Citizens of Winnipeg say immigrants improved their quality of life

A study conducted in the city of Winnipeg, which was carried out in spring, found sixty percent of the respondents stating that immigration improved their city’s life as against only six percent who opined that it did not.

Winnipeg Free Press quotes University of Manitoba sociology professor and the Journal of Migration and Integration’s editor, Lori Wilkinson, as saying that she was not surprised. According to her, Winnipeg had an attitude which was similar to other Canadian cities. Wilkinson stated that the mindset of Canadians on immigration was more welcoming.

The findings of the survey, entitled ‘Public Perceptions of Immigration in Winnipeg,’ were contrary to the negative picture of immigration that many people were exposed to these days, said Abdikheir Ahmed, the coordinator of Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, which commissioned the survey.

Saying that the things in Canada were unlike in the UK, Ahmed said Winnipeggers’ reality was different to what was presented by the media and politicians.

Don Leitch, CEO of Business Council of Manitoba, echoed Wilkinson’s opinion by saying that Winnipeggers response was not at all surprising. He added that immigration was crucial to their businesses. According to him, newcomers plug skill deficiencies and bring with them new ideas. Leitch said that their economy depended on immigration.

Ahmed was of the view that cultural diversity was a healthy aspect enhancing them.