Lesson 8 — Activity 1: Multiculturalism
Completion requirements
Lesson 8 — Activity 1: Multiculturalism
Warm Up
You have learned previously about the Official Languages Act and why it was introduced in Canada.
The federal government under Pierre Trudeau also wanted to recognize the diversity of all cultural groups that make up our country. Trudeau's government began in 1971 with a policy on multiculturalism.
Courtesy of Eric Prouzet
In this activity, you will learn about and examine the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
The Canadian Multiculturalism Policy developed in 1971 suggested that Canadian identity was based on an acceptance of ethnic differences. In 1982, multiculturalism was recognized by section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. That section states: "This Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians."
In 1988, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (Bill C-93) was passed under the government of Brian Mulroney. This Act helps to preserve and promote multiculturalism in Canada and provided the legal framework for existing multiculturalism policies
across Canada.
What Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau Said ...
"Canada will be a strong country when Canadians of all provinces feel at home in all parts of the country, and when they feel that all Canada belongs to them. "
Pierre Trudeau
The Government of Canada will:
a) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism (cultural
and racial diversity) describes Canadian society and acknowledges the
freedom of all Canadians to preserve, enhance, and share their cultural
heritage
b) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism is an
important characteristic of Canadian heritage and identity and that it
is important to Canada’s future
c) promote the equal
participation of individuals and communities of all cultural backgrounds
in the shaping of Canadian society
d) recognize the communities
whose members share a common cultural background and their historic
contribution to Canadian society and help them develop
e) make
sure that all individuals receive equal treatment and equal protection
under the law, while respecting and valuing their diversity
f) encourage and help the social, cultural, economic and political institutions of Canada to be respectful of Canada’s multicultural character
g) promote the understanding and creativity that come from the individuals and communities of different cultural backgrounds (or origins) living together
h) encourage the recognition and appreciation of the different cultures of Canadian society
i) preserve and encourage the use of languages other than English and
French, while strengthening the status and use of the official languages
of Canada
j) promote multiculturalism throughout Canada while following the national commitment to the official languages of Canada
All federal departments and organizations will:
a) make sure that Canadians of all origins have an equal opportunity for employment and advancement
b) promote policies, programs, and practices that help individuals and communities of all origins help develop Canada
c) promote policies, programs, and practices that help people understand and respect the diversity of Canadians
d) collect statistics to help the development of policies, programs, and
practices that reflect the multicultural reality of Canada
e) make use of the language skills and cultural understanding of individuals of all origins
f) generally work in a way that is sensitive and responsive to multiculturalism in Canada
a) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism (cultural and racial diversity) describes Canadian society and acknowledges the freedom of all Canadians to preserve, enhance, and share their cultural
heritage
b) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism is an important characteristic of Canadian heritage and identity and that it is important to Canada’s future
c) promote the equal participation of individuals and communities of all cultural backgrounds in the shaping of Canadian society
d) recognize the communities whose members share a common cultural background and their historic contribution to Canadian society and help them develop
e) make sure that all individuals receive equal treatment and equal protection under the law, while respecting and valuing their diversity
f) encourage and help the social, cultural, economic and political institutions of Canada to be respectful of Canada’s multicultural character
g) promote the understanding and creativity that come from the individuals and communities of different cultural backgrounds (or origins) living together
h) encourage the recognition and appreciation of the different cultures of Canadian society
i) preserve and encourage the use of languages other than English and French, while strengthening the status and use of the official languages of Canada
j) promote multiculturalism throughout Canada while following the national commitment to the official languages of Canada
All federal departments and organizations will:
a) make sure that Canadians of all origins have an equal opportunity for employment and advancement
b) promote policies, programs, and practices that help individuals and communities of all origins help develop Canada
c) promote policies, programs, and practices that help people understand and respect the diversity of Canadians
d) collect statistics to help the development of policies, programs, and practices that reflect the multicultural reality of Canada
e) make use of the language skills and cultural understanding of individuals of all origins
f) generally work in a way that is sensitive and responsive to multiculturalism in Canada
The federal government also established the department of multiculturalism and citizenship. Supporters of the policy said that the government’s multiculturalism policy helped strengthen national unity by drawing all Canadians closer together in mutual respect.
Self-check!
Try This!
Decide if the following statements about the Canadian Multiculturalism Act are true or false.
1. The Act helps to preserve and promote multiculturalism in Canada.
2. The Act preserves and encourages the use of languages other than English and French, while strengthening the status and use of the official languages of Canada.
3. The federal government further recognized the growth of Canada’s multicultural communities by establishing the department of immigration.
1. True
2. True
3. False. The federal government established the department of multiculturalism and citizenship.
Digging Deeper!
Does Canada Need a Multiculturalism Policy?
As you learned above, the federal government established the department of multiculturalism and citizenship in 1989. This department's aim was to promote multiculturalism in all areas of government policy. Despite this, there are different attitudes
and opinions in Canada towards multiculturalism.
Many Canadians believe the policy is good for Canada. They feel multiculturalism plays a positive role in the nation’s development and that it helps create national unity, as Pierre Trudeau
had said it would in 1971. Supporters also feel that multiculturalism allows people of all ethnic, racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds to feel welcome in Canada. It also gives Canadians an awareness of other cultures and helps promote
values such as tolerance, equality, and support of diversity.
Opponents of multiculturalism claim that it does not benefit the country to promote differences in cultures. They say this approach weakens the country’s unity. Others think
that ethnic groups should maintain their own cultures in Canada if they wish, but that the government should not provide financial support to these groups. It would be better, they say, to follow the "melting-pot" model of the United States. There,
cultural groups are encouraged to assimilate — that is, to give up their identities and take on the mainstream culture to a great extent.
What do you think? You will offer your opinion in this activity's assignment.
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