Racialism at its peak
Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Chris Alexander’s proposed new law named “Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act” aims to terminate polygamy, honor killings, and child/forced marriages within immigrant minority communities. This act is appalling. It depicts the overt systemic discrimination against immigrant minorities, and is a reflection of Canada’s perceptions of immigrant minority groups that reside on “Canadian” soil. The new act entails profiling immigrants, mainly from Islamic communities, and targeting their cultural practices. The act certainly goes against Canada’s human rights policy and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
An interesting fact is that, regardless of a perpetrator’s cultural/religious background, polygamy is illegal according to Canada’s Criminal Code, pursuant Section 293. Criminal and illegal activities such as polygamy and child/forced marriages can transpire in any culture and any community. “Canadians” practiced polygamy before it was abolished and, in the present day, Canada’s fundamentalist Mormons still practice polygamy. Moreover, child marriage and violent acts are very much prevalent among so-called “Canadians.” Therefore, it is safe to say that “Canadians” are also barbaric.
Though the least problematic, the term “barbaric” is quite disturbing. The term means uncivilized, uncultured, or primitive. Canada is supposed to be a democratic, multicultural country that accepts individuals from diverse backgrounds. It is disheartening to see our “well trained and educated” leaders propose an act that will legally legitimize “us” versus “them.” The term is degrading, and the act should not stand.
There are so many other issues that the government needs to comprehend and focus on. These concerns include improving immigration services and resources to assist immigrants settle into Canada, and to reduce the language barriers faced by immigrants. Additionally, the government should be more worried about providing educational campaigns to educate “Canadians” to be less xenophobice, and provide employment opportunities for immigrant minority groups. In addition, poverty amongst immigrant minority groups is higher than the “Canadian” poverty rate. The government needs to focus on reducing minority poverty, rather than promulgating an unnecessary act that will further stigmatize and segregate minorities from “Canadian” society. This barbaric potential law will pose more barriers to the integration of these groups into society.
I am not in any way supporting polygamy or violence against minors and women. However, this act is just a systemic way of segregating and targeting immigrant minority communities, because laws to protect against polygamy and violence already exist in the Criminal Code to govern all individuals in Canada. If need be, amend the existing laws. With the current Canadian law, we are all aware that polygamy and violence are prohibited. Does this new act mean harsher and longer sentence for immigrant minorities for committing the same crime as “Canadians?” For instance, if a minority is indicted with polygamy, will s[he] receive a five year sentence, and if a “Canadian” is convicted for the same crime would s[he] receive a two year sentence? There is still hope for this absurd act to be withdrawn. In fact, this “Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act” will break what Canada stands for – a just and friendly environment for all.