Toxicity Scores & Embeddings

I agree that immigrants should adapt local culture and assimilate but I do not think immigrants have to be exatcly the same. bruce Lee adapted local culture while adding something new and beneficial for the locals. If the things you bring is beneficial to the locals, then I do not think it is problematic if you bring them in while keeping ur original identity. I’m an exporter, if your exports align with destination country’s customs and at least certain aspects of it. It increases your export success rate. On contrary, if there is nothing that connects the locals, it will doom to failure.

Canada has changed significantly in recent years, and I believe our post-COVID immigration policies have played a major role in the challenges we’re facing today. Here’s how things went off track: Many individuals who couldn’t pass the IELTS (English proficiency test) entered the country on visitor visas or through spousal sponsorships—some of which were questionable or fraudulent. During that time, the government was converting visitor visas into work permits with little to no scrutiny. Background checks and rejections were rare. Meanwhile, colleges rapidly expanded their intake capacity—understandably so, since international students pay three to four times more in tuition. At the same time, due to inflationary pressures, the government allowed international students to work 40 hours per week instead of the previous 20-hour limit. This created a new, ready-to-work labor force in just a year or two, heavily impacting the retail sector. As a result, a large portion of retail jobs shifted toward a single ethnic group, while many Canadian citizens found themselves sidelined. One key factor was flexibility. Many immigrant communities—particularly Indian—were more willing to accept irregular hours and last-minute shifts, often adopting a more compliant, “yes sir” attitude that employers found appealing. However, I’m already beginning to notice changes in the retail landscape, likely due to the government finally tightening immigration rules. Going forward, we don’t need to close our doors—but we do need smarter immigration policies, with proper checks and balances, to ensure fairness and sustainability for everyone.

My parents immigrated in the early 90s and I was born in Canada. It’s very hard to relate to the new immigrants in the last 10 years because we’re so different. The families that immigrated in the 80s and 90s had to assimilate and become “Canadian” which in hindsight was for the best. I learned about my culture and language at home, but my parents, emphasized the importance of being “Canadian first” and being a part of society and “fitting in.” This wasn’t at all a bad thing. I learned to ski, skate, make ice lollies with snow and syrup, went camping, played sports… I feel embarrassed when Indians are looked at in this light, but its true. 90% of this new wave of immigrants on “student visas,” dont intend to actually obtain any sort of an education, instead they use it as a pathway for permanent residency. I know this because I have relatives who say this out loud behind closed doors. I don’t agree with any of it, and quite frankly it’s very embarrassing, but most of us first generation Indian Canadians feel very upset about how its all played out and the negative light in which our people are now viewed under. Personally, I agree they arent interested in becoming culturally Canadian, they just want to be in Canada for financial reasons. They stay in their groups, dont integrate and think somehow this will play out well. It isnt discrimination when your own people also feel this way. I have yet to meet a first gen Canadian who disagrees

We the Canadian were known to be polite and and helped each other begins an immigrant myself i feel stuck in the middle of this because we were respected in the 70's 80's 90' 20s even 2010 every thing was great but the last 10_ 15 years things have gone down the drain.

Most Canadians are not against immigration. We just took too many immigrants in there wasn’t enough places for them to live. It wasn’t fair to them or the people living here. Things had to change. It’s not that we don’t want people coming. It’s just that we have no housing housing has to increase by millions of unitsand we were in the process of doing that right now.

I came here 25 years ago from India. While growing up, I would go to the terrace of my home and turn the antenna to get Cbc at night. I watched Air Farce One, the green show, NFB and Cbc and was always fascinated with Canada. I knew then when I was 20 that I will make Canada home. I wrote my IELTS ENGLISH test, studied here with good grades. And I did. I have an amazing career and young kids. And I have loved everyday of it. I have watched rerun of trailer park boys about 10 or so times already, watched Corner gas, watch hockey, I have embraced the weather, the people and the values this nation stands for. I have travelled coast to coast and to the great north. Heck I have been to more places in Canada with my job than other Canadians who are born and raised here. Now all I see there these ignorant, entitled effs thinking they can come and change the way of life. Like how Don Cherry said, they want the milk and honey but won't respect the values. I am effing done with this immigration and the government. Steven Harper was the prime minister when I got my citizenship and it was the proudest moment of my life. I really hope Canadians wake up. I know exactly why the racism has gone up and I don't blame the Canadians at all. These clowns bought it on to themselves. I just had enough and wish things would back to how it was 20 or so years ago.

