Introduction
Multiculturalism is the recognition of cultural diversity existing in a country and supporting various cultures to help maintain their cultures and traditions[1]. Multiculturalism also supports the coexistence of people from different ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and gender. Canada officially adopted multiculturalism in 1971. Multiculturalism has allowed immigrants to be attached to Canada as their country and they have embraced the Canadian identity[2]. Multiculturalism has both positive and negative impacts on Canada’s democracy. Therefore, to comprehend the impacts, it is crucial to consider both the positive and negative impacts of multiculturalism on Canada’s democracy.
Benefits of Multiculturalism in Canada’s Democracy
Multiculturalism enhances democracy through diversity and inclusion. Multiculturalism recognizes the presence of several cultures in Canada and supports them. Respecting and acknowledging diverse powers allows people to coexist peacefully and engage with each other. Multiculturalism benefits democracy because it allows people from diverse cultures, even marginalized groups to engage in civic rights like voting[3]. Through voting, minorities can elect leaders of their own and increase representation in the government. Inclusivity also fosters a sense of belonging because people feel valued being served by the government they chose. Multiculturalism also fosters democracy because it allows minority groups to have freedom of speech, religion, and the right to association. Diversity enables the exchange of different ideas, perspectives, and cultures, enhancing the quality of debates during policymaking.
Multiculturalism promotes multicultural understanding and the coexistence of people from different political dialogues, promoting democracy. It also benefits democracy in Canada because people from minority groups can raise their voices and be heard in political debates. Through multiculturalism, minorities can make demands and express their rights in democratic institutions[4]. Multiculturalism in Canada has also helped in the reduction of racial and economic inequalities among Canadian citizens. Multicultural identity has helped Canadians coexist peacefully despite their diversity.
Multiculturalism in Canada has created a positive political environment through immigration policies that help them identify as Canadians, promoting democracy. In Canada, the rate at which immigrants become Canada citizens is high, making them feel accepted. This also makes me interested to join the Canadian community high[5]. When immigrants are attached to Canada due to multiculturalism, the chances of them joining politics are high, which enhances democracy. In addition, multiculturalism promotes the political engagement of people in Canada due to the support of their culture.
Multiculturalism enhances democracy in Canada by promoting social cohesion. Multiculturalism advocates for the acknowledgment and realization of different cultures, ethnicity, religion, and backgrounds, causing a sense of national unity. It allows immigrants in Canada to experience life without abandoning their own culture.
Challenges caused by Multiculturalism on Canada’s democracy
Multiculturalism can also be a threat to Canada’s democracy through social segregation, exclusion, division, and political involvement. Multiculturalism can result in social segregation when minority groups separate themselves from the rest of Canadian citizens. This kind of social segregation can lead to isolation, and limited interaction between different cultures, hindering democracy[6]. Additionally, fragmentation caused by multiculturalism hinders democracy by reducing identity and sharing of values. Segregation of minority groups can also cause identity in politics whereby each cultural group prioritizes its identity over other cultures and citizens of Canada. Multiculturalism prioritizes minority groups in Canada over native citizens. With multiculturalism, immigrants in Canada might not feel the need to integrate existing Canadian cultures and norms followed by natives.
While multiculturalism hopes to uphold democracy in Canada, issues like cultural relativism are in question. In some cases, cultural beliefs may be prioritized more than human rights[7]. For instance, a certain culture may disapprove of LGBTQ, making it hard to respect their rights and respecting their differences. Canada supports different cultures, but the language barrier may be a threat to democracy, especially for immigrants. The official languages used in Canada are English and French. Immigrants who may not be conversant with these languages may find it hard to engage in politics or participate in their democratic rights like voting.
Although multiculturalism in Canada supports diversity, some minority groups are still misrepresented. Multiculturalism has also resulted in stereotyping and prejudice. Canada has Islamophobia, Islamic people are viewed as a threat to social culture and people view it as a violent religion[8]. Religious tensions caused by multiculturalism also threaten democracy as minorities from various cultures may feel discriminated against. Some people claim that multiculturalism affects how immigrants integrate with others in society. An immigration officer in Canada once declared that people had to show their faces while taking oaths for citizenship, but the policy was rejected. This was a major challenge for Muslims in Canada because they always have their hijabs on.
Conclusion
Canada follows the multiculturalism policy since 1971. Multiculturalism allows people from diverse cultures to integrate while respecting each other’s cultures and beliefs. It allows people to coexist peacefully and immigrants living in Canada embrace the Canadian identity because their culture is respected. Multiculturalism has been beneficial to Canadian democracy, but it still faces some challenges. Multiculturalism has benefited the democracy of Canada by fostering diversity, inclusivity, a positive political environment, social cohesion, and peaceful coexistence. Challenges brought about by multiculturalism that hinder democracy in Canada are social segmentation and exclusion, cultural relativism, language barrier, and prejudice.
Bibliography
Raskin, Marcus G. The common good: Its politics, policies, and philosophy. Routledge, 2019.
Skogstad, Grace, Geneviève Tellier, Michael Howlett Paul‘t Hart, and Evert A. Lindquist. “Public Policy Success: Lessons from the Canadian Experience.” Policy Success in Canada: Cases, Lessons, Challenges: 478.
Uslaner, Eric M. Segregation, and mistrust: Diversity, isolation, and social cohesion. Cambridge University Press, 2012.
[1] Raskin, Marcus G. The common good: Its politics, policies, and philosophy. Routledge, 2019.
[2] Raskin, Marcus G. The common good: Its politics, policies, and philosophy.
[3] Skogstad, Grace, Geneviève Tellier, Michael Howlett Paul‘t Hart, and Evert A. Lindquist. “Public Policy Success: Lessons from the Canadian Experience.” Policy Success in Canada: Cases, Lessons, Challenges: 478.
[4] Skogstad, Grace, Geneviève Tellier, Michael Howlett Paul‘t Hart, and Evert A. Lindquist. “Public Policy Success: Lessons from the Canadian Experience.” Policy Success in Canada: Cases, Lessons, Challenges: 478.
[5] Skogstad, Grace, Geneviève Tellier, Michael Howlett Paul‘t Hart, and Evert A. Lindquist. “Public Policy Success: Lessons from the Canadian Experience.” Policy Success in Canada: Cases, Lessons, Challenges: 478.
[6] Uslaner, Eric M. Segregation, and mistrust: Diversity, isolation, and social cohesion. Cambridge University Press, 2012.
[7] Skogstad, Grace, Geneviève Tellier, Michael Howlett Paul‘t Hart, and Evert A. Lindquist. “Public Policy Success: Lessons from the Canadian Experience.” Policy Success in Canada: Cases, Lessons, Challenges: 478.
[8] Raskin, Marcus G. The common good: Its politics, policies, and philosophy. Routledge, 2019.
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