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Multiculturalism In Canada

Multiculturalism is defined as the co-existence of diverse cultures, where culture includes racial, religious, or cultural groups and is manifested in customary behaviours, cultural assumptions and values, patterns of thinking, and communicative styles.

Overview

This article aims to address the key facts of multiculturalism. Multiculturalism in Canadian society aims to allows each individual equal expressive rights along with the ability to take pride in their own culture, religion, or ancestry. Although there are limits, each citizen is given the freedom to religion, and to peacefully practice their religion without judgment or discrimination. Multiculturalism has become accepted by the majority of Canadians living in major cities, which enabled society as a whole to gain a sense of security and confidence within the diverse cultures that surround everyday life. Multiculturalism encourages Canadians to take an active part in social and cultural events within communities, and allows room for growth in areas such as education, various cultures and religions that are present within the multicultural communities at present.

Multiculturalism in Canadian Education

Multiculturalism is taught at a variety of levels within the Canadian education curriculums. Most education plans are created, maintained and evaluated provincially however key elements such as Canadian Geography, Mathematics, Science and Canadian History are federally required in all education plans nationwide.

Mandatory schooling (grades one through ten) consist of these core requirements within the Canadian education system. In combination with events such as Black History Month and recognition of different religious holidays, students and faculty are learning and incorporating unique differences of humanity into their lives. Unique religious groups exist within public schools nationwide granting every student access to freely express their religion along with learn and assimilate with others. Racial and ethnic differences found within public schools further allow students to co-exist with one another in a harmonious setting. Catholic school education plans are the only education plans noted to exclude the acceptance of other religions within the school as all students are required to follow the same faith, removing the element of religious multiculturalism within the school.

Legislature and Public Policy

Social acceptance of Multiculturalism within Canada is present in changes of public policy along with legislature. In the Constitution Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms enacted in 1982 has undergone a multitude of revisions in order to account for the diversity of ethnicity, race and religions found globally. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms aims to ensure every citizen equal protection and representation under the law, the missing element of Multiculturalism in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the inclusion of different sexual orientations.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Section 2: Fundamental Rights

Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

• (a) freedom of conscience and religion;
• (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
• (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
• (d) freedom of association.

Section 15: Equality Rights

(1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. (2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

Canadian Multiculturalism Act

The Canadian Multiculturalism Act was enacted in 1984. It outlines the importance of multiculturalism throughout Canadian legal policy. The preamble consists of specific WHEREAS that identify this act and its definitions being incorporated into other federal legislature. Examples being, Official Languages Act, Citizenship Act, Canadian Human Rights Act and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This act serves as further evidence of Canadian societies support for multicultural social cohesion.

Section 3: Multicultural Policy

(1) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Government of Canada to:

• (a) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society and acknowledges the freedom of all members of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage;
• (b) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity and that it provides an invaluable resource in the shaping of Canada’s future;
• (c) promote the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society and assist them in the elimination of any barrier to that participation
• (d) recognize the existence of communities whose members share a common origin and their historic contribution to Canadian society, and enhance their development

Notes

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