In 1988parliament passed the cana, provided a legal dian multiculturalism act, which framework to guide federal responsibilities and activities with respect to multiculturalism in canada. Mar 20, 2020 canadas federal multiculturalism policy was adopted in 1971 by pierre trudeaus liberal government. Multiculturalism has been canadas solution, not its problem. A society must first achieve diversity of ethnic and racial groups in terms of composition before progressing to multiculturalism. To reflect the changing reality of canadas racial and ethnic diversity, a new multiculturalism policy came into effect in july of 1988. In other words, diversity of population is a precursor to multiculturalism. It acknowledges the contributions of canadians of all origins and their communities to the building of canada and reminds us of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship set out in canadian legislation. The 1988 canadian multiculturalism act article pdf available in canadian journal of political science 1. T his special issue this collection of papers originates from a symposium held at almaktoum institute in dundee on 20 april 2006, organised by the centre for. Tracking canadian multiculturalism over forty years. I match statements from the act with the principles of social justice outlined in the above paragraphs. In this article i use new archival and elite interview data to improve our knowledge of how the canadian multiculturalism act came into existence. The canadian multiculturalism act by iliana loya on prezi. While the canadian multiculturalism act 1971, revised 1985, amended 1993 contains several sections, it can be summarized as a policy that 1 ensures equality of status, 2 defines the essence of the canadian identity as pluralistic, 3 offers citizens a choice of lifestyles, and 4 protects civil and human rights.
The canadian policy of multiculturalism has existed for almost four decades. The canadian multiculturalism advisory committee is established in section 7, and the minister is charged with the annual composition of a report on the operation of the act. The 1988 canadian multiculturalism act affirms the policy of the government to ensure that every canadian receives equal treatment by the government. The canadian multiculturalism act of 1988 october 8, 1971 prime minister pierre trudeau announces multiculturalism as an official government policy to the house of commons preserve cultural freedom of all individuals give recognition to cultural contributions of all ethnic. Multiculturalism is the acceptance or promotion of multiple racial and ethnic cultures, for practical reasons andor for the sake of diversity and applied to the demographic makeup of a specific place. Canadian multiculturalism act annual report 201819 foreword from the minister of canadian heritage our values and principles of inclusion and diversity are embedded not only in our society but also in legislation such as the canadian multiculturalism act. Report on multiculturalism province of british columbia. In a country where 20% of the population is foreign born, these words are a powerful emblem of national unity. Annual report on the operation of the canadian multiculturalism act 20102011 refers to such debates in europe and acknowledges. Minister of state for multiculturalism, norm cafik, and said that a statutory base for the multiculturalism policy is most interesting and asked cafik to give his attention to this idea. The 1988 canadian multiculturalism act affirms the policy of the government to ensure that every canadian receives equal treatment by the government which respects and celebrates diversity.
Canadian multiculturalism act library of parliament. This chapter considers canadian multiculturalism policy, examining how the. History, policy, theory and impact canadian multiculturalism is a doctrine, system of thought and a government policy, extending to the area of political theory, social studies and the humanities, with a significant impact on immigration and everyday life. In 1988, brian mulroney declared the canadian multiculturalism act. Canadian multiculturalism act in conclusion in conclusion, i can see that the canadian multiculturalism act was a very helpful act to many people. Concepts and challenges of canadian multiculturalism and. Essay on multiculturalism in canada 661 words bartleby. A multiculturalism act could thus be used to authorize statutory references to the multicultural nature of canada. Read how the the community support, multiculturalism, and antiracism initiatives program supports the mandate of the department of canadian heritage by building on canadas strength as a diverse and inclusive society. The act went beyondsimply guaranteeing equal opportunity for all canadians, regardless of origin. The first addresses the historical evolution of multiculturalism and federalism in the development of the canadian constitution.
The canadian multiculturalism act here are some of the. Jul 07, 2016 in 1982, multiculturalism was written into the charter of rights and freedoms. The annual reports of the various federal ministries responsible. The sweeping language of the multiculturalism act of 1988 confirms why this legislation has been referred to as the high water mark of canadian multiculturalism. Annual report on the operation of the canadian multiculturalism act. Multiculturalism was intended to preserve the cultural freedom of all individuals and provide recognition of the cultural contributions of diverse ethnic. According to the canadian multiculturalism act of 1988, the government recognizes that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the canadian heritage and identity. Multiculturalism act and refbgee integration in canada. Act current to 20200127 and last amended on 20140401. Views on multicultural principles and problems implications. Is multiculturalism a part of canadas national identity. This chapter also clarifies terms and concepts related to multiculturalism, such as culture, diversity, communities and minorities. Finally, as indicated in chapter one, the international views of multiculturalism in public. View the 20182019 report on multiculturalism pdf, 2.
