Canada's Multiculturalism A Threat Or Grace?

The United States of America, which is self described as a Melting Pot society and diversity is used in reference to racial relations with in this description.

Multiculturalism in Canada refers to the presence and the persistence of diverse racial and ethnic minorities who define themselves as different and who wish to remain so. Multiculturalism ensures that all citizens can keep their identities, can take pride in their ancestry and have a sense of belonging. This is what DIVERSITY means in Canada. Our diversity is considered a national asset.

Canadian multiculturalism is fundamental to our belief that all citizens are equal. Canada as a Multi-Cultural society it is deceptively (as a sociological fact), prescriptively (as ideology), from a political perspective (as policy) and as a set of inter group dynamics (as process).

To quote Kevin Myers THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, IN BRITAIN

Canada repeatedly does honourable things for honourable motives, but instead of being thanked for it, it remains something of a figure of fun.


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Perception is two thirds of what we perceive reality to be.

Difficult decisions are a privilege of rank.

"In fact, some might say that it is precisely the values that set Canada as a country apart from America that Canadians cherish most."

And others might say it's unhealthy to define yourself by what you're not.

"In fact, some might say that it is precisely the values that set Canada as a country apart from America that Canadians cherish most."

>And others might say it's unhealthy to define yourself by what you're not.<

Good thing that statement defines what we are. Multicultural.

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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden

"Good thing that statement defines what we are. Multicultural."

Are you sure about that? Is "multicultural" a definition or the absence of definition?

In one sense, any country that allows immigration from multiple ethno-cultural groups can call itself "multicultural". The difference is that most of these countries have a national culture defined by the shared history of the dominant ethno-cultural group. And I'm not sure that Canada is much different in that regard, despite our frequent boasting on the subject.

Our core institutions are based on Anglo-Saxon and French traditions. Our mythology, based on an obsession with differentiating ourselves from the US, blinds some people to this. Canada may require less cultural assimilation of newcomers than other countries, but we're talking a difference of degree here. The "mosaic" is a bit of a self-serving myth.

And I'm not sure that's such a bad thing. A country with no common cultural identity outside of a shared government trough, an obsessive fear of a neighbouring power and a donut shop chain would be a pretty sad sight.

A few set the foundations but it is the many that build the structure.

It is not the house that makes the home but the people who live in it.





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Perception is two thirds of what we perceive reality to be.

Difficult decisions are a privilege of rank.

With no pressure to assimilate and give up their culture, immigrants freely choose their new citizenship because they want to be Canadians. As Canadians, they share the basic values of democracy with all other Canadians who came before them. At the same time, Canadians are free to choose for themselves, without penalty, whether they want to identify with their specific group or not. Their individual rights are fully protected and they need not fear group pressures.

Diversity has been a fundamental characteristic of Canada since its beginnings. At the time of European settlement there were more than 56 Aboriginal nations speaking more than 30 languages. As the French and then the English colonized Canada, treaties were signed that acknowledged Aboriginal nationhood. Linguistic duality was enshrined in law at the earliest stages of the development of the Canadian federation. At a time when it was accepted practice to establish sovereignty through war and cultural domination, there were enough Canadians who believed in the virtues of accommodation and mutual respect to ensure that, with some exceptions, Canada would develop peaceably and the foundations of its diversity would be preserved.

This does not mean that there aren't tensions in Canada that flow from the differences between people. But as these tensions are addressed, Canadians learn to adapt and relate to one another despite their differences. Through practice, we have come to understand that the differences between us do not have to divide us. This encourages citizens who face common challenges to step forward and claim their right to full participation in Canadian society. As a consequence, Canada's concept of what constitutes diversity is expanding. Diversity is moving beyond language, ethnicity, race and religion, to include cross-cutting characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, and range of ability and age.

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Perception is two thirds of what we perceive reality to be.

Difficult decisions are a privilege of rank.

"The difference is that most of these countries have a national culture defined by the shared history of the dominant ethno-cultural group."

Monocultural.

"Our core institutions are based on Anglo-Saxon and French traditions."

But not rigidly so. Which is one reason we have no death penalty.

"The "mosaic" is a bit of a self-serving myth."

To those who don't believe it. I can go to Safeway, pick up dried caplyn, babagnoush, egg and potatoe curry, and bratwurst. I can walk down the street and see women in tank tops and women in veils on the same block - and no one minds the other. If the 'mosaic' is a myth, they why have we never had cultural clashes (except between the english and the french) ?

And if no one else recognizes this fact, why is Al Jazeera running this story to begin with?


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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden