Multiculturalism in Canada
A policy of multiculturalism was officially adopted by the Government of Canada under Pierre Trudeau during the 1970s and 1980s.[1] The Canadian federal government has been described as the instigator of multiculturalism as an ideology because of its public emphasis on the social importance of immigration.[2] The 1960s Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism is often referred to as the origin of modern political awareness of multiculturalism.[3]
Canadians have used the term "multiculturalism" in different ways: descriptively (as a sociological fact), prescriptively (as ideology) or politically (as policy).[4][5] In the first sense "multiculturalism" is a description of the many different religious traditions and cultural influences that in their unity and coexistence in Canada make up Canadian culture.[5] The nation consists of people from a multitude of racial, religious and cultural backgrounds and is open to cultural pluralism.[6] Canada has experienced different waves of immigration since the nineteenth century, and by the 1980s almost 40 percent of the population were of neither British nor French origins (the two largest groups, and among the oldest).[7] In the past, the relationship between the British and the French has been given a lot of importance in Canada's history. By the early twenty-first century, people from outside British and French heritage composed the majority of the population, with an increasing percentage of individuals who identify themselves as "visible minorities".
Multiculturalism is reflected in the law through the Canadian Multiculturalism Act of 1988 and section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and is administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage. The Broadcasting Act of 1991 asserts the Canadian broadcasting system should reflect the diversity of cultures in the country. Despite the official policies, a small segment of the Canadian population are critical of the concept(s) of a cultural mosaic and implementation(s) of multiculturalism legislation.[8] Quebec's ideology differs from that of the other provinces in that its official policies focus on interculturalism.[9]
Historical context[edit]
Main article: Human rights in Canada
The Yanaluk family, a Slavic immigrant family from Germany - photographed by William James Topley at Quebec City in 1911.
In the 21st century Canada is often characterised as being "very progressive, diverse, and multicultural".[10] However, Canada until the 1940s saw itself in terms of English and French cultural, linguistic and political identities, and to some extent Aboriginal.[11] European immigrants speaking other languages, such as Canadians of German ethnicity and Ukrainian Canadians, were suspect, especially during the First World War when thousands were put in camps because they were citizens of enemy nations.[12] Jewish Canadians were also suspect, especially in Quebec where anti-semitism was a factor and the Catholic Church of Quebec associated Jews with modernism, liberalism, and other unacceptable values.[13]
Asians encountered legal obstacles limiting immigration during the 1800s and early 1900s.[14][15] Additional, specific ethnic groups that did immigrate during this time faced barriers within Canada preventing full participation in political and social matters, including equal pay and the right to vote.[16] While black ex-slave refugees from the United States had been tolerated, racial minorities of African or Asian origin were generally believed "beyond the pale" (not acceptable to most people).[17] Although this mood started to shift dramatically during the Second World War,[18][19] Japanese Canadians were interned during the overseas conflict and their property confiscated.[20] Prior to the advent of the Canadian Bill of Rights in 1960 and its successor the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982, the laws of Canada did not provide much in the way of civil rights and it was typically of limited concern to the courts.[21] Since the 1960s, Canada has placed emphasis on equality and inclusiveness for all people.[22][23]
Immigration[edit]
Main article: Immigration to Canada
Head Tax Receipt - The head tax was introduced in 1885, as a means of controlling Chinese immigration.
Immigration has played an integral part in the development of multiculturalism within Canada during the last half of the 20th century.[24] Legislative restrictions on immigration (such as the Continuous journey regulation and Chinese Immigration Act) that had favoured British, American and European immigrants were amended during the 1960s, resulting in an influx of diverse people from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.[25] The number of people who are becoming immigrants is steadily increasing as seen between 2001 and 2006, the number of foreign-born people increased by 13.6%.[26] By 2006 Canada had grown to have thirty four ethnic groups with at least one hundred thousand members each, of which eleven have over 1,000,000 people and numerous others are represented in smaller amounts.[27] 16.2% of the population identify themselves as a visible minority.[27]
Canada currently has one of the highest per capita immigration rate in the world, driven by economic policy and family reunification.[28] Canada also resettles over one in ten of the world's refugees.[29] In 2008, there were 65,567 immigrants in the family class, 21,860 refugees, and 149,072 economic immigrants amongst the 247,243 total immigrants to the country.[30] Approximately 41% of Canadians are of either the first or second-generation,[30] meaning one out of every five Canadians currently living in Canada was not born in the country.[31] The Canadian public as well as the major political parties support immigration.[32] Political parties are cautious about criticizing the high level of immigration, because, as noted by the Globe and Mail, "in the early 1990s, the Reform Party was branded 'racist' for suggesting that immigration levels be lowered from 250,000 to 150,000."[33][34]
Canada receives its immigrant population from over 200 countries. As indicated below, over 50 percent of new immigrants admitted in 2012 came from 10 source countries.
Permanent Residents Admitted in 2012, by Top 10 Source Countries[35]
Historical population of Canada since confederation, from 1867–2009.
