Peter B. Ultimate

Canada is often described as a multicultural nation. But what does that mean? Simply stated, it means that Canadians are not of any one cultural background, race or heritage. Instead, Canadians today reflect a vast diversity of cultural heritages and racial groups. This multicultural diversity is a result of centuries of immigration.

All Canadians, including the Native People, can trace their origins to an immigrant past. This does not mean that the majority of Canadians are immigrants. Far from it. Only about 16% of today’s Canadian citizens were born outside Canada. Nor does this mean that anyone who wants to immigrate to Canada may do so. Immigration to Canada is a privilege, not a right. Canada remains selective about who may enter and, equally important, who may not.

Over the years, attitudes toward immigration and the development of immigration policies have evolved, reflecting economic, political and social issues in our country. Recently, the federal government has announced changes that will both decrease the number of immigrants allowed into Canada and make it more difficult for people in Canada, Canadian born and immigrants alike, to bring family to Canada from abroad.