Chapter 4: Migration. People on the Move

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Sharlene Beatrix Chapman
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1 Chapter 4: Migration People on the Move

2 Key Questions Why do people migrate? How has immigration to Canada changed from 1920 to present? What is the debate over Canada s immigration policy? How have the destinations of migrants within Canada changed? How does emigration affect Canada?

3 Before We Start Immigrate: To come into a new country to live. Lydia immigrated to Canada in Emigrate: To exit a country to settle permanently in another country. John s parents emigrated from Argentina.

4 4.1 First Nations and Inuit A popular theory is that the first people in Canada migrated here sometime between 50,000 and 13,500 years ago using the land-bridge that existed between Asia and North America where the Bering Strait is now.

5 First Nations Continued.. More recently, new theories challenging the land-bridge theory have been suggested. One theory is that the first inhabitants of the Americas crossed the Pacific Ocean to the west coast of the Americas from Asia, Siberia, or Australia. Another theory suggests that the first people arrived by crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Europe. Canada now attempts to promote an identity based on peace, justice, human rights, and multiculturalism: An official policy that recognizes and supports the traditions and identities of the many cultural groups living in Canada.

6 4.2 Why Do People Move? There are many reasons why people choose to migrate, or move, to a new place. Push Factors: Cause people to want to leave their current location. Examples: lack of political or religious freedom, war, famine, poverty, etc. Pull Factors: Attract people to a new location. Examples: better economic opportunity, reunion of families, different climate, etc.

7 Pull or Push Factor? 2010 Earthquake Haiti Available Jobs, Banff Canada

8 4.3 Changing Immigration Patterns Canada is a very welcoming country we welcome immigrants from a wide range of countries. Government policy controls immigration, meaning the government decides who can come to Canada, and how many people can come. Canada now attempts to promote an identity based on peace, justice, human rights, and multiculturalism: An official policy that recognizes and supports the traditions and identities of the many cultural groups living in Canada.

9 In the past, it was typical for Canadians to be more ethnocentric, that is, people felt that their way of life was superior and did not respect cultures that were different from their own. This led to a government policy influenced by prejudice, the belief that not all people have equal value. Preferential treatment was given to people from Britain, the USA, and Northern and Western Europe because their culture was similar to that of Canada. People from Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa experienced discrimination, or unfair treatment because government policies were based on race, language, religion or culture.

10 Examples of this racist immigration are plentiful: African-American farmers from the USA were turned back at the border in the early 1900s because they were not suited for our climate. The Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 forbade the entry of Chinese people into Canada. This law wasn t lifted until Canada was unwilling to accept Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Some Jewish refugees who did make it to Canada during WWII were put into prison camps along with German prisoners of war.

11 Jewish Immigrants during the 1930s Destination Number of Jewish Immigrants United States 240, 000 Palestine 100, 000 Britain 85, 000 Argentina 22, 000 Columbia 20, 000 Mexico 20, 000 Canada Under 4000

12 Before 1945 Following Confederation, the government had relocated the First Nations of the West to reserves, opening up a lot of space for new immigrants. The government offered free land to immigrants and advertised for new immigrants in Great Britain and the USA, even stretching to Eastern Europe, a non-preferred source of immigrants. By the 1920s, the flow of immigration was slowing. From 1919 to 1929, 1.3 million people moved to Canada. Many people moved to the cities to take jobs in the rapidly growing industries.

13 Before 1945 Continued When the Great Depression of the 1930s caused high unemployment, the government s policy changed. Now Canada discouraged immigration because the economy was not creating enough jobs for the people already in Canada.

15 After 1945 WWII ( ) help Canadians feel more sensitive to the suffering of those directly affected. After the war, Canada began to react more positively to those seeking refuge here, not to mention it needed more workers for a post-war boom in industry.

16 After 1945 Continued.. Examples of the refugees accepted in Canada: : Displaced persons (refugees) from Europe following WWII : Czechoslovakian refugees : Ugandan refugees 1972: Chilean refugees : Indo-Chinese refugees 1999: Refugees from Kosovo 2010: Sri Lankan refugees.

17 Today s Immigration Policy The foundations of Canada s current immigration policy were laid in the 1960s. The new policy was designed to end discrimination based on the race, colour, or religion of people applying for admission to Canada. By 1976, a system was established that is very similar to the one used today.

18 Immigrants are divided into 3 classes: Family Class: A close relative living in Canada can sponsor family members to move to Canada Humanitarian or Refugee Class: An immigrant fleeing great personal danger in his/her homeland is allowed entry to Canada. Independent Class: These applicants are assessed according to a point system to establish that their move to Canada will be mutually beneficial. Points are given for qualifications such as speaking English or French, education and training, and work experience.

