The Roderick A. Macdonald Contest on cultural diversity is summed up in the following broad question: How effectively does Canadian law address the changing needs of our multicultural society? Fast Facts - Canada is currently home to more than 200 different ethnic groups.
- Canada’s history has been shaped by waves of immigrants[1]
- From 1900 to 1960, most immigrants arrived from the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States.
- Today, most immigrants are from Asia and the Middle East, with increasing numbers from Africa.
- An increasing number of Canadians identify themselves as members of faiths such as Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism and Christian Orthodox.
- Nearly one in five (17%) school-age children living in Toronto and Vancouver immigrated within the past 10 years, as did about 7% of Montréal’s school-age children. Many of these children speak a primary language other than French or English.
The facts above clearly indicate that our country’s cultural landscape is constantly evolving. Have our laws kept up with the changes? In the past, Canada’s policy approach to immigration and diversity was based on rejection and assimilation of those who were “different” from Anglo-Canadians. Whether dealing with issues related to skin colour, religion, language, or culture, the policies encouraged immigrants to fit in with the existing Canadian society rather than celebrate their own history. In the early 1970s, the federal government adopted multiculturalism as an official policy. What does the policy do? Based on the premise that all citizens are equal, multiculturalism promotes cultural diversity and encourages respect for, and acceptance of, different identities, beliefs and practices. Numerous laws and programs have been implemented at all levels of government to promote and safeguard cultural and ethnic diversity. These include: - the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- the Canadian Human Rights Act (and equivalent provincial statutes)
- the Multiculturalism Act
- anti-racism programs
- human rights programs
Canada’s approach to multiculturalism is based on efforts to include all religious and cultural practices in the Canadian identity, without discrimination. For example:
Sikh students carrying kirpans
RCMP officers wearing turbans
Muslim women wearing veils This approach is different from countries with assimilationist policies that seek to suppress difference in favour of a common national identity. But Canada’s record is far from perfect and debates continue about approaches to multiculturalism. Some of those debates revolve around clashes between cultural and religious practices and what many consider core values. These values include individual human rights, equality of all, democracy and the rule of law. Citizens, residents and newcomers in Canada want to embrace difference while also developing and maintaining a sense of cohesiveness in society. What do we do when these goals clash? - When certain attire can be legally considered a concealed weapon and said to threaten the safety and security of other individuals?
- When religious law that some believe disadvantages women is proposed for family law arbitration?
- When blood transfusions for children are refused on the basis of religion?
Despite our multiculturalism policy, many people continue to face discrimination. In many cases, acceptance of diverse practices comes only after hard-fought legal battles. - Can our laws be amended to better protect and promote religious and cultural diversity before these legal struggles occur?
- Can we celebrate diversity instead of suppressing it? Why are public institutions and businesses eliminating references to Christmas instead of promoting it along with Hanukkah and Kwanzaa? Is that approach in keeping with Canadian multiculturalism?
[1] Here, the term “immigrants” refers to all newcomers, including refugees. | 
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