What makes canada diverse

Canada recognizes diversity as a source of strength and works to champion inclusive attitudes and encourage the adoption of inclusive approaches that lead to the full and meaningful participation of all. Practical strategies to address complex global challenges require the consideration of social, economic, cultural and civic inclusion.

One customary way to depict cultural diversity in Canada is describe it in terms of the population size of those not belonging to the two charter groups. In its final report, the Royal Commission stressed that Canada was a mosaic, or a multicultural society, made up of three basic elements: the British, the French, and other Canadians. While recognizing the charter status of the British and the French, the Royal Commission also acknowledged the contributions of other non-charter groups.

Historically, the numeric predominance of those of British and French origin was unquestionable. The Toronto Region has also become a top destination for clinical trials because of our large, multiracial and multiethnic population, providing an exceptionally diverse subject pool. It makes this one of the most interesting places to live and it helps our businesses grow and thrive.

Posted by Ashleigh Ryan March 22 How multicultural is Toronto? Let us count the ways Source: Statistics Canada, Census But the numbers only tell part of the story. Most multicultural city in the world? While it appears as though Canadians are largely in favour of multiculturalism, attitudes about religious diversity are more mixed. Attitudes toward multiculturalism vary from region to region. In addition, some commentators have expressed the fear that the multiculturalism policy is promoting too much diversity at the expense of unity.

Critics say the policy is divisive because it emphasizes what is different, rather than the values that are Canadian. Canadian culture and symbols, it is felt, are being discarded in the effort to accommodate other cultures. On the other hand, defenders of Canada's approach to multiculturalism argue that it encourages integration by telling immigrants they do not have to choose between preserving their cultural heritage and participating in Canadian society.

Rather, they can do both. In his book Selling Illusions: The Cult of Multiculturalism in Canada , published in , author Neil Bissoondath leads the charge against the government's multiculturalism policy. His book reiterates his concern over the potential divisiveness inherent in government promotion of cultural diversity.

Multiculturalism is blamed for isolating ethno-racial groups in distinct enclaves by fostering an inward-focused mentality that drives a wedge between Canadians of different ethnic backgrounds.

The author argues that unity and cohesion are being sacrificed for a philosophy that separates, intensifies misunderstanding and hostility, and pits one group against another in the competition for power and resources. He claims that a number of studies in schools and at post-secondary levels of education show that Canadians are learning less and less about their history and cannot pass relatively basic tests about historical events or personalities.

He says the evidence does not support claims that multiculturalism has decreased the rate of integration of immigrants. Using statistics on naturalization rates for immigrants, levels of political participation among ethnocultural groups, rates at which new Canadians can speak an official language and rates of intermarriage, Kymlicka argues that the multiculturalism policy has worked and that there is no evidence that it has promoted ethnic separateness.

As noted at the beginning of this section, recent polls show that multiculturalism is largely seen in a positive light. All provincial governments have adopted some form of multiculturalism policy.

At present, six of the ten provinces — British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and Nova Scotia — have enacted multiculturalism legislation. Eight provinces — British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia — have created a multiculturalism advisory council that reports to the minister responsible for multiculturalism.

In Alberta, the Alberta Human Rights Commission performs the role of multiculturalism advisory council. In Nova Scotia, the legislation is implemented by both a Cabinet committee on multiculturalism and advisory councils. Ontario has an official multicultural policy and the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration is responsible for promoting social inclusion, civic and community engagement and recognition.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched the province's policy on multiculturalism in and the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills leads its implementation. While the territorial governments do not have multiculturalism policies per se, they have human rights Acts that prohibit discrimination based on, among other things, race, colour, ancestry, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed or religion. In Whitehorse, the Multicultural Centre of the Yukon provides services to immigrants.

British Columbia adopted the Multiculturalism Act in The minister responsible for multiculturalism submits an omnibus report, Report on Multiculturalism: Government of British Columbia , to the legislature.

The Multicultural Advisory Council advises the minister responsible for multiculturalism on issues related to anti-racism and multiculturalism. It brings people together from across British Columbia who are dedicated to promoting multiculturalism.

With support from the provincial and federal governments, this program provides information resources as well as funding for community-based anti-racism and multiculturalism projects. That same year, the Government of British Columbia launched the British Columbia Multicultural Awards, which recognize individuals, organizations and businesses whose exceptional work helps bring diverse cultures together. On 15 May , the Government of British Columbia issued a formal apology to Chinese Canadians for the historic wrongs done to them by past provincial governments.

In British Columbia, the third week in November every year is dedicated to celebrating multiculturalism. Alberta first adopted multiculturalism legislation in with the passage of the Alberta Cultural Heritage Act.

Multiculturalism was thereby recognized as a fundamental characteristic of Alberta society, which confers economic as well as social and cultural benefits on all Albertans. It was replaced in by the Alberta Multiculturalism Act , of which the main objectives were to encourage respect for and promote an awareness of the multicultural heritage of Alberta and to foster an environment in which all Albertans can participate and contribute to the cultural, social, economic and political life of their province.

