Canada is one the most successful multicultural societies in the world. It is protected against the xenophobic discourse that is blooming around the world.Canadians are defined as the citizens of a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society since historically most of themhave been immigrants from various parts of the world.This country proudly holds the banner of multiculturalism to exhibit its identity.
Benefits of Multiculturalism in Canada & its Effects on Canadians
Multiculturalism took off in the late 1970s, in a historical context where many countries altogetherstarted adopting a new administration of migratory movements.Canada has a history that relies mainly on immigrants, such as Asians through the Bering Strait around 15000 BC, Vikings who landed on the shores of Newfoundland in 1000 AD and in 1492 when the Europeans discovered the American soil.
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau introduced his multiculturalism policy on October 8, 1971. Its main purpose was to authorize the procedures introduced in the policy by the federal government, which were to be subsequently adopted by several provinces. It states an ideal of equality and mutual respect between ethnic groups in a society that is characterized by its cultural heterogeneity.
Multiculturalism is a widely discussed topic but its virtues are still not clearly understood, which is why students often struggle when have to investigate this issue and look for options to get homework help in Canada, most prefer to pay for essay using essay writing service.
History of Multiculturalism in Canada
Over the centuries, Canada was formed by people from different immigrant backgrounds, forming a nation of a variety of cultures.The first immigrants to step foot in Canada were the Norsemen who settled around 1000 AD in Newfoundland. Later in 1497, the Italian sailor John Cabot explored the Atlantic coast of the country.
In the early 16th century, the Portuguese mariners established fishing outposts along the coast.The French immigrants settled in 1534 and were followed by the English in 1584. The federal land act was introduced in 1872 that allowed the purchase of the Canadian land to people who could be considered loyal to Canada to populate the western parts of the country.
In 1947, the federal law on Canadian citizenship was issued whereimmigrants were offered the opportunity to obtain citizenship after living in Canada for five years.In the late 1960s, many practices that were promoting racial discrimination were revoked and during this period, Canada began to accept a growing number of non-white immigrants and immigrants of non-European descent.
It was only in 1971 when multiculturalism was formally proclaimed in the country. In 1988, it received a legislative framework with the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
According to the 2011 census, Canada is a residence to more than 200 ethnic origins.
How Canada has benefited with cultural diversity over decades
Canada is a multicultural society whose cultural diversity has been shaped over time by immigrants and their descendants. This perspective is an explicit policy of multiculturalism in Canada, which is explained more in detail in essay writing service that provides do my homework and assignment help in Canada.
Cultural diversity varies greatly from one region of the country to another. Canada has two official languages: French and English. Most provinces are English-speaking, however, Quebec is significantly a French-speaking region. Christianity represents over 90% in the provinces and territories, while other religions include Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus.
The non-official languages represent about 20% of the provincial population in provinces stretching from Columbia to Ontario. The majority of Nunavut is dominated by Inuit language speakers.
Newcomers from South Asia, China and other non-European countries have also changed the religious distribution of Canada. Aboriginal people in Canada are not part of Canadian multiculturalism as it is an explicit policy of immigration and integration of newcomers, but they are a part of the country’s cultural diversity.
Each new wave of immigration has enriched the ethnic and cultural composition of the country. Canadians are very inclusive on the issue of homeless refugees.
Benefits of multiculturalism in Canada & its advantages for immigrants
Multiculturalism can augment common values, commitments, civil order, democratic participation and social relationships between different cultural groups. It has the power to strengthen the social cohesion among the citizens. It is a link that binds people at both the community and national levels.
The primary benefit of multiculturalism is the foundation of a prosperous society, which is distinguished by healthy and educated communities. Comparing to most countries, it is safer to live in the major Canadian cities – Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa. The country has established a strong stable economy and now its people enjoy the benefits.
Multiculturalism adds open-mindedness as a benefit, which is a quality valued by multinationals working in the areas of technological innovation.
Multicultural diversity seeds creativity and innovation where people of different cultural background bring new innovative solutions. It removes social injustice from the everyday life of the people. It teaches Canadians to respect social codes in order to live together with respect and dignity.
