Scholarly record

ROMANIAN IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION IN THE MULTICULTURAL CANADIAN SOCIETY

Elena Basarab

Abstract

Canada is a favorite destination, a target state for immigrants, adding around 200 000 people annually, including Romanian citizens. It was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism officially (1971), thus ensuring the preservation of identity, acceptance of diversity and emphasizing racial and ethnic harmony and cross-cultural communication. It has since promoted equality in front of the law and equal opportunities regardless of race, origin, culture, ethnicity, religion. Immigrants enjoy freedom of choice of citizenship and can actively participate in social life. Canadian state policy encourages immigration of large numbers of people, especially those well prepared in terms of professional development who support and meet the challenges of any kind, which have over the years, contributed significantly to the welfare and prosperity of Canada. Analysis of aspects of the process of adaptation and assimilation of migrants and even first generation Canadians from families of immigrants is interesting and complex. Integration depends on the person or persons being integrated, which means that if immigrants are different and come from different countries, their integration can not be done just by following the steps of unique recipes. Romanians began to arrive in Canada in conjunction with other groups from southern and eastern Europe. The primary necessity was financial. Each migrant harbored a desire to earn money then send back home. Romanians first arrived on Canadian territory in 1882. They obtained the national consciousness and no doubt met other immigrants with similar experiences, with whom they worked. Once inside, promised land, predominantly Anglo -Saxon society, the crystallization of Romanian-American identity was influenced mostly by the experiences of working side by side.

Publication Impact Profile

No metrics available.

PLUMX see details

DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2014/B12/S2.093

Publication details

Back to publication list