At Davos and beyond, let’s remind the world why it needs more Canada

The Price Building, in the old city of Quebec City. The building is the head office of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and the official residence of the Premier of Québec (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

TAWFIK HAMMOUD AND MICHAEL SABIA

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — Contributed to The Globe and Mail

Tawfik Hammoud is a member of the Boston Consulting Group’s global executive committee, based in Toronto. Michael Sabia is CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, based in Montreal.

In our work around the world, we both do a lot of benchmarking – investment returns, operating efficiency, the usual things you see in corporate presentations. We often find ourselves mentally benchmarking the country we’re currently in against Canada – and Canada usually stacks up well. “Best practice” or “top quartile” is what would appear on the PowerPoint slides.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week, there has been a lot of discussion about technological innovation, failed states, climate change, oil prices and slow growth – big issues playing out against a worldwide backdrop of intensifying ideological beliefs, polarizing identity politics, cultural intolerance and income inequalities. But amid these challenges, Canada represents a different, better path: a blueprint for a country that works. Because the world has a lot to learn from us, Canada has to stand up and speak out.

We may not have the global swagger some others do, but we have what many others wish they had: a successful, relatively harmonious and fair society, respectful and open to all. Canada’s confidence shouldn’t be affected by the price of oil or the value of the loonie, which go up and down. Our confidence should be grounded in who we are as a country.

There is much about our model that sets us apart. Here are three things worth highlighting.

Pragmatism

Canada faces many of the same economic issues as other countries today – slow growth, pressure on middle-income families – but Canadians made clear in the last federal election that they have little appetite for divisive rhetoric and a strong preference for practical, middle-of-the-road answers. We may be the only Western country left without a reactionary populist movement, left or right. By global standards, our politics may be dull, but they work.

We express Canadian pragmatism in so many places: our strong and relatively equal health-care system, our efficient and largely non-partisan system for redistributing income, our world-leading approach to retirement security. Take the latter, which is a time bomb for many countries. We’ve built a system that combines personal, corporate and public savings plans, including highly successful public pension funds. Why successful? Because we’ve allowed them to deliver their public mandate by working on private-sector principles. Today, these funds manage $1.1-trillion, triple what they managed in 2003, with 80 per cent of that growth coming from investment returns. They are among the world’s largest and best infrastructure and real-estate investors. Canada’s public pension funds are among our best-known global brands.

Public institutions

Look beyond the daily show in the House of Commons to the institutions, such as our brand of federalism, that enable diverse interests to work as a country. Look at the paralysis of the euro zone or the political dysfunction plaguing the United States to understand just how hard this can be.

Canadian federalism has allowed us to bridge wide differences and share wealth across regions. The process may be more cumbersome than we would like, but it has given us the tools to be more innovative in a world of changing needs. Its genius is how, by decentralizing, it fosters more pools of experimentation – solutions developed locally are shared nationally.

In a way, our brand of federalism is a manifestation of something deeper in our national temperament – our capacity for constructive dialogue. That’s rarer than you might think in a world dominated by one-way monologues. It’s one reason why we’ve made the compromises needed to build cities with a quality of life admired around the world. Two recently topped The Economist’s list of best places to live.

Inclusiveness

Canada remains an open society. Most leaders we meet view us as a gold standard in building a post-globalization society with a multiplicity of identities and a rejection of fear and “otherness.” Our capacity to foster co-existence is rare and increasingly important given both the migrations that are under way and the proximity of once-distant cultures.

We are also world leaders when it comes to opening our doors to qualified immigration candidates – and we do so without exaggerating security concerns. Canadian opinion polls show a majority in public support for the world’s highest immigration levels. No political party advocates cutting immigration. We should be proud that seven million of our 35 million citizens were born outside Canada, that the federal cabinet has as many women as men and that a few cabinet members arrived here not so long ago as virtual refugees.

