'Multiculturalism In Canada: The benefits of a multicultural society Essay\r'

'Canada is a very interesting artless, gener bothy due to its diversity. The weather in Canada keep be both freezing and very hot. Some land is rocky and mountainous, plot of ground opposite places be composed of flat, coil hills. And in Canada, you can find numerous variant races, from Asian to Latin, African to Indian. Canada is the nigh multi affableal country in the world, and a lot of Canada’s mystifyment and success can be attributed to immigrants glide path into Canada (Samuda, 1984). hitherto non entirely sort of a little look into that multiculturalism has had unless corroboratory piths on Canada. thither be roughly drawbacks that are due to Canada’s policies on in-migration and multiculturalism. However, by examining key points and positions concerning multiculturalism in Canada, it is observable that Canada’s policies on multiculturalism have had princip anyy positive proceedings on Canadian partnership.\r\nCanada w as the very first country in the world to introduce a multicultural insurance polity (Satzewich, 1992). In 1969, the kinglike focus on Bilingualism and Biculturalism heard some(prenominal) heathenalal spokespersons argue that Canada should adopt the idea of a â€Å"cultural mosaic”, where various cultures would each(prenominal)(prenominal) contribute to Canada, making the country merge through individually culture’s uniqueness. This was a diametrical concept than the unify\r\nStates idea of a â€Å"melting visual modality”, where in that location would be galore(postnominal) assorted cultures, yet they would all have â€Å"American values”, which would be the master(prenominal) broker that united them as a country. The Royal Commission agreed with this proposed indemnity, and presented it to the political sympathies of Canada. deuce years later, the policy was accepted eyepatch Pierre Elliot Trudeau was Prime Minister. In 1982, the policy became law, which helped to settle any racial and ethnic problems (Satzewich, 1992).\r\nIn 1997, the Department of Canadian heritage restructured the federal multicultural Program. The renewed syllabus defecateed towards three briny goals: identity †reproduction a fellowship in which flock of all backgrounds feel a smack of belonging and attachment to Canada; civic liaison †developing citizens who are actively regard in shaping the future of their non-homogeneous communities and their country; social justice †create a nation that ensures fair and sincere treatment and that respects and accommodates people of all origins (Internet Site, http://www.communication.gc.ca/facts/multi_e.html).\r\nThe Multicultural Policy in Canada states that all people are equal, and can take part as a member of society, heedless of racial, cultural, ethnic, or religious background. Multiculturalism strives to preserve people’s cultural identity, patch at the sa me time ensuring that common Canadian values are upheld (Reitz, 1980). Canada’s policy on immigration has changed over the years, reflecting societal views and economical conditions. except no consider how much the policy changed, the imports of this policy are\r\nvery intelligible. Close to 10% of the adult race of Canada are evident minorities, and this amount is expected to double at bottom the attached twenty years (Satzewich, 1992). in sight minorities are â€Å"persons, another(prenominal)(a) than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour” ( date and Immigration Canada, 1987). This specifys that the immigrants flood tide into Canada are not merely from European descent; rather, they are coming from other continents, such as Africa, South America, and Asia.\r\n originally 1961, 90% of the immigrants coming into Canada were of European descent. Yet in 1981, Europeans only constituted for 25% of the immigrants coming int o Canada (Satzewich, 1992). This means that 75% of immigrants coming into Canada in 1981 were from Asia, South America, and so forth It is limpid that Canada’s policy on multiculturalism has had a profound effect on Canada and its people. However, does this mean that multiculturalism in Canada has had a positive effect on society?\r\nMany leave argue that Canada would be better wrap up without its lenient placement towards immigration and multiculturalism. There are several negative factors that are attributed to Canada’s multicultural policy. One of the main basiss why people believe that Canada’s multicultural policy does more than stultification than good is because it creates racialism. By putting many another(prenominal) an(prenominal) different races together, all of which have different cultural and value differences, acts of discrimination and racism are bound to occur. Also, some immigrants claim with them histories of conflict in their resi dence countries to Canada, which leads to problems that could allow in violence, hatred, and discrimination (Bibby, 1990). Rather than unite Canadians, these factors would only divide Canadian society.\r\n other main reason as to why some people view multiculturalism in Canada negatively is because it creates confusion and misunderstanding. Many people that cause to Canada k straight off only their native tongue, and their have countries rules and laws. Being introduced to Canadian laws, language and usance can prove to be quite the challenge. A third reason as to why not everyvirtuoso realizes multiculturalism is because of the fear of wear away traditional British heritage. Canada has close ties to its mother-nation Britain, and many believe that by allowing immigrants of different ethnic backgrounds into the country, the link between Canada and Britain provideing only weaken (Satzewich, 1992).\r\nThese are all examples of d testifysides to Canadian multiculturalism, yet in that location are many benefits that result from multiculturalism as well. The benefits of multiculturalism in Canada dumbfound up for the drawbacks. One of the d ingestsides to multiculturalism was that it leads to racism. However, superstar of the positive effects of Canada’s policy is that on that point is, over time, less racism. This is due to the fact that once many different ethnic groups have been nourishment with each other for some time, they begin to understand each other more, and thusly feel walking(prenominal) and more connected to each other (Samuda, 1984). This results in less racism and harm towards one another.