Hailing a Neoliberal Citizen: Language from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Date

2018-06-08

Authors

Becherer, Ariel

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Abstract

Canada describes itself as “a nation of immigrants” that has embraced a policy of multiculturalism. The majority of individuals granted citizenship in Canada do so under programs labelled “economic”. In this paper a critical discourse analysis is conducted on an interactive tool, and two documents accessible online from the ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These objects are, intended for consumption by potential immigrants. The use of economic language to describe different citizenship paths, Canadian citizens, and the nation is examined. The three objects: offer economically labelled and described categories for immigrants to accepts; present images of workers; frame the economy and work as central to Canadian identity; and place the responsibility of being a good labourer onto the individual. Drawing from Althusser and Foucault, I argue that the items produced by the IRCC attempt to hail a neoliberal subject for a neoliberal nation.

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Keywords

Immigration, Neoliberalism, Canada, Critical Discourse Analysis, Hailing, Citizenship

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