None of this is to say that Canada is the promised land. There is work to do. Our pension funds need to think more creatively about how to invest in city infrastructure. On immigration, let’s step up language training and really accelerate foreign-credential recognition to expand the labour force and increase economic growth. We have to invest to rediversify an economy that has grown far too dependent on commodities. And of course, climate change – we have let others shape this debate for too long. There is a real opportunity for Canada to reassert itself as a leader in curbing greenhouse gas emissions, while still taking advantage of our natural resources. The fourth industrial revolution is one of the main themes at Davos this week. Let’s harness all that technology and innovation can offer to sell today’s energy and tomorrow’s new energy technologies.

There is no shortage of Canadian leadership opportunities: public education, health care, financial-system reform, taxation, medical innovation, free trade. We need to be good at these things, and when we excel, we need to make sure the world knows about it.

We are encouraged by the fresh leadership we see across the political spectrum and at various levels of government. These leaders seem committed to reasserting Canada’s place in the world, and they are not alone. Most business and social-sector leaders we meet in Canada are ready to do their part. What we need now is a new level of national ambition and confidence: Let’s stand up and be vocal about what we can contribute to solving the world’s challenges.

SOURCE: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/at-davos-and-beyond-lets-remind-the-world-why-it-needs-more-canada/article28323650/

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Canada: An immigration example to the world

By R. Michael Warren, Special to Postmedia Network

Friday, January 22, 2016 5:47:24 EST PM

One in five of us were born outside this country. It’s not surprising. Canada has one of the most positive attitudes toward immigrants in the developed world. We lead in promoting rapid labour market integration, a common sense of belonging, and non-discrimination.

The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPI) ranked Canada sixth out of 38 countries in its 2014 annual survey — just behind Sweden, Portugal, New Zealand, Finland and Norway.

Being a world leader in integrating immigrants is not a recent phenomenon. Canada is the only country in the world that has welcomed nearly one per cent of its population (250,000) every year, for the past two decades.

We do not have an anti-immigration political party at any level of government. And we attract more newcomers per capita than any other country on the globe.

Our multicultural society makes newcomers feel welcome. No single ethnic, religious or racial group dominates the national dialogue. Newcomers are presented with a positive history of immigrant success. We are a young, tolerant country built by immigrants from all over the world.

Other G7 countries, such as Italy, Germany, France, and Great Britain, rank well behind Canada. But before we congratulate ourselves too readily we should consider the daunting challenges facing these and other European states.

Europe is changing. A few blocks from where my family frequently stays in Nice, France, a new has neighbourhood has sprung up. Walking through it is like entering another world — a world created by mass Muslim immigration.

The shop signs are in Arabic. The women wear head scarves. Indigenous French locals are nowhere to be seen. Idle men dominate the street scene. Unlike most of Canada’s Italian, Chinese, Greek and other ethnic enclaves, this neighbourhood has the feel of a religion-centric ghetto.

Muslim neighbourhoods like this one have grown up in the poorer parts of dozens of cities in Europe. Amsterdam, Marseilles, Stockholm and Birmingham are already one-fifth Muslim.

Paris is surrounded by suburban ghettos populated by over 1.7 million Muslims, mostly from Algeria and Morocco. Every year between 30,000 and 40,000 cars are set on fire in the outskirts of Paris and other French cities where second- and third-generation immigrants live in poverty.

In the past, Europeans have generally rejected criticism of Islam, maintaining immigrants of any faith would assimilate into a multicultural Europe. But in many countries that hasn’t happened.

A Pew Research Center study found 81 per cent of British Muslims considered themselves Muslims first and British citizens second. In France, Germany, and Spain, between 50 and 69 per cent of Muslims identified with their religious affiliation over their national identity.

The British Centre for Social Cohesion reported one-third of British Muslim students are in favour of a worldwide Islamic caliphate.

Some observers feel that integration has been hindered by Muslim leaders who interpret Islam as both a political ideology and a religion. Others maintain that by forcing assimilation, countries like France compel immigrants to make the impossible choice between their cultural identity and their new country.

