Canada to work towards advancing human rights: Minister

Minister says the country has created an immigration policy based on social inclusion

In a bid to counter growing intolerance worldwide, Canada will work towards advancing human rights and diversity. Arguing that Canada will remain committed to freedom of perspectives and cultural differences, Ottawa’s Minister of Communities and Infrastructure Amarjeet Sohi said on Monday that his country had created an immigration policy based on social inclusion.

“We believe that our relationship with countries like India will benefit from our knowledge of diversity, pluralism, rule of law, gender parity and human rights, so that there is commitment to diversity and inclusion and we will advance some of these ideals at the international level,” Mr. Sohi told The Hindu .

Fourth Minister

Mr. Sohi, who is the fourth Canadian Minister to visit India since the government of Justine Trudeau was formed in November 2015, will participate in the Vibrant Gujarat summit.

Mr. Sohi, who was born in Punjab, said the Justin Trudeau government was committed to upholding values like multiculturalism and inclusive government. Canada has a strong Indo-Canadian population, which, the Minister said, benefited from the inclusive environment.

“My visit — I am the fourth Minister to visit India since the formation of our government — is a strong message about the government’s commitment to upgrading ties with India.”

Canada is open for business with India, said Mr. Sohi.

He highlighted that immigration from India to Canada was on the rise.

Unique opportunities

Discussing the unique opportunities that Canada’s free society provided to immigrants, the Minister said they would make immigration easier for the best talents to enter the country.

“We design immigration policy based on the need of our country to focus on innovation. In order for any country to be innovative it needs to be open for different perspectives and cultural backgrounds, and we frame our immigration policy with that in mind,” Mr. Sohi added.

Mr. Sohi highlighted Canada’s role in accepting 30,000 refugees from Syria and Ottawa’s role in international peace missions and said the current government remained committed to building a peaceful and cohesive society for immigrants.

“Our relationship with other countries like India will benefit from our knowledge of tolerance and multiculturalism,” he said.