\r\nAnother positive effect is that since there are many different cultures living with each other, people will benefit because they will learn more about different races, and will develop a greater understanding of the cultures some them (Samuda, 1984). For instance, a Hindu who only k presentlys his own religion and way of life will supp ose the way that other races live, and therefore his knowledge about other religions, countries, values, etc. will grow. This in turn allows the Hindu to have more freedom, because he now sees other ways of living, and can cull however he wants to live. This is a very great aspect of Canadian society: the ability to live freely, and to choose any(prenominal) religion and way of life you want.\r\nAnother positive effect that multiculturalism has had on Canada is that Canada is now a country so versatile and so rich in culture, that there are now vast amounts of ideas, opinions, and lifestyles to explore. Without multiculturalism, Canada would not be so rich in art and cultural traditions (Samuda, 1984).\r\nAll of the higher up benefits that multiculturalism has had on Canadian society are important, yet the main positive effect that multiculturalism has had on Canada is that it has basically shaped Canada into the country that we now know it as today. Without Canada’s mult icultural policy, not very many immigrants would be coming to Canada. And without immigrants, Canada’s existence would be very small, and its economy weak. Immigrants that deduce to Canada are beneficial to Canadian society because: they pay taxes, create jobs, and they add to Canada’s economy, among other liaisons. Immigration into Canada is the main reason as to why Canada has become a successful country (Reitz, 1980).\r\nEvidently, Canada has benefited from its multicultural policies, in particular its policies towards immigration. However, what is society’s attitude towards immigration? Back in the too soon 1900’s, foreigner’s were mostly seen as inferior. They were not treated the same as white people were (Bibby, 1990). So the hesitancy that should be asked is why were so many immigrants even allowed into Canada, if they were not wanted there? They were allowed to come simply because Canada needed workers. An voiced solution to the incr easing demands for labourers in Canada was to allow immigrants to come into the country to work (Bibby, 1990). afterwards a some decades, these immigrants had contributed a bighearted amount of their time, work, and money to Canada, and their efforts were not go away un lived. This was around the time when Canada’s Multicultural Policy was composed, and later put into effect.\r\nAttitudes towards multiculturalism and immigration in Canada changed significantly while Canada’s economy was expanding after World fight II. Canada needed workers, and many flocked into Canada, only this time, not all were labourers. Many were professors and well-educated people, whom were fleeing their home country, coming to Canada as refugees (Satzewich, 1992). Over the undermentioned few years, Canadian\r\nattitudes towards multiculturalism became more welcoming, while the last racial and ethnic barriers to Canadian immigration were removed. With immigrants mainly moving into coarse cities in Canada such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, cultural diversity was becoming increasingly evident in these major urban areas (Satzewich, 1992). more or less immigrants moved into large cities because of two reasons: work was easier to find, and other people of the same ethnic background as them would be living there as well. Today, 90% of foreign Canadians live in one of Canada’s fifteen largest urban centers (Reitz, 1980).\r\nOver the years, attitudes towards multiculturalism and immigration have changed, with many people now recognizing the benefits of a multicultural society. People are now looking towards the future, trying to see what effects multiculturalism will have on society within the next few decades. Of course, Canada’s policies towards immigration and multiculturalism will be affected by changes in social values and the economy over the next few decades. Throughout history, it is evident that immigration into Canada becomes more open and w elcome when there is a need for a bigger labour force (Bibby, 1990). No question what policy is put into effect, one thing remains clear: the more Canadian society becomes culturally and racially mixed, the greater the need for tolerance and acceptance for one another as fellow Canadians. A multicultural policy that meets the needs of both long-time residents and the newly arrived will prove to be the most successful policy (Samuda, 1984).\r\n after(prenominal) reviewing this information about multiculturalism in Canada, one can clearly see that multiculturalism is an important aspect of Canadian society, and society has benefited immensely due to Canada’s policies towards immigration and multiculturalism. man there will always be negative opinions towards multiculturalism in Canada, the majority of Canadians recognize the importance of Canada’s multicultural policies, and support them in their entirety (Bibby, 1990). Because Canada’s population is composed of so many different racial backgrounds, the future of Canada depends on the commitments of all its citizens to a strong and unified Canadian identity, while still keeping their own culture and unique way of life. As it does so presently and as it has through with(p) so in the past, multiculturalism will play along to benefit Canadian society, making the woodland of life better and more fulfilling to all Canadians.\r\nBibliography\r\n1)Bibby, R.W. (1990). Mosaic madness: The poverty and voltage of life in Canada. Toronto: Stoddart.\r\n2)Employment and Immigration Canada (1987). Employment Equity Act, Regulations and Schedules. Ottawa.\r\n3)Reitz, J.G. (1980). The survival of ethnic groups. Toronto: McGraw-Hill.\r\n4)Samuda, Ronald J. (1984). Multiculturalism in Canada: Social and Educational Perspectives. New jersey: Prentice Hall.\r\n5)Satzewich, Vic (1992). Deconstructing a Nation: Immigration, Multiculturalism and racialism in ’90s Canada. Toronto: Fernwood Books.\r\n6) Internet Site: Facts on Canada: Multiculturalism in Canada. http://www.communication.gc.ca/facts/multi_e.html, Minister of Public Works\r\nand Government Services, 2001.\r\n'