Immigration at CDN
Côte-des-Neiges is one of the most multi-ethnic neighborhoods in Montreal, especially north of the hill. Immigrant residents represent more than half, precisely 52% of the neighborhood's population, compared to 34% for the city of Montreal. Up to 83% of the inhabitants of Côte-des-Neiges were born outside of Canada or have an immigrant parent, and our dear neighborhood welcomes twice as many recent immigrants as Montreal (14% vs 7%)*. The neighborhood is also home to a variety of community centers, regional institutions and services for newcomers. However, despite these centers and institutions, the immigrant population of the neighborhood still go through discrimination, economic vulnerability, and social alienation.
Our goal for this piece is not to do scientific research or start a political debate. We simply want to describe the reality of this population which in fact represents our colleagues, our friends, our families. And also to demonstrate that this reality we share in large numbers, does not seem to reach everyone's ears. It is made up of very different paths, but each of us has faced this status which can disadvantage us at times, but also enrich us with perspective and openness. This is also the strength of our team at Chalet Kent, our youth, and our partners.
I think back to my parents who left Peru in 1990 because of an unstable and dangerous political climate; to the idea of my mother traveling to a new country not speaking any of the two official languages 7 months pregnant; to our modest first 2 bedroom apartment for the 5 of us; to all the times I felt out of place among Quebecker students (before finding myself in the 'Montreal identity') ... It's crazy how it makes us develop empathy for our parents and for all future immigrants.
But what interests me, and what I want to share, is the point of view of a 19 year old youngster of Tunisian origin. Here is what she has to say on the subject:
I was born in Quebec in 2002. I am the daughter of immigrants who came to Canada to have more opportunities. My parents are from Tunisia and they lived there during their childhood and part of their adult life. As for me, I only lived in Quebec, but my childhood was influenced by Tunisian culture. I learned Arabic at a school with my brothers on the weekend. I took Quran recitation courses where I understood how to pray and what rules the Islamic religion imposed on us. Since I was just a child, I never really questioned my religion. It all felt natural to me and I never thought I could think another way or have a different religion. I was quite the superstitious child. I liked to recite the Quran and take Arabic lessons because it gave me the opportunity to see other children and make new friends.
Then, when I was 12, I went to a secondary school called Pensionnat Saint-Nom-de-Marie, an establishment reserved for girls. There were only a few boys taking music lessons. It wasn't a very diverse place, to say the least. There were very few Arab girls, but there were people from other cultures. Now that I look back on my memories, it's easy to notice that I found it easier to make friends with people who had similar experiences to mine, thus, children of immigrants or immigrants. I feel like there is a mutual communication that goes beyond words. In fact, my closest friend is Mexican, and she came to Canada with her family.
Obviously, the difference between what I was taught when I was younger and what this school taught me was also quite significant. I learned to exercise critical thinking and not take everything I was told for granted, which has helped me tremendously in my life in general. It allowed me to question beliefs that I thought were immutable. As a woman, learning about feminism kind of freed me. Tunisian culture is not particularly feminist. Divorce is frowned upon and the fault often falls on the woman. Even if a marriage is unhealthy, people are generally encouraged to stay together. However, I am not really an expert on Tunisian culture, since I have never lived in Tunisia. I only know of bits and pieces of information that my parents passed on to me that can be quite confusing at times. My French is impeccable, but my Arabic is not particularly good. How do I reconcile two cultures which are diametrically opposed? There is a certain duality between my two cultures and it can sometimes be difficult to know what my identity is. ''
Anyhow, immigration is much more than numbers or a social issue. We must learn to humanize immigrants and the children of immigrants. In an interview with Joanne Liu, she relates a study where she asked refugees what objects they took with them when they migrated. And more than 98% answered: the key to their house. She explains this as follows: “They take the time to take their keys and close their doors (...) It is important to understand that no one wants to leave their home. And that when we leave home, it's because we have no choice. It is a fracture in the life of a man or a woman ”**.
No matter where we come from, our age, or our human experience, we all have the right to exist, to be listened to, to be seen, to be respected and to thrive. This is inclusiveness.
References:
*https://www.centraide-mtl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Portrait-Montreal-Cote-de-Neiges-2018-2019.pdf
**https://www.facebook.com/iciartv/videos/478586092870029