Red Deer Reality Rant #72 - Welcome to Red Deer
Hello there fellow Red Deerians. It’s unseasonably warm today so I’m off to a late start. Nevertheless I do have a good topic for today: welcoming newcomers. There has been an influx of new people to Red Deer, and I believe we should embrace them. Canada, with all of it’s provinces, territories and cities is founded upon immigrants. A welcoming culture belongs to Canadians, new people have always come, and that is something about Canada that should never change.
In Red Deer, our population is growing and becoming more diverse. I don’t understand when people feel outnumbered when there are more people from other countries joining us. This to me seems to be a racist attitude. But it also seems that people are annoyed when anyone from anywhere comes to Red Deer, regardless of race. This also seems silly to me because newcomers enhance the culture of Red Deer and there are many benefits resulting from having a diverse community.
Some benefits include having more skilled workers, and they don’t take away jobs from Canadians. If the skills are needed and no one is applying for them or there isn’t enough people with the skills already, then qualified newcomers should by all means have the opportunity. It is important that when professionals are hired that they are the best person for the job. I have trust in the hiring practices of most organizations and companies, maybe there are a few who want “token” employees. But it only makes business sense to hire the best people for the job.
On the note of “token” employees, these can include a number of diversities. Including diversities between people who are already Canadian. It can be Canadians who are queer, or disabled, or seniors, or a variety of other groups and minorities. I don’t think that hiring token employees is a good idea. However, that is not always the fault of the management, it is often mandated by the government. Having been hired a a token disabled person myself, it is not an enviable position.
Culture in Red Deer has been enhanced by newcomers. There have been new festivals, new talents and performances. There is a market coming up put on by carefornewcomers.ca an organization helping new people in Red Deer and other locations in Central Alberta. I have a table at the market on Saturday the 23rd 10am to 6pm, I believe it’s a good opportunity to meet new people. It’s at Pioneer Lodge here in Red Deer so stop by and say hello if you have a chance!
Welcoming new people to Red Deer is important, boosting our economy and enhancing our community. Unless you are indigenous, all of our ancestors are from everywhere else in the world. Treat them as you would want to be treated arriving in a new place and doing your best to fit in. That’s all I have for today. I will be back next week with another edition of Red Deer Reality Rant. Until then, be kind, be welcoming, stay positive, and as always stay brutal!
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