Migrant “host” countries in the global north demand that Newcomers “integrate” into their societies by demonstrating language skills, economic participation, socialization, and adjusting to the norms and values of the destination country.
However, the question that remains unanswered is: Who is the “host” population, and who creates the norms and values that the Newcomers are required to match up to? The concept of immigrant “integration” can be seen as a form of present-day colonialism that works to reimpose the idea of European hegemony over “other” racialized groups, and distracts from the recognition and redress of Indigenous and immigrant rights. The purpose of this research is to reflect on the following questions, identify the gaps, and suggest policy changes and implementation strategies.
- How do we define and appraise the “integration” of Newcomers in Canada?
- How do the colonial continuities, settler histories, geographies, and ethnicities shape the “integration” policies and practices in Canada?
- In what ways do the Immigrant and Refugee Settlement sector and migrants perpetuate and solidify the ongoing colonial and neo-colonial narratives?