The Pressure Of The Canadian Nation

The Canadian government portrays the country as a land of new beginnings, where people go to start a better life for themselves and their families. With much to offer to newcomers, including the promises of safety, security and healthcare, the vast selection of jobs and education, and an overall high quality of living, many immigrants have chosen and will continue to choose Canada as their new home country. Canadian officials take pride in accepting and embracing multiculturalism - as Canada is often referred to as a country of cultural mosaic in contrast to the idea of the American ‘melting pot’. This image of Canada overlooks the ill-advised past actions that have taken place, much the same way as it disregards the subtle discrimination that

Canada has never acknowledged itself as a homogeneous nation but rather rooted in diversity . The government assume a neutral role in regards to religion and accommodation, keeping in mind the goal of integration based on differences . Immigrants are placed in a different situation where they are expected to adopt and assimilate elements of the Canadian culture and at the same time still try to keep their own cultural identity . Canada is known for encouraging diversity and has a positive perspective on minority group’s traditional practices . The Multiculturalism Act is supposed to give the same and fair recognition and accommodation for non-dominant groups .

Canada is a multicultural nation home to people of diverse backgrounds and races. It is this multiculturalism and the acceptance of those who are of different races, religions, and cultures, that I feel defines Canada as a whole. I can personally attest to this acceptance felt by new Canadians, for when I came to Canada at a young age, I felt nothing but acceptance from my schoolmates and my church members. Many who come to Canada often bring their expertise, talents, and abilities with them. These traits, if nurtured properly, are often used for the greater good, and for the betterment of society. In this essay, I will explain how black Canadians have helped to define Canada's diverse heritage and identity through their achievements and contributions

During and after World War Two, immigration was strictly regulated. The Immigration Acts of 1968 and 1978 made drastic changes in immigration trends. There was a high need for skilled persons which drew many immigrants from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. There has been much controversy over what national symbols Canada should have. Choosing Canadian flag, for example, raised quite the commotion. The French felt left out and so did many of the other ethnicities. A pending question that many have is: “what are the benefits and drawbacks of Canada’s growing multicultural society?”. Multiculturalism can potentially let many live together in peace each with their own culture/way of life but it can also take away what makes us

If “prejudice is…the tendency to view people who are different from some reference group …as being deficient (Morrison, 1995, 235), then public education’s treatment of Canada’s Aboriginals does nothing to end that prejudice. This situation is unlikely to change because, as John Ralston Saul quips, “our real history is not part of how we describe ourselves, we live in denial of our reality” (Saul, 2008, 21). The reality he alludes to is that Canada has failed “to normalize…the First Nations as the senior founding pillar of our civilization” (Saul, 2008, 21). Until the First Nations are regarded as equals in Canadian society, and until public education shifts away from Eurocentric teachings - colonial teachings - of the past, prejudice will remain a stumbling block.

Bolaria, B. Singh, and Sean P. Hier. Race and Racism in 21st-century Canada: Continuity, Complexity, and Change. Peterborough, Ont.: Broadview, 2007. Print.

In order to understand the relationship between Indigenous Canadians and other Canadian identities we must first have a basic understanding of this relationship throughout history. The knowledge of behaviours and conduct of historical Aboriginal and European settler relations is essential to a contemporary analysis of current cultural genocide and identity theft. Historical colonial practices and attitudes deeply contribute to a severe loss of identity and livelihood for Aboriginal Canadians. These learned behaviours by non-Aborigines massively impact the weight of unacknowledged social and political issues. The resolution of these problems and de-colonization rely heavily on a “reshaping” of outsider views of Indigenous identity (Lawrence), recognition of historical and current malpractices, and the preservation and respect of cultural traditions. There are two sides to every story, but often we only recognize the validity of the side that aligns with our values and that emphasizes what we identify with. Therefore, when we are presented with conflicting narratives it can be difficult to acknowledge the harsh realities of what we once thought was a golden tale. For some, it’s a matter of willful ignorance, we are aware of historical facts but choose not to recognize the effects or how we may be contributing to these problems. This willful ignorance is perpetuated by stereotypes founded in education which infect media and

Canada is a nation with diverse individuals and is often referred a mosaic society. Individuals often believe that Canada is a nation where people can inhabitant and still live with their cultural heritage. Canada is a nation where other societies believe individuals live in freedom, democracy and equality. However in such a diverse nation immigrants are not being accommodated for, in mainstream Canadian society. Often immigrants feel displaced in the Canadian culture and have a difficulty identifying with Canada`s nationalism. The Canadian literature is a powerful tool that writers use to express the racism, marginalization and discrimination in Aboriginal peoples, immigrants and minorities living in Canada. Whether it is addressing the prejudice

Canada is routinely defined as the exemplar multicultural society with the most diverse cities in the world such as Vancouver, Toronto and Quebec. The concepts of integrity and complexity are being shaped in Canadian society because of its co-existence of different cultures. Indeed, multiculturalism has been a keystone of Canadian policy for over 40 years with the aim of pursuing Canadian unity (Flegel 2002). Accordingly, Canada is generally estimated a country where people are all equal and where they can share fundamental values based upon freedom. Diversity is sustained and promoted by governmental policy, however, there are still racist interactions, which are destructive to minorities integration, especially recent ethnic groups’ arrival (Banting & Kymlicka 2010). This paper will examine challenges that multiculturalism has brought society and residents of Canada.

