Canada and the World
Current Events with a Canadian Perspective
Last update
02 November 2011
Multiculturalism in Canada
Canadians have embraced multiculturalism although
its popularity is sometimes tested by questionable
cultural practices brought from other countries
Multiculturalism has become a fundamental Canadian value. Study after study has found
widespread support for the concept, even if many Canadians are not entirely sure
what it means.
A survey published by the Centre for Research and Information on Canada (CRIC) in October 2003 found that 54 percent of those surveyed said that multiculturalism made them feel very proud to be Canadian.
This figure rose to 66 percent among those between the ages of 18 and 30.
In October 2005, another CRIC survey found that two thirds of Canadians see multiculturalism as guarding against extremism rather than leading to it.
Preserving Heritage
To most, multiculturalism is about preserving the customs, languages, and cultural heritages of the “old country.”
Part of it is teaching the children of immigrants about their ethnic roots. It is also about learning tolerance for the differences of peoples from diverse backgrounds.
That said, many Canadians are more than a little conflicted about multiculturalism. They believe cultural diversity is a good thing. But, they have a strong belief that if the country is to remain united, new citizens must learn to be Canadians first.
Conflict with Mainstream Practices
There is a growing uneasiness that Canadian culture and symbols are being discarded in the effort to accommodate other cultures.
It is not unusual for people to complain that “We’re not allowed to celebrate Christmas
anymore.” That traditional holiday season has been de-
In December 2006, Ontario Court of Justice Judge Marion Cohen ordered a Christmas
tree removed from the lobby of a Toronto courthouse. She said non-
The chorus of protest that followed the order was even joined by Farzana Hassan, President of the Canadian Muslim Congress.
Such changes to tradition give rise to a fear that Canadians with deep roots in the country might become “strangers in their own land.”
In the last few years, there has been an increase in problems concerning the cultural
practices of some recent immigrants and the mainstream values of Canadian society.
The Economist reported in November 2006 that “...a small minority of Muslim immigrants seek to emphasize their separation from, and even hostility to, the wider society.”
Neil Bissoondath is a Canadian writer originally from Trinidad. He is quoted as saying that “Muslims are the first group to seriously challenge our notions of multiculturalism and tolerance.”
Some wonder whether or not multiculturalism will withstand the challenge of militant Islam. However, it’s weathered a few storms already.
Image credits
J. Durham
Andrew E. Larsen
Sources
Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
“One Nation or Many?” The Economist, November 16, 2006.
© Canada and the World November 2011
All rights reserved
Canadian Multiculturalism Day is celebrated on June 27 every year.
“Political correctness” is an attempt to avoid expressions or actions that can be viewed as excluding or insulting people who are members of minorities.
So, in some communities, official Christmas trees have been renamed “Holiday Trees”
so as not to exclude non-
But, this ends up offending many of the traditions of the majority.
As an aside, the Christmas tree is not really a Christian symbol; it’s a holdover
from ancient nature worship that long pre-