Rank Country Number Percentage
1 China 33,018 12.8
2 Philippines 32,747 12.7
3 India 28,943 11.2
4 Pakistan 9,931 3.9
5 United States 9,414 3.7
6 France 8,138 3.2
7 Iran 6,463 2.5
8 United Kingdom 6,365 2.5
9 Haiti 5,599 2.2
10 South Korea 5,308 2.1
Top 10 Total 145,926 56.6
Other 111,961 43.4
Total 257,887 100
Settlement[edit]
Culturally diverse areas or "ethnic enclaves" are another way in which multiculturalism has manifested. Newcomers have tended to settle in the major urban areas.[36] These urban enclaves have served as a home away from home for immigrants to Canada, while providing a unique experience of different cultures for those of long Canadian descent. In Canada, there are several ethnocentric communities with many diverse backgrounds, including Chinese, Italian and Greek.[37] Canadian Chinatowns are one of the most prolific type of ethnic enclave found in major cities.[37] These areas seemingly recreate an authentic Chinese experience within an urban community. During the first half of the 20th century, Chinatowns were associated with filth, seediness, and the derelict.[37] By the late 20th century, Chinatown(s) had become areas worth preserving, a tourist attraction.[37] They are now generally valued for their cultural significance and have become a feature of most large Canadian cities.[37] Professor John Zucchi of McGill University states:[37]
Unlike earlier periods when significant ethnic segregation might imply a lack of integration and therefore be viewed as a social problem, nowadays ethnic concentration in residential areas is a sign of vitality and indicates that multiculturalism as a social policy has been successful, that ethnic groups are retaining their identities if they so wish, and old-world cultures are being preserved at the same time that ethnic groups are being integrated. In addition these neighbourhoods, like their cultures, add to the definition of a city and point to the fact that integration is a two-way street."
Evolution of federal legislation[edit]
Political cartoon on Canada's bicultural identity showing a flag combining symbols of Britain, France and Canada, from 1911.
The Quebec Act, implemented after the British conquest of New France in the mid-1700s brought a large Francophone population under British Imperial rule, creating a need for accommodation.[38] A century later the compromises made between the English and French speaking Fathers of Confederation set Canada on a path to bilingualism, and this in turn contributed to biculturalism and the acceptance of diversity.[39]
Lord Tweedsmuir the 15th Governor General of Canada was an early champion of multiculturalism;[40] from his installation speech in 1935 onwards, he maintained in speeches and over the radio recited his ideas that ethnic groups "should retain their individuality and each make its contribution to the national character," and "the strongest nations are those that are made up of different racial elements."[41]
The beginnings of the development of Canada's contemporary policy of multiculturalism can be traced to the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, which was established on July 19, 1963 by the Liberal government of Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson in response to the grievances of Canada's French-speaking minority.[10] The report of the Commission advocated that the Canadian government should recognize Canada as a bilingual and bicultural society and adopt policies to preserve this character.[10]
Monument to Multiculturalism by Francesco Pirelli in Toronto, Canada. Four identical sculptures are located in Buffalo City, South Africa; Changchun, China; Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Sydney, Australia.
The recommendations of this report elicited a variety of responses. Former Progressive Conservative Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, (who was now Leader of the Official Opposition after his government was succeeded by that of Pearson on April 22, 1963), viewed them as an attack on his "One Canada Policy" that was opposed to extending accommodation to minority groups.[42] The proposals also failed to satisfy those Francophones in the Province of Quebec who gravitated toward Québécois nationalism.[43] Additionally, Canadians of neither English nor French descent (so-called "Third Force" Canadians) advocated that a policy of "multiculturalism" would better reflect the diverse heritage of Canada's peoples.[44][45]
Paul Yuzyk, a Progressive Conservative Senator of Ukrainian descent, referred to Canada as "a multicultural nation" in his influential maiden speech in 1964, creating much national debate, and is remembered for his strong advocacy of the implementation of a multiculturalism policy.[46]
On October 8, 1971, the Liberal government of Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau announced in the House of Commons that, after much deliberation, the policies of bilingualism and multiculturalism would be implemented in Canada.[47] The next day, Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated the Canadian government's support for "cultivation and use of many languages" at the 10th Congress of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee in Winnipeg. Trudeau espoused participatory democracy as a means of making Canada a "Just Society".[48][49] When the Canadian constitution was patriated by Prime Minister Trudeau in 1982, one of its constituent documents was the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and section 27 of the Charter stipulates that the rights laid out in the document are to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the spirit of multiculturalism.[50]
The Canadian Multiculturalism Act was introduced during the Progressive Conservative government of Brian Mulroney, and received Royal Assent on July 21, 1988.[51] On a practical level, a result of the Multiculturalism Act was that federal funds began to be distributed to ethnic groups to help them preserve their cultures, leading to such projects as the construction of community centres.[52]
In June 2000 Prime Minister Jean Chrétien stated:[53]
Canada has become a post-national, multicultural society. It contains the globe within its borders, and Canadians have learned that their two international languages and their diversity are a comparative advantage and a source of continuing creativity and innovation. Canadians are, by virtue of history and necessity, open to the world.
With this in mind on November 13, 2002, the Liberal government of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien designated, by Royal Proclamation, June 27 of each year Canadian Multiculturalism Day.[54]
Charter of Rights and Freedoms[edit]
Section Twenty-seven of the Charter states that:[50]
This Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.
Section Fifteen of the Charter that covers equality states:[55]
Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability.
