Canada is ranked among the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Over the years, this development can primarily be linked to the policies on multiculturalism that have been changing to accommodate more indigenous people by providing much room for the preservation and promotion of their languages and old cultural and religious practices. This has been made possible by encouraging the development of such cleavages as Chinatowns in major cities. It is in these cleavages that the indigenous Chinese culture is practiced (Berry, 2019). As a result, the heritage of the Chinese people is preserved, practiced, and promoted.
A significant milestone has been achieved since 1971 (Hyman et al., 2021). The year is significant in the evolution because it was in that year that multiculturalism was officially adopted. The federal government instigated the policy as an ideology since it emphasized the importance of immigration in the national and co. Before the Multiculturalism Act’s inception, Canada comprised British and French identities, with a few indigenous. The official languages were still English and French. In the 1960s, immigration restrictions that favored British and French nationals were amended (Berry, 2019). This amendment caused an increase in the number of immigrants from different continents of the world, including Asia and Africa. The evolution of the policy on multiculturalism can be categorized into three parts; the incipient phase before 1971, the formative phase between 1971 and 1981, and the institutionalization phase from 1982 to the present (Hyman et al., 2021). However, this evolution was unique throughout Canada (Berry, 2019). Different provincial legislations evolved at different times, Saskatchewan being the earliest province to adopt multiculturalism policy. In this paper, we shall discuss the policy adoption and amendments in the three phases and how different provincial legislations evolved in those phases.
Incipient Stage (before 1971)
A compromise between the English and French fathers initiated Canada’s multiculturalism policy. The compromise led to a widespread acceptance of biculturalism and diversity. In 1963, a royal commission was established under the leadership of Lester B Pearson, who was the prime minister of the liberal government (Hyman et al., 2021). The purpose was to address matters concerning bilingualism and biculturalism. The commission was formed to resolve complaints made by French-speaking Canadians. The commission wrote a report that urged the government to recognize Canada as a diverse nation and adopt policies to preserve and promote diversity in terms of language and culture. However, the official opposition leader then viewed the move as an adversary to their policy (One Canada policy).
The recommendations by the royal commission were well taken and embraced by the non-French and non-British, who wanted to adopt a multicultural policy. In 1964, during an influential speech, Paul Yuzyk, a senator of Ukrainian origin, called Canada a multicultural nation (Berry, 2019). His address caused much debate and reconsideration by different parties within Canada. The nation became more vibrant on multiculturalism, and the third force gained more hope that their culture would be embraced, preserved, and promoted (Berry, 2019). It was also going to generate more impact on immigration.
Formative Period (1971-1981)
The year 1971 marked a significant revolution following the action taken by the liberal government concerning biculturalism and multiculturalism (Hyman et al., 2021). After a report was presented to the government by the royal commission, it was clear that there was a need to incorporate the non-indigenous, non-English, and non-French cultures into the Canadian cultural arena. According to the report, this would bring about cultural, social, and economic enrichment in the nation. During a constitutional conference in 1971, Alberta provincial legislation strongly demanded that in any future constitutional agreement, settlement, or amendment, multiculturalism should be incorporated (Hyman et al., 2021). On the 8th of August 1971, in the House of Commons, the Liberal government announced that the government would implement a policy on biculturalism and multiculturalism in Canada (Hyman et al., 2021). This declaration meant a paradigm shift in perception of the matter.
The policy was to be designed with several objectives. The first objective was to assist the diverse groups to retain, practice and promote their identity. This way, they would freely practice their culture, religion, and language without fearing discrimination or intimidation. The policy would also assist the groups to have full participation and equal involvement in major institutions despite being minorities. The other objective was to encourage and promote creative exchange among the groups, either culturally, socially, economically, or politically. It would enhance the nation’s social, economic, cultural, and political diversity. The policy was also designed to make it easier for immigrants to acquire at least one of the official languages in the nation. The Prime minister of the liberal government, Trudeau, demonstrated democracy and the need to embrace diversity (Hyman et al., 2021). He also stated the government’s initiative to cultivate and promote the use of multiple languages.
During a Congress of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee, prime minister Trudeau stated that making all citizens uniform in Canada was impossible and undesirable (Hyman et al., 2021). He also said that if society insists on creating uniformity, it will induce hate and intolerance toward itself (Hyman et al., 2021). He urged the nation to embrace and cherish compassion, love, and understanding as fundamental human values rather than discriminating against individuals due to race, color, place of origin, or gender. These sentiments meant that the Liberal government fully supported multiculturalism and allowed ethnic minorities to thrive freely in the nation.
