Multiculturalism and CanadaBuilding: The Challenge of
Difference
Living Together With Differences
Multiculturalism
A belief that a society of many cultures is possible as a
basis for “living together with differences” under
four typical scenarios
1. Differences are rejected
2. Differences are tolerated
3. Differences are taken into account
4. Differences are taken seriously
Different levels of meaning of multiculturalism can be
discerned, including multiculturalism as a statement
of empirical fact, a set of ideals, an official policy, a
set of practices, and a critique
Question
Do You Believe Multiculturalism is
a crucial part of Canada’s identity?
Multicultural Society Is One that minimally
subscribes to the following attributes:
• Differences are defined as an asset and opportunity
• Minorities are seen as contributing to society-building
• Policies and programs supporting the inclusion of
difference are in place at institutional level
• Governments endorses differences as national identity
• Governments take an active role in facilitating the
integration of migrants and minorities into society
• Sufficient resources are available for putting difference
ideals into daily practice
Different Levels of Meaning can be
discerned including how multiculturalism
is defined
• Empirical Fact (of what is)
• An ideology (what ought to be)
• An explicit government policy and programs (What
is proposed)
• A set of practices for promoting political and
minority interests (What really is)
• Critical Discourse with a commitment to challenge
and change (what must be)
Failure to separate these analytically
different levels of meaning can create
confusion
As Fact
• Multiculturalism makes an empirical statement
about “what is.”
• Most countries are ethnically diverse
• Members of these minority groups often wish to
retain aspects of their culture, yet are equally
anxious to reap the benefits of full societal
involvement
As Fact
• Given the description, few will
dispute the fact of Canada as a
multicultural society
• The existence of Aboriginal
peoples, French and English
character group members, and
multicultural minorities attests
to this empirical fact of reality
• Canadians have been drawn
from 170 different countries
and speak over 200 different
languages
Multiculturalism as an Ideology
• Multiculturalism as an ideology refers to a
perspective statement of “what ought to be”.
• It prescribes a set of beliefs about creating a
society of many cultures in which people
cooperatively coexist without the acceptance
of a chaos.
• There are numerous national polls
demonstrating consistent public support for
Canada’s multicultural mosaic.
Assumptions Underlying a
Multicultural Ideology
1. A belief that people are social beings whose well being
depends on a shared cultural identity.
Identifying with one’s cultural kind does not imply a
lack of patriotism
The differences are important and benefit both
individuals and society at large (if properly managed)
2. Multiculturalism does not ignore difference as contrary
to the goals of national identity or societal progress
Cultural differences are seen as a crucial make up of
Canada’s national mosaic and reflect Canada’s ideal.
Assumptions Underlying a
Multicultural Ideology
3. A multicultural ideal builds upon principles of cultural
relativism.
Cultural relativism approaches diversity as if it were an
equally valid expression of the human experience.
4. A commitment to multicultural is predicated on the
premise that those confident in their cultural
background will have a similar tolerance to others.
Multiculturalism is based on a shared understanding
and respect for everyone’s culture.
The right to practice one’s own cultural beliefs will
result in one’s respect for another’s culture.
Assumptions Underlying a
Multicultural Ideology
• Another ideological view of
multiculturalism is a discourse
in the defence of dominant
ideology, of “ruling elites
controlling unruly ethnics”.
There is the problem that
multiculturalism is a mask to
hide the problematic side of
mixing cultures with a false
sense of security by conveying
the impression of
improvement.
Multiculturalism as Practice
• Multiculturalism as practice refers to its
application for advancing a broad range of goals,
agendas, and priorities.
• Canada's official Multiculturalism originated as a
political program to achieve political goals.
• The commercial potential Multiculturalism carries
is used as an economic strategy.
• Multiculturalism is a form of networking in an
ever increasing global economy.
As Practice Continued
• Multicultural needs include: Becoming
established, expand economic opportunities
for themselves, eliminate discrimination and
exploitation, and retain access to their cultural
heritage without loss of citizenship rights.
• Multiculturalism is employed as a tool for
meeting the above needs through elimination
of discriminatory barriers in employment,
education, housing, and criminal justice.
