Canada’s complex views on immigrant Integration and the rising concerns about security in newcomer admission

As reflected in several public opinion surveys, the persistent pushback over the numbers of immigrants coming to Canada is often associated with concerns over the state of the economy, housing availability and the pressure migrants presumably exert on availability and access to services. There is also continued debate about whether immigrants are negatively impacting cohesion and to that end whether integration of newcomers is not achieving its desired end-however defined. Conversations regarding immigrant integration can be somewhat vague. In effect, Canadians are divided when asked whether immigrants should give up their customs and traditions and become more like the majority (an issue that even divides immigrants). Yet ironically, the vast majority of Canadians agree that the It is important to pass on our customs and traditions to future generations. Concern with the numbers of immigrants is thickening according to a recent survey conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies. The survey reveals that underlying the reticence over both numbers and newcomer integration are security concerns the extent of which needs further study. The study concludes with a comparison between Canada and the United States on the issue of immigrant integration which paradoxically suggests that Americans are far less concerned than Canadians about immigrants giving up their customs and traditions and adopting those of the majority. So much for Canada describing itself as the mosaic and the US as the Melting Pot.