The National Post reports on a demographic reversal in certain Canadian communities where former minorities have overtaken the majority from Canada’s traditionally Caucasian populace. This is especially noticeable in cities in British Columbia (my home province) and Ontario.
This isn’t exactly a surprise. Last August, a report appeared in the Windsor Star describing complaints about a billboard promoting Hezbollah. Last November, the Post reported efforts in Quebec to address concerns regarding the right of Islamic women to vote veiled.
As you would expect, growth in immigration is accompanied by a change in the Canadian religious spectrum. Statistics Canada reported an increase in Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism as long ago as this 2003 report on the 2001 census. Presumably this growth has only increased.
It seems that Canadians are responding to this change with ambivalence:
Mr. Ley said managing the integration of immigrants is a challenge facing developed countries around the world, and he thinks Canada is headed in the right direction. “We’ve chosen not to go the French way, which is a very strong position that you come here and you be like us. A more multicultural view is that there’s give and take and there’s an evolution of a national society. That is the choice that Canada has made.”
Perhaps the alleged give-and-take of Canadian society will prevent overt racial strife. However, it also inhibits the spread of the gospel to every tribe and nation. During chapel at BJU yesterday, Bob Rutledge delivered a passionate appeal (audio) to present the love of Christ to Muslim people.
John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Indeed, the fields are now at Canadian doorsteps. Canadian Christians face a tremendous mission. Behold, now is the day of salvation!
[Edit 04/08/08: Added link to audio for Rutledge sermon.]