Immigration, Minorities & Culture in Canadian History

Immigration and birth countries See Graph on p. 394 What are some observation can make? How can changes in immigration and birth countries be explained? What are your predictions for the future? Check out this government report: X&ObjType=2&lang=en&limit=0&fpv=30000

What is immigration policy? See Canadian Encyclopedia (article) Immigration Act, 1978 – outlined 3 goals of Canada’s immigration policy: 1.Promote family reunion 2.Uphold humanitarian values 3.Encourage economic growth for Canada It also identified 3 classes of immigrants: 1.Family 2.Independent 3.Refugee POINT SYSTEM (Activity)

Refugees How should Canada’s policy toward refugees differ from its policy toward other immigrants? Should those whose lives are in danger be accepted immediately and then questioned when they are safe? How should Canada treat those who are found to have falsely claimed refugee status?

Ethnicity Canada currently has over 200 ethnic origins (2006 Census) How is Canada’s changing ethnic make-up strengthening Canadian identity? See “Attitudes Toward Multiculturalism” “ …a mixed multitude, they are all being dumped into Canada by a kind of endless chain … How shall we weld this heterogeneous mass into one people? This is our problem.” - J.S. Woodworth, Politician and Author of Strangers Within Our Gates, 1909

Our Cultural Identity Read p and What is the policy of multiculturalism? What was Trudeau’s idea of a “Just Society”? What is the difference between a “melting pot” and a “mosaic” when referring to cultural identity? Funding and legal changes in the 1970s reflect the correlation between the increase in immigration and multiculturalism. But does support for multiculturalism require a tolerance of practices that are at variance with Canadian laws? Does multiculturalism lead to a fragmentation of Canadian culture? What is culture anyway?

Definition of Culture Culture encompasses knowledge, belief, morals, laws, customs, and any other abilities and habits acquired by a person as a member of society; a whole way of life of a people.

Americanization of Canadian Culture Since the late 1960s, the Canadian government has preoccupied itself with promoting Canadian culture through radio, tv, film, etc. It created the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), and CanCon (regulation that requires radio stations to play 30% Canadian music). Why do you think the government took such great interest in this? List the ways government (municipal, provincial and/or federal) promotes Canadian cultural identity: Grade 10, Canadian History – compulsory course (Provincial Government)