For Immediate Release
Toronto, October 30, 1996...B'nai Brith Canada is concerned by statements made yesterday by Immigration Minister Lucienne Robillard, in outlining Canada's approach to immigration in the coming year, that Canada's immigration policy is being formulated through the results of an Angus Reid public opinion poll. The poll indicates that Canadians are divided regarding the impact of new immigrants upon Canada's economy. Even more alarming is that the Minister acknowledges the fact that new immigration policy is being implemented when the government knows that the public's perception of the economic effects of immigrants is wrong.
Frank Dimant, Executive Vice-President of B'nai Brith Canada issued the following statement: “It is alarming that the federal government is allowing its immigration polices to be shaped be a mistaken notion amongst Canadians that immigrants have a detrimental impact upon the Canadian economy. Instead of bending to a misinformed public, the Canadian government should be highlighting the economic and social benefits derived from new immigrants.”
If Canada continues on the path of following a misinformed public, it could again lead to a day when Canada shamefully slams its door shut on desperate refugees as it did to Jews prior to the Second World War.
B'nai Brith Canada has been involved in federal consultations on immigration, and has made submissions to parliamentary committees on multiculturalism and immigration. B'nai Brith is a recognized expert on the value of diversity and cross-cultural understandings and fighting racism and anti-Semitism.
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