Canada believes it can maintain openness to immigrants, refugees without compromising security
Dear Mr Brown,
Based on President Trump’s travel ban against Muslims, how can Canada support the US? Why doesn’t Canada speak out against the
discriminatory immigration policy?
-AA
Dear AA:
I receive many questions about the potential effects of current US immigration policies on Canada. In response to your question, I can state that I believe Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken a pragmatic approach to dealing with the United States by maintaining a different approach to immigration, while fostering close economic ties.
Border Security and Terrorism
In the United States, President Trump utilises fears about border security and terrorism for political support. There is a large segment in the US that feels like a minority in their own country in the face of multiculturalism. For example, a poll by
The Associated Press found that 53 per cent of Americans thought the US should allow fewer Syrian refugees to enter the country at a time when the level was set at 10,000. In contrast, in Canada, a poll found 53 per cent of Canadians agreed with the Government to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees.
Recently, Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, held a joint press conference with President Trump in Washington, DC, in which he avoided making a statement on travel ban, despite his making previous tweets against it.
Refugees are welcome
Trudeau wrote on Twitter: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada.” He also stated that Canada believed it could maintain “openness” to immigrants and refugees “without compromising security”. He went on to note that with regards to US-Canadian relations, “…There have been times where we have differed in our approaches and that’s always been done firmly and respectfully…” However, Prime Minister Trudeau stated that it was not his place to come down to the US and “lecture another country”. Trudeau added: “The last thing Canadians expect is for me to come down and lecture another country on how they choose they govern themselves. My role, my responsibility is to continue to govern in such a way that reflects Canadians’ approach and be a positive example in the world.”
US-Canada trade relations
The US-Canadian border is crossed by nearly 400,000 people each day. The trade relationship between the countries runs deep and has created millions of jobs and cooperation on many issues such as intelligence and security. In fact, three-quarters of Canada’s exports go the US and roughly 2.5 million Canadian jobs depend on American trade. Accordingly, Prime Minister Trudeau’s position is that it is important to highlight Canadian values and principles, as well creating employment and opportunity for Canadians through close integration with the US.
Please visit
jamaica2canada.com for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence programmes, including Express Entry, the Study and Work progam, Visitor’s visas or Appeals, etc.
Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel and an accredited Canadian education agent of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM — a Canadian immigration & education firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to
