1. Multiculturalism
March 29, 2012

2. Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism describes a society with many different cultures.
It wants people to preserve their cultures, and for all cultures to interact peacefully
Monoculture - one culture. Often found with city planners creating groups of people.
Monoculturalism - Old world idea is to assimilate immigrants. Typical of nations that define themselves as one.

3. What Multiculturalism does.
Around the world, important government multicultural policies can include:
Dual citizenship
Government support for newspapers, tv, and radio in minority languages
Support for minority festivals, holidays, and celebrations
Acceptance of traditional wear in schools
Support for arts and culture
Programs to encourage minority representations in politics, education, and the work force.

4. History of Multiculturalism in Canada
In between Contact and Confederation there were three main groups in Canada, however only two were formally recognized?
What do you think these groups are and which two would be formally recognized?

5. Canada’s Tainted History
Chinese Immigration
Japanese Internment Camps during WWII
Residential School - Indian Act in 1876
Policies about Black immigration to Canada
Ukrainian Internment Camps during WWI

6. Multiculturalism in the USA
Melting Pot Idea
The melting pot idea is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous. The different cultures “melting together” into a harmonious whole with a common culture.
Similar to the ideas of assimilation.
This idea has been challenged by Multiculturalism ideas over the past 50 years.

7. Canada’s Multiculturalism Policies
1963 Royal Commission on bilingualism and biculturalism by Lester B. Pearson’s government.
This made recommendations on federal policies towards English and French languages and cultures.
Ottawa, Ontario, and Canada became Bilingual.
After criticism of this, Canada announced a Policy of Multiculturalism in 1971.

8. Canada’s Multiculturalism Policies
This policy stated:
Encouraged Canadians to participate fully and equally in society.
Canada was more than just French and English
Ethnicity did not undermine Canadian Identity, but defined it.

9. Canada’s Multiculturalism Policies
1982 Rewriting of the Constitution
Sections 27 States:
This Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.

10. Canada’s Multiculturalism Policies
Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
This gave multiculturalism a stronger legal basis by consolidating existing government policies and practices into legislation.
Canada was the first country to pass a multiculturalism law.

11. 1988 - Canadian Multiculturalism Act
“Preserve, enhance, and share their cultural heritage.”
“Promote the understanding and creativity that arise from the interaction between individuals and communities of different origins.”
“Advance multiculturalism throughout Canada in harmony with the national commitment to the official languages of Canada.”
Since Canada is so big and most of the multiculturalism policies are federal and fragmented, it is safe to say a true national multicultural strategy does not exist.

12. The Faces of Canadian Multiculturalism
John Diefenbaker - He thought multiculturalism was an attack on his vision of an unhyphenated Canada.
What do we mean by an unhyphenated Canada?

13. The Faces of Canadian Multiculturalism
Pierre Trudeau - He looked at people’s qualifications in terms of merit. He didn’t like the idea of people making it to the top because they were French, English, or because they had a rich dad.

14. The Transformation of Immigration from 1957 to 2007
Europe made up for 52.6% of immigration while Asia only accounted for 1.3%
Europe made up for 16.5% of immigration while Asia accounted for 47.6%

15. Visible Minorities What is a visible minority?
A person who is visibly not one of the majority race in a given population.
What is the problem with this in Canada?
Changes all across Canada because we are so diverse.

16. Canada’s Current Immigration Policies
Canada currently accepts about 250,000 immigrants per year on an application system.
People apply to gain entry to Canada and they are checked thoroughly.
Canada has the highest per capita immigration in the world.
We are currently 1/3 French, 1/3 English and 1/3 Immigrants.

17. Is Multiculturalism Still Working?
What do you think?
What does a true multicultural place look like?