ugh....
I am so glad to not be part of this. Up here in lovely Canada, we have our problems, but this I'm happy to say is foreign. I grew up going to school as one of only 3 caucasian kids in my class at a time. The other kids were from everywhere: Sudan, Lebanon, Mexico, China, Korea, Eritrea, etc, etc. Some had immigrated quite recently, others were third or fourth generation (my family is second generation Irish). I have never heard someone tell a racist joke in real life. Never. I've heard the occasional blonde joke, and that's bad enough.
We have two official languages, left over from when two countries invaded and occupied this territory. I speak both fluently and so do many, many of the people I know.
My country has a refugee policy, and sound immigration laws. Within the next couple years, our population growth will come exclusively from immigration as our birth rate isn't high enough - and that's something most of us are okay with.
We have universal health care, no matter who you are, or how much money you make, when you need help you get it.
We have social assistance that is available for all in time of need.
We don't mind people moving here and "taking our jobs" because we have an amazing, thriving economy that has room for many, many more people than we have.
Where I live in Alberta, Tim Horton's (like Starbucks but a quarter the price) is literally recruiting from all over the world because they don't have enough staff here.
Construction workers make 18-30$/hour, skilled trades up to 60$/hr...
Diversity is strength.
Compassion is strength.
And no one wants to blow us off the map.
Rachael
