Canadas multicultural heritage and that that heritage must be protected. The charter is supported by a suite of legislation that recognizes, protects and promotes the rights of diverse groups. Content edit the canadian multiculturalism act affirms the policy of the government of canada to ensure that every canadian receives equal treatment by the. In 1988, parliament passed the canadian multiculturalism act which articulates canadas multiculturalism policy and gives the minister the mandate to develop and deliver programs and practices to support its implementation. Summary of the evaluation of the multiculturalism program. The act sought to protect the cultural heritage of canadians, reduce discrimination and encourage the implementation of multicultural programs and activities within institutions and organizations. Read how the the community support, multiculturalism, and antiracism initiatives program supports the mandate of the department of canadian heritage by building on canadas strength as a diverse and inclusive society. Jul 07, 2016 in 1982, multiculturalism was written into the charter of rights and freedoms. Canadas multiculturalism is our identity the globe and mail. The canadian parliament subsequently passed other acts further cementing canadas commitment to protecting and promoting multiculturalism, such as the canadian multiculturalism act in 1988, which was the first national multicultural law in the world. The act is designed to further integration by emphasizing the right of canadas ethnic, racial and religious minorities to. Canada was the first country in the world to pass a national multiculturalism law. Canadian multiculturalism act loi sur le multiculturalisme canadien. For example, the canadian multiculturalism act 1988 commits the government of canada to support the full participation of all canadians regardless of race, national or.
The 1988 canadian multiculturalism act researchgate. Multiculturalism, cast in the language of equality rights and enshrined in the constitutions charter of rights and freedoms, was also made law under the conservative prime minister, brian mulroney in office from 1984 to 1993 through the canadian multiculturalism act 1988. The act of canadian multiculturalism is a law that was passed in the year 1988, 6. The canadian multiculturalism advisory committee is established in section 7, and the minister is charged with the annual composition of a report on the operation of the act. The legislative intent evident from the words of the enactment must be assessed in light of the. In 1988, prime minister brian mulroney formally ratified the canadian multiculturalism act. Canadian multiculturalism act 1988 multiculturalisme canada. The preamble declares that its aim is to preserve and enhance multiculturalism by promoting the recognition of canadas ethnocultural diversity. Canadian multiculturalism act 23 kb pdf full document. I show why some canadians began to seek such an act, why political parties promised an act and how this act was created. A new multiculturalism policy with a clearer sense of purpose and direction came into effect in 1988 when the canadian multiculturalism act was adopted by parliament. Nevertheless, in 1988 the federal government passed the multiculturalism act bill c93.
Therefore in the canadian definition this policy involves both. The canadian multiculturalism act as drafted in to legislation in 1988. Canadian multiculturalism act description this document is the canadian multiculturalism act, which sets out the official multiculturalism policy of canada and provides for its implementation. In a country where 20% of the population is foreign born, these words are a powerful emblem of national unity. The sweeping language of the multiculturalism act of 1988 confirms why this legislation has been referred to as the high water mark of canadian multiculturalism. Page 3 20062007 foreword multiculturalism was enshrined as a fundamental value of canadian society and the government of canada with the proclamation of the canadian multiculturalism act in 1988.
The community support, multiculturalism, and antiracism initiatives program. The act was designed to create equality, before all authorities and at all. Canadian history liberal religious educators association. During the 1980s, the canadian government reaffirmed multiculturalism through a variety of official documents, such as the canadian constitution of 1982, the charter of right and freedoms of 1982 and the multiculturalism act of 1988. This set the foundation for the multiculturalism act.
In 1997 after the cities of etobicoke, scarborough, north york, york, and. In 1988, this vision was enshrined in law with the unanimous. It was passed unanimously by the parliament of canada in 1988. Through canadian multiculturalism act and canadian charter of rights and freedoms section 27th, multiculturalism is reflected in the law as well as is managed by canadian heritage department. Apr 24, 2018 six years later, the canadian multiculturalism act of 1988 consolidated this legal framework, laying out in even more concrete terms the responsibilities of the government to promote. When the canadian multiculturalism act was passed in 1988, the focus shifted away from cultural communities and toward all canadians biles 2006. Various minority and marginal groups are striving to. The data from the 2016 census shows that canada is becoming increasingly diverse as canada was home to more than 250 ethnic groups. Other laws were also enacted, contributing to the formation of a coherent multicultural system. Essay on multiculturalism in canada 661 words bartleby. This course explores canadian literature in relation to multiculturalism, one of canadas most celebrated and contested national attributes. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Annual report 8 the minister shall cause to be laid before each house of parliament, not later than the fifth sitting day of that house after january 31 next following the end of each fiscal year, a report on the operation of this act for that fiscal year. The canadian multiculturalism act of 1988 october 8, 1971 prime minister pierre trudeau announces multiculturalism as an official government policy to the house of commons preserve cultural freedom of all individuals give recognition to cultural contributions of all ethnic.
An act for the preservation and enhancement of multiculturalism in canada 1988, c. In 1988, brian mulroney declared the canadian multiculturalism act. According to the canadian multiculturalism act 1988 the vision of canada is based on the values of equality, and mutual respect with regards to race, national or ethnic origin, color and religion. One of the biggest steps forward in achieving a ethnically diverse country is the canadian multiculturalism act. During the 1980s, the canadian government reaffirmed multiculturalism through a variety of official documents, such as the canadian constitution of 1982, the charter of right and freedoms of 1982 and the multiculturalism act of 1988 hosein, 1992, p.
