An indirect answer to : "Peering into my crystal-ball"

[Gunner 38]

North America , being the largest crucible on the planet , still has the capacity to absorb more IMMIGRANTS . However , the previously required level of sophistication (education and skill , scientific and accomplished trades-people) DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A CONDITION of eligibility anymore . 50 / 60 or more years ago potential immigrants had to possess certain qualifications in order to be considered . They were "measured" and chosen on the premise of what they could contribute to the country . Self-sufficiency and creativity were necessary assets . Not being a burden to the "adopted nation" was of utmost importance . --- I realize that this was not ALWAYS the case . During the irish potato-famine a lot of people were accepted because of dire circumstances . Being members of the British Commonwealth helped too . --- All of these requirements apparently don't apply anymore . Now-a-days , our governments (Canada and US) "coddle" new-comers (especially refugees) . While some of them may be privately sponsored the vast majority is riding on the TAX-PAYERS-POCKETS (money , clothes , living-quarters , food etc.) . --- I am not racist or biased as far as ethnic-background , color or religion is concerned but feel that certain "guide-lines" should be adhered to when people are allowed to settle here . --- Immigrants , that arrived here earlier (50 / 60 or 70 years ago) were responsible for them-selves . If they didn't have the "means" they DIDN'T eat or have a roof above their heads . --- Sally Ann or Scott's Mission ? Nah , --- most legitimate immigrants were too proud for that . Even being a skilled tradesman or doctor etc. was no guaranty to "land" a job (in your specialty) .

[Gunner 38]

We are currently being over-run by hordes of asylum-seekers who see us as a life-preserver and are apparently not willing to adapt to our customs or standards . If they want to hang on to their own customs they are welcome to do so within their own quarters as long as they don't impact others . Learning our language and trying to be "productive" citizens would be a start already . I believe that their influx will have a dubious effect on the future of our nation . Aside from the obvious repercussions from mixing cultures , blood etc. I can see our country changing in a negative direction . Personally , I'm not very religious and respect other peoples beliefs ; however , let's not destroy our way of life because of it . --- 150 years from now our Canadian ways won't exist any more . Hunting will take a "hit" as well ; not only because of environmental changes but because of different perceptions . --- I'd expressed my feelings much more adequately when I wrote this whole post BUT my damned computer seems to have swallowed it . It just disappeared . --- Hail Canada !

[tom gobble]

I agree with you. When my grandfather immigrated here from Italy he had nothing, the only thing going for him was that he new construction. He had no money and got lucky to sleep in someones house that was from Italy too. He wasn't housed,clothed,fed and given money but he new how to work and thats what he did to grow his family. Im not saying that certain people belong in this country or not don't get me wrong but people have to contribute there share and be thankful to live in this country. Do people remember not to long ago when they deported a hole bunch of construction working Portuguese people and there families that where living in Canada for years back to Portugal. Do you see something wrong here I do.

[FISH-ON]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toront...kers-1.3434236

[Rugger]

Gunner, you're confusing refugee with immigrant. I'd say it's much harder now to be accepted as an immigrant than it was 60 years ago. TomG if your grandfather showed up today with what he arrived with years ago he would be refused.

[Oddmott]

Gunner, you're confusing refugee with immigrant. I'd say it's much harder now to be accepted as an immigrant than it was 60 years ago. TomG if your grandfather showed up today with what he arrived with years ago he would be refused.

Thanks Rugger, was going to point these things out specifically.

Kinda hard to claim to be unbiased Gunner when you're shoveling that much crap.

[terrym]

The problem is that the whole refugee thing is a political football. The ones that are coming in have been in safe countries for months and sometimes years already. Some are refusing to come to Canada because they have families and assets over seas. Not sure that really qualifies them as refugees when there are many legitimate victims with nothing but the clothes on their backs living in squalor. There were already many people in much worse conditions already in the system awaiting clearance. These people were skipped over for purely political reasons by Trudough. The other thing is we have people living in the streets here who most times were once productive tax payers who fell on hard times and many times health issues. We should make sure these people aren't living in boxes and alleys before putting up "refugees" in Toronto hotels where they complain they weren't given better accommodations. There are millions of truly desperate people who need our help and we should be helping them first. That young boy who washed up on shore shocked the world and it was spun for political gain. The truth is he was the son of a human smuggler who overloaded a boat and it went down, the left spun it ( very successfully) as Harper's fault . His parents hadn't even applied for refugee status, likely because there was good money to be made smuggling in people. Many of the refugees landing now ere not in danger. They just wanted "in" to a country with generous welfare programs. When you see people well dressed with cell phones and expensive luggage it is hard to think of them as desperate. Likely capitalizing on a chance to jump the Que. And the other thing is we are no doubt letting in extremists who have nothing but evil in mind and exposing ourselves to terror attacks. The Conservatives were managing the process intelligently and refused to turn peoples misery into political profit. Clearly they made the wrong decision. Not sure what that says about the intelligence of Canadian voters.

[Fox]

Thanks Rugger, was going to point these things out specifically.

Kinda hard to claim to be unbiased Gunner when you're shoveling that much crap.

My poor Irish family would be turned back today, a stone mason but no money, no place to live, no education that would be considered accredited and nobody sponsoring them.

I feel for the Engineers, Doctors and skilled people that have to fight tooth and nail to be able to get any sort of job here, with a support network, sponsorship and money backing them. Nobody works harder than an immigrant trying to make it.

I am waiting for someone to write that they are ticked that these immigrants are taking their jobs and sitting on welfare all in the same sentence, it seems to happen every time a post like this comes up.


Gunner, if new people were "responsible" for themselves these days as you refer then Canada would be in deep trouble internationally, you cannot just dump people in the bush and say good luck anymore and I do not believe we should.

[tom gobble]

Gunner, you're confusing refugee with immigrant. I'd say it's much harder now to be accepted as an immigrant than it was 60 years ago. TomG if your grandfather showed up today with what he arrived with years ago he would be refused.

I don't think so Rugger, they built this country and didn't ask anything or any help to live here.

[Oddmott]

I don't think so Rugger, they built this country and didn't ask anything or any help to live here.

Re-read what he said.