Prague Spring Refugees Analysis

The 12,000 refugees traveled 4,393.58 miles away from Czechoslovakia to Canada in hopes of a better life. “Since the end of World War II, almost half a million refugees have come to Canada to reclaim their lives” (Troper 1). Canada’s main drive was for their own economic benefit. The Prague Spring refugees were intelligent and talented which made them useful to the Canadian society. Canada was eager in recruiting them because of their talents and how they would positively affect their economy. “Some scholars have declared that a country’s refugee policy defines it very character” (Madokoro 162). “In recent years Canada has led Western nations in offering safe haven to those who required it” (Troper 1). In today’s world, “Canada has one of the largest refugee

In fact they thought things could not be running any smoother, “Canadian officials hoped they would stay for the long term and make important contributions to the economic and social life of the country”(Madokoro 168). Canada based their success on how they economically benefited; through employment rates and income levels (Madokoro 168). The “68ers” were talented in multiple fields and were quickly employed once they arrived. The Prague Spring positively impacted Canada in other aspects as well besides economics, “The nature of Canada’s response to the 1968 invasion allowed it to maintain polite relations with the Soviet Bloc” (Madokoro 168). The Hungarian and Prague Spring refugees were allowed into Canada because “they were able to satisfy exacting conditions placed on regular immigrants” (Troper 3). The refugees from Prague Spring were aware of Canada’s past emigration policies and they knew Canada was know as a helpful country with refugees. Canada on the other hand was highly interested in helping these refugees because of their past experiences and knowledge of the talented refugees because they would greatly impact their