The Impact of Tariffs on US Businesses

As a proportion of all immigrants, those from Europe, Australia, Great Britain, South Africa, and the United States make up a smaller proportion of all foreign-born immigrants than at any other period in Canadian history, while the proportion from Asian countries is significantly larger. In 2016, Asian immigrants accounted for more than 48% of Canada's foreign-born population. By 2036, Asian immigrants are expected to make up 57% of Canada's foreign-born population. Before 1971, little over 12% of immigrants were visible minorities, but by 2021, 83% of recent immigrants were expected to be in that category The religious composition of immigrants has also shifted. Prior to 1971, 78% of immigrants to Canada identified as Christians. Since then, that share has fallen. After 2001, more than 36% of immigrants aged 25 to 54 were non-Christians, slightly more than 38% identified as Christians, and nearly 26% claimed no religious affiliation.Immigration and IntegrationThe proportion of immigrants working or looking for work is often regarded as the most reliable indicator of effective socialization. The closer that level is to the total level of a native-born population, the better immigrants assimilate into society.

For example, in France, the foreign-born population's 

labor force participation rate was 67 percent in 2019, which is low when compared to other countries. In Canada, the labor force participation rate for the foreign-born group was slightly higher than in most G7 countries, at little over 79 percent, 12 points more than in France.Positive rates are also evident in greater employment rates and lower unemployment rates for foreign-born Canadians as compared to other G7 countries. For example, the unemployment rate for foreign-born people in Canada was 6.3 percent in 2019, compared to 5.5 percent for native-born Canadians. This is a minor variance that can be explained by language barriers, skill accreditation, adjusting to a new nation, and varying average education levels, among other considerations.The gap in unemployment rates between foreign-born and native-born Canadians is minor, especially when compared to Germany, where the jobless rate for people born outside the country is more than double that of native-born Germans.

This accomplishment in integrating immigrants 

and visible minorities is reinforced by migration acceptability results from a 2019 poll. It discovered that, among 145 countries, Canada is the most receptive of migrants, with an acceptance rate around five times that of the least hospitable countries for immigrants worldwide. Another indicator of success is the level of social peace among the majority of Canadians.The foregoing is positive. But returning to the subject of how to bring people from different backgrounds together around a common set of good ideas.Given that Canada's population will become increasingly ethnically diverse, and depending on the assumptions of incoming immigrants, traditional Canadian norms may be eroded or reinforced. As economist Thomas Sowell points out, humanity's history has been characterized by the testing and exchange of ideas. He observes that a major feature in the economic and other characteristics of a successful cohort or country is "the cultural receptivity of different peoples" to tested, true, and effective ideas on both a broad, country-wide and individual scales.It is vital for current and future Canadians to unify around concepts that promote human freedom and flourishing while rejecting inferior beliefs that can lead to the opposite outcome. That necessity offers an implicit and positive case for all Canadians to focus on admirable principles that everyone can agree on rather than unchangeable identities. Earlier this year, Howard Anglin wrote an article for The Hub warning against the conceit of contrarianism. His primary argument was that, while the contrarian tendency might be valuable in the sphere of politics and public affairs, it must be used with caution. Excessive contrarianism, or contrarianism as the default setting, tends to lead to undesirable outcomes. Sometimes—in fact, most of the time—the consensus is likely correct. 

True contrarianism requires discernment to distinguish

 

between what is and is not true.Cynicism is an intellectual cousin to contrarianism. Political criticism is characterized by a cynical outlook—perhaps more so than contrarianism. Many of today's thought leaders, commentators, and pundits operate this way. Twitter is their chosen platform for caustic commentary and where they provide their finest (or worst) performances.A good dosage of cynicism, such as contrarianism, can be beneficial. The full absence of cynicism results in vacuous idealism or even dangerous naivety, which can lead to misinterpretations of political motivations and outcomes. A little cynicism can help you avoid falling to sentimentality.However, cynicism must also be restrained. Excessive cynicism is tedious and counterproductive. The cynic is quick to notice problems, but unable or reluctant to commit to solutions. Their cynicism is a tool for avoiding placing educated wagers on ideas, candidates, or policies that could really help progress. It is always a politics of stasis and snark.Not only did they let the perfect to become the enemy of the good. They even refuse to notice or embrace the positive because it would contradict their cynical narrative that politicians are stupid, lazy, or corrupt, and thus the political system is irreversibly damaged.Yuval Levin has described this perspective as "sophisticated cynicism." The skilled cynic is extremely effective on Twitter, but ultimately ineffective in statecraft. They've chosen the simple but unsatisfying road of detachment and criticism over the imperfect but fulfilling process of compromise and modest development.