Polygamy, or having more than one spouse, is traditionally practiced by Muslims, Mormon Christians, and some Scandinavian people. There are also some people in our society today, who choose to maintain a serious and committed romantic relationship with more than one person at a time.
However, when such people immigrate to Canada, they are required to leave all their spouses behind except one. Also, Canadian citizens - who are already married or in a common-law relationship with someone - are not allowed to sponsor another partner for immigration.
I understand that many of us do not believe that a polygamous relationship can be called a "marriage", just like many of us do not think that a homosexual union can be one. However, most of us now do recognize that two persons of the same sex are able to love each other romantically and commit to each other in a serious and lifelong relationship.
It does not mean that we can relate to their feelings, or that we have experienced homosexual love or longing ourselves. We have simply learned to respect their way of life and their relationships. That is why we have allowed homosexual people to immigrate to Canada with their partner and also for Canadian citizen homosexuals to sponsor their partner for immigration.
Likewise, we cannot understand polygamous relationships and polygamous commitment. But does that fact have to stand in the way of us respecting polygamists and their way of life? If we allow the possibility that their relationship is truly genuine and they need to be with their loved ones, should we not give them the same right to be with their family as we all do?
Are we afraid that their existence will somehow change or impact our own values and our own way of life? Here in Canada, we have proven that many different cultures can live together in harmony and all can contribute, without being dissolved in a melting pot. Out of our diversity comes great strength. If we give rights to homosexuals or to polygamists, why should that mean that we will become like them? There will simply be more happy people that are able to enjoy life like the rest of us, and our country will be all the stronger.
I am not a polygamist, and I am not from a country where people do that. But I think that I will not oppose any movement to give polygamists immigration and sponsorship rights in Canada.
I do believe that such immigration and sponsorship should come under much greater scrutiny than the regular one. I believe that there should be more in-depth interviews, examinations, and for certain higher fees and longer processing times. These measures will ensure that this does not become a loophole for "polygamy of convenience" just to help people come to Canada, but will instead be for people who genuinely love and need to be with more than one partner.
We do not have to understand something in order to accept it. We can reunite people who truly love each other whether or not they are hetero- or homo-sexual, mono- or poly-gamous. We can be more tolerant and open to how other people live their lives, and the people will in return contribute to our society more greatly.
We already allow homosexual people to be united with their partner through immigration. Why not give polygamists the same chance at happiness? I would like to know what all of you think about this issue.
Many thanks,
Alfaris
However, when such people immigrate to Canada, they are required to leave all their spouses behind except one. Also, Canadian citizens - who are already married or in a common-law relationship with someone - are not allowed to sponsor another partner for immigration.
I understand that many of us do not believe that a polygamous relationship can be called a "marriage", just like many of us do not think that a homosexual union can be one. However, most of us now do recognize that two persons of the same sex are able to love each other romantically and commit to each other in a serious and lifelong relationship.
It does not mean that we can relate to their feelings, or that we have experienced homosexual love or longing ourselves. We have simply learned to respect their way of life and their relationships. That is why we have allowed homosexual people to immigrate to Canada with their partner and also for Canadian citizen homosexuals to sponsor their partner for immigration.
Likewise, we cannot understand polygamous relationships and polygamous commitment. But does that fact have to stand in the way of us respecting polygamists and their way of life? If we allow the possibility that their relationship is truly genuine and they need to be with their loved ones, should we not give them the same right to be with their family as we all do?
Are we afraid that their existence will somehow change or impact our own values and our own way of life? Here in Canada, we have proven that many different cultures can live together in harmony and all can contribute, without being dissolved in a melting pot. Out of our diversity comes great strength. If we give rights to homosexuals or to polygamists, why should that mean that we will become like them? There will simply be more happy people that are able to enjoy life like the rest of us, and our country will be all the stronger.
I am not a polygamist, and I am not from a country where people do that. But I think that I will not oppose any movement to give polygamists immigration and sponsorship rights in Canada.
I do believe that such immigration and sponsorship should come under much greater scrutiny than the regular one. I believe that there should be more in-depth interviews, examinations, and for certain higher fees and longer processing times. These measures will ensure that this does not become a loophole for "polygamy of convenience" just to help people come to Canada, but will instead be for people who genuinely love and need to be with more than one partner.
We do not have to understand something in order to accept it. We can reunite people who truly love each other whether or not they are hetero- or homo-sexual, mono- or poly-gamous. We can be more tolerant and open to how other people live their lives, and the people will in return contribute to our society more greatly.
We already allow homosexual people to be united with their partner through immigration. Why not give polygamists the same chance at happiness? I would like to know what all of you think about this issue.
Many thanks,
Alfaris