The beginning of the twentieth century ushered in the increased need for global travelers to obtain a visa before entering another country for a temporary period. The visa is a means of pre-screening to ensure that people who may be inadmissible for health, security or criminal reasons are prevented from arriving at a port of entry. On the other hand, it is also a means of facilitating the entry of people who are genuine visitors without intentions of remaining permanently. Although possession of a visa is not a guarantee of entry it speeds up examination procedures upon arrival.
We are led to believe that Canada’s immigration policy serves the national interest and is essential for economic growth, to fill our labour shortages, and to offset an aging and diminishing population. We are also told that most of our immigrants are selected because they possess the education, trades, skills and training essential to meet our labour force demands. These assertions need to be challenged because they do not bear up under examination. They have become myths, used by governments and pro – immigration advocates to justify unreasonably high immigration levels.