To be here as a citizen today, I had to pay CAD$35.000 for a two years program in Toronto. But to get the study visa I had to prove a lot of things, including money, proof that I had paid the college (at least 1st year), English, a Bachelor degree (education), a clear criminal history, and what attach me to my country. I had to study hard, and only after graduation I could have 3y work permit. By working in Canada I could get more point to become a permanent resident. After 2y having my PR, I could get the citizenship, but I had to prove I pay taxes, clear criminal history, and other things that show I would be a good citizen. So, I worked (and still work) hard, I am currently in two jobs and at school taking my masters, I respect the laws, I respect the culture (I never tried to impose mine), and I pay over CAD$10.000 in taxes per year on my income. That said, I feel as a slap on my face when fraudulent and dishonest people are able to be here cheating the system in any way. Some people may say I am an immigrant against immigration. NO, I am in favor of people taking the right path to immigrate, and make real contributions for this country, not coming to be scammers and criminals.

How things never change. Sifton was born into a modest blue collar family, became a politician and a minister of immigration and retired a millionaire on a civil servant salary!

As a multi-generational, born-and-raised Canadian citizen. Recently, I have been unemployed for 1 year and 2 months, which is the longest I have ever gone without a job in my entire life. My EI has run out, and during this stressful time, I have only had 4 actual interviews with real human beings. I am also a caregiver for both of my parents, and working remotely has been my profession for the last 7 years. Remote work allows me to both care for them and bring in a full-time income. Despite having 30 years of customer service experience, I find myself being overlooked. Many companies now use AI to prescreen resumes, so if your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it often never gets seen by a human. Even if you make it past that stage, there are endless AI-driven assessments before you even have a chance to speak with someone. And when you finally do, it’s often yet another layer of screening rather than a real interview. I know I bring value — I consistently receive compliments from customers across cultures for speaking clearly, precisely, and making their experience enjoyable. Yet I find myself competing with younger candidates who can work longer hours, or new immigrants that companies often prioritize, sometimes with government incentives. At 55, I feel like I’m being overlooked despite my proven skills and professionalism. Right now, I live with my retired parents and should be caring for them. Instead, my father is helping me pay my bills so I don’t ruin the credit I worked so hard to build. If I don’t secure a job soon, I fear I’ll lose everything else I’ve managed to hold onto. The stress is overwhelming — I cry daily, and on top of everything, I also face health issues of my own, but I have no space to focus on them because survival takes priority. Canada today feels very different from the country I grew up in. Since the pandemic, things have become harder in every way — jobs, housing, and simply living. Even if I manage to secure work, rent alone now takes up nearly 75% of what I’d earn, not even including other basic bills. It’s disheartening to feel like no matter how hard I push, I can’t get ahead.

All international students are required to provide documents and statement letters in their student visa applications to prove that they intend to return to their home countries after their studies. The only thing that is expected (not guaranteed in any way) is a post-graduation work permit to give them a chance to acquire Canadian work experience and have enough points to apply for permanent residency if they choose to. The government should only be responsible for those who were already selected and approved for residency before changes to the regulations. All future applicants should be evaluated based on the latest changes. That is not new, and all current immigrant citizens had to adapt to the changes to requirements back in their time as well.

Changes to immigration are welcome. In Quebec things are far more complicated as integration and language come into play. Most immigrants struggle to build a life in Canada due to expensive housing (renting or ownership). Canada was also accepting too many professional immigrants (engineering, business, consulting, IT, accounting) when we desperately need trades, construction workers and mechanics. The reduction in immigration and foreign students to sustainable levels is long overdue.