legal and illegal immigration and how it affects Canada

Running Head : Canada Immigration

Immigration and Its Effects on Canada

Keith Wale

Geography of Europe

Prof Ozornoy

Immigration and Its Effects on Canada

These days , a trip across the northern b of our country may mean an encounter with a person speaking Chinese or the sight of a Hindu mosque Immigration to Canada , both legal and illegal , has had major repercussions throughout the country including a change in demographics socio-economics and the labor force . The country of Canada , which is the second largest in area in the world , is

considered to be neutral Consequently , it is safe haven for many immigrants from around the world who seek to leave behind the war and economic strife in their homeland and make their home in a country that provides a nationwide system of healthcare , stable economy and diverse culture . According to the Citizen and Immigration division of Canada 's government one out of every six citizens in the country was born elsewhere . While this philanthropic bent for helping people of other nations has earned a generous reputation for the country , it is ill-prepared to fully cope with this continually increasing population of foreigners

Canada offers an open door policy to immigrants but does impose a quota on the number of new citizens it will receive each year . Although they have never before completely met this quota , recent events in other countries have brought an influx of applications to the Immigration office in numbers that are extraordinary and difficult to process Speculation is now increasing as to how this situation will affect illegal crossings into Canada . As the world continues to change , so too , will Canada and its population of citizens who reside there both legally and illegally . Research regarding the effects of immigration on the country currently as well as those anticipated in the future , is the focus of this study . Positive effects include the reversal of population aging and regional strengthening of the economy while adverse effects include the cost of social services and high unemployment . Along with a background on the recent history and policies of immigration in Canada a look at current statistics , the further effects of illegal immigration and plans for the future will be included

Immigration : Policies and Background

According to the Citizenship and Immigration department of Canada , the level of immigration since 1990 has been the highest experienced since before World War I - the only other time in Canada 's history when immigration levels were at or above 200 ,000 for any consecutive set of years . Between 1981 and 1996 , 2 .1 million immigrants stormed Canada bringing their hopes of becoming citizens , with an average of 235 ,000 coming to the country each year in the early 1990 's . These immigrants accounted for 17 of the population , which was a higher percentage of immigration in any other OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development ) country with the exception of Australia . According to a study done on the 1996 census in Canada , four out of ten immigrants...