Whether they are a refugee, a temporary foreign worker or an immigrant who recently secured permanent residency, newcomers coming to Canada are besieged with several questions.
Where will I live? How will I find a job? Will my kids go to a good school? Are the grocery stores filled with my favourite treats? Will I make any friends? Can I really afford this house?
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
When newcomers come to Canada, they have the same concerns, anxieties and excitement as you would moving into a new community.
But as a long-time resident in an established neighbourhood, you may have worries beyond whether they will be prompt with the weekly garbage pick-up if somebody from an unfamiliar culture moves in.
You may be besieged with concerns, many of them based on stereotypes and shaped by your unconscious biases. You may even be unaware of how your subconscious fears are triggering your anxieties, but they may be there.
What you need to understand is that most, if not all, of your fears are unfounded. What will help you best overcome that apprehension is understanding what will happen when a newcomer creates a new home near you.
So, what to expect?
Honestly? It depends. A newcomer moving nearby will have the same results as anybody else moving into town. You probably won’t even realize that somebody from a different culture now lives near you unless they are direct neighbours or you’ve been listening to the gossip mill.
Be honest with yourself. Can you name every single person living around you? Can you tell me what they are like beyond a few superficial traits? Probably not.
So why would a newcomer change that? If they are quiet and neat, you won’t need to worry about them lowering property values. If they are car fanatics, you may get to see a veritable vehicle parade on the weekend. If they are shy, a friendly wave may be as close as you two get. If they are outgoing, you may quickly make new friends.
But most likely, unless you try to create a welcoming community, you probably won’t even realize they are there, especially if you live in a bigger neighbourhood.
But what about the increase in crime?
Despite all evidence to the contrary, many people believe newcomers lead to increased crime, but it is all fearmongering. Statistically, there won’t be any problems.
Unlike your Canada-born neighbours, immigrants and refugees must undergo rigorous screening before being allowed into the country. This includes multiple interviews and background checks. And before stepping foot in Canada, they must provide biometrics to the authorities that include their fingerprints and photographs. So, any history of serious crime will be spotted before they even arrive. And in the rare case of criminal behaviour while in Canada, they will be easier to catch.
And neat fact: areas with high levels of immigration saw a decrease in crime, while areas where immigration faltered saw an increase. This is highlighted in a study by Doctor Maria Jung.
Newcomers also face harsher sentences, and if they are convicted of a serious crime, they are stripped of status and deported back to their home country without any right of appeal.
Are there any benefits to having newcomers in my area?
Yes. There are many, and they go beyond building a strong community and enjoying diverse cultures.
According to Statistic Canada, the following benefits are created by immigration:
They support our aging population.
They meet our labour market needs.
They fill temporary labour needs.
They sustain Canada’s education system through international students.
They boost trade.
So, when newcomers decide to make your community their new home, put away those fears and embrace the opportunity to make new friends and get to know another culture. You may be surprised at the connections you build.