That was the situation in 2014. Since then more than a million people from Syria, Somalia, Pakistan and Afghanistan — many of them Muslims — have reached Europe. It’s the biggest refugee influx since the Second World War. This latest migrant wave continues with no sign of easing, putting intense pressure on European Union countries to stem the flow and fashion more effective integration programs.

Canada’s commitment to take 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February, about 10 per cent of our normal annual intake of immigrants, seems a very modest challenge in comparison.

While Canada ranks high in newcomer integration, several recent developments are worrisome.

First, Canada lost MIPI points in 2014 over previous years. The recent delays and restrictions to family reunion and citizenship introduced by the Harper government are damaging. They undermine one of the basic strengths of our immigration model. Selected immigrants are supposed to arrive as permanent residents with equal rights to invest in their integration and quickly become full Canadian citizens.

Second, recent surveys say distinctly different things about our attitudes toward immigration.

A March Ekos poll found Canadians are becoming more fearful, less compassionate and less welcoming when it comes to immigration. Forty-six per cent of Canadians said too many immigrants are coming — up from 25 per cent in 2005. Stephen Harper tried unsuccessfully to tap into these negative sentiments during the October election.

A June survey by the Environics Institute provides part of the answer to why Justin Trudeau’s more welcoming immigration policies received wider support. Environics found attitudes have held steady or grown more positive over the last five years. Canadians continue to believe immigration is good for the economy. We are more confident about the country’s ability to manage refugees and the possible criminal element. Nearly 95 per cent felt a person born abroad is as likely to make good a citizen as someone born here.

Let’s hope the Environics poll reflects our attitudes, and that Trudeau rolls back Harper’s restrictive legislation so Canada can remain an immigrant integration example to the world.

— R. Michael Warren is a former corporate director, Ontario deputy minister, TTC chief general manager and Canada Post CEO. r.michael.warren@gmail.com

Libraries key to Simcoe County immigrants’ success

English: Town hall of Bradford West Gwillimbury in Bradford, Ontario, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Barrie Advance

By Jenni Dunning 

Lena Tawana left a life of fear behind in Syria, where her neighbours’ homes were lit on fire and her church bombed.

“We are Christian. Every Christian is killed, killed, killed. No safety,” said the mother of two. “They say, ‘We are coming to kill you.’ We close the door. The men scared; the women never leave the house. Maybe steal the children, maybe steal the woman. Now, nobody is in my village.”

As war continues raging in Syria and refugees flee in a mass exodus to find new homes, Tawana said she is happy to be living in Bradford West Gwillimbury.

“Now we can sleep. Now (my family is) safe, thanks God,” she said. “(It) feels like a bad dream.”

“As a county, we are leading a number of creative and impactful programs that further open our region to immigration, skilled labour and ultimately support our economic, social and community growth.” — Simcoe County Warden Gerry Marshall

Tawana said she loves living in a quiet, small town with her husband, Jony, and young children, George and Gabriella. Key to her success was finding a community with services for newcomers.

Bradford is one of five municipalities in Simcoe County chosen to be part of a provincially-funded pilot project to make local libraries welcoming hubs for new immigrants. The other locations for Library Link are Barrie, Innisfil, Midland and Wasaga Beach.  

The idea is to make libraries a one-stop shop for helping immigrants feel at home, access materials in different languages and find information on the community and referral services.

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READ MORE: Syrian refugee family settles in Bradford West Gwillimbury

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“As a county, we are leading a number of creative and impactful programs that further open our region to immigration, skilled labour and ultimately support our economic, social and community growth,” said county Warden Gerry Marshall in a statement.

Since Library Link began in Midland, no immigrants have come in looking for help, but a family of Syrian refugees recently moved to neighbouring Penetanguishene and a family is expected in Midland.

Midland Public Library circulation assistant Angie Blackwood, who was trained to implement Library Link, said she would complete a needs assessment for all immigrants looking for assistance.

