Tonington, it's not as simple as that and you know it. Immigration source countries have completely shifted and if this continues annually into the far future you will have a country that will be far different than the Canada seen 30 years ago or today. The question remains: are Canadians fully aware of any and all implications of becoming a far different country than what is seen today? What pressures will exist in 50 years on our current institutions, traditions and values that don't exist now? Actions have consequences. Canada is alone in pursuing immigration so aggressively. When you're a small population country huge change is possible within this century. I look at the recent uproar in Toronto over Hindus wanting to deposit their ashes in local rivers. It's a reminder that we should be fully aware of what can be expected over the next half century as growing and increasingly demanding non-traditional communities assert their interests. We are entitled to know exactly what it is we're getting into.
Of course there will be changes. We will see demographical changes without new immigration as our population ages, as the growth in our country takes place in different areas, disproportionately so I might add. What implications is it that you are worried about? Lots of fear out there spread because of change. Our traditions and values are changing anyways, outwardly more so than inward. By that I mean as we become more diverse and secular, those traditions are removed from the public, does that make your traditions in your household prone to dissolution? I should hope not.
Non-traditional communities, you mean like the Europeans who displaced the Natives? Do you think it fair that only Christian-European traditions be allowed? The moment I start depending on government and the public to protect my own traditions, is the day I've lost touch with my own, and my fault for allowing it to happen.
I should let it be known that to me Christmas for example is not Christian to me. Similar names, overlapping periods of time, but not the same. When does Christmas start now? After Halloween. My Christmas tradition is to spend time with my familly, share some gifts, laughs and good meals. My familly is Christian, but there is nothing Christian about how it is celebrated.
As to influences by incoming immigrants, who cares so long as they operate within the law. If they want to dump their ashes they had better do it within the proper legal channels. I do believe that we need to work better at integrating immigrants to our laws, they can keep their customs. So I do think immigration issues need to be dealt with, but immigration shouldn't be anything to fear. If you have a problem go to your MP.