Nick Noorani Website

What does the word immigrant mean? The dictionary meaning is “A person who leaves one country to settle permanently in another.” To me and many immigrants I know it has come to mean “one who loves two countries – the one I was born in and the one I adopted”.
“No, I am not an immigrant – I am a Canadian” I have heard this phrase many times in the past eight years living in Canada. What surprises me always is the inevitable explanation that comes next. “I became a citizen x years ago” It seems some immigrants feel the logical progression from a ‘landed immigrant’ to a citizen means that one no longer is an immigrant. That shows the value that immigrants place on their citizenship. Canada has the highest rate of immigrants becoming Canadian and their pride in being citizens is evident in their explanation. Curiously though, immigrants like Michael Lee -Chin, David Ho and even our Governor General – Michaelle Jean almost always use the ‘immigrant’ term to describe their background.

This and more will form part of the work that former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson will study in their new Institute of Citizenship. In a meeting with her and John Ralston Saul they spoke of how they amongst other things they will explore deeper meanings into the meaning of citizenship – after all, Canada has the highest rate of new citizens per capita per year – 6.5 per 1,000. Interestingly, the percentage of eligible immigrants who chose to become Canadian citizens is 84%. In the United States this number is 40%. Adrienne also spoke of how the word ‘Diversity’ is poised to replace ‘Multiculturalism’. Diversity is more inclusive and for awhile multiculturalism has been mistakenly reduced to folk songs, dances and ‘ethnic’ foods! I wholeheartedly support this.
Diversity was also the key phrase used by Prime Minister Steven Harper at the World Urban Forum in Vancouver. “Canada’s diversity, properly nurtured, is our greatest strength.” he said. We are going to need more such talk as Canada deals with a growth in visible minorities, a labour crunch that makes immigrants critical to Canada’s economic growth and also to deal with the 17 alleged terrorist youth arrested in Toronto. We as a nation and as immigrants need to rise above pointing fingers at any group, based on ethnicity or religion because Canada is a nation of immigrants from all parts of the world and our approach to Diversity is the envy of the world.
Lastly, the much overdue apology to the Chinese community deserves a ‘bravo!’ to the Government for something that should have happened a long time ago. As an immigrant from India, I do believe that the Komagata Maru incident needs to be addressed .
To all Canadians, immigrants or not a very Happy Canada Day!