Do you ever fear American immigration?

[Jackie97]

It's just a question that I have because I'm curious. You all have had a lot of Americans immigrate to your country. I'm assuming that unlike us, you all are not worried about Americans taking your jobs because you all have a labor surplus.

However, do you ever fear that too many Americans coming up with taint the Canadian culture? Progressive Americans that move up there mean well, but they do bring their own culture with them (both the parts you like and the parts you don't).

Do you all ever fear too much of the bad part of American culture coming into Canada? Is there anything culturally that the progressive Americans bring up there that you all like?

On my own personal note, I have no plans to move to Canada, but I might very well do it one day if I were to get a job offer that I liked. I just thought I'd ask these questions because there's a history of Americans going up there and because it really does seem like there's an American on this board planning to move to Canada every time I come. My God, the anti-Bush Americans are actually doing it. Some of them actually are moving to Canada. LOL. I am anti-Bush, btw. I don't want any confusion to happen there.

[Kellanved]

1. What do you mean?

I actually think the exact contrary, albeit I don not share the Canadian perspective.

Immigration to the EU is extremely restricted, qualified people immigrating do not only tend to bring their own jobs, but also tend to create several additional jobs. Never mind that paying taxes inside the EU is better than paying taxes anywhere else in my Book (;-) )

[orpupilofnature57]

2. and I'm sure you don't need to prove, religious persecution either

I would put stock in that fear, look at what we've done to this part of north America.

[Feathered Fish]

3. No

To be afraid of American immigration and their culture coming to Canada would be as silly as saying that I am afraid of South Asian immigration and their culture.
First of all, Canadians have a strong cultural identity. We are more patriotic than the press would like anyone to believe. Most of us aren't flag wavers, but that is irrelevant to patriotism. I don't think that a handful of American immigrants will disrupt this. Also, our cultures are linked. As North Americans, we are similar. Canada may have less media and advertising, but keep in mind that most Canadians get American channels with cable. In Toronto, for instance, we receive all networks through the Buffalo affiliates, and in Calgary, the networks come from Spokane. So already we have plenty of media culture from the States. We read your newspapers and watch your television shows, and obviously, we pay attention to your politics.
I am speaking from a left point of view and the view from the right would be somewhat the same, I believe.
As for taking our jobs, well everyone needs to work, immigrant or not. I don't quite understand your statement about labour surplus, however. Our unemployment rate is higher than that of the States, but maybe you are referring to Employment Insurance (read: unemployment insurance) benefit surplus. Keep in mind that only goes to those out of work (under specific circumstances and not for very long).
The number of American immigrants that come to Canada is still very small, so it is not really an issue for me. I suspect that if all hell breaks loose in the States and the draft starts up again, there will be more, but it won't be to a point where this Canadian will feel threatened.
I am curious to see what other Canucks will say in regards to this.

[Jackie97]

5. Oh, I know Canadians are patriotic.

I learned that when I saw the coverage of Canada Day a couple of years ago. :)

I guess I was wrong about the employment surplus. Sorry about that.

[Mother Jones]

6. Very well stated.

I completely agree....I certainly don't feel threatened or worried at all.
We're liberal and moving further to the left. I can't see that being appealing to any right-wingers. (If that's what you mean - that they would come here and influence our elections)

[Lisa]

8. The Americans who come up will likely share many of our values ...

In fact, the most recent waves of US immigration (in response to the Vietnam War, and the Reagan era), have tended to be more and more progressive and well-educated. (There were earlier US immigration surges, e.g. when the former HBC lands in the west were opened to settlements a century or more ago -- and the Fraser and Klondike gold rushes. Many of the people who came up then were looking to get rich quick, or get away from what they saw as too much government regulation down there.)

A number of people now revered as Canadian cultural icons (Laura Secord, Barbara Frum, "Mr. Dressup", etc.) are actually Americans.

I say, "bring 'em on!"

[ailsagirl]

12. And you guys don't have a "Bible Belt" like we do here

:crazy:

[glarius]

16. The unemployment situation is kind of mirky.....what I mean is

The way it is calculated in Canada compared to the way the U.S.A. does it....Down there, once the people stop looking for work they are no longer counted...Up here we still count them as unemployed....I suspect the actual unemployment rate is about the same in both countries....:)

[Spazito]

4. I welcome all immigrants

regardless of where they are from. They add to our diversity and can only be a positive addition. Canada and Canadians are strong in our beliefs and those moving to Canada often move here because, they too, support those same beliefs.

Seeing as we are 'next door neighbours' any cultural impact happens with or without actual immigration from the US so it is a moot issue, imo.

[KurtNYC]

7. Americans make up only 2% of immigration to Canada

"In 2003, the last year where full statistics are available, there were something like 6,000 U.S. citizens who received permanent resident status in Canada.

That's 6,000 out of ~250,000 or 2.4%

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/08/national/08depart.html?8hpib=&pagewanted=print&position=

[Maple]

9. Nope welcome them in fact

The ones likely to come here are adventurous right...er left thinking people. :D

[Jackie97]

10. Thanks for the responses.

I was just curious because I kept thinking that even though a leftist American means well, they probably do bring up some of that junk that Canadians don't like.

It's nice to see how welcoming you all seem to be though. Thanks for your responses.

[ailsagirl]

13. I didn't realize there was a surplus of jobs in Canada...

I'd love to move to BC but I don't see a lot of job listings online. Perhaps I'm not looking in the right places...

[LeftistGorilla]

11. I go to Ryerson....

and all of the Americans I've met on campus are great....

no problems here...

[HamiltonHabs32]

14. all are welcome

just done ferget yer tuque, eh

[Wat_Tyler]

15. No.

We've had plenty over the years. Our culture is strong enough.