The Act established a Multiculturalism Commission to advise the government on policy and programs respecting multiculturalism, as well as a Multiculturalism Advisory Council to make policy recommendations to the Commission. A Multicultural Fund was also set up to finance programs and services related to its objectives and to provide grants to eligible persons and organizations.

In , the government merged the human rights and multiculturalism programs. In , Alberta's human rights legislation was amended and was renamed the Alberta Human Rights Act. Saskatchewan was the first province to adopt legislation on multiculturalism.

The Saskatchewan Multicultural Act was first passed in In , a new Multiculturalism Act was enacted, which reaches beyond the traditional scope of multiculturalism to address the social justice issues of society today, such as racism and discrimination.

The purposes of the Act section 3 are:. Lottery funding directly supports the activities of over 1, volunteer-driven organizations. Manitoba adopted the Manitoba Intercultural Council Act in Under the Act, the Council's mandate is to make recommendations to the government, through the minister responsible for ethnocultural matters in the province, on education, human rights, immigrant settlement, media and communication, and cultural heritage.

In the summer of , the Manitoba legislature adopted a new provincial Multiculturalism Act , the preamble of which states:. Manitoba provides funding for projects that promote multiculturalism and combat racism through the Ethnocultural Community Support Program, part of the Department of Sport, Culture and Heritage.

The new Council's mandate is to provide information, advice and recommendations to the government on the following matters:. Although Ontario inaugurated an official multicultural policy in that promoted the cultural activities of the various ethnic groups, formal legislation establishing a Ministry of Citizenship and Culture now the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration came into force only in In February , the Government of Ontario announced that it was establishing an Anti-Racism Directorate to address systemic racism in government policies, decisions and programs.

The plan included:. On 1 June , the Anti-Racism Act, was enacted. It provides for the following:. In June , the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration announced the launch of the Multicultural Community Capacity Grants program, which seeks to help newcomers and ethnocultural communities participate fully in the civic, cultural, social and economic life of the province.

Diversity is tolerated and encouraged, but only within a framework that establishes the unquestioned supremacy of French in the language and culture of Quebec.

The plan talked about the development of a strategy to:. The Council advised the minister on the planning and implementation of government policies relating to cultural communities and immigration.

It also commissioned studies and undertook research on relevant issues. Quebec's intercultural orientation toward immigrants and diversity was further confirmed with the release at the end of of a white paper entitled Let's Build Quebec Together: A Policy Statement on Immigration and Integration.

Three principles were reinforced in the government's policy:. Quebec would declare itself a francophone, pluralistic society, yet one that is mindful of cultural differences. In , the National Assembly passed legislation creating the Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities, which replaced the former Ministry of Cultural Communities and Immigration.

As spelled out in the legislation, the main functions of the Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities with regard to cultural communities are:. The Commission was established in response to a number of cases that gave rise to a public debate over the accommodation of religious practices and the broader question of the integration of immigrants and minorities. Bouchard and Taylor said the policies of interculturalism and secularism should be clearly defined.

The Commission also made a number of recommendations on integrating immigrants, improving public understanding of intercultural practices, and fighting inequality and discrimination.

It set out three policy directions:. In , the Conseil des relations interculturelles was disbanded. Its activities were integrated with the activities of the Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities. On 7 March , the Government of Quebec issued a new policy on immigration, participation and inclusion entitled Together, We Are Quebec. It also published an action plan, with four objectives:. On 18 October , the National Assembly passed An Act to foster adherence to State religious neutrality and, in particular, to provide a framework for requests for accommodations on religious grounds in certain bodies.

This legislation laid out the procedures for providing and receiving services from public organizations with faces uncovered. New Brunswick introduced its Policy on Multiculturalism in The policy is guided by the principles of equality, appreciation and preservation of cultural heritages, and participation.

In the late s, the provincial government established a Ministerial Advisory Committee to provide advice to the minister. The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour is responsible for the Population Growth Division, which in turn is responsible for settlement and multicultural communities. The Division also administers the Multicultural Grants Program, which assists community partners working to meet the objectives of the Policy on Multiculturalism.

Nova Scotia adopted its multiculturalism legislation in The Act to Promote and Preserve Multiculturalism recognizes multiculturalism as an inherent feature of Nova Scotia society and pledges the government to the maintenance of good relations between cultural communities.

The Act provides for two administrative structures to manage its implementation: a Cabinet Committee on Multiculturalism to oversee the application of the policy on a government-wide basis and a Multicultural Advisory Committee to advise the Cabinet committee and review the programs. In , the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage issued Nova Scotia's Culture Action Plan, which outlines various ways to promote cultural diversity, including:. A Ministerial Advisory Committee advises the minister of Tourism and Culture, who is responsible for multiculturalism.

In , the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched the Policy on Multiculturalism for the province. The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, which is part of the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, works to establish partnerships which promote multicultural activities.