Canada Values Pakistan's Prosperity

Canada cares about the prosperity of Pakistan and its people, as the Canadian government is interested in the well-being of the nations with a sizeable population that have immigrated to Canada

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 08th Dec, 2017 ) :Canada cares about the prosperity of Pakistan and its people, as the Canadian government is interested in the well-being of the nations with a sizeable population that have immigrated to Canada.

Valuing diversity also extended to Canada's foreign relations as it cared about the security and prosperity of countries where our fellow Canadians came from, and where they had families and friends.

Pakistan was one of the leading source countries of immigrants to Canada. Thus, Pakistan had been a major recipient of Canadian Development and Humanitarian Assistance, said Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Perry J.

Calderwood. The High Commissioner was speaking at a reception hosted by him and Honorary Consul of Canada in Karachi Byram Avari, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada's confederation, said press release here on Friday.

He said Canada was a peaceful, pluralistic society with strong democratic values and the country was characterized by its diversity and inclusiveness, and diversity is Canada's strength as it promotes multi-culturalism.

Canada welcomed some 300,000 immigrants every year which was nearly one per cent of its population. Pakistan was one of the leading source countries of immigrants to Canada.

Canadians continued the longstanding tradition of welcoming refugees, he said.

In 2016, Canada received nearly 40,000 Syrian refugees, many of whom were sponsored by local community groups. A similar number was being welcomed this year. Canada's commitment to inclusiveness was reflected in its political leadership.

For the first time in history, Canada's Federal cabinet, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was characterized by gender parity with women occupying half of the ministerial portfolios, he said.

The cabinet included several ministers who were born outside of Canada, such as the Minister of Immigration, who came to Canada as a refugee from Somalia. Calderwood said Canada was proud that all Canadians were equal, and could aspire to occupy the highest offices in the land, whether they became citizens last week, or their ancestors arrived in Canada centuries ago.

This meant that the rights of all citizens - regardless of race, religion, language, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities- are respected, and that everyone had a contribution to make. The history had taught Canadians that inclusiveness and respect for diversity provided the best foundation for a prosperous, secure and well-governed country.