Canadas policies after this act have become the worlds standard for welcoming new immigrants and encouraging cultural diversity. The act sought to protect the cultural heritage of canadians, reduce discrimination and encourage the implementation of multicultural programs and activities within institutions and organizations. At the policy level, multiculturalism refers to the management of diversity through formal initiatives in the federal, provincial. It was funded by the federal government and was designed to create awareness rather than promote multiculturalism. Canadian multiculturalism policy, 1971 in a statement to the house of commons on 8 october 1971, prime minister pierre trudeau announced multiculturalism as an official government policy. I show why some canadians began to seek such an act, why political parties promised an act and how this act was created. Act current to 20200504 and last amended on 20140401. Forty years after the introduction of the federal multiculturalism policy in canada. The other two sources are survey responses about understandings of multiculturalism one a survey of newcomers to canada and regina, saskatchewan, the other a survey of university of regina undergraduates.
Multiculturalism in canada was officially adopted by the government during the 1970s and. The community support, multiculturalism, and antiracism initiatives program. Legislative restrictions on immigration such as the continuous journey regulation and chinese immigration act that had favoured british, american and european immigrants were amended during the 1960s, resulting in an influx of diverse people from asia, africa. Immigration has played an integral part in the development of multiculturalism within canada during the last half of the 20th century. The succinct statement of the policy is included its preamble. While it seems like a pretty straightforward question, even socalled experts in the field tend to answer the question in ways that are confusing or even wrong. Protected area and grounds under the alberta human rights act pdf. In table 2, we list five themes or principles that are contained in the words and phrases of sections of the act diversity, equality, overcoming barriers, harmony, and resource. The canadian multiculturalism act, created for the preservation and enhancement of multiculturalism in canada, became law on july 21, 1988. The 20152016 annual report on the operation of the canadian multiculturalism act is divided into two sections. Canadians must never take multiculturalism for granted the. Step two tell students that canadas north, ancestral home of the inuit, has become an area of interest to many countries. This is a question that is often asked of me when i tell people that i study the history of multiculturalism policy in canada.
Oct 28, 2010 multiculturalism has been canadas solution, not its problem. Diversity has been a fact of life since before the founding of canada, and without diversity there would be little need for a. Content edit the canadian multiculturalism act affirms the policy of the government of canada to ensure that every canadian receives equal treatment by the government. An unexpected byproduct of the royal commission on bilingualism and biculturalism 196369, multiculturalism was intended as a policy solution to manage both rising francophone nationalism, particularly in quebec see frenchcanadian nationalism. It comprises five retrospective accounts that identify key factors in the development of canadas unique approach to managing cultural. Part one highlights key achievements of the multiculturalism program, and contributions to implementation of canadas multiculturalism policy made by the department of canadian heritage between april 1, 2015 and march 31, 2016. This act sought to not only recognize equal rights for all cultural groups, but also strongly encourage cultural understanding and unity. Multiculturalism and the canadian constitution is divided into two parts. Canadas multicultural heritage and that that heritage must be protected. Multiculturalism was also entrenched in several laws.
Multiculturalism act 20102011 refers to such debates in europe and acknowledges. This article argues that the multiculturalism policy and its implicit link to immigra tion policy. The role of multiculturalism policy in addressing social. Whereas the constitution of canada provides that every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and benefit of the law without. Mar 17, 2015 the average canadian often views diversity as parallel to multiculturalism. Both laws oblige the canadian government to promote equality and full participation of individuals from all ethnic groups and at the same time to foster recognition of cultural differences. The multiculturalism act in 1988, canadas parliament unani mously passed the worlds first na tional multiculturalism legislation, the canadian multiculturalism act. An act for the preservation and enhancement of multiculturalism in canada.
The canadian multiculturalism act of 1988 provided a legislative framework for the official policy of multiculturalism adopted by the government in 1971. Mar 14, 2014 the canadian multiculturalism act states that all are equal under the law regardless of their race, national or ethnic origin, color, or religion. Multiculturalism act after parliame nt had adopted the legislation. Order designating the minister of state diversity and inclusion and youth as the minister for the purposes of that act si202023. In 1988, prime minister brian mulroney formally ratified the canadian multiculturalism act. They are eyeing its natural resources uranium, natural gas, diamonds with interest and, as global warming is causing the northern ice to melt, they. The act was a very important part of canadian identity. This past year, we marked its 30th anniversary and renewed our commitment to these. Comparative analysis of canadian multiculturalism policy and the. While multiculturalism was condemned in european countries, canadian government made it clear that they keep multiculturalism as a fundamental characteristic of canadian society. Canada was the first county to proclaim multiculturalism as official policy.
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