Apr 24, 2014 in 1988, the federal government passed the canadian multiculturalism act to ensure that every canadian received equal treatment. In this article i use new archival and elite interview data to improve our knowledge of how the canadian multiculturalism act came into existence. The government of canada recognizes the diversity of canadians as regards race, national or ethnic origin, colour and religion as a fundamental characteristic of canadian society, and is committed to a policy of multiculturalism designed to. The canadian multiculturalism act the act is a law of canada, passed in 1988, that aims to preserve and enhance multiculturalism in canada. It was aimed at promoting the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of canadian society. The government of canada, under prime minister pierre elliott trudeau, declared in 1971 that canada would adopt a multicultural. Entitled study of the implementation of the canadian multiculturalism act in federal institutions, the. However, in accepting cultures as a whole, did this country also. As a result of the policy, backed by legislation and. Canada is a nation that prides itself on being open and tolerant to racial and ethnic diversity. The act sought to protect the cultural heritage of canadians, reduce discrimination and encourage the implementation of multicultural programs and. An act for the preservation and enhancement of multiculturalism in canada. Dec 09, 2014 through canadian multiculturalism act and canadian charter of rights and freedoms section 27th, multiculturalism is reflected in the law as well as is managed by canadian heritage department.
Canadian multiculturalism act 221 kb act current to 20200305 and last amended on 20140401. The 20152016 annual report on the operation of the canadian multiculturalism act is divided into two sections. The act allowed federal funds to be distributed to ethnic groups to help them preserve their culture. In addition to enshrining this policy in law, the act is significant in at least three ways. Order designating the minister of canadian heritage as the minister for the purposes of the act si2015104. These policies and legislations set the groundwork for the inclusion of multiculturalism within the new broadcasting act, 1991. First, the act altered the policy of multiculturalism by.
This policy was enhanced in 1988 by the canadian multiculturalism act. In 1988, the canadian government passed the multiculturalism act. Besides, the canadian multiculturalism act of 1988 upholds multiculturalism as a fundamental characteristic of the canadian heritage and identity. Canadians must never take multiculturalism for granted the. Canadian multiculturalism act 1988 multiculturalisme. The canadian multiculturalism act by iliana loya on prezi. Short title 1 this act may be cited as the canadian multiculturalism act interpretation. Apr 27, 2018 multiculturalism with a capital m was born of smart crisis management of political agility and the characteristic canadian willingness to compromise in the service of national unity and nation. Multiculturalism policy 3 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. Canada multiculturalism policies in contemporary democracies. According to the 2011 census, canada is a residence to more than 200 ethnic origins. Canadas policies after this act have become the worlds standard for welcoming new immigrants and encouraging cultural diversity. The canadian multiculturalism act of 1988 provided a legislative framework for the official policy of multiculturalism adopted by the government in 1971. Mar 20, 2020 the accord failed to secure the required consent of all provinces.
It acknowledges the contributions of canadians of all origins and their communities to the building of canada and reminds us of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship set out in canadian legislation. Finally, multiculturalism was further reinforced on the legislative front with the passage of bill c93, becoming the canadian multiculturalism act, 1988. The act was the first of its kind to be ratified into law anywhere throughout the world. This act sought to not only recognize equal rights for all cultural groups, but also strongly encourage cultural understanding and unity. Implementation of the canadian multiculturalism act across federal institutions.
A contentious debate in canadian newspapers preceded the enactment of the countrys multiculturalism act. Multiculturalism is a canadian success story huffpost canada. Annual report on the operation of the canadian multiculturalism act. The act requires all federal departments, agencies and crown corporations to implement the multiculturalism policy and. Whereas this period is generally viewed as being one of growth for official multiculturalism in canada, the press criticism against it seems to have been a. Part one highlights key achievements of the multiculturalism program, and contributions to implementation of canadas multiculturalism policy made by the department of canadian heritage between april 1, 2015 and march 31, 2016. The legislative intent evident from the words of the enactment must be assessed in light of the sequence of political and social events since its passage. I am pleased to submit the twelfth annual report on the operation of the canadian multiculturalism act for tabling in parliament, pursuant to section 8 of the act. Readings may include works published before andor after the passing of the official multiculturalism act in 1982, as well as critical debates about the term multiculturalism itself. The canadian multiculturalism act here are some of the. The 1988 canadian multiculturalism act article pdf available in canadian journal of political science 1. Pdf in this article i use new archival and elite interview data to improve our knowledge of how the canadian multiculturalism act came into. Canadian immigration policy triadafilopoulos, 2012, p.
Culturally informed ethical decision making in situations. In sections a and b, the act recognizes that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of canadian soci. The act requires all federal departments, agencies and crown corporations to implement the multiculturalism policy and ensure their programs, policies and services respond to the needs of canadians of all backgrounds. According to the canadian multiculturalism act of 1988, the government recognizes that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the canadian heritage and identity. Is multiculturalism a part of canadas national identity. The canadian multiculturalism act, created for the preservation and enhancement of multiculturalism in canada, became law on july 21, 1988. This article traces the varying cultural perspectives of journalists writing in five canadian newspapers from 1980 to 1988. In 1988, the government of canada formally apologized for the wrongful incarceration, seizure of property. It was only in 1971 when multiculturalism was formally proclaimed in the country.
Still equal rights and opportunities are a far cry. In 1988, it received a legislative framework with the canadian multiculturalism act. To reflect the changing reality of canadas racial and ethnic diversity, a new multiculturalism policy came into effect in july of 1988. The multiculturalism debate in canadian newspapers. Canadian multiculturalism act in conclusion in conclusion, i can see that the canadian multiculturalism act was a very helpful act to many people. The clearest example of this is the canadian multiculturalism act 1988, which built on the 1971 declaration that canada would adopt a multicultural policy by recognising a range of. In the current canadian context, the concept, multiculturalism is widely used in at least three senses. The 1988 canadian multiculturalism act affirms the policy of the government to ensure that every canadian receives equal treatment by the government which respects and celebrates diversity.