Close Reading

Segregation—whether by income, race, or religion—is deeply embedded across North America. In many ways, it defines how communities are formed. People are often drawn to this continent precisely because they believe they can find a place where they feel they belong—whether it's a gated community with an average household income of $250,000, or a neighborhood where Italian is predominantly spoken. With the exception of Indigenous peoples, everyone here has settled on land that once belonged to someone else, reshaping it to fit their own culture and needs. In Canada, this dynamic is particularly visible. It’s one of the easiest countries in the world to migrate to—whether through official channels or otherwise—largely due to historically lenient laws. Beyond immigration, Canada faces deeper systemic challenges. From weak enforcement around serious crimes to broader identity issues, the country may be in need of a serious re-evaluation. At its core, Canada must ask itself what it stands for, and what kind of nation it wants to be.