Hon. Amina Gerba: Honourable senators, I am honoured to rise at third reading as the sponsor of Bill S-215, An Act respecting National Immigration Month. At this final step in the legislative process, we are confronted with an important decision about whether to adopt a bill intended to institutionally and annually recognize the fundamental contribution of immigration in building Canada.
Bill S-215 would designate November as “National Immigration Month.” This choice is highly symbolic. It connects back to a pivotal date, November 1, 2001, when the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act came into force. The act continues to provide the legal framework for immigration and refugee protection matters to this day.
Immigration in Canada is therefore deeply anchored in our legal architecture. It is also a social and economic reality. Immigration is part of Canada’s DNA and remains one of its greatest assets.
As our new Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour, so aptly said:
It is through our differences, and our fundamental right to express them, that we will nourish critical thinking, creativity and innovation. It is through our differences that we will build our common future.
Before returning the bill to us for third reading, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology heard from a diverse range of witnesses representing community groups, academia and institutions. Their discussions served to highlight the powerful symbolic significance and the impact of recognizing a national immigration month, as well as its potential for raising awareness and fostering social cohesion.
I would like to sincerely thank the Chair of the Social Affairs Committee, Senator Moodie, and all the members for carrying out such a high-quality study. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to our honourable colleagues who spoke in this chamber in support of Bill S-215: Senators Miville-Dechêne, Ravalia, Mégie and Ataullahjan.
I would also like to thank the many witnesses who testified. The fact that you were all so engaged, insightful and supportive greatly contributed to moving this initiative forward. I am deeply grateful to you, and your support is invaluable and much appreciated.
In addition to the work done in Parliament, it is important to note that this bill enjoys broad and growing support across the country. Numerous community, non-profit and institutional organizations expressed their support for the idea of designating a national month to recognize immigration. Among them are stakeholders I brought together for a round table discussion who specifically highlighted the importance of doing more to celebrate immigrant journeys and strengthen the collective understanding of their contributions to Canadian society.
This support is not limited to a single sector or region. It reflects a shared sentiment across the country, in both urban and rural communities, and throughout the provinces and territories. It reflects a growing recognition of the fundamental role that immigration plays in our collective development.
This recognition is not new. In the Speech from the Throne in 2001, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Canada’s first immigrant Governor General, said:
[English]“Immigrants have enriched Canada with their ideas and talent.”
Honourable senators, Canada is, at its very core, a society shaped by immigration. This reality is not a secondary element of our national history. Rather, it is a fundamental pillar of our collective identity.
From Indigenous Peoples — the first inhabitants of this land — to the successive waves of immigrants who have arrived from all corners of the world, our country has been built through the meeting and intertwining of diverse human journeys.
[Translation]As another illustrious Governor General, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, said in 2008, Canada is home to the world.
Along the way, immigrants have made significant contributions in cultural, economic, scientific and social domains. Some of their journeys have also been marked by historical injustices, exclusionary policies and systemic discrimination. It is our duty to acknowledge that candidly.
This complexity is precisely why we need to engage in the kind of institutional reflection this bill would promote. However, Bill S-215 is not just about understanding our history. It is also about the present and the future. Today, immigration is a key force in Canada’s dynamism. It contributes to economic vitality, innovation and cultural diversity. It helps ensure the availability of essential services in many sectors, such as health care, agriculture, tourism, education, infrastructure and technology.
Canada is undergoing a demographic transformation. As our population ages, immigration remains an important factor in social stability and renewal. The purpose of a national immigration month is not to change public policies on admissions or immigration thresholds in Canada. It is not an administrative management tool. Its purpose is to promote recognition and raise awareness.
The aim is to designate an annual forum where we can collectively reflect on the place of immigration in our society, highlight the contributions of immigrants and foster a better understanding of the challenges related to settling, integrating and retaining newcomers. In a context where debates on immigration can sometimes be polarized, such a forum can help set the record straight, encourage dialogue and strengthen social cohesion.
Beyond statistics and institutional frameworks, there are fundamental human realities. Every year, thousands of people choose Canada as the place where they want to build their future. They bring with them their skills, experiences, cultures and aspirations. They help build our communities and contribute to the richness of our social fabric.
Behind every immigration policy, there are life stories, families, and tales of resilience and adaptation. Recognizing these journeys does not mean idealizing immigration. It simply means acknowledging its reality in all its complexity and depth.
Honourable senators, by passing Bill S-215, we will send a clear message, specifically that Canada fully recognizes the vital contribution of immigration to its development and celebrates the richness of its diversity, and that Canada wants to strengthen social cohesion through recognition and the duty to remember.
[English]A national immigration month alone will not resolve all the challenges associated with immigration. However, it can serve as an important anchor — an opportunity to foster greater understanding, recognition and appreciation of this essential dimension of our society.
[Translation]Colleagues, that is why I ask you to support Bill S-215 at third reading. Thank you.