Canada's New Disapora: A Policy Challenge for Canada"

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Canada's New DiasporaA Policy Challenge for
Canada?
Don J. DeVoretz Research Affiliate, Metropolis
BC Senior Fellow, Asia Pacific
Foundation Professor of Economics, SFU
CSPS Armchair Discussions Ottawa May 1st, 2008
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Some Facts
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Some Facts
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Sources of Growth in Canadas Diaspora

• Globalization
• Dual citizenship policies
• Relaxation of exit controls China, FSU
• NAFTA visas
• Immigration Policies
• Permanent skills-related
• Temporary student visas

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Public Policy and Diaspora

• Economists
• - Pareto-improving everyone
• - Welfare-improving almost everyone
• Canada first
• National and Provincial Views
• Political scientists
• - Canadas place in the world
• - Extension of voting rights

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Survey Results Professionals
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Survey Results Professionals
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Survey Results Professionals
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Positive Economic Impacts
- Brain circulation - Taste effect and trade
creation - Network effects -- trade --
investment -- business creation - Remittances -
Technology transfer
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Negative Economic Impacts
- Human capital transfer - Lost productivity
innovations - Social services unfunded
overhang -- Education second-generation
children -- Old Age security -- Health
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Political Impacts
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Policy Issues

• Political realm engaging the diaspora
• - Voting Italian or Canadian Model
• - Dual citizenship
• - Intergenerational transfer of citizenship
• - Access to public goods
• -- Education differential fees and priority
  standing
• -- Use of passport
• -- Health care funding issues

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Policy Issues (contd)

• Immigration
• - Integration
• - Triangle
• ? Economics
• - Brain drain vs. brain circulation
• FDI and brain drain
• World wide taxation of
• assets
• income

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Conclusions

• Wide-ranging diaspora issues
• Federal and provincial
• jurisdictions
• Interministerial responsibilities
• Political, educational, economic,
• and security
• Unified or piecemeal approach ?
• Canada first or globalization?

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The End
The End
The End