week 6: Multiculturalism and Diversity Flashcards
Canada’s Founding
Built on two premises
- The displacement and marginalization of Indigenous peoples
- The settlement and development of the land by european immigrants
For most of canadian history, these immigrants were known as Canada’s charter groups
- English speaking and protestant
- French speaking and catholic
Until the 60s and 70s, these charter groups dominated
Changing demography (3 census’s)
While immigration has rapidly increased
Most immigrants settle in Van and Trt
2/3rds of visible minorities in big three cities
85% in top 7 cities coz of jobs and family sponsorship
1871 census (Canada’s first)
61% british isles ancestry
31% french ancestry
8% other ancestries, mainly other european countries and indigenous canadians (3%)
1971 census
44% british isles ancestry
29% french ancestry
2016 census
41% multiple ancestries
20% canadian ancestry
33% canadian and one other ancestry
33% british isles ancestry
14% french ancestry
Parliamentary Representation
As of 2021, 16% of candidates and elected MPs of the major parties were visible minorities (17% of population are visible minorities eligible to stand for office)
In comparison: 10% of australian population has non-european origins, but represent only 2% of the seats as of 2015
Latinos make up 15% of the U.S. population but only 5% of the seats in the H of R; Asians make up 5% population but only hold 1% of the seats
Aims of Official Multiculturalism
ROCA
To assist cultural groups/ immigrants in…
- retaining and fostering their identity
- overcoming barriers to their full participation in society
- creative exchanges among all Canadian cultural groups
- acquiring at least one official language
Rise of official multiculturalism
Pearson liberals created the Royal commission on bilingualism and biculturalism (B&B)
- Studied how canada should accommodate french nationalism and the demands of new canadians
- B&B commission recommended bicultural image should be replaced by a multicultural one
- Pierre trudeau responded to the B&B commission by introducing the Multiculturalism Policy 1971, formalized in the 1988 Multiculturalism Act
Created a new federal Ministry of State for Multiculturalism not the department of Canadian Heritage
1.1 billion dollars in grants as of 2017 to ethnic organizations
In 1977 the Canadian Human Rights Commission was established
Adjudicated claims of discrimination in employment
The employment equity act of 1986 amended in 1995, requires proactive employment of disadvantaged groups
Broadcasting act of 1991 asserts that canadian broadcasting should reflect cultural diversity
1999 amendment allows licenses for ethnic news media organizations if 60% of programming is of an ethnic character
Section 27 of the charter of rights and freedoms used as protection for minorities from dress code discrimination
Multiculturalism directorate established in 1972 to help provinces adopt multicultural education programs
Through the 1970s provinces began officially adopting it in schools
Other models of accommodation
There are other models of cultural accommodation outside of english canada
- Deep diversity multiculturalism (netherlands before 2006)
- Defacto and contested multiculturalism (US)
- Universalism (France)
- Interculturalism? (Quebec)
Deep diversity
Netherlands received waves of guest workers from 70-90s
Government experimented with a “deep diversity” model of public accommodation
- Instruction in minorities own language
- Radio and tv in minority language
- Government support for separate schools, religious organizations and community centers
- Policy resulted in de facto ethnic and religious segregation
- Social contact between white, native born dutch and minorities declined over time
- Incomes of minority groups, especially muslims, were by far the lowest in the country
- The dutch abandoned the experiment
De facto but contested multiculturalism
Citizens are encouraged to share a common civic identity
BUT: Gov services across the country often cater to other languages, especially Spanish; funding for ethnic organizations
There is also considerable celebration of diversity but it is more polarized
Universalism
Official ideology of french state is based on freedom, equality and social solidarity
Law prohibits authorities from asking people their race, ethnicity or religion
There are now some protections against discrimination
But citizenship values contracts and bans on burqa and niqab in public places
Interculturalism?
Multiculturalism is highly contested in quebec
Debate is primarily over whether newcomers can integrate into Quebec culture and society particularly immigrants from Muslim- majority countries
Quebec gov created the Bouchard Taylor Commission on reasonable accommodation
Recognizes a cultural majority and requires the majority and minority groups to make cultural concessions
PQ government introduced a charter of french values, denying public services and employment to women wearing face coverings
Liberals adopted this policy when replacing the defeated PQ government
The courts disabled the face covering bad as a violation of Charter rights
New CAQ government passed Bill 21, an Act Respective the Laicity of the State
Extended the previous act to all religious symbols
Used the notwithstanding clause to override the charter
Immigration in canada
Immediately after confederation (1867), immigration was heavily restricted by race
Head tax placed on chinese immigrants in 1885, which changed to a blanket ban from 1923-1947
Very small quota allotments for non-white countries
Economic development in europe after WW2 also limited inflow from non-european countries
Immigration act of 1967 created a colorblind points system based on capacity to integrate
Classes of immigrants: economic, family unification, refugee, business class
Two thirds of immigrants come under the economic class using the points system
The points system
PYAHA
Proficiency in one or both of canada’s official languages
Years of formal education and work experience
Age (20-50 especially)
Having arranged employment waiting in canada
Adaptability
Discriminatory?
An alternative to family reunification
Some say that it is inherently discriminatory in way that are not blind to different demographic characteristics
Proponents argue it is essential for integration into society
Immigrant integration
Language proficiency
Knowledge of canadian norms
Recognizable work experience by potential employers
Accepted professional occupational credentials
Canadian exceptionalism
Our government embraces one of the most robust multiculturalism regimes into the world
And members of the public are more pro immigration and diversity than elsewhere
To what degree is this true?