19 Global Perspectives At the end of 2005, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) estimated that there were approx. 9.2 million refugees in the world. The majority of refugees are sheltering in Asia and Africa. Asia hosts nearly half of all refugees, while Africa hosts 22%. 8/10 refugees actually flee from one poor country to another, often to the country next door.

20 Aerial view of Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan, July 18, 2013.

21 Rwandan Refugee Camp in Tanzia Over 500,000 Rwandan refugees fled Rwanda during and after the genocide of the mid 1990s.

22 Discussion Questions: 1. How might racist immigration policies in the past have affected the immigration policy Canada has today? 2. How does immigration affect Canadian identity?

23 4.4 Debate over Immigration and Refugees How Many Immigrants Should Canada Accept? In the last few years, Canada has been accepting an average of roughly 228,000 immigrants annually. In Favour of Immigration Opposed to Immigration Canada is a big land with a small population. We need more people to fully develop the nation and its economy. Immigrants provide new ideas and skills. The economy needs skilled workers. Immigrants fill job vacancies that resident Canadians do not want to fill. Canada s multicultural society is enriched by continued immigration. Talented and hardworking immigrants have helped Canada prosper. Canada s economy cannot create jobs fast enough to absorb so many new Canadians. Immigrants may take jobs away from resident Canadians. Some immigrants draw on social welfare programs and services. The changing ethic make-up of the country will increase racial tension in Canada.

24 Continued How many Refugees Should Canada Accept? Out of the 228,000 people coming to Canada annually, about 27,000 per year have been refugees

25 In Favour of Accepting Refugees Canada must honour its commitment to the United Nations to aid the displaced and persecuted. Returning refugees to the conditions in their own country will endanger their lives. Canada is a big country with room for more people. People in desperate situations cannot afford the two-year wait often required to process formal immigration applications. Opposed to Accepting Refugees Not all refugee claims are legitimate. Accepting refugees without proper identification poses a security risk for Canadians. Some claiming refugee status are queue jumpers attempting to get into Canada ahead of others who are making legal applications outside Canada. Accepting refugees now will promote more arrivals in the future. Accepting refugees will keep people smugglers in business.

26 Discussion Questions: 1. Based on the information we ve discussed, are you for or opposed to increased immigration in Canada s future? Which argument had the greatest impact on your decision? 2. Based on the information we ve discussed, are you for or opposed to accepting refugees at current levels? Which argument had the greatest impact on your decision?

27 4.5 Changing Migration Destinations within Canada Internal migration in Canada has also gone through significant changes since the 1920s. In most cases, internal migrants are attracted to the same places as immigrants for similar reasons. For Maritimers, out-migration, or migration from one area of Canada to another, or to areas outside Canada, began shortly after Confederation. From the 1870s to 1920s, many sought opportunities in New England.

28 Continued. After the 1920s, Atlantic Canadians were more likely to leave for Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia because immigration to the USA had become more difficult. First Nations, however, can move freely to the USA because of the Jay Treaty of 1794 between the USA and Great Britain. This treaty allows Canadian-born First Nations to cross the border into the USA at will. They can work and live in the USA without undergoing the immigration process. Canada, however, does not allow American-born First Nations to move to Canada without applying to immigrate.

29 Continued The movement of Atlantic Canadians westward is part of a larger global movement from rural areas to urban ones. Those who once worked in farming and forestry now migrate to cities for jobs in manufacturing and the service sector.

30 continued First Nations have also been affected by the general trend towards urbanization. 45% of First Nations now live in urban areas. The most common destinations such as Winnipeg, with 46,000 First Nations, has a greater First Nations population than the 4 Atlantic provinces combined (35,000)

31 Emigration Each year, about 50,000 Canadians emigrate, most of them to the USA. There is a fear that Canada is suffering a Brain drain that we are losing our best-educated and most talented people to the USA. C.D. Howe Institute stated As many as 40% of recent graduates in science, medicine, and management left the country in 1991 alone.

32 Continued Emigrants to the USA are more than twice as likely to hold a university degree than are immigrants to Canada. The number of post-graduate degree holders entering Canada is equal to the number of university graduates at all levels leaving Canada for the USA.

33 Questions Do you think Canadians and the Canadian government should be concerned about a brain-drain to the USA? Why or Why not? What effect might the brain-drain have on Canada s identity in the future?

Chapter 4. Migration : People on the Move

Chapter 4. Migration : People on the Move Chapter 4 Migration : People on the Move In this chapter we will study: The movement (displacement) of people. Why one moves. Where are we going. How people are treated as emigrants and immigrants. How