Serving Canada's Multicultural Population:
Practical Approaches for Public Servants

A workshop / learning Event: April 14 and 15, 2004

Table of Contents

Summary

Context

Canada's ethnic, racial and religious diversity is rapidly increasing. According to the 2001 census, more than 200 ethnic origins are represented in Canada. About 13.5 percent of the population is a member of a visible minority group and that proportion is expected to reach 20 percent by 2016. Immigration now accounts for more than 50 percent of Canada's population growth, with immigrants coming mainly from Asia and the Middle East. It is projected that, after 2025, Canada's population growth will be based solely on immigration.

Studies and surveys show that obstacles, including systemic barriers, exist and continue to prevent some Canadians, because of ethnicity, culture or race, from fully accessing essential services and programs. With the increasing diversity of the population it is becoming essential for government institutions to examine their policies, programs and services, first of all, to ensure they are accessible to all Canadians, regardless of their ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds, and second, to ensure that they meet the changing needs of a multicultural Canadian population.

On April 14 and 15, 2004, the Interdepartmental Committee on Public Education and Outreach – chaired by Canadian Heritage- Multiculturalism Program-- organized “Serving Canada's Multicultural Population: Practical Approaches for Public Servants”, a learning event designed to provide federal government middle managers involved in policy development, program development/implementation and service delivery with the following:

• an overview of the Canadian population and its increasing ethnic, religious, and racial diversity;
• information needed to incorporate multiculturalism into the development and implementation of government policies, programs and services; and
• approaches, tools and resources that middle managers can use to improve services to Canada's multicultural population.

152 participants from various federal departments/agencies and regions attended the event.

In this report you will find the highlights from this learning event and copies of the handouts distributed by the presenters.