This story could be read a couple of ways. If it merely suggests immigrants ought to recognise and belong to Canada then fine:
Immigrants have 'duty to integrate': Kenney
Calgary Herald
CALGARY — Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Friday he wants more immigrants in Canada to learn one of the country's official languages and expects them to better integrate into Canadian society.
In Calgary to announce $9.5 million in funding for language training programs in the city, Kenney said the government expects all immigrants to speak French or English if they are to become Canadian citizens. Currently, only a quarter of them are taking advantage of government-funded language courses — even though it's a "critical pathway to success in Canada," he said.
"Newcomers have a right to be different, but a duty to integrate. They also have to take the initiative," Kenney told reporters at the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society.
"Our new focus is on integration. We don't want to create a bunch of silo communities, where kids grow up in a community that more resembles their parents' country of origin than Canada," he said.
"We want people to be Canadians first and foremost, to be proud of and maintain their own tradition and heritage, but not at the price of developing Canadian identity."
James Morton
1100-5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
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416 225 2777
6 comments:
I don't have a problem with this. They should at least know how to communicate in one of our two official languages when they immigrate to our country. What's your opinion sir?
It's telling that Kenney says that "[Immigrants] have a duty to integrate" rather than "The government has a duty to help immigrants integrate". The Conversatives are always eager to avoid taking responsibility and to shift blame onto others.
Brent what do you call the investment of $9.5 million in funding for language training programs in the city of Calgary? If that's not taking responsibility than what is? There is only so much that governments can do. If this isn't good enough for you,than what is your solution besides criticism,Brent?
Governments tend to be quick to write cheques and slow to explain how the money is actually going to be useful. If three quarters of immigrants aren't taking advantage of the current program, then the problem is with the program's accessibility and marketing. Even if the government spends $9.5 million on a new building and a full-time teaching staff, the money will only be wasted if nothing is done to increase participation or, more likely, if the money gets stalled somewhere in the bureaucracy.
It doesn't matter if the ink is red or blue, I wouldn't trust a funding announcement that doesn't come with an itemized budget and a list of deadlines. Kenney's choice of wording just gave me something extra to complain about.
Brent it's not always the governments fault I don't care what government happens to be in power at that particular time.
Do we want governments to wait for these people when they come threw our airports train station and our ports,to take them by their hands and bring them to school like good little children?
These peoples need to do some homework before they leave their countries. Go to the local Canadian embassies or consulates and see what programs we have for them. Isn't this the reason why we have embassies and consulates?
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