A Canadian in Yemen: Canada Dry, anyone? [Archives:2002/17/Culture]

Thomas Froese
Im sitting on the floor, swigging a cola and chatting with a Yemeni I see for Arabic lessons. Hes given the pop in one of those glass bottles, the type that havent been around in Canada since I was a kid in the 70s to make me feel welcome at his place.
Anees tells me about his love for movies and how hed like to work in America, where he thinks jobs are everywhere. I nod understandably. Despite todays politics, the U.S. still seems to hold a certain charm for many Yemeni.
He has hopes not unlike other young people here. After finishing his accounting degree, he can work for a salary he says might rise to $10,000 a year when hes an old man. But his dream is to go to abroad, if not to America then Europe or another Gulf State, to save money and return home to marry and buy a house.
Canada is not on his list, even though for the first time since the Second World War my country is actually looking for immigrants. A recent census shows it has a shrinking birth rate.
New pipelines replace old
For decades, one in six Canadians have come from outside her borders. Nonetheless, a recent opinion poll says more than half of Canadians now think there are too many immigrants around. What they mean is too many are from places outside Canadas old pipelines, largely the UK and other parts of Europe.
As it is, Canada will accept 240,000 migrants in 2002. Canadas consulate says that includes a few dozen Yemeni, a tiny flow which likely wont grow soon: not a bad thing for Yemen, considering the brain drain of Yemeni professionals.
What I find interesting, though, is the image Canada has here. I refer of course to Canada Dry. Ive been surprised so see billboards and stores signs across Sanaa, and surprised people enjoy its many flavors, because back home Canada Dry is simply ginger ale.
So I wear my Canada t-shirts and hat often, and would like to think thats why people here are so friendly. Yes, despite Yemens reputation abroad as a tough place, most people in Sanaa are more pleasant than people in cities Ive seen in Canada, the U.S. and Europe.
Considering the poll showing many Canadians dont want more immigrants, I do, however, have advice for Yemeni who may sometime visit Canada.
Newfoundland or bust
Go to the east coast, to Newfoundland. Newfies, as theyre known back home, are among the best people in Canada. Theyre just like Yemeni. I think of the cabbie from Newfoundlands capital, St. Johns, who, upon learning his customers were visitors, gave them a free tour of the city. And Water Street in St. Johns, the oldest street in North America, is the perfect place for people from this ancient country.
More importantly, Newfoundland has room. Its population has shrunk seven per cent in five years. St. Johns proper doesnt even top 100,000.
If you decide against Newfoundland, there is always the sprawling city of Toronto, which weighs in at five million people. But you have to be tough to live there. I suggest first watching Rocky, an old 70s movie about a tough boxer.
Rock, a bum fighter, is pulled from obscurity to fight the world champ as part of a publicity stunt for Americas bicentennial. But in real life, giving a migrant a shot at their dreams is a concept that could be uniquely Canadian.

Toronto, home of many
What you need to understand is how Rocky is beaten. So when you land in Toronto, home of a whopping 100-plus languages, and now half of Canadas newcomers, youll understand you might get knocked around. Even the most educated and skilled immigrants find themselves hauling goods and delivering pizzas because of heavy competition. The opportunities arent always as easy as they seem from here.
If Newfoundland and Toronto dont work out, America is always a good place to see as a last resort. The problem is that the United States has a population poised to double to 550 million in 50 years, and its ratio of young people to Baby Boomers is already significantly higher than Canadas. So its a little crowded.
Dry humour aside, there is little room elsewhere. Indeed, the world is growing quickly. Its 48 poorest countries are set to triple in size by 2050. Without big changes, many millions of people will be left without useable water and cropland. Yemen has its own looming population crisis. So, I must say, I am a bit disappointed at the attitudes of some Canadians wanting to keep their doors closed. Thats not the Canada I know.
A Berliner
Granted, Im an immigrant myself. Born in Berlin, I arrived in Canada as a boy and, due to bungled paperwork, I was not sure my residence was legal until later years. Im told I could have been kicked out any time since I arrived on the sly, apparently in my dads medical bag, wearing a rabbit suit and popping my head out after being plopped on a customs table. But I digress.
The point is, Canada is an exceptional place. It has a coat of many colors, a garment that beautifully reflects the worlds mosaic. But, its to be shared. And my hope is that those few Yemeni who may visit are given a fair chance.
Canadians are often at the fore of solving global problems. So results of the immigration poll are hardly due to bigotry. Many respondents simply feel overwhelmed by cultural changes swirling around, particularly in Toronto. What they need is to look around to see how the rest of the world lives. Then relax.
Its not a perfect trip. But the ride on Canadas big, long multi-cultural train has plenty of colour. To those Yemeni who may someday find themselves onboard, do smile and ask the person next to you how they are. And if by good fortune they smile back, do them a favor. Offer them a cool drink. You have something unique to give. And that just might surprise them.
Thomas Froese,
([email protected]),
is an editor with the Yemen Times.
 


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