In 1974, Saskatchewan province adopted the multiculturalism legislation. It was the very first province in the nation (Hyman et al., 2021). The policy was named the Saskatchewan Multiculturalism Act. The Act would recognize diversity in the province regarding race, cultural heritage, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, and place of origin. It also encouraged respect for the heritage of diverse cultures. Another objective was to foster and improve a climate with harmonious relationships among ethnic minorities and other communities. Through this Act, multicultural societies could grow significantly in all aspects. Later in 1997, the Act was amended and named the revised multiculturalism act of 1997 (Hyman et al., 2021). Saskatchewan marked the initiation of a new revolution.
Institutionalization (1982 to present)
In 1982, the liberal government, under prime minister Trudeau, patriated a constitution (Hyman et al., 2021). Among other acts, the Constitution contained the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Heritage, 2023). According to section 27, the contents should be addressed multiculturalism (Hyman et al., 2021). In 1984, the province of Alberta enacted the Alberta cultural heritage act that addressed discrimination due to race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability (Hyman et al., 2021). Later in 1988, the government introduced a multiculturalism act under the leadership of prime minister Brian Mulroney (Heritage, 2023). The Act affirmed that the government encourages equal treatment to every Canadian citizen concerning diversity.
The multiculturalism act recognized the rights of the Indigenous people in terms of their cultural practices, religious beliefs, and social and economic practices. The Act also maintained that English and French remain the two official languages in Canada. With previous initiatives by the liberal government, immigrants would be provided with the necessary help to acquire at least one of the two official languages. Another significant consideration of the Act was the importance of multicultural heritage. The government would promote and encourage preserving and fostering Canada’s diverse cultural heritage. Besides, the multiculturalism act further fostered social equality among Canadians regardless of race, color, gender, place of origin, disability, or sexual orientation (Heritage, 2023). It meant that each Canadian was to be given equal opportunity in government institutions and services without discrimination. It also meant that diversity could manifest across various nations in cultural practices, religious beliefs, and social and economic practices. Minority groups were also assured the right to enjoy their culture, practices, beliefs, and language without discrimination or interference.
In 1990 the Albert cultural heritage was refined to the Alberta multiculturalism act (Heritage, 2023). In the same year, Quebec released a white paper that focused on building Quebec as a province regardless of ethnic origin. However, Quebec was concerned about interculturalism and encouraged cultural diversity (Heritage, 2023). The white paper recognized that Quebec is a French-speaking province and society where everybody is encouraged to contribute positively, following the great respect given to cultural diversity.
1991 the Canadian government enacted the Ethnic Broadcasting Policy of 1991 (Hyman et al., 2021). The policy’s purpose was to encourage the national broadcasting systems to reflect the cultural diversity in the country. It indicated that the system could now employ people across all ethnic groups. Besides, they could facilitate and broadcast programs that promote and preserve the cultural practices of ethnic minorities as an indicator of the effort to maintain and foster diversity. The Ethnic Broadcasting policy was revised in 1999 to incorporate finer guidance on ethnic programming and multilingualism (Hyman et al., 2021).
In 1993, Trudeau termed Canada a nation to be a society where all people were treated equally, and individuals could identify with liberty and equality (Hyman et al., 2021). The Charter of Rights and Freedoms affirms that all citizens are equal before the law. They also are subject to protection by the law. It further stated that no individual should be discriminated against due to race, color, beliefs, cultural practices, place of origin, gender, or physical or mental disability (Heritage, 2023).
In the same year, 1993, British Columbia enacted the multiculturalism act. The Act was designed to recognize the cultural diversity of British Columbians (Hyman et al., 2021). It was done concerning race, ancestry, religion, cultural practices, and place of origin, which marked significant diversity among the British Columbians (Jedwab, 2020). The Act also encouraged respect for the multicultural aspects of the residents. Another aspect addressed was harmony among the diverse races and understanding across diverse cultures. Unity and peace were major components in creating a healthy and united British Columbia.
Following the legislation on multiculturalism, immigration was greatly encouraged since people from diverse ethnicities were free to practice, foster and promote their cultural beliefs in Canada. The laws and the government also fostered equality among all citizens. The law protected the rights of all individuals regardless of race, place of origin, cultural beliefs, religion, color, gender, sexuality, or disability. In 2000, Prime Minister Jean Chretien stated that Canada had evolved into a multicultural nation and that within itself, there is the image of the globe because it is open to the world (Hyman et al., 2021). On 13/12/2002, the liberal government designated a Canadian Multicultural Day to be the 27th of July every year (Hyman et al., 2021). It is the date that Canadians get to celebrate cultural diversity.
