Yes, I lived in this country close to 10 years now. While I am doing my best to integrate to the general public also known as the majority, I am still running into barriers. This is not because Canadians are anti-multicultural or despise the values of others, but rather because I am not doing a good job in participating in social events. This article will explain my experience living in Canada with South Asian Buddhist background as a young 14 year old immigrant to current 25 year adult.

People can be trained and they learn from mistakes. People change depend on life’s events and/or life’s experiences. What important is that whatever you do, you should change for the good of others and yourself. Think about the impact your actions will have on the society before you act. I often come across immigrants from South Asia and former USSR countries who lacks the ability to connect with the general population of Canada. Specially in the South Asian communities, I am concerned that this is leading isolation of communities and/or individuals. Primary reason is that most people only think about their own values and how no or little respect for Canadian social conditions. Canada welcomes people from all parts of the world and the government encourage to keep your cultural values. However, it should be noted that if your cultural values includes pointing fingers at others, you should not immigrate to Canada. If your values are harming the integration of different communities, I oppose your presence in this country.

If you are new to Canada, please take the time to learn what Canadian values are and do your best to integrate it. Do not constantly tell your children all the negative things happens in this country (such as racism), because it will lead to further isolation. While it is important to educate your children on racism religious discrimination, the arguments in most South Asian and Eastern European families are one sided. While most Eastern Europeans(plus former USSR countries) push for white supremacy in workplaces in Canada, not all Eastern European immigrants nor Canadians supports it. In fact I have friends who would kick you out of Canada if you make a racial comment about me. The biggest problem with rapid immigration is that now the immigrant population has significantly increased, so is the social isolation and issues comes out of it. Most pro-White racism issues in Canada are caused by either immigrants from Europe or refugees. Most anti-White hate propaganda is popularized by South Asian and Arabic families. A simple statement like, “we are not like them” by either side is enough for me to call racism. Why? Because even in office professional environment, this is how racism starts and spread.

It is a good thing that Canada supports your culture. If you want others to treat you with respect, remember to respect others as well. This applies to Canadian White no-Conseravatives as well. If you want your ideology to be part of Canada, you should be able to work with others and find a middle ground. If you have no respect for gays for example, either your should leave Canada or petition for a separate state.

Key points to keep in mind…
-Respect others no matter how bad it goes against your values (gays, other religious people, etc)
-Always follow the Canadian values in public whenever you can even though Canada supports other cultures.
-Integrate yourself in to Canadian community by participating in volunteer programs.
-Learn the English/French language not by the book, but by the usage.
-Always pay attention to your actions and how it effect others around you.
-Never ever tell yourself or your children that all Canadians are bad or this thing and that thing is wrong with Canada.
-You should always looks for good side of life while acknowledging the negative site(so, don’t ignore issues like racism, but learn the fact that not everyone is a racist.)
-If your values interfere with daily life in Canada, may be it is a good time to think about moving back to where you came from OR changing your habits.