The Immigration History of Canada: Dispersion Strategy for the Settlement of Skilled Immigrants - Research Paper Example

 The article being reviewed briefly goes over the immigration history of Canada, and uses information from a variety of sources. It shows a clinical approach to a social issue, relying on facts and numbers available to make decisions versus utilizing personal opinions and approaches. According to the article by 1911 immigrants represented 57% of the people living in Alberta and British Columbia. (Boyd, Vickers 3) There were a much lower number of women than men for the first twenty years of the 20th century as well. Interestingly the statistics utilized are relatively thorough allowing for a much better idea of population numbers. The core approach of the article is specifically the numbers, races, ethnicities and sexes of the immigrants that have come to Canada over the past 100 years. The authors did a good job of ensuring little to no racial or sexual bias and presented the facts as they are available to them. Ten visual aids were used including charts; these visual aids were well cited from verifiable information sources. Some of those sources were Statistics Canada and the International Migration Review. Statistics Canada is a part of the Canadian Census Bureau. Given the intent of the essay desired this would seem to be a positive benefit as a source for the paper. With numerous references as well as the statistical backing of the Canadian Census Bureau it remains a valid option as a source for the essay. Annotated Bibliography 2- McIsaac, E. "Nation Building through Cities: A new deal for immigrant settlement in Canada." Caledon Institute of Social Policy ISBN 1-55382-043-6. (2003): 1-13. Web. 20 Mar 2011. http://www.triec.ca/files/61/original/2003_Maytree_NationBuilding.pdf The article being reviewed addresses one approach taken by the Canadian Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration in June of 2002 which looked at a dispersion strategy for the settlement of skilled immigrants across Canada. (McIsaac 1) The paper addresses three separate concerns related to the proposed strategy including the coercive nature of the proposal. The idea that immigration in this way does not add to a broader strategy and lastly that the effect of the new strategy would further exclude and marginalize new immigrants. (McIsaac 2) The author goes into detail explaining each concern and its effect on Canada as a result. Given the focus of the article in regards to one particular policy towards immigrants it does pose a potential problem for use. This problem is not a serious issue however, and used properly it will allow for a much more thorough paper specifically through its look at this new policy approach and the reaction of the general public to it. It will be beneficial to include alternative viewpoints or to use this paper only as an additional point of explanation during the paper itself. Other than the singularity of the premise within the paper it is a well written and cited paper specifically focused on immigration and immigration policy in Canada. Annotated Bibliography 3 – Alberta Government,. "Supporting immigrants and immigration to Alberta an Overview." Alberta Government (ND): 1-16. Web. 20 Mar 2011. http://www.employment.alberta.ca/documents/WIA/WIA-IM_framework_overview.pdf This paper was printed as an information piece from the Alberta, Canada government. They are using the print media to advertise Alberta, Canada to legal immigrants. A three pronged strategy initiated with the Alberta government includes increasing the skills and knowledge levels of Albertans. Additionally they wish to facilitate the mobility of labor in Canada as well as increase the number of immigrants coming to Canada. (Alberta Government 2) They feel that by filling the needed job roles with able individuals they can promote a stronger internal economy which will benefit the people as well. The core argument of this article supports the idea that additional skilled immigrants will only serve to bolster the economy. They want to ensure that immigrants and families choose to live in Alberta, where they can participate in many good things including community life and education. (Alberta Government 3) Over the course of the article several points are made and properly cited, first they state that Alberta’s economy has grown and average of 3.7% and that even so they may still face a shortage of 100,000 workers over the next ten years. (Alberta Government 4) There are twelve various illustrations and charts all properly cited allowing the person reading or using the paper to understand the facts as they are quoted. While this paper is not as thoroughly cited as the first paper on the list it is still a positive addition to the current papers being used. Annotated Bibliography 4- Anonymous,. "Alberta's Immigration Deal Model for Country, Anonymous - Canada Immigration News - April 2007." (2007): 1 . Web. 20 Mar 2011. http://www.immigration.ca/news-apr07-alberta.asp This article specifically deals with the desire of the province of Alberta to deal with the immigration policy joining Quebec as the second province to be able to decide this alone. (Immigration.ca 1) The article specifically points out that the province of Alberta shows that labor shortages estimated in the hundreds of thousands are being forecast. The Canadian government has brought some new minor bills to the table; however, there is a definite need for additional processing time. The anonymous author does a good job of presenting facts through a very small opportunity. The two cited works used are media related, however, there are also citations taking in the statistics from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Interestingly this is a relatively short article; however, is one that can be used to with regards to the current immigration policies. Interestingly Canada seems to be losing many of its skilled labor force to Australia. This article will assist in accentuating the benefits of immigration to Alberta and can be used to accent the overall need for skilled labor in Canada. Additionally the location where this short article was taken from has numerous other articles, and well cited essays that will be helpful as well. Annotated Bibliography 5- Agreement,. "Agreement for Canada-Alberta Cooperation on Immigration Electronic Version." Citizenship and Immigration in Canada (2007): NP. Web. 20 Mar 2011. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/laws-policy/agreements/alberta/can-alberta-agree-2007.asp The article is actually the legal document surrounding immigration and Canada. The agreement itself notes that Canada and Alberta co-operate in immigration, it also takes into account section 95 of the Constitution Act, 1867 that recognizes the concurrent powers of legislation of the federal and provincial governments in immigration matters. (Agreement NP) Including the preamble there are 7.5 sections which go about clarifying the agreement presented. There are very firm examples of legal approaches laid out. This section of the law can be used to help show the legal aspects involved with immigration in Alberta. Interestingly it seems that the law itself concentrates on the social aspects involved with the integration of the immigrants as well as the economic integration. Contrary to the first article summarized this one promotes more integration and less segregation by default. Additional efforts will be by both Canada and the province of Alberta to work together and promote full participation of Immigrants in Alberta and Canadian society. (Agreement NP) Given the intent of the essay being written this will be a beneficial article, document to use as it clearly shows the legal approaches being undertaken by both Canada and Alberta. More importantly it will be beneficial to the paper to utilize information from here in support of previous articles and opinions taken during the completion of the essay. It may be necessary to define some of the terms used; however, overall the use of this particular document will be instrumental in the completion of the paper regarding immigration policy in Alberta, Canada. Read More