Turnstile Immigration: Multiculturalism, Social Order and Social Justice in Canada

Joseph Garcea is a professor of political Studies at the University of
Saskatchewan.

The author describes this book as “an indictment of Canada’s current
immigration program.” Its central thesis is that “to restore sanity
to Canada’s immigration, the field of immigration must ultimately and
perhaps continuously, realign its principles such that it is conducive
to both the implementation and the expression of democratic values.”
Foster makes a good case that, notwithstanding the criticisms directed
against it, immigration continues to be a crucial instrument in the
nation-building efforts of federal and provincial governments.

Themes raised in the book include the exercise of discretionary power
by the immigration elite, immigration as a redistribution machine and a
cash cow, gender inequality in immigration, immigration as a brain drain
for developing countries rather than a system for developing human
potential, governmental strategies for containing opposition to
immigration, the federal–provincial dynamic in planning and managing
immigration, the cult and dominance of experts, and the need for
democratization of the immigration system.

Although the organization could have been more logical, and some of the
issues could have been explored in greater depth, Turnstile Immigration
provides a thoughtful and provocative analysis of immigration and the
immigration system. It will appeal to the progressive-minded supporters
of immigration who advocate positive reforms to the immigration system,
and will likely infuriate the system’s detractors.