Should Canada focus on itself before welcoming immigrants into its borders?

BY ADRIAN REECE

By this point, Canadians are aware of the mass influx of Indian immigrants. The multiculturalism that Toronto was once famous for is disappearing. More and more people having relatable experiences are popping up on the internet.

The last few years Canadians have been expressing their frustrations with the amount of immigration that has occurred over the last few years.

With this increase in immigration from India, Canadians have also been experiencing more hate crimes. While Canadians are familiar with what hate crimes are, it is something we generally relegate to our American neighbours.

Contributing factors are the rise in international students as well as specific crimes against other people of colour. In 2022: Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge saw 22.7 hate crimes per 100,000 people, while Ottawa saw 28.3 per 100,000 people. Institutions are enrolling more international students at a rate that Canada cannot keep up with. These students are themselves struggling, putting strain on the systems Canadians use to survive. Institutions are under harsh criticism as students are struggling to obtain food and housing. A cap on foreign students may help alleviate the problems pertaining to universities and the rising immigration issue.

Further factors are the actions of immigrants causing tensions between Canada and India; things are escalating to the point of diplomats being expelled on both sides. This came after the alleged Killing of a Sikh Separatist leader. While this occurred in 2023, actions like these have only spurned on the distaste Canadians have in their mouths for Indian immigrants.

The dynamic in Canada is shifting; the careful balance that has existed for decades here is being overturned, and South Asians are slowly becoming increasingly disliked. Actions that most Canadians deem inappropriate are exhibited, and this is due to a difference in cultural expectations. Canada has always allowed newcomers to keep their artistic practices and express themselves; however, now, citizens feel these new cultural experiences are taking over the country they have lived in for most of their lives.

The culture shift is another contributing factor to the hate crimes occurring. The covid years stripping away people’s freedoms combined with Canada being dyed a new colour has tensions rising on all sides. The victims of said crimes, the perpetrators, and of course the rising cost of living and the struggling economy is hurting everyone.

The reputation Canadians have of being “nice” is being tested, we have historically demonstrated that we are not welcoming, and once again we are showing the world how much we do not want an influx of foreigners to take up space inside our borders. Canada has its own unique culture, which is a mixture of several different diasporas. When that is overshadowed by one particular culture, it is easy to garner dislike towards a particular group of people.

Xenophobia is running rampant, causing fear among the citizens of Canada. Hate is a combination of all these factors coming together. Canadians are accustomed to immigration, most Canadians are first-generation, however they are being overwhelmed by one demographic, and one culture. With all this going on. Canadians are fed up, and as such, causing issues to pop up in every level of Canadian society.

So what is the remedy? Many people online advocate for deportation, but is that a fair reaction to the growing issues? Should Canada focus on itself before welcoming immigrants into its borders? The answer is ultimately yes. Canada needs to solidify its own economy before it opens its doors for others to come here and struggle, and add to the stresses that Canadians are already facing.