Several readers have asked me to weigh into the issue of illegal entrants into Canada through unmonitored border crossings from the United States, not to mention our neighbour's growing crisis at its southern border vis a vis detention centres. The politics surrounding these issues are deeply personal for everyone and because of that, they are often some of the most divisive. Before I give my own views on this topic, I believe it is best to clarify a few key points.
First, as was well put by Dr. Peterson in a response that precedes his rise to fame, questions about border control are the easiest way to assess a person's political beliefs. For at the heart of the question, one's thoughts about everything from the essential nature of man to the particular role of government are inextricably tied. Ultimately, it is not even a particular policy that's at issue: it's one's view of the socio-economic and political world based on experience.
Second, as Canadians, our distant ocean shores let us avoid the crisis affecting Europe. And for all our sanctimony, as we face the growing issue of housing thousands of migrants, some empathy for America's problems on their southern flank is in order. If nothing else, we ought to recall that "mass migration" has never been a victory chant by any group: it is always the option of last resort for people whose own welfare and security has become compromised.
Third, the legal and moral questions at hand are clear despite complications. Legally, one cannot cross a border without documentation; even refugees require background histories supporting their claim for asylum. Despite the utopian slogans, technically, "everyone is illegal." Of course, this does not subtract from what decent treatment of these people ought to be, or the larger issue of legitimate refugees who, if returned to their country, might be harmed or killed.
On the balance of these issues, I favour tighter borders. This is no surprise, but it is a reactionary stance that has merits in a multicultural age: until those of us here already learn to abandon divisive identity politics that tribalize society, we cannot properly foster new citizens in our body politic. The briefest look at issues arising from ethnic enclaves, at home and abroad, proves this conclusion. Turning "assimilation" into a dirty word actually harmed our new arrivals.
As to the issues that face us right now, we cannot go back in time and change what has happened to the fabric of our society, nor force our political class to suffer the consequences of their ideology. Furthermore, to take a higher road than both utopians and nativists, we must show real justice and mercy, which means pairing both freedom and responsibility. To that end, here are some methods that actually do work for the benefit of all persons currently involved.
First, we need to clean up our own act. Illegal workers and subjects of human trafficking are plentiful in Canada - they must be followed to their source. Deterrence of illegal activity must always be the first priority of our law enforcement. This will secure the integrity of our borders.
Second, let a thousand sponsorships bloom. Non-profit sponsored migrants have a very high success rate in Canada. Also, we must ask "stakeholders" to constantly sponsor people. Otherwise they ought to be forced by law to disclose they don't practice what they preach.
Third, encourage settlement outside of the major centres. Rural and Northern Canada need a higher populations for more economic development; also, smaller municipalities create opportunities for community involvement not found in big cities, leading to engaged citizens.
Ultimately, the fault lies not with those coming here but with us. Canada's resources can handle ten times our population. What we lack is a unifying way of life and pride in our heritage. Until we sort ourselves out as a culture, we actually have very little to offer these new arrivals.