As Practice Continued
• For minorities, the driving force behind
multiculturalism is equality not diversity,
integration not isolation, and inclusion not
separation.
• Aspirations for multiculturalism focus on
acceptance as equals, with a corresponding
demand to be respected as different without
sacrificing the right to full and equal
participation.
Policy
Policy considerations are central to any official
Multiculturalism Governments
Official Strategies focus on:
• Controlling immigration
• Managing ethnic relations
• Accommodating differences
• Integrating ethnocultural minorities into the
mainstream
Inadequate Policy Frameworks for
Addressing Contemporary Demands
• Assimilation (Example: problems created =
residential schools)
• Segregation (Example: problems created =
Blacks VS White mentality)
• Multiculturalism can also be interpreted
within a broader normative framework that
justifies the promotion of diversity programs
without the fear of inciting public concern
over yet more government intrusion
Policy
• Policies are not openly part of the normative framework
and may not be openly articulated
• Nevertheless, it supplies the “underlying agenda” that
legitimizes policy initiatives under the multiculturalism
umbrella
• 40 years of official Multiculturalism have been
instrumental in orchestrating a national consensus
around majority acceptance of minority participation
• The goal of multiculturalism of accommodating
differences never changed, they way goals were
approached changed: 3 Overlapping Policy StagesEthnicity, Equity, and Civic
Ethnicity Multiculturalism
• Canada’s official Multiculturalism arose after
the publication of the Report of the Royal
Commission on Bilingualism in 1969
• Findings concluded that Canada comprised a
multicultural commonwealth of “other
ethnics”, within the bicultural framework of
two founding peoples
Ethnicity Multiculturalism (continued)
Commitment to multiculturalism strengthened by
the liberal Prime Minister Trudeau, promoted 4
major principles
• Equality of Status: Canada does not have an
official culture; all cultures are equal
• Canadian identity: diversity lies at the heart of
Canadian identity
• Personal Choice: the right to identify with the
cultural tradition of their choice
• Protection of individual rights: individual right to
be free from discrimination
Civic Multiculturalism
Civic Multiculturalism is oriented towards
Canada-building by way of shared citizenship
• Emphasis on fostering a sense of belonging
• A civic engagement
• An active involvement in community life
• Shared awareness of Canadian identity against
the broader backdrop of Canada’s national
interests
EQUITY MULTICULTURALISM
• Early 1980s - focus of multiculturalism shifts from
centrality of identity and ethnicity towards equity
driven concerns of racialized immigrants.
There was a different requirement for visible minorities
versus European “ethnics”.
• Visibility complicated the process of integration and
there became a need for the removal of racial barriers
to opportunity. This became more important than the
celebration of cultural differences.
Funds were rearranged to organize events to equity
goals related to anti-racism, race relations and removal
of discriminatory barriers at institutional levels.
Developments in advancing official
Multiculturalism
• Official Languages Act, 1969 - Establishes
English and French as equal in status and the
official languages of Canada
• Statement on Multiculturalism, 1971 - Given by
Pierre Eliot Trudeau
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,
1985 - constitutionally entrenched
Multiculturalism as a distinguishing feature of
Canadian life.
Developments in advancing official
Multiculturalism
• Multiculturalism Act, 1988 - Canada becomes the
world’s first and only official Multicultural
country.
• The Act aspired to promote cultures, reduce
discrimination, and accelerate institutional
inclusiveness through the “preservation and
enhancement of Canadian multiculturalism”.
• Together, these pieces of legislation brought
about a change to the idea of multiculturalism in
Canada and worked together to redefine Canada
as a multicultural nation.
Public Perception
• Views of multiculturalism in Canada are extremely varied
• Views on official Multiculturalism are difficult to gauge
because of the misconceptions the public associate with it.
• The majority of Canadians are caught somewhere in the
middle on the issue of multiculturalism, depending on their
reading of multiculturalism and its contribution to Canadian
society.
1. Mistakenly conflate multiculturalism with unpopular
government programs like employment equity
2. Support is often confused with enthusiasm.
3. Support or rejection is selective and inconsistent.
4. Support is often conditional. If costs are low and demands
are reasonable for assistance, support will follow. Support is
withdrawn when endorsement is seen as eroding Canada's
national unity, or challenging core values.