Everyone has an opinion on immigration, no matter where you live in the country. If you ask me, there’ll never be enough immigrants.

Have we done it well? Not always. When a rich country like ours welcomes immigrants, it comes with responsibilities. We have to make sure they can go to school, learn the language, have proper housing and contribute to Canada as soon as they can. In return, they’ll make Canada stronger by sharing who they are.

The bottom line is, immigrants are essential to our country. Canada wouldn’t be what it is without them — we all know it. I don’t believe and don’t imagine for a second that someone would cross a whole continent, escape violence and persecution, and move to a new country in order to do nothing, or worse. It’s just impossible. It took too much to get here, too much sacrifice and pain.

A few years ago, Montreal chef Charles-Antoine Crête filmed a documentary series in conflict zones around the world called À table avec l’ennemi (“Dining With the Enemy”). The premise of the show — bringing people together around food — really affected me. The results were not always perfect, but when people from different backgrounds share a meal, incredible things can happen. I’ve experienced it first-hand. Around the table there’s no religion or politics.

Fear — the cause of war, discrimination and racism — turns into understanding. And when I understand you and get to know you better, I see not just your humanity, but mine. Every day in the Toronto Star, I have the privilege of publishing my recipes. And they’re inspired by you, wherever you’re from. Your stories are now part of my story, and I thank you.

Cooking is one of the most beautiful acts that bring people together. When you sit people around a table, there’s no more language, religion or politics. There’s less fear, and more understanding. When I know you, I see your humanity. People love to share food, and we have a lot to share here in Canada.

So the question is, how do we make sure there’s less fear and more sharing in our country? Food’s a great unifier. Cooking and eating together creates new connections. I’ve worked with thousands of students from all kinds of backgrounds and seen the impact food can have with my own eyes.

Suspicious of each other at first, these kids find out, after spending some time in the kitchen and around the table, that they actually have a lot in common. Like every new immigrant to our country, they want dignity and respect, and want to be acknowledged for who they are. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want?