Working site on citizenship and multiculturalism issues.
2013/11/07 Leave a comment
Although the official reason for the 28 word title is to blame the lawyers, strikes me some focus group targeted messaging at play.
PQ values charter gets a new, 28-word name – Canada, Need to know – Macleans.ca
And the actual tabling of the bill shows few surprises, with only the healthcare sector getting a renewable exemption:
La Charte des «valeurs de laïcité» est déposée
The actual text:
2013/11/07 Leave a comment
Good piece by Ratna Omidvar of Maytree on some of the challenges in political involvement of ethnic communities. While much of the focus to date has been on electoral representation, more qualified assessment of “back room” involvement and roles and influence of elected representatives (e.g., looking at the current federal and provincial governments, ethnic community parliamentarians largely have secondary roles)l.
Ensuring the electoral and civic involvement of Canada’s immigrant communities.
2013/11/06 Leave a comment
For those interested in Australian multicultural debates, some criticism from the left on what appears to be the Abbott government’s approach. Some similarities to Canadian conservatives (who were also inspired in some of their early thinking by the Howard government on citizenship and multiculturalism):
Does Murdoch’s multiculturalism light Abbott’s path to the future?.
Departing FECCA chair holds fears for multiculturalism | SBS News
2013/11/06 Leave a comment
Consistent with all the PQ government signals to date. Given that elections will not take place this fall, unclear how this will play in the political calculations as economic issues will likely reassert themselves in the spring, when provincial (and federal) budgets are normally presented.
Will be interesting to follow the parliamentary hearings on the proposed Charter and whether this starts to shift the terms of debate.
And it appears the proposed Charter is silent on the question of the crucifix in the Assemblée nationale.
Will post link to the full text tomorrow.
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!).
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.
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.
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.
2013/11/02 Leave a comment
More publicity in the regular newsletter of ICCS-CIEC.
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