Immigrants Adapt, Countries Adopt … or Not: Fitting into the Cultural Mosaic

Clint MacNeil teaches history, geography, and world religion at St.
Charles College in Sudbury.

It goes without saying that Canada is a land of immigrants and as a
nation has benefited greatly from them. Employing a thematic approach
and writing in the first person, Egyptian-born Cherif Rifaat attempts to
provide a personal account of his immigrant experience in Canada,
tackling such difficult topics as discrimination, assimilation,
Arab–Jewish relations, the “war on terror,” and Quebec.

Rifaat chose Canada because “[it] is more civilized and free than any
other country [he] know[s].” He was able to become a Canadian without
abandoning his Egyptian heritage. As a new Canadian he overcame many
obstacles, including learning the rules of the road, table manners, and
Canadian humour, and enduring the cold and the country’s enormous
distances.

He argues that immigrants are vital to Canada’s growth and
prosperity, that they bring with them a wealth of knowledge, skills, and
commercial contracts. And he asserts that globalization, not
immigration, is responsible for the current competition for low-paying
jobs. Rifaat also makes a clear distinction between false refugees and
legal immigrants. It is this misunderstanding, he believes, that gives
rise to anti-immigrant sentiments.

Perhaps the most controversial and arguably the most interesting
section of the book is on Quebec. Rifaat, a resident of Montreal, points
out that Quebec’s immigration policy ultimately alienates newcomers.

Rifaat’s work, which is filled with his insights, reflections, and
political ramblings, does challenge misconceptions and it offers
optimism. He is clearly a proud Canadian.