Hon. Judy A. White: Honourable senators, as the third senator rising to speak to this, I think this is Senator Loffreda’s hat trick.

As has been noted, this is a timely discussion, particularly in light of some of the unfavourable discourse about immigrants happening in Canada and around the world. This population has been portrayed by some as a threat to public safety, public health, and to economic and social stability. Such rhetoric has fuelled negative sentiments, normalized discrimination and justified violence in some cases.

At such a time, it is critical to remind ourselves how vital immigration has been to Canada’s prosperity and growth. Immigration has shaped our country’s economic, political, social and cultural fabric. It is also important to remember that, other than Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial, every resident of Canada or their ancestors have a history of immigration.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator White, I’m sorry to interrupt, can you watch that your card is touching the podium?

Senator White: Sorry.

In my remarks, I would like to focus on the importance of immigration to rural communities and small towns and the experience of newcomers there, specifically in communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, where immigration has become increasingly important to help address population decline, labour shortages and aging demographics while supporting economic renewal and community vitality.

Newcomers go through significant hardships to settle in Canada, especially in small towns where challenges are magnified due to policies that research shows are often biased toward the settlement of migrants in urban spaces and largely ignore non-urban ones. While the objective of many immigration policies is to distribute immigrants across the country, research shows that government funding does not adequately support this goal, which has a negative impact on smaller communities.

In fact, some qualitative studies show that while immigrants to rural communities are generally not worse off than their urban counterparts, they receive different levels of social supports and access to cultural amenities. Many experience social isolation, discrimination and racism and face barriers in addressing these experiences. However, the focus of most academic studies has been on immigration in large- and medium-sized communities, especially Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, where there have been large numbers of newcomers. Consequently, stories of immigrants to rural Canada are often overlooked.

As a senator from Newfoundland and Labrador, I have witnessed first-hand how newcomers bring cultural diversity, entrepreneurship and fresh perspectives that strengthen community life and support long-term regional development.

Allow me to share one such story. In July 2003, a young man from Bangladesh stepped off a long and exhausting flight and into a new chapter of his life in Stephenville, a small town on the west coast of the island of my province.

For Khalid Nasim, known as Clete, that first day in Canada was unforgettable and not just because of the terrible flight. Everything felt different: the air, the pace and the people. He had come because his father-in-law was already a permanent resident and his wife-to-be held permanent residency status. Within six months, his own immigration process was complete. What began as a family decision quickly became a life-defining journey.

Clete is proud of where he comes from. A practising Muslim, he credits Bangladesh with giving him faith, discipline and a strong moral grounding. Before coming to Canada, Clete had already built an international educational journey. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. His education gave him business knowledge, but it was Newfoundland and Labrador that gave him the opportunity to flourish.

As is the case for many newcomers, Clete’s first months were not easy. Despite his education, he could not secure work in his trade. To support his growing family, he began driving a taxi. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Driving a cab in Stephenville allowed him to meet all kinds of people. He told me with a smile that it was fantastic to make money while meeting people. Many customers were surprised to see a Bengali man driving a local cab so far from Bangladesh. He was often the subject of Newfoundland jokes, but always in good fun, in the warm and teasing spirit that is so characteristic of my province. That was when he began to feel this place had room for him.

What started as driving someone else’s vehicle turned into something much larger. Clete eventually purchased his own vehicle, then another and another.

Today, he owns and operates King’s Cab, which has 11 cars serving the Bay St. George area and 4 cars in the nearby city of Corner Brook. His entrepreneurial journey did not stop there. In 2022, he opened Asian Food Mart in the city, a grocery store specializing in Asian food and supplies, helping to meet the needs of both newcomers and long-time residents seeking diverse products.

His biggest challenge as a newcomer entrepreneur was access to clear information. Understanding how to start and structure a business was not straightforward. Even as recently as 2023, he felt that finding accurate, consolidated guidance for small business owners required persistence and self-navigation. But he persevered.

When asked how Canada compares to his home country in terms of business, Clete spoke candidly. He said the Canadian business environment is safe and free of corruption. I was so proud to have this conversation with him. He explains that there is no corruption in the system and this gives him confidence. He feels that he is being treated fairly. While he believes taxes on small businesses can be a bit too high, he remains extremely grateful for the stability and transparency of the system.

Clete and his wife are raising six children — five daughters and one son — all born in my province. Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador especially have given him the opportunity to raise his family in his faith, grow a business and live in health and peace.

For Clete, home is not defined only by birthplace. It is also defined by opportunity, fairness, community and the ability to raise his children. For a man who arrived on a difficult flight in July 2003, Stephenville is not just where he lives. It is home.

Clete’s story is one of thousands across the country. There are many who, like him, left family, friends, communities and everything they knew behind to build a new life, drawn by the promise of Canada: a promise of safety, stability, opportunity, good governance and a better life for themselves and their children.

Clete’s story is also an important reminder that immigration is essential to the economic and social stability of small towns across Canada.

Yes, a successful immigration system requires alignment between immigration levels and the ability to properly welcome newcomers with housing, accessible health care and education. We know this. We understand this reality. However, as we discuss adjustments to our immigration system and revise policies, let’s keep the stories and contributions of immigrants at the forefront. Let’s continue to see diversity as our strength and remain a country grounded in the principles of inclusivity, fairness and respect. Wela’lioq. Thank you.