1. Canada’s Cultural Diversity

2. Culture and Canadians-
Culture is the way a group of people organize their lives – it includes everything that makes one group of people distinct from another
Culture includes: political and legal systems, marriage and child rearing practices, language, religion, attitudes and values
It includes: food, housing, dress, tools, transportation, industry, technology, and the arts

3. Our Cultural Identity-
Our history shows that we have always been a multicultural nation
Multiculturalism: is a government policy recognizing and promoting all cultural groups that live in Canada
Pierre Trudeau’s government adopted this policy in 1971 to create a fair and just society – not a society where just French and English speakers were considered ‘true’ Canadians

4. Multiculturalism-
The multicultural policy stressed that we in Canada are unique, in that we have a ‘cultural mosaic’ versus the ‘melting pot’ of the United States
Cultural Mosaic (CDA): Each ethnic community remained distinct, yet each piece plays an important role in the broad picture that represents Canada’s national identity
Melting Pot (USA): The idea where immigrants to the U.S. give up their cultural ways and adopt the Anglophone way of life

5. The Immigration Act 1978-
Set out to list Canada’s rules surrounding immigration
Specified 3 basic classes of immigrants
Family Class: must be a close relative of a Canadian citizen
Refugee Class: people who have been forced to leave their homeland because of war or persecution
Independent Class: persons admitted on the basis of skills, capital, and jobs available in Canada

6. The act also prohibits certain categories of people: those who pose a threat to public health, safety, order or national security
This includes people with serious diseases, people who disregard the law, or those who may try to destroy our government or way of life

7. Points are awarded for:
For the Independent Class of immigrants, the government developed a selection criteria called the Point System
Points are awarded for how well the potential immigrant fits the criteria
The criteria and exact number of points vary from time to time, as does the total number of points necessary for an immigrant to be selected
Points are awarded for:
Education,
Vocational Training,
Occupational Demand,
Arranged Employment,
and Location
Age
Knowledge of French or English
Personal Stability

8. Immigration Integration-
The Canadian government wants to make sure that the various cultures in Canada get along with one another
The 3 main types of relationships can develop when different cultures meet
Assimilation: occurs when one cultural group adopts the language, values, attitudes, and traditions of the dominant culture (and in large – losing its own culture)
Segregation: occurs when cultural groups are separated from one another so that there is little cultural mix (usually involving living in separate areas, schools and public facilities)
Integration: occurs when one cultural group preserves some distinct aspects of its own culture, while adopting many of the values, attitudes, and traditions of the dominant culture

9. Immigration Integration-
A new immigrant to Canada would integrate by becoming part of Canadian society:
by getting a job,
learning one of Canada’s official languages,
obtaining Canadian citizenship,
understanding and respecting Canada’s laws,
and gaining a clear understanding of Canada’s history and modern identity

10. Immigration Integration-
In order to assist immigrants adjusting and adapting to their new society, Canada has services in place to assist their process:
Loan Program
Adjustment Assistance Program (AAP)
Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program
Host Program
LINC (Language Instruction)
Labour Market Language Training Program