Immigrant Diaspora and the Future Dimensions of Canadian Multiculturalism
Prominent justifications of multiculturalism and immigrant diaspora in Canada can be broadly categorised under three heads: economic, cultural and historical. Canada’s economic growth, it has been shown, requires a consistent supply of immigrant labor force, increased productivity and participation in all sectors (Clair Fan 2024; Richard Alba & Nancy Foner 2017). Next, newcomers and ‘visible minorities’ are said to contribute significantly to the Canadian mosaic and its social and cultural diversity that are deeply rooted in the liberal traditions of freedom and autonomy (Kay Livingstone 1975; Will Kymlicka 1995, 2007; Irene Bloemraad 2017). Finally, some scholars also contend that confronting Canada’s historical colonial past and its image as a ‘settler society’ requires openness to increased immigration and diaspora, welcoming ‘alien others’ on historical and philosophical grounds (Joseph Carens 2013; Catherine Dauvergne 2016; Bhikhu Parekh 2019; Harsh Walia 2021). All such considerations, taken together, constitute the very core of multiculturalism as well as the dignity and rights of immigrant diaspora in Canada (Rajesh Shukla 2018).
Despite its many virtues, Canadian multiculturalism is criticized for its excessive preoccupation with ethnic groups and their collective cultural prioritise, ignoring the interests of individual, her freedom and autonomy in practice (Brian Barry 2000; Daniel Weinstock 2007; Gérard Bouchard 2012; Liav Orgad 2015; Christian Joppke 2017). This critique seems to acquire a renewed interest in the wake of ongoing global conflicts and their impacts on immigrant diaspora in Canada (Gabriel Sheffer 2003; Robin Cohen 2023; Robert Fife & Steven Chase 2024; Rajesh Shukla 2024). A recent Environics survey records a steep rise in the adverse perception of immigration: almost 6 in 10 Canadian believe that “country accepts too many immigrants, reflecting a 14 percentage point increase since 2023, building on a 17 point increase over the previous year (2022 to 2023)”. Moreover, the new US administration has compounded these perceptions by claiming that Canada has unprotected border crossing and lax immigration rules and regulations.
The IRCC has responded to recent changes in public opinion and pressures from the US by rolling back targets for permanent residents and international students in the coming years, and also by tightening Express Entry Program and immigration rules, making us think if these cuts are necessitated by gaps in policy, or normative considerations of multiculturalism or practical issues associated with immigrant diaspora, or both or neither. Canadians have been historically very supportive of their immigration policy for more than fifty years, and when they ask questions, we must reflect. Remaining open to all points of view and deliberative standpoints, we want to address raised questions in a thoughtful and constructive way.
We invite proposals addressing relevant empirical and normative aspects of multiculturalism and immigrant diaspora in Canada:
- Multiculturalism and immigrant diaspora in Quebec/Canada
- Diaspora and transnational politics in Canada
- Feminism, gender identity and Canadian multiculturalism
- Immigrant diaspora and cultural diversity in Canada
- Diaspora narratives, truth construction and otherness
- Diaspora and the reproduction of homeland aspirations and conflicts
- Individual freedom and autonomy in the context of intergroup and/or intra-group [in]tolerance
- Settler society, ‘European diaspora’ and colonialism
- Sanctuary cities/policies/laws and the ethics of hospitality
- Diaspora, social media and the benefits/risks of online exposure
- Multiculturalism, anti-racism and nativism
Important Dates & Deadlines: Abstract must be submitted before 30th March 2025 (approximately 300 words, excluding name, affiliation and references). Final paper will be due on 30th July 2025 (approximately 7000 to 8000 words, including used references).
Submission Guidelines & Info: Abstract and final paper must be emailed to diaspora-diversity@ustpaul.caor rshukla@ustpaul.ca . All submissions will be peer reviewed as per the process. Please attach a short bio along with your abstract.
The Guest Editor
Dr. Rajesh C. Shukla is an Associate Professor in the School of Ethics and Public Affairs, Faculty of Philosophy, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. Rajesh’s publications have appeared in numerous journals including the Montreal Gazette (2024), The Hill Times (2024), Maritain Studies (2023), Mobility Humanities (2023), Anglistica (2021), Theoforum (2018), Ottawa Citizen (2018), Frontiers of Philosophy in China (2014), East and West Thought (2014), Toronto Slavic Quarterly (2013). Rajesh has also served as the guest editor of the Journal of Mobility Humanities (2027), French Journal of Media Research (2018) and the Journal of Philosophy, Culture and Tradition (2013). Rajesh’s current research focusses on understanding the role of diaspora, diversity and immigration in the functioning of democratic societies and welfare states, including Canada, India and the US.
