Multiculturalism in Canada

The diversity of the Canadian society goes far beyond the recent past, but rather it is a direct consequence of centuries of immigration. Canada is truly a multicultural country where diversity is valued, respected, and honored. This diversity creates a rich atmosphere of learning and growing from the multiple perspectives that the people of Canada of various ethnicities and backgrounds offer in building our common Canadian society.

When speaking of the diversity in Canada, one must mention immigration as the key force in shaping today’s multiculturalism. All Canadians, including the Native People, can trace their origins to an immigrant past. We all have a parent, a grandparent or a more distant relative who migrated to this land, attempting to find a new safe place for their families and loved ones.

Europeans arrived in today’s Canada approximately 500 years ago as immigrants followed by settlers from France and Britain. The early migrations to this land were mainly from Great Britain and the United States. However, other nationalities and non white populations also came in early on. Immigrants came and build this country’s infrastructure, expanding lumber, mining, railway, and manufacturing and construction industries. The early immigrants help created the building blocks of the country that we call home today.

As immigration continued from around the Globe, a diverse population developed and became one of the most distinctive features of Canadian society. In the most recent past, the majority of immigrants have been non-whites coming to Canada from the developing world, looking for building a better future for their children and grandchildren. Look around you in our streets, our various towns, and our big cities; you see diversity in every face you meet.

While Toronto and Vancouver may stand out as the most culturally and racially diverse cities in Canada, the diversity of the Canadian society is all around us even in smaller towns and in smaller cities. Pluralism is a fact of Canadian city life. Regardless of the motives that brought our grandparents to this land, regardless of their reasons, we are all here today actively shaping our society and building our nation.

Canada’s beauty lies in its diversity; this diversity is what makes this place unique, different, and rich in culture, history, heritage, opinions, ideas, and creativity.

In order to honor and respect the diversity that Canadian society possesses, the Canadian Multicultural Policy was put in place. The Multicultural Policy states that under Canadian law, there are equal rights and privileges of any person and that he/she may participate as a member of Canadian society, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, or religious background.

Multiculturalism at its core promotes gaining an understanding of people from all cultures, despite their language, religious or political beliefs, or social opinions. Tolerance is one of the key elements that allow diversity to continue to thrive in our society. Accepting a multicultural society does not mean that people need to shed their values and beliefs in order to accept one another. Instead, multiculturalism acknowledges that there are many different ways in which we can view the world we live in.

Tolerance essentially means respecting of other people’s distinct cultural identity. As stated by Pierre Trudeau, “the government will support and encourage the various cultures and ethnic groups that give structure and vitality to our society.

They will be encouraged to share their cultural expressions and values with other Canadians and so contribute to a richer life for us all.”

The Canadian Multiculturalism Policy also ensures that all individuals obtain equivalent actions and equal shield under the law, though respecting and valuing their diversity.

Finally, recognizing and promoting the understanding that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of Canadian heritage and identity that provides an invaluable resource in the shaping of Canada’s future, is one of the most important points of the Canadian Multiculturalism Policy because it promotes education and raising awareness as one of the primary tools to further create a better diverse Canadian society.

Canada is what it is today due to centuries of contributions by the millions of immigrants that worked so hard to build this nation and make it a good place for all of us to live in. Diversity surrounds us from every corner in this country, in every city and town, in our schools and in our factories, at our businesses and in our universities.