If they need a job, want to better their education or join a conversation circle, library staff can direct them, she said.

Tracy Munusami, manager of the Barrie Public Library’s adult and community services, said staff was taught how to communicate better cross-culturally and be more helpful to newcomers.

She said the library has literature in many different languages, including Chinese, Dutch, German, Hindi, Tagalog and Punjabi as well as a large Basic English section.

The library also hosts a variety of programs for new immigrants, such as a weekly English conversation circle. The winter session begins at the city’s two branches Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m., she said.

Georgina’s Irina Efimova emigrated from Russia nine years ago. Now, she is the mobile unit facilitator of the Welcome Centre Immigrant Services servicing Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Orillia, Alliston and upper York Region.

She said increasing the role of libraries to help immigrants is a “great thing” because it should help make their transitions to Canada smoother.

“They’re looking everywhere (for help) when they arrive in Canada. We didn’t have (a welcome hub); we had to do all the searching ourselves,” she said.

Marsida Dine, who emigrated from Albania to Bradford three months ago with her husband, Adriatik, and children, Amanda and Andi, said she often goes to the library.

Dine said it is a great source of community information, where she can learn about local events, many of which her family attends.

“You have to start somewhere. We can get information from here. For the newcomer, how much are they going to know about the country?” she said.

Libraries are important for the success of new immigrants and, if anything, she said they should host more events and activities.

“It would be nice if they add a little bit more,” she said. “Homework buddies, reading buddies — that would be helpful for us and the kids.”

“It’s not easy to live here in Canada,” added Lina Isho, who immigrated to Canada from Iraq in 2012 with her husband, Mohand, and kids, Maryan and Yousif.

Isho met Dine and Tawana at the Bradford Learning Centre, where they take an English as a Second Language (ESL) class.

“The library helps a lot,” Isho said, adding her family has taken advantage of many free activities in town, such as crafts programs and movie nights, which help them socialize in the community.

“It’s a small thing, but it’s nice.”

Thornton’s Yvonne Konrad, who has been working with immigrants for 30 years, is Isho, Dine and Tawana’s ESL teacher. She also runs a book club in Alliston for Syrian refugees and a regular lunch for immigrant women.

The book club includes people from all over the world, such as Germany, Serbia, Korea and Mexico, along with some Canadians new to Alliston, she said.

Konrad is thrilled Simcoe County has created Library Link because she has been trying to expand services for immigrants in South Simcoe, especially in rural communities, for years.

“You don’t have anything that brings people together. If you don’t belong to a church, what else is there?” she said, adding some small municipalities do not have meeting places such as community or recreation centres.

“I would love to see rural libraries in smaller areas doing more. A lot of these things can be very easily initiated. There’s a lot of opportunity.”

In 2014, Ontario was home to about 96,000 permanent-resident immigrants – more than any other province, according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

That year, 351 of them resided in Barrie. In comparison, Toronto had 75,821.

Fifty-two per cent of immigrants who have lived in Canada less than five years participate in adult education programs, which is the same as people born here but higher than established immigrants (41 per cent), according to Statistics Canada.

As well, youth who immigrate to Canada before age 15 have higher rates of high school and university completion (40 per cent) compared to third- or higher-generation immigrants (26 per cent).

Immigrants are “very highly motivated to learn. A lot of them are internationally educated people. They want their children to be educated,” Konrad said. “Immigrants need a place. Libraries are critical for helping immigrants settle.”

It is particularly important for immigrant women who do not work to integrate into the community so they do not become isolated, she said.

“A lot of mothers will walk their children to the bus stop and the other mothers will say, ‘Hi, hello’ (and not much more). Libraries provide a place for people to talk and connect,” she said.

Konrad said she sees the involvement of libraries as part of a larger picture to encourage Canadians’ “cultural sensitivity.”

Jenni Dunning is the regional reporter for Metroland Simcoe County. You can reach her atjdunning@simcoe.com . Follow her on Twitter and follow Simcoe.com on Facebook