When people immigrate to Canada, they leave behind many family members. Since ancient times, the family has been one of the most important units in society. Families are made up of people big and small, young and old. When some family members are left behind they create an empty hole in the family network and it never feels the same again. There are rules in Canada’s immigration policy that only lets certain family members immigrate. In this blog I will be talking about older family members that have a very bleak chance in reuniting with their family of origin.
In Canada’s immigration policy there are different categories of application but not every one falls into these categories. Skilled worker, family class, business class and self employed class are some of them. If you do not fit the criteria in any of these categories there really is no other way to immigrate to Canada. This leaves older persons with very little hope.
The family class will allow permanent residents to sponsor parents and grandparents but no other older relative. “During the past decade, the numbers of parents and grandparents that Canada admitted in the family class has fluctuated, but overall, declined substantially” (McLaren, 2006, p.34). So even older people that are allowed to immigrate under the family class are having a lesser chance of being accepted.
“ Rather than providing a neutral measurement of immigrant eligibility, the point systems’s reliance on human capital theory rests on a market-based definition of immigrant ‘value’ that legitimates social exclusions” (McLaren, 2006, p.35). As McLaren explains, the immigration policies are designed for people with high education, job experience and skills that will bring higher economic benefits to the country that they are immigrating to. There fore they see older persons as frail and being a societal burden rather than an investment. Even if older people have educations and the qualifications to apply under the skilled worker category, there is a age limit and if they are above it they cannot apply. Therefore we can come to the conclusion that immigration policies just aren’t made for older people and that reuniting families is not its main priority.
-Iresha
References
McLaren, A. T. (2006). IMMIGRATION AND PARENTAL SPONSORSHIP IN CANADA: Implications for Elderly Women . Canadian Issues , 34-37.
Great post. It is intresting the iimmigration policy people don't look at individual contributions people can bring to Canada. Maybe this should be the next step to immigration policies?
ReplyDelete-Kerri
I had no idea that there were different categories of which you can immigrate. I love my grandparents very much so I just feel so bad for the families that would have to leave behind their grandparents. I think these categories should be eliminated so that entire families can immigrate together and then they can fully enjoy their now home, older persons and all!
ReplyDelete-Nicole (Nikki) S.
@Kerri- Immigration policies are designed with the government in mind and how much income they bring. Individual contributions are considered only if they have high education, job experience etc.
ReplyDelete-Iresha
@Nicole - Yes there are different categories that applicants can use to identify themselves. But not everyone fits into these classes. So it is an unfortunate situation. If a family wants to move to another country they should be given the right to reunite with family members.
ReplyDelete-Iresha
I think it's awful that Canada has been playing a role in holding back families from being fully united by not giving older adults the opportunity to immigrate here. Hopefully with the addition of programs such as the Faster Family Reunification program and the "Super Visa" these issues will be part of Canada's past.
ReplyDelete- Yodit
I found this really interesting. But I also find it understandable in a way. Canada needs younger people to work and keep the economy growing.
ReplyDeleteThough, I do find it upsetting that family members can't be reunited because of this. Living 12 hours away from my family was hard for the first 18 years of my life. I couldn't imagin how hard it is for these people.
~Joelle
The hardship of leaving family members behind appears to be a common occurrence among many newcomers to Canada. It is unfortunate that the Canadian government has such rigid policy that prevents elderly immigrants from living in Canada. I am not trying to dismiss the hurt many feel when leaving their loved ones behind, but I think advances in technology can make the transition easier. Conversations can be held across countries without a costly phone bill and with face to face visuals using Skype. I think this would be very helpful in maintaining ties when one’s family is overseas.
ReplyDeleteKim