(MARSH, 2013) .On 21 July 1988, the Progressive Conservative government of Brian Mulroney passed the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, which formalized the government's commitment to promote the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society by establishing legislation to protect ethnic, racial, linguistic and religious diversity within Canadian society. (MARSH, 2013) Trudeau's declaration of Canada as a bilingual and multicultural nation resulted in an explosion of multicultural research. (MARSH, 2013) Publications and literature were developed, many national research surveys were launched, ethnic identity research escalated, and organizations were established to support diversity. This is significant step for Canadian again. As Multiculturalism was celebrated as a new vision of Canadian identity, which would foster a global understanding of all ethnic

Canada is a diverse country with people from different cultures living harmoniously together. Unlike nations such as America where people consider themselves as Americans first, almost a third of Canadians identify with another culture or ethnic group, in addition to being Canadian. Internationally, Canada is praised for its progressive, antiracist laws that support multiculturalism. While multiculturalism is something that is gaining currency in most countries around the world as a strategy for including the minorities, Canada was the first country to develop comprehensive multiculturalism policies. Canada also supports international efforts to protect human rights. Despite the international credentials of Canada as a bastion of freedom and equality, there are problems regarding the historical treatment of first nations. Even now, the standard of livings for members of first nations is significantly lower than that of the average for Canada. Aboriginal life expectancy is lower and, has fewer high school graduates, and other quality of life outcomes are poor compared to the rest of the population. What is apparent is race determines success, with euro, Canadian outperforming the rest. Inequity in socio-economic conditions between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals is the result of a history of colonialism and institutional racism (Bryant, 2015, January 22).

Where Race Does Not Matter is a book written by Cecil Foster that examines racism in European countries mainly giving attention to Canada (Foster, 2005). Cecil Foster is a professor of sociology in Canada and has been a victim of racism in the 1980’s and 90’s as he narrates his story where his parents left Barbados in search of a better life and became immigrants. The book by Foster has a chronological analysis of the issue of immigrants and racism starting with the policies that were used in the past to the policies and procedures that are used today which he terms in his book as the modern era. The primary purpose that Foster strives to achieve in this book is to publicize by laying facts down, the merits of multiculturalism which he firmly

Multiculturalism as argued by Himani Bannerji in "The Dark Side, of the Nation: Essays on Multiculturalism, Nationalism and Gender," (1996) acts like a thin veil that hides European settler-colonist, even racist, ideologies which permeate the socio-political landscape of Canada. Bannerjii applies a Marxist perspective as she questions the notion of multiculturalism in Canada that is separated from existing power relations and social structures (p.110). The author critiques the discourse of multiculturalism that allows the Canadian state to limit its understanding of multiculturalism to “difference” thus neglecting class, gender, sexuality and other social factors while preserving its post-colonial capitalist and oppressive structures. Bannerjii

As it is considered that Canada’s officials policy of multiculturalism inspires a diversity of religions as part of the diversity of cultures. The multiculturalism Act 1988 proclaims that “Multiculturalism is an essential symbol of the Canadian heritage and identity.” The government and the public school system always give effort to promote the sense of multiculturalism. The ideals of the multiculturalism are helping the minorities to breathe their faiths and beliefs through practices. As it is widely recognised that Canada is a country of peace and is having a wide range of immigrants from different parts of the world creating religious and cultural diversity which emphasizes a sense of social solidarity in the country. For the purpose of multiculturalism, Canada’s government has adopted many laws in federal constitution to secure public facilities, to forbid religious discrimination and to establish an ideal of religious pluralism in the country. Ontario Human Rights Commission did a publication (creed freedom of religion and human right-special issue of Diversity Magazine-volume: 9.3, summer 2012) where, it was stated that “protecting religious freedom in a multicultural Canada.” That statement expresses that throughout the social, political, economic activities, multiculturalism in Canada should be protected. So it can be said that every sectors in Canada is working for the religious freedom as well as multiculturalism which is the core

Canada is one of the first countries in the world that has issued multicultural official policy since 1971. The concept of multiculturalism is referred to academic views about the equality and respect for variant cultures, religions, races and behaviours within a country. This terms has been used to form Canadian identities and strengths for almost a hundred and fifty years. For the past two decades, Canadian population is increasingly diverse and multicultural by the huge wave of newcomers who will adopt and immerse different “cultural practices” in contributing to the national development (Parent & Clydesdale, 2016). It is essential to make sure that all citizens acknowledge both similarities and differences in Canadian diverse society.