A country built on immigration, Canada has long had a reputation of being culturally and ethnically diverse. While multiculturalism is meant to be built on equality and appreciation of different cultures, its concept has gained both support and opposition. On one hand, it allows for more assortment and the voices of minorities have a higher chance to be heard. On the other hand, loss of unity and conflicts may occur due to contrasting worldviews of the citizens. All in all, multiculturalism is a controversial policy that has both advantages and disadvantages, but has proven to be a successful strategy in Canada.
Multiculturalism has many positive effects, including but not limited to freedom of religion and beliefs, increased recognition of minority groups, closer political ties to other countries and so on. To begin with, individuals have liberty “to choose for themselves, without penalty, whether they want to identify with their specific group or not” (“Canadian Multiculturalism”). Through this statement, it is clear that assimilation is not enforced in Canada and choosing to become Canadian while retaining one’s own identity is encouraged. In addition, visible minority groups, such as those of Asian descent, have equal opportunities and rights to have their opinions heard. The policy of multiculturalism ensures that the input of citizens of different ethnic backgrounds enriches and strengthens Canada as a country due to a wider range of views being taken into consideration, allowing for more precise decision making, rather than simply satisfying the wishes of the majority. Furthermore, through encouraging immigration and pluralism, a network of political, educational, and communicational ties is built between the host count...
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...n for its ethnic and cultural diversity, though this is not the case for all countries trying to adopt the policy of multiculturalism. It has been found to have both advantages, such as more recognition for minority groups, and disadvantages, such as conflicts and riots rooted in ethnic issues. Overall, multiculturalism is an effective policy that introduces the concept of people of different cultures living together in peace and promotes equality, despite some of its drawbacks.
Works Cited
"Canadian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive Citizenship." Government of Canada. N.p., 19 Oct. 2012. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.
"CBC News In Depth: France Riots." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 28 Nov. 2007. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.
Rothschild, Nathalie. "What's behind Sweden's Youth Riots? (+video)." The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.
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Canada is an ethnically diverse country. The notion of "multiculturalism" began circulating in Canada in 1971 and is a word that is now commonly used to define this country, unlike the word "melting-pot" which is used to describe Americans' loss of ethnic identity. The broadcasting system in Canada is pressured by the government to acknowledge the culturally diverse society by broadcasting a fair representation of the population in terms of ethnicity. This is achieved through the many acts that have been passed through parliament: the multiculturalism policy of 1971, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act of 1988, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms of 1982, the Ethnic Broadcasting Policy of 1985, and most recent, the Broadcasting Act of 1991. These legislative and policy frameworks have provided guidelines for the management of Canadia...
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35 Fleras, Augie, and Jean Leonard Elliott. Engaging Diversity: Multiculturalism in Canada. Toronto: Nelson, 2002: 164.
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multiculturalism hype is not all it is cut out to be and segregates communities rather
Growing up with a diverse community makes you realize that Canada is growing and slowly becoming a Multicultural society. Multiculturalism as stated in the textbook, is defined as allowing and accepting different cultures and providing them encouragement and support to keep their culture and diverse traditions (Mintz et al. 2015, 34). In 1971, Canada became the first country in the world to adapt the official policy of multiculturalism. (Government of Canada. “Canadian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive Citizenship” 2012). Canada grants all residents of Canadian citizens regardless of their “racial or ethnic origins, their language, or their religious affiliation”. (Government of Canada. “Canadian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive Citizenship”