The Canadian Multiculturalism Act of 1989 was created by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and passed by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney is a law in Canada that was enacted to protect and enhance different cultures, diversities, ethnicities, languages, etc and signalled that it would welcome all different types of people who came from different backgrounds. The Act is dissimilar from other state legislation in Canada’s past that discriminated against certain groups of people such as the Chinese Head Tax and other policies similar to it.  This act is one that tried to fix the racial discrimination that had happened and allowed by the state previous to it.

Section 3 (1) of the Act is where its motivations are:

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Government of Canada to(a) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society and acknowledges the freedom of all members of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage(b) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity and that it provides an invaluable resource in the shaping of Canada’s future

(c) promote the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society and assist them in the elimination of any barrier to that participation

(d) recognize the existence of communities whose members share a common origin and their historic contribution to Canadian society, and enhance their development

(e) ensure that all individuals receive equal treatment and equal protection under the law, while respecting and valuing their diversity

(f) encourage and assist the social, cultural, economic and political institutions of Canada to be both respectful and inclusive of Canada’s multicultural character

(g) promote the understanding and creativity that arise from the interaction between individuals and communities of different origins

(h) foster the recognition and appreciation of the diverse cultures of Canadian society and promote the reflection and the evolving expressions of those cultures

(i) preserve and enhance the use of languages other than English and French, while strengthening the status and use of the official languages of Canada; and

(j) advance multiculturalism throughout Canada in harmony with the national commitment to the official languages of Canada.

The Act’s intentions were of a good ethical standing and shaped the way that Canada is made up today. Canada is home people of many different cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, and languages. Immigration has helped Canadians have a more diverse neighbourhood leading to the break-down of many social taboos, such as inter-racial marriage or having French immersion schools. Multiculturalism certainly has impacted my own life, coming from a strong Ukrainian family. I grew up taking Ukrainian dance lessons and attending Ukrainian cultural festivals near Edmonton.  These festivals are widely attended by both Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians and is an example of Canada does try to celebrate other cultures (plus there is free perogies so it is worth it).

However, this is still a pervasiveness of British whiteness that exists in Canada. Daniel Coleman in his White Civility: The Literary Project of English Canada explains how Whiteness “still occupies the position of normalcy and privilege in Canada” (7). In Canada, those identify as White still experience more privilege in society and frequently are represented in Canada, through government, corporations, and public workers. “White” is still considered widely as the ‘normal’ culture in Canada and while others are legally protected under the Multiculturalism Act, they are still considered ‘other’. While it is great that Canada throws multiculturalism festivals, it is rare that the British Whiteness is represented. This is because it is considered the norm; there is nothing to throw a festival for because it is considered not different from what most people in Canada experience.

The Government of Canada has come far in the last century, but it is still widely a White Males playground and lacks in diversity. Since the Government is the group that governs the ‘state’ of Canada and those who are represented are White, male, and generally not young, that is the pervasiveness of British Whiteness still having an effect in Canada today. Even though the Multiculturalism Act has changed the face of different cultures legally, it does not change it culturally in Canada where British Whiteness is the norm and any one else is then othered.  Recent reports show that feelings of anti-Muslim sentiments are growing even though the Act is supposed to rectify that.

So how multicultural are we really? How much do we still assume British Whiteness is the norm? Do we as a state contribute to honouring the Multiculturalism Act in its true intentions? Not at all, 100%, and probably not.

Works Cited

Geddes, J. (2013, October 3). Canadian anti-Muslim sentiment is rising, disturbing new poll reveals. Macleans. Retrieved from http://www.macleans.ca/politics/land-of-intolerance/

Keung, N. (2015, January 2). Parliament’s lack of diversity goes beyond race, gender: study. The Star. Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/01/02/parliaments_lack_of_diversity_goes_beyond_race_gender_study.html