Prime Minister Stephen Harper: Harper Government

Canada Dept: So why is Prime Minister Stephen Harper s government so keen on playing the diaspora card?, according to Globe and Mail. While it s true we see political competition by all parties to win ethnic ridings, it s increasingly apparent that the Harper government has made pandering to diasporas a foreign policy priority. Indeed, as a right-of-centre government, it can hold an even more extreme position on diaspora issues without fear of being outflanked by more centrist or left-leaning parties and but it s a dangerous game. By playing the diaspora card, Canada s leaders are opening up the country to exploitation by other countries looking to disrupt our internal affairs, using diasporas to lobby or influence our leaders or bring their conflicts here. Most Canadian governments have understood, correctly, that our own security needs, both domestic and international, rest on policies that advance the interests of many diverse groups, not just a few. After all, Canada functions on civic nationalism, so it makes sense it upholds that same principle abroad. First, Canada is more and more ethnically diverse, making new Canadians a key battleground for politicians. Like most OECD nations except the United States , Canada s population is increasing because of immigration, not birth rates. Politicians competing for the support of diasporas fall into the classic dilemma of outbidding, which can lead a government to escalate its commitments to extreme and unnecessary levels. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.