrants for bringing human capital to the Canadian economy These immigrants are called “value- added” immigrants for bringing human capital to the Canadian economy

Policy continued… Based on #2) STATE FORMATION: Based on #2) STATE FORMATION: Immigrants are not only workers, but potential future citizens of Canada, so… Immigrants are not only workers, but potential future citizens of Canada, so… The identities of the many ethnic communities need to be defined and respected! The identities of the many ethnic communities need to be defined and respected!

Policy also based on… #3) DOMESTIC and INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: #3) DOMESTIC and INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: The increase of the militarization and policing of Canadian borders (more security screenings of refugee claimants, more deportation capacities, more staff at ports of entry, etc.) The increase of the militarization and policing of Canadian borders (more security screenings of refugee claimants, more deportation capacities, more staff at ports of entry, etc.) A continental approach between the U.S. and Canadian immigration policies A continental approach between the U.S. and Canadian immigration policies

A closer look at Continentalism… Basically, with the introduction of a converging Canadian and U.S. immigration policy, there will be an increasingly open Canada-U.S. border. This is with respect to capital, goods, and skilled labour (globalization); however it is also a general restriction on other people

Transnationalism Transnational social spaces – the organization of networks, like activities and patterns of living, that span geographically and internationally Transnational social spaces – the organization of networks, like activities and patterns of living, that span geographically and internationally A way for immigrants in Canada to maintain their ethnic identity A way for immigrants in Canada to maintain their ethnic identity

The Practice of Transnationalism  Financial transfers with ancestral homelands  Ethnic business, for example Chinese entrepreneurs in Vancouver who send money back home  Ethnic media, for example Bollywood is India’s transnationally distributed film industry based out of Bombay

What Does Transnationalism Mean For Citizenship? A challenge for nation-states because of the erasing of the nation’s one main culture A challenge for nation-states because of the erasing of the nation’s one main culture Hybrid identities within a nation-state pressure countries to pass laws that allow for dual and multiple citizenship Hybrid identities within a nation-state pressure countries to pass laws that allow for dual and multiple citizenship

What Does Transnationalism Mean for Social Identity? Multiculturalism promotes individual choices of identity, but with a Canadian citizenship, immigrants are also encouraged to have a Canadian identity Multiculturalism promotes individual choices of identity, but with a Canadian citizenship, immigrants are also encouraged to have a Canadian identity

Immigration According to… Gender and race: since the 1980’s, many immigrants to Canada are women of colour. They are mainly domestic workers and garment workers. Education: they lack the necessary language skills in English and French

Immigration According to Class Many immigrants start off with low- paying jobs, and then move into the middle-class, or even become elites Many immigrants start off with low- paying jobs, and then move into the middle-class, or even become elites Many become entrepreneurs to escape their lack of social capital and become less socially excluded (a form of resistance) Many become entrepreneurs to escape their lack of social capital and become less socially excluded (a form of resistance)

General Conclusions: Class, ethnic, and racial composition has broadened in Canada “migrants to Canada consist of men and women, workers, professionals and capitalists … producers and consumers, and national and transnational citizens.”

DISCUSSION TIME!!! #1: Do you feel that the events of September 11th enforced continentalism? (ie: pressures on Canada to move towards a more restrictive immigration policy?)

True or False??? Canada’s population is relying more on immigration than natural births…

TRUE!!! From July 1, 2004 – June 30, 2005, Canada had a total of 337, 856 natural births, and 244, 579 immigrants arrive to the country. (Population Growth, Statistics Canada) BUT, besides this past year, Canada’s total figures are… Canada’s Immigrant Population: Canada’s natural births: (2001 Census Data, Statistics Canada)