Il faudrait se brancher! | Lysiane Gagnon

2013/11/04 Leave a comment

Lysiane Gagnon, asking the question, if Quebec is worried about Muslim immigration, why do its selection criteria favour French competency, which means more immigration from the Magreb? Of course, the experience in anglophone regions and countries (e.g., Australia) suggests language is a key determinant of integration and success in the labour force; and language training is less effective than already having language competency. Selecting immigrants for “cultural suitability” has a long history in Canada of immigration restrictions, largely racist in origin (e.g., Chinese head tax, continuous journey clause).

Peut-être faudrait-il aussi penser à diversifier les sources de l\’immigration, tout en continuant à favoriser l\’immigration en provenance de la francophonie méditerranéenne qui a jusqu\’ici si bien servi le Québec.

Pourquoi ne pas penser, par exemple, aux Grecs ou aux Espagnols que la crise européenne pousse à l\’exil? Aux chrétiens du Moyen-Orient avides de paix? Aux Chinois, aux Vietnamiens ou aux Philippins qu\’on ignore sous prétexte que leur langue seconde est généralement l\’anglais… mais qui sont remarquablement «adaptables» ? Il s\’agit d\’une main-d\’oeuvre travaillante et flexible, qui accorde une valeur primordiale à la scolarité de ses enfants, et qui ne transporte pas de lourd bagage religieux (sauf les Philippins qui sont… catholiques!).

Il faudrait se brancher! | Lysiane Gagnon | Lysiane Gagnon.

Filed under Immigration, Interculturalisme, Multiculturalism, Religion Tagged with , , ,

A joker, a skeleton, a pirate … and Rupert Murdoch

2013/11/04 Leave a comment

An ironic column in the Guardian of Rupert Murdoch’s recent speech on multiculturalism and Australia:

Murdoch’s argument had three steps – a toolkit, he said, to keep Australia prosperous. In fact, to lead the world. Number one: promote Australian values, such as equality of opportunity, the church, strong relations with allies, “real multiculturalism”. Number two: embrace migrants, those who “understand and share our values”, “intelligent university graduates”. Number three: turn Australia into “the world’s disruptive economy”; innovate through creativity, champion the young, embrace the internet and mobile technology…..

And then it ended. In a room packed with chief executives and politicians, he characteristically berated the elites. “We must be egalitarian, not elitist,” he said. “We must be victors, not victims.” …

The contradictions were stark though. Murdoch’s argument itself was elitist: migration is OK, but only for those with skill, no mention of those in need; multiculturalism, but only with Australian values at the heart; innovation and creativity, but in the spirit of boy scouts, girl guides and the church.

A joker, a skeleton, a pirate … and Rupert Murdoch | Media | theguardian.com.

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Canada ranked 3rd in integrating newcomers

2013/11/02 Leave a comment

The Annual MIPEX (international Migrant Integration Policy Index), showing Canada in third place. Canada gets lower marks for political integration as we do not provide permanent residents with municipal voting rights. However, our citizenship requirements allow more permanent residents to become citizens in less time than many of the other countries ranked higher in political integration.

Canada ranked 3rd in integrating newcomers | Toronto Star.

Filed under Citizenship, Immigration, Multiculturalism, Public Policy Tagged with , , , , ,

La Charte idéale de Bernard Landry

2013/11/02 Leave a comment

Bernard Landry appears to continue changing his position, going between supporting the rigid approach of the government, to the more nuanced position of former premiers Bouchard and Parizeau (laicisme ouverte à la Bouchard Taylor), and back again.

La Charte idéale de Bernard Landry | Denis Lessard | Politique.

And no surprise, the legal opinions of Quebec government lawyers will remain  secret. Standard practice at federal level as well.

Charte des valeurs: les avis juridiques resteront secrets

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Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias Mentioned by International Council of Canadian Studies

2013/11/02 Leave a comment

More publicity  in the regular newsletter of ICCS-CIEC.

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Canadian Muslims: The Highlight of A Mosaic

2013/11/01 Leave a comment

Imam Delic provides a good demographic overview of Muslim Canadians, as well as some general thoughts on what it means to be a Muslim in Canada. A bit overly general as, like with all religions, the challenge arises when one’s beliefs are in conflict with society:

To be a Canadian Muslim is to act according to the teachings of Islam within the adopted society.

By exploring core Islamic sources regarding the notion of Muslim identity and at the same time considering the texture and Canadian lifestyle, we can see that there is no contradiction for Muslims in taking up full citizenship and embracing Canada as their own country.

This is what is meant by the path of constructive integration of Muslims, as compared to the less constructive choices of assimilation and exclusion.

This is the path that will take Canadian Muslims towards new horizons of opportunities and help them express their beliefs openly while enjoying Canada’s democratic standards.  Only as such they will be able to claim the Qur’anic title of honour — UmmatanWasata (A community of enlightened moderation).

Being part of Canadian society means facing reality, with all its challenges, head on. It means reforming themselves individually and collectively within the positive contexts of their adopted liberal democratic pluralist culture, while remaining faithful to the basic religious principles that define their core religious identity as Muslims.

Thus, when they settle suitably and reconcile effectively, they can productively live in harmony amid new environments and contribute to the well-being of all. This is a responsibility of both — Canadian Muslims as well as policy makers in Canada.

Canadian Muslims: The Highlight of A Mosaic – Americas – Politics – OnIslam.net.

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Lila Abu-Lughod: Do Muslim Women Need Saving?

2013/11/01 1 Comment

A good reminder of the risks of stereotypes and the complexity of women’s lives, context and choices:

There is no doubt that Western notions of human rights can be credited for the hope for a better world for all women. But I suspect that the deep moral conviction people feel about the rightness of saving the women of that timeless homogeneous mythical place called Islamland is fed by something else that cannot be separated from our current geopolitical relations. Blinded to the diversity of Muslim women’s lives, we tend to see our own situation too comfortably. Representing Muslim women as abused makes us forget the violence and oppression in our own midst. Our stereotyping of Muslim women also distracts us from the thornier problem that our own policies and actions in the world help create the sometimes harsh conditions in which distant others live. Ultimately, saving Muslim women allows us to ignore the complex entanglements in which we are all implicated and creates a polarization that places feminism only on the side of the West.

Lila Abu-Lughod: Do Muslim Women Need Saving? | TIME.com.

Filed under Honour Killings, Religion Tagged with , ,

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