Posted on: 17-10-10 10:44:40
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/10/16/germany-merkel-immigration-multiculturalism.html
IMO, it would be unwise to draw parallels in Canada.
Quote:Why not?
Originally posted by meghal
IMO, it would be unwise to draw parallels in Canada.
A recent survey suggested more than 30% of people believed the country was "overrun by foreigners".
The study also showed that some 16 million of Germany's immigrants or people with foreign origins had come to the country for its social benefits.
there are similarities...anti-immigrant feeling is surging all across Europe.
Australia is out and out anti-immigrant now.
and things are shaping up the same way in USA as well.
Quote:
Originally posted by meghal
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/10/16/germany-merkel-immigration-multiculturalism.html
IMO, it would be unwise to draw parallels in Canada.
Yes, Germany has a mass of people and other resources especially after reunification. They have a large chunk of Compnies or a glorious corporate houses they can take care of their economy. Some of the wellknown corporates are like Volkswagen, Mercedes, Audi, DHL, Deutsche Bank, Adidas, Porsche, Puma and others lot.
Their unemployment rate is relatively low. It is the largest economy of Europe. They are independent unlike Canada.
Canada has to survive for capital on US corporates and for labour on immigrants. Canada has to adopt a model of multiculturalism for sustainance of economy while Germany has not. So yes It is not wise to compare its multicultural policy with that of Canada.
One of the things Frau Merkel kept insisting on during her speech is the need for immigrants to learn German and integrate into the society.
Regardless of whether we agree with her or not, the situation is more accomodative in Canada.
Most immigrants learn to speak workable English, I'd imagne.
Accent can sometimes be an issue, but it's a lot better than German, I can assure you 
I know some German and there are many hurdles to overcome before you even think about accent.
Also culturally and socially, it is more accomodative in Canada for people of Asian/South Asian origin.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
I don’t think comparing Germany and Canada is a fair comparison, for immigrants the fundamentals are different in both societies. I lived in Germany for almost 5 years (masters and work), first of all few things about Germany, no prejudice but I found that German society is basically xenophobic, they always blame foreigners for their most of the national problems (such as rising unemployment, grabbing government handouts, law and order etc), Germans think that foreigners come to Germany to steal their wealth. The majority of the so called foreigners are the German born descendents of those who were brought to rebuild Germany from Turkey during 1960s, majority of them are still on temporary residency status, does it show any sincerity of the Government/ society to integrate them? Despite frequent preaching from Government I did not notice any serious efforts towards multiculturalism and integration, which isolated minorities in their own circles, they live side by side, survive on low paying labour jobs with little or no knowledge of German. On the contrary Canada is a land of immigrants, therefore multiculturalism is the key, my example, as a "visible" immigrant of 5 plus years in Canada I feel am integrated here better than I was in Germany. In both societies, I did not expect or want any special consideration and worked on the ethic of self reliance and hard work. In Germany, I earned a masters in engineering and learnt German. Here in Canada as an engineer, I wrote whatever exams were necessary to get my professional engineering designation. Here my friends are primarily Desi, Canadians, Australians, Englishmen, Venezuelan etc. and I found it fascinating to learn their ways and cultures (of course keeping my old values). I found Canadian society more open than in Germany, which is conducive for the multiculturalism.
Quote:
Originally posted by ayaz99
I don’t think comparing Germany and Canada is a fair comparison, for immigrants the fundamentals are different in both societies. I lived in Germany for almost 5 years (masters and work), first of all few things about Germany, no prejudice but I found that German society is basically xenophobic, they always blame foreigners for their most of the national problems (such as rising unemployment, grabbing government handouts, law and order etc), Germans think that foreigners come to Germany to steal their wealth. The majority of the so called foreigners are the German born descendents of those who were brought to rebuild Germany from Turkey during 1960s, majority of them are still on temporary residency status, does it show any sincerity of the Government/ society to integrate them? Despite frequent preaching from Government I did not notice any serious efforts towards multiculturalism and integration, which isolated minorities in their own circles, they live side by side, survive on low paying labour jobs with little or no knowledge of German. On the contrary Canada is a land of immigrants, therefore multiculturalism is the key, my example, as a "visible" immigrant of 5 plus years in Canada I feel am integrated here better than I was in Germany. In both societies, I did not expect or want any special consideration and worked on the ethic of self reliance and hard work. In Germany, I earned a masters in engineering and learnt German. Here in Canada as an engineer, I wrote whatever exams were necessary to get my professional engineering designation. Here my friends are primarily Desi, Canadians, Australians, Englishmen, Venezuelan etc. and I found it fascinating to learn their ways and cultures (of course keeping my old values). I found Canadian society more open than in Germany, which is conducive for the multiculturalism.
mostly true but i don't like the use of the word 'visible minority'.
Heard on radio today, that what Merkel didn't mention in her speech, that a major factions of immigrants consists of Turks, who were brought in to do the work that Germans didn't want to do. The unemployment and poverty is high in that group and hence the problem of assimilation.
I agree with all postings. I think that the fact that Canada is an English speaking country makes it easy for most of immigrants to assimilate as they do not have to learn a new language. Also, immigrants tend to be well educated and understand the importance of assimilation.
