MULTICULTURALISM POLICY OF CANADA
Marginal note:Multiculturalism policy
3. (1) 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.
Marginal note:Federal institutions
(2) It is further declared to be the policy of the Government of Canada that all federal institutions shall
(a) ensure that Canadians of all origins have an equal opportunity to obtain employment and advancement in those institutions;
(b) promote policies, programs and practices that enhance the ability of individuals and communities of all origins to contribute to the continuing evolution of Canada;
(c) promote policies, programs and practices that enhance the understanding of and respect for the diversity of the members of Canadian society;
(d) collect statistical data in order to enable the development of policies, programs and practices that are sensitive and responsive to the multicultural reality of Canada;
(e) make use, as appropriate, of the language skills and cultural understanding of individuals of all origins; and
(f) generally, carry on their activities in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the multicultural reality of Canada.
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Question 2) Write a blog about your findings and in your conclusion comment on whether or not your findings support Coleman’s argument about the project of white civility.
The Multiculturalism Act of 1988 was an attempt by the Canadian government to protect the heterogeneous/non-European members of the population. It was a response to the growing immigration in Canada during the 70s, and by my interpretation it seems like reconciliation for the previous mistakes made (Indian Act, Chinese Head Tax). The Multiculturalism Act recognized Canada as a multicultural nation, a nation in which no one culture held superiority over another. It sought to unite members of different cultures in understanding one another, and through those means to create an integrated Canadian identity.
This law brought funding to, and encouraged the celebration of, many cultures’ festivals and holidays in Canada (it has given rise to the celebration of Chinese New Year, St. Patrick’s Day, and Vaisakhi Day). The law also reinforced legal equality and treatment of members of every culture and race, so that no one would be discriminated against either by the law or by other citizens on grounds of culture. The Act demands that everyone be granted equal opportunities in terms of employment and career advancement, and legally prevented citizens from being denied these rights on basis of culture. It served to promote the use of multiple languages and not assimilate the population into speaking English or French, while still maintaining English and French as the official languages. It also allocated funding towards schools and institutions in which languages other than English and French could be practiced. The Multiculturalism Act gave citizens the freedom to practice their religions, and prevented the discrimination of individuals based on religious grounds. It also served to recognize the rights of the Aboriginal peoples and grant them freedom to heritage practices and fair treatment.
The Multiculturalism Act is in direct disagreement with Coleman’s white civility, and was Trudeau’s attempt to counter ethnocentric attitudes. This law desired to make everyone equal as a Canadian, and sought to oppose the nationalism that plagued Canada’s past. The point was to promote every ethnicity and culture and put an end to this idealization of the white, European national. The goal was to avoid a distinctly Canadian culture, and instead have society consist of several independent cultures that existed in harmony and unison.
An unfortunate by product of the act is that focusing on the promotion and preservation of culture has indirectly led to the segregation of people of the same culture. This segregation is not caused by the state, but because of populations that tend to flock to different areas, and associate mainly with those of their own culture. Even today certain cities and districts are overrepresented, and portrayed based on certain cultures/races that inhabit them. On a smaller scale those of the same culture would appear to group with one another, and in some cases avoid close association with members of out-groups. This is not in direct relation to the Multiculturalism Act, but instead a consequence of independent groups. An effect of this is that certain groups maintain ethnocentric and culturally ignorant attitudes towards others, and it fosters tolerance instead of acceptance.
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