01-04 Canada - John Bulloch

A population of 37.6 million that could double in the next 40 years. But its all due to immigration. A nation that could handle 100 million by 2100. Birth rates are weak like all developed nations, but a haven for new Canadians.

My father came to Canada in 1928 and spent a year working for a wheat farmer about 30 miles from Regina, Saskatchewan. Canada paid for his passage. The photograph is just as he described, one of the best years of his life.
Then on to Toronto with a huge Irish population. In fact, you could not get elected mayor at the time unless you were from Northern Ireland.
Canada’s history and its future are all tied to immigration. Waves of immigrants from Punjab in India have changed the politics of Canada. And two Sikhs from Punjab were both members of the Canadian Cabinet.
Canada is an enormously tolerant society, that is not threatened by a society that is becoming multi-cultural. We are unique in the world in this respect.
Our population today is 37.6 million, and with our present policy of bringing 300,000 immigrants to Canada each year we are expected to double in size over the next 40 years. A goal of a population of 100 million by 2100 is not impossible.
This is good news because, like all developed nations, we are not having enough babies to stabilize our population. Birth rates are 1.7 per female on average, whereas 2.1 is needed to ensure your population does not shrink.
And like the other developed nations, Canada’s society is aging. So without immigrants we would not be able to fund our pension and health care system.
But it is our social welfare system that makes Canada attractive to immigrants. Plus, other things like job opportunities, a welcoming immigration system and Canadians that are an accommodating culture.
Once my father was established in Toronto he opened his own clothing business, and all of his tailors came from southern Italy. And Toronto during the World Cup comes alive with Italians cheering on their favorite home team. The photo shows Italians in Toronto celebrating a victory.
One thing I have noticed travelling across Canada, is the changing nature of the country as a result of immigration. But in a non-threatening manner. I have seen Punjabi celebrations in British Columbia, Italian parties in Toronto and Ukrainian folk dances in Manitoba. But you always also see a Canadian flag.
Speaking of Ukrainian Canadians. How proud we are of Ray Hnatyshyn, whose family came from Ivano-Frankivsk of the Ukraine, and who became the Governor General of Canada.