Migration in Canada: Past, Present, and Future – Everything You Wanted to Know with Milana Nikolko
- Day: Tuesdays
- Dates: May 6 – June 10, 2025
- Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
- Location: Carleton University
- Price: $175+HST
Room and Parking Information will be sent by email 1-2 days prior to the lecture date.
Overview
Migration has been a central theme in shaping Canada’s identity, and this course explores its evolution from its earliest days to its potential future. We’ll begin by examining the foundations of Canadian migration, looking at how the Indigenous Peoples and the arrival of European settlers shaped the country’s history. We’ll trace the waves of migration that followed, including the French, British, and other groups who came after Confederation, and discuss the immigration policies of the 19th and early 20th centuries, such as the Chinese Head Tax, that reflected both openness and exclusion.
Next, we’ll delve into the transformative period of post-war immigration, when Canada redefined itself as a multicultural nation. After the upheavals of two World Wars, Canada welcomed immigrants who helped rebuild the country and fuel its economy. We’ll explore how the introduction of the 1967 points-based immigration system and the formal adoption of multiculturalism shaped the diverse Canada we know today, highlighting the stories of communities that left an indelible mark on the nation’s identity.
From there, we’ll focus on Canada’s humanitarian commitments to refugees and asylum seekers, examining its response to global crises such as those in Syria, and Ukraine. We’ll discuss Canada’s unique approach to private sponsorship of refugees, the community’s role in supporting newcomers, and the challenges of balancing security with humanitarian obligations. Along the way, we’ll celebrate success stories while addressing the hurdles refugees face in their journey to becoming Canadians.
The course will then turn to current migration trends and challenges, offering insights into the roles of temporary foreign workers, international students, and immigrants in addressing Canada’s labor shortages and aging demographics. We’ll discuss pressing issues such as housing shortages, integration struggles, and regional differences in immigration policies and impacts. We will investigate the stereotypes about migration and migration-related security threats.
Next, we will turn our gaze to the future of migration in Canada, asking what lies ahead in the 21st century. As the world grapples with climate migration, technological change, and shifting geopolitical landscapes, Canada’s immigration policies will continue to evolve.
Canada’s diverse diasporas have played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s multicultural identity, enriching its social, cultural, and economic fabric. From fostering cultural preservation and community support to advocating for global causes such as recognizing the Holodomor or championing human rights, these communities bridge Canada with the world.
The final topic will be dedicated to the review of Canadians living and working abroad, a diverse and dynamic community, contributing to global culture, economy, and diplomacy while maintaining strong ties to the homeland. From humanitarian workers and educators, business leaders and artists to tourists and “snowbirds”, their influence extends across borders, shaping Canada’s image as a globally engaged nation.
Throughout this course, you will be encouraged to share your own stories and perspectives, enriching our understanding of how migration has shaped Canada’s past and continues to influence its present and future.
About the Lecturer
Milana Nikolko, Ph.D., is an adjunct professor at the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (EURUS), Carleton University and a Sessional Instructor, at the Department of Political Studies, University of Manitoba, Canada. From 2005 to 2014 Nikolko was an associate Professor of Political Science (Docent) at V.Vernadsky Taurida National University (Ukraine). In 2008 was appointed as a visiting professor at Political Science Department, Valdosta State University (USA).
She has published extensively on topics of Ukraine’s nation-building process, mediation of grey zone conflicts (case Ukraine), and political narratives of victimization among ethnic minorities, migrants and diaspora groups from the post-Soviet countries. The full bio could be found here: https://carleton.ca/eurus/people/nikolko-milana/

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