Multiculturalism in Canada
Multiculturalism is widely accepted by Canadians, and overall seen as a good thing. Many Canadians, in fact, pride themselves on living in one of the most pluralistic, diverse, and peaceful societies on earth. Trudeau, in 1971, said: “For although there are two official languages, there is no official culture.” His statement reflects the view of most Canadians today.
Since then, there has been a dramatic shift away from a “two founding nations” ideal, which emphasized Canada’s British and French roots. Many people see that Canada’s population has always been heterogenous: even before contact with Europeans, the 250,000 or 300,000 inhabitants of what is now Canada consisted of 50 distinct societies belonging to 12 linguistic groups. After the French arrived and colonized New France, those living in the Maritimes became differentiated from the rest as Acadians. Later, in the 1800s, the Métis emerged from intermarriages. Then, the English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh arrived – and soon after, German and Dutch individuals. Today, Canada takes in more immigrants per capita than any other nation, and first-generation immigrants make up over half of our annual population growth.
And just as with any idea (new or old) in politics, there are multiple criticisms that have emerged of it. These come from every angle on the political compass.
Conservative criticism is chiefly concerned with national unity – seeing Canada under multiculturalism broken up into multiple competing factions of minority interests. Many draw on the American political philosophers Alan Bloom (The Closing of the American Mind) and Dinesh D’Souza (Illiberal Education) for support in this view.
This perspective’s idea of multiculturalism, taken to its logical conclusion, would see Canada torn apart into ethnic segregation and conflict. According to Alvin Schmidt in The Menace of Multiculturalism, “Canada would turn into a new Bosnia … Québec’s separation would be inevitable, shattering what little unity the country had prior to this present turbulence.”
Disregarding Schmidt’s profound hyperbole, this criticism of multiculturalism ignores significant social, economic, historical, and political tension and conflict. In addition, ethnicity is not as divisive an issue in Canada as elsewhere. Bosnia is a very poor example of a multicultural state. Indeed, due to many different factors, like a stable economy and industrial sector, and increased recognition of new immigrants as well as Francophone culture, Québec appears less likely to separate now than at any time since the last referendum.
Anti-racist activists maintain that multicultural education does not address visible minorities’ real concerns like unemployment, and individual prejudice. They claim that instituting multiculturalist policies only affects government, narrowly conceiving of racism as solely institutional racism. As Patricia Roy says, however, xenophobia in Canada faded considerably between 1950 and 1970 as more Canadians took pride in their open border policy.
The forces of antagonism and this xenophobia were prevalent in early-twentieth century English Canada, much like many other places around the world at the time. This is evident in the antipathy displayed towards “foreigners” (non-british immigrants and refugees) before and during WWII. As late as 1950, Canadian politicians found themselves defending policies on “scientific” grounds long disproven. As an example, the restrictions on black immigration were said to have been imposed because it had been “scientifically proven” that blacks could not endure cold climates.
Today, Multiculturalism is often taken for granted in our society, a position with which this author agrees. But there are those who disagree.
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Tags: canada, culture, multiculturalism
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August 12th, 2009 at 9:07 am
well…this article is pretty pathetic. there are no sources to any “information” you present. and you throw “conservative criticism” way out of context.
like when you say Trudeau’s (one of the most divisive prime ministers in canadian history) views are widely held by canadians today…what evidence do you have of this? the fact that he refuses to acknowledge canada has its own culture is a slap in the face to anyone who takes pride in Canada. People like him contend that the only thing canadian culture can be proud of or consists of is that we are so “pluralistic”. usually in contrast with the united states. Which, oddly enough, has a much smaller white population than canada does (as a percentage).
So Bosnia is a bad example… what about the Ottoman empire? or any multi-ethnic state in history. How many european wars emerged because of oppressed national identity? It is the ignorant and naive liberal, who is neglecting to acknowledge the lessons of history. continually trying to build their tower of babel. Sure, quebec is fine now (according to you). but what happens if the economy tanks? Yugoslavia was fine too, until their economy crumbled and the old contentions rose again. Ironically enough, it is also the liberal who continually push us further and further to the left economically, idolizing the socialist systems that have been proven failures.
nice try though.
April 17th, 2011 at 10:29 am
The above individual’s last sentence “idolizing the socialist systems that have been proven failures” obviously shows what an ill informed individual he is. Anyone with the slightest interest can check out Denmark, Norway or Sweden as countries with a highly successful socialist system. Indeed Denmark is frequently sited as the country with the happiest people in the world. There are too many people in USA and Canada who fear anything remotely “liberal” and swing that word around like the F bomb. Wake up and smell the coffee people. Conservatism is no good for the ordinary citizen. My humble opinion.