Reference no: EM133208604

Question: The concern I have chosen to speak about is the isolation from "mainstream" Canadians in other communities. I do not believe that there is a "mainstream" Canada but rather a connected Canada which I don't find to be as connected as it could be. In Tristan Hoppers National Post article titled: Canada: As immigration booms, ethnic enclaves swell and segregate Tristan stated that "By 2030, according to Statistics Canada, more than 80% of Canada's population growth is expected to depend on immigration. Ethnic enclaves are set to fill up faster and longer than ever before." (Hopper, 2012, para. 1)

There are two sides to the discussions around ethnic enclaves: either we should have them, or we shouldn't have them. I think that they can divide people by isolating communities, but they are also important for individuals to feel at home. The side I am on is right in the middle. Forcing people to integrate with other Canadians does violate a Canadian citizens freedom of expression. Continuing to self-isolate will divide Canadians and create more tension between cultures. I think a viable solution to connecting Canadians would be to not force the connection in the first place. I always disliked joining a class and being forced to tell people about myself. Forcing people to connect with others and live outside of ethnic enclaves is a form of gentrification. In fact Tristan Hopper stated that "Within 15 years, even the daunting Chinese landscapes of Richmond could well be gentrified with hipsters and yuppies" (Hopper, 2012, para. 19). Instead of creating laws and regulation that somehow removes ethnic enclaves, instead we should be providing resources in which elevate these communities, helping small and local businesses grow. If say for simplicity a business needs 100 customers and their community only has a population of 50 then the business would need to expand outside the community, or it would go under. With the proper resources business would be able to expand outside of the community, bringing people from surrounding communities into its orbit. This solution would remove the 100% self isolation while connecting other people, it also allows for the individual living in an ethnic enclave to be around others just like them, and be free. Canada is supposed to be all about having the opportunity and being able to freely decide to take that opportunity, not to be forced into taking it.