The immigration policy of settler colonialism: Karun Kishor Karki, ‘Legacy of Colonialism in Canada’s Immigration Policies’, in Karun Kishor Karki, Employment and Deskilling, Springer 2025, pp. 65-82 | settler colonial studies blog

The immigration policy of settler colonialism: Karun Kishor Karki, ‘Legacy of Colonialism in Canada’s Immigration Policies’, in Karun Kishor Karki, Employment and Deskilling, Springer 2025, pp. 65-82

07Sep25

Abstract: This chapter critically interrogates the colonial underpinnings of Canada’s immigration policies and their ongoing impacts on both Indigenous Peoples and racialized immigrants. It argues that immigration has not merely served as a demographic tool but has been central to the settler-colonial project—facilitating Indigenous dispossession, reinforcing white supremacy, and constructing a national identity grounded in racial exclusion. From the 1869 Immigration Act through the mid-twentieth century, Canadian immigration laws systematically favoured white European settlers while excluding racialized groups, particularly from the Global South. These exclusionary practices institutionalized racial hierarchies and aligned immigration with the economic and territorial goals of settler colonialism. While the introduction of the Point System in 1967 marked a formal shift towards race-neutral criteria, the policy continued to reflect colonial logic by valuing immigrants primarily for their economic utility. This system, particularly in its targeting of skilled workers from the Global South, perpetuates global inequalities through mechanisms such as brain drain and deskilling, often resulting in the economic marginalization and social exclusion of migrants within Canada. Rather than a “triple win,” the system creates a “triple-loss” for Canada, immigrants, and their countries of origin, reflecting a modern form of colonialism that exploits human capital from the Global South. The narrative of multiculturalism and inclusivity thus conceals the enduring presence of systemic racism and the commodification of immigrant labour. This chapter examines how racialized immigrants navigate persistent barriers to employment and social inclusion, exposing the gap between Canada’s inclusive rhetoric and its colonial realities. Grounded in the lived experiences of racialized immigrants, this chapter calls for a transformative shift in immigration policy—one that places equity, justice, and Indigenous sovereignty above economic imperatives. This reorientation must confront and dismantle the enduring colonial structures that shape Canada’s migration system and national identity.

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