Dilemmas and Challenges of Democratic Participation of Immigrants in Small Atlantic Canadian Communities

Abstract

This chapter dwells on a portion of the dilemmas and challenges of democratic participation, exclusion, and marginalization of ethno-cultural immigrants in Atlantic Canadian communities. It reframes the term “welcoming communities” into a political sphere. Are politically active immigrants more apt to remain in their host community? The intersection of newcomers’ civic integration and social participation is one of the main objectives of the Canadian Multicultural Policy and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, today, discussions regarding the political participation of immigrants not only include terms such as integration and civic participation but national security and disenfranchisement as well. Indeed, some types of political participation are the antithesis of civic integration and citizenship. The objective of this chapter is to add to this discussion by examining the notions and actions of political participation of ethno-cultural immigrants in Atlantic Canada. For this chapter, political participation is self-defined by the participants. Do they see participation as voting in elections or is it an ongoing process such as running for boards, joining political groups, and protesting/advocating political causes? Does political participation increase civic integration and retention or does it promote separateness? Are the Atlantic Canada communities welcoming and inclusive? The chapter presents various viewpoints from diverse groups and analyzes factors of inclusion or exclusion in the democratic participation processes in small communities in Canada.

Author was deceased at the time of publication.

Due to the untimely passing of Dr. Otilla Chareka on March 16, 2011, this chapter appears in its original version with minor revisions and data updates by the editors.

Annex A

Sex:   Male   Female	Ethnicity:
Date of birth:	Country of birth:
Highest level of education:	Occupation:
Mother tongue language:	Other spoken languages:
Date of arrival in Canada:	Citizenship status in Canada:

Directions: Please complete the following statements by placing a check mark in the space provided to the right of each statement.

5	4	3	2	1
Strongly agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly disagree
Rating scale	5	4	3	2	1
1. I am interested in learning about the Canadian government and its political system
2. Considering the time I arrived in Canada, I have been formally taught about the Canadian government and its political system
3. Considering the time I arrived in Canada, I have never been formally taught about the Canadian government and its political system
4. I am a member of a Canadian political party
5. I have attended political party forums/rallies
6. I have donated money to a political party
7. I have campaigned for a political party
8. My Canadian neighbors in my community welcomed me and have talked with me about politics in Canada and I feel fully integrated in the community
9. My Canadian neighbors in my community have invited me to attend a political forum/rally
10. I have talked about Canadian politics in our immigrant circle/gatherings
11. I read and follow in newspapers and magazines about Canadian politics
12. I voted in every election in Canada
13. Immigrants should be able to vote in all elections even if they are not Canadian citizens yet
15. Members of all ethnic, cultural, or racial groups should be encouraged to run in elections for political office
16. I am interested in politics but don’t take any active part
17. I take an active interest in politics
18. I’m not interested in politics at all
19. I feel patriotic about Canada
20. I am proud to be known as a Canadian citizen or resident
21. I see myself identifying closely with Canada
22. I trust the Canadian federal government to do what is right all of the time
23. I have been elected as a representative of an immigrant community organization
24. I have been elected as a representative of a local, provincial, or federal position
25. I have volunteered in an environmental community project
26. I volunteered for charity to help Canadians
27. I have volunteered for charity to help people in my former country of origin
28. I have membership in a social action group, e.g., Greenpeace or Mothers Against Drunk Driving
29. Volunteering is a form of democratic participation
30. I have been involved in violent public demonstration
31. I have been involved in peaceful public demonstration
32. I have signed a petition before
33. I plan to protest in the future
35. Any form of protest is democratic participation
36. Voting and running for a political office are forms of democratic participation
37. Immigrants like me don’t have a say about what the government does
38. I don’t think that people in the government care much about what immigrant people like me think
39. Canadian political parties are only interested in immigrants’ votes and not in their opinions
40. Most Canadian people in the government are honest
41. Immigrants who are Canadian citizens have much say about how the government runs things
42. It is important to vote
43. I personally feel prepared to vote in a federal election and I know the political parties well
44. I talk and discuss about political events, ideas, and attitudes in my family
45. I know and I have been taught about my rights and responsibilities in Canada
46. When I vote I feel I make a difference
47. When I volunteer I feel I make a difference
48. When I protest I feel I make a difference
49. Canada is a multicultural country which has tried to integrate immigrants in the Canadian society
50. Multicultural associations and other government agencies that work closely with recent immigrants are doing more work in educating them about democratic participation and integrating them in the society

1. Comments: Write any other comments you want in relation to democratic participation and integration of immigrants in Canada