In 2005, Quebec came up with a law, and it was passed that a Ministry of Immigration and cultural communities be developed (Berry, 2019). The objective of forming the ministry was to support the ethnic and cultural groups socially, culturally, and economically. The ministry also fostered openness and appreciation of pluralism and more coherent intercultural relationships. All these legislations have played a significant role in diversifying and intensifying multiculturalism in Canada. By 2006, there were more than 30 ethnic groups in Canada. Each of the ethnic groups had a population of at least 100,000 (Berry, 2019). Due to favorable social, economic, and political conditions, immigrants find a peaceful and conducive place to live. Statistics have shown that 1 in 10 immigrants resettles in Canada (Jedwab, 2020). In 2008, the country received more than two hundred thousand immigrants.
Canadian political parties are very careful not to criticize immigration since the bigger majority of the nation’s citizens are immigrants. In the early 1990s, the reform party suggesting that the immigration level be reduced, was branded a racist party. This negative image had detrimental effects on its course (Hyman et al., 2021). Both the public and political parties unanimously support immigration and multiculturalism.
Over the years, immigrants have always settled in urban areas. These areas have, in turn, become major conservation sites with unique experiences of diverse cultures. Such cleavages as Chinatowns have been embraced and appreciated. These cleavages are currently valued as tourist attractions and places of great cultural significance. Originally, ethnic concentration was viewed as a lack of integration (Berry, 2019). However, with the revolution in legislation, this ethnic concentration is now viewed as a sign of vitality and an achievement in multiculturalism and governing policies. As a result, ethnic groups can retain their identities and uphold their old cultures.
Multicultural diversity has brought a lot of benefits to the nation. Creativity and innovation have proved to increase productivity and employment levels in the nation. Diverse skills bring about diverse solutions to economic challenges. Innovation has also created more jobs by establishing a digital economy and other innovative solutions to unemployment. Besides, different communities and ethnic groups venture into unique economic activities (Berry, 2019). These activities result in a diverse supply of vast types of products. As a result, the market does not flood with common products hence a healthy and reliable exchange.
Social injustices have been reduced to a great extent following the growth of multiculturalism in the nation. Governments have enacted laws that protect ethnic groups, including minorities within Canada. As a result, Canadians have learned to live in peace and unity despite the diverse nature of their population (Hyman et al., 2021). Over the years, they have seen the importance of embracing diversity and promoting multiculturalism in a nation.
Conclusion
From the research, Canada is one of the most multicultural nations in the world. One in ten world immigrants resettles in Canada. However, the trend has been different. Initially, the country comprised mainly British, French, and indigenous people. Immigration was not highly appreciated, and the revolution only began in the 1960s by introducing and enacting policies upholding biculturalism and multiculturalism (Berry, 2019). This revolution also only happened uniformly across the nation. Each provincial legislation acted uniquely on the policies. Saskatchewan was the earliest province to enact a multiculturalism act, while others followed (Jedwab, 2020). The Canadian federal government enacted a multiculturalism act in 1988.
The purposes of the policies were to preserve the nation’s heritage, uphold and promote the rights of indigenous people as well as promotion of equality among the citizens. Another significant role played by the policies was to discourage discrimination against individuals based on their race, color, place of origin, gender, religion, cultural beliefs, or disability. These policies made Canada more open to ethnic groups since they were protected by the law (Berry, 2019). Equality meant they could enjoy all rights, freedoms, and privileges like anyone in the nation. There were also efforts to ensure that all citizens knew at least one official language.
Following the enactment of these policies, more immigrants settled in Canada, and it became home to many people. Such cleavages as Chinatowns developed and are now preserved as a symbol of diversity and preservation of old culture and practices. This ethnic concentration is also viewed as a tourist attraction and the pride of the Canadian heritage. It is a major distinguishing factor in the identity of Canada. Canadians have embraced multiculturalism and view it as a strength in the nation (Hyman et al., 2021). They say that immigrants are good for their economic and social growth and make Canada a better place to live. As a result, they hardly complain about high levels of immigration. However, there is need for more studies to be performed to determine how negatively multiculturalism has affected Canada and how critics of immigration cope with the legislation and the levels experienced.
References
Berry, J. W. (2019). Multicultural policy in Canada: A social psychological analysis. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, 16(4), 353.
Heritage, C. (2023). Government of Canada. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/canadian-identitysociety/multiculturalism.html
Hyman, I., Meinhard, A., & Shields, J. (2021). The role of multiculturalism policy in addressing social inclusion processes in Canada. Centre for Voluntary Sector Studies Working Paper Series.
Jedwab, J. (2020). Multiculturalism. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/multiculturalism
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