Multiculturalism – 2007

Multiculturalism

As the years have gone by people in Canada have began to realize that multiculturalism is a good thing here. Multiculturalism gives Canadians a greater appreciation for different ethnicities, religions, and cultural values, and overall sets Canadians apart as a nation.

Over the last few years, attitudes have changed about multiculturalism. Canadians have a lot of support for multiculturalism, and they like to show their appreciation though many things. Canada gives ethnicities a day to celebrate their culture on June 27 we have multiculturalism day. A lot of Canadians study different religions and take course to learn about different cultures, and 32% of Canadians have said that they have tried a different religion because they feel the culture in very welcoming. 

In Canada many people have opinions about multiculturalism. “It is good that Canada has people of different racial backgrounds” 96% of Canadians support this statement fully. In 1999 more than 83% of Canadians agreed that multiculturalism is one of the bets things about Canada. Also in this year when Canadians were asked what separated Canada from any other Countries multiculturalism came in 2nd after health care. After the September 11th Crisis in New York Polls show that support for Multiculturalism has not weakened. 

Canada has money and time, and most cultures appreciate that Canada gives a little bit of their time and money to support multiculturalism.  Canada has been putting out over 56 million in the last 5 years this money went towards a program against racism in schools and communities. This money is going to have a great affect on society; in means they will have a better understanding. Another 25 million was put towards an anti racism program in schools, that teaches about cultures and multiculturalism. 

Canada is well known for their diversity but how did this come to be? Well Canada first passed the Multiculturalism policy in 1971, but Canada had been immigrating people since the mid 60’s when people first started talking about multiculturalism. A lot of immigration started to happen just after WW2 when Canada’s economy was booming it was growing so fast that their was not enough workers in Canada, so Canada lifted the restrictions on immigration. 

Now days Canada is immigrating over 200,000 people a year and, 90% of these immigrates settle in large cities. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are all known for their diversity. Toronto being closest to us has many smaller groups inside of it like little Italy (Woodbridge). This is where many Italians settle in Toronto. There is also a China town in Toronto, and many others. Ontario is also the highest percent of immigration in Canada (27%), when you look around you see different cultures, and the diversity living here.

Canada’s multiculturalism is going to continue to grow and make a positive impact on today’s society. Immigrates who settle in Canada are going to have a family and they are going to grow up and probably stay in Canada. Immigrates in Canada will also probably encourage the rest of their family to move to Canada, and therefore Canada is going to continue to grow with diversity.