Are Europe's Failings, Canada's Future?
Professor Will Kymlicka, from Queens University, in his report entitled ‘The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism’, raises a very poignant question: ‘Is Europe the Future for Canada?’20. It appears that many accept, including Kymlicka, that ‘multiculturalism has failed in Europe’[1]; with disasters such as the ‘7/7 bombings in London’, ‘Rioting’ in France and ‘attacks [sic.] upon people of Middle Eastern origin’[2]. David Cameron and Angela Merkell have both announced (seen in videos below) that multiculturalism has failed in Europe. However, a number of key theorists and observers argue that Canada is on a path for continued success; because of its ability to naturally portray an image of ethnic diversity and acceptance throughout its nation.
Some argue that Canada is ‘sleepwalking’[3], as noted by Prof. Kymlicka considering information gathered by the IRPP (Institute of Research on Public Policy) report, into a similar situation to that of Europe and its failure at ethnic diversity and consequently unity. There is also a substantial number of Canadians who deem themselves to be ‘immune to these European problems’[4], but this leads to ignorance and a level of arrogance; which in time encourages the ‘inherent flaws’ of multiculturalism to surface. Similar to Europe, there is increasing evidence of a ‘growing number of “ethnic enclaves” [or] ghettoisation’[5] in Canada. In some cases this leads to the development of ‘radicalism’, such as the ‘Toronto 18’. Cases of ‘ghettoisation’ and ‘radicalism’ in Canada bare a similar resemblance to those seen in Europe, such as the ‘7/7 bombings’ and the increasing ‘isolation’ of immigrants seen in France. However, the NFB film ‘From Far Away’[6] dismisses this negative view, stating that the video ‘speaks to the power within us all...to welcome a newcomer’; opposed to rejecting them into subordinate excluded groups. Therefore, even though Canadian society is liberal in ethos and encourages the development of ethnic diversity, there is, growing evidence that in some areas of society, Canada is beginning to follow the same path as Europe.
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‘Europe [by some, is looked upon as] the harbinger of Canada’s future’ |
European nations, such as the Netherlands and UK, have clearly seen a retreat from policies of multiculturalism. This could possibly have been caused by failures to influence the people, media and government policy, to the point of encouraging ethnic diversity whole heartedly. Nonetheless, as argued by Gordon Peckover, Canadians still hold true to the belief that multiculturalism is the way forward and is something which ‘Canadians are most proud of, particularly in recent years’[7]. The IRPP report noted earlier, ‘concluded that...there is little or no evidence of the deep social segregation feared in parts of Europe...Canada is [therefore] not “sleepwalking into segregation”’[8]. Instead ethnic diversity has never been so successful as it is today: with natives gaining more rights, Quebec nationalism dealt with through compromises, long term national unity ensured, ethnic diversity programmes continuing to teach and aid citizens and immigrants alike, and fundamentally a great majority of Canadians being ‘proud’ of their attachment to multiculturalism. Kymlicka argues that if there is any opposition or problems with ethnic diversity it is based among the Quebecois, rather than ‘visible minorities’. Perhaps this fear of the European failure spreading to Canada is just a huge media hype; which, over time, will lose its authenticity as the true facts become clear. One can therefore argue that Canada’s natural ethnic diversity has been an outright success and sets a high example to nations and peoples across the world. However, this is a matter of personal opinion. |
'German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that attempts at creating a multi-cultural society in Germany have "utterly failed." Merkel was addressing a national meeting of the youth wing of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.
Her comments come amid a rise in anti-immigrant feeling in the country. A study by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation this week revealed a quarter of Germans sympathize with nationalist or racist sentiments. A third who took part in the poll said foreigners should be sent home if there wasn't enough work.' - Russia Today [October 2010] |
'Echoing Angela Merkel's recent comment that 'state mulitculturalism has failed' David Cameron presented his veiws on Islam, radicalisation, and the problems Europe is facing in terms of integration. The UK Prime Minister was speaking in Germany, at the Munich Security Conference this weekend.'
- EUXTV [Febuary 2011] |
[1] Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p11.
[2] Allan Gregg, Identity Crisis, March, 2006, http://walrusmagazine.com/article.php?ref=2006.03-society-canada-multiculturism&page
[3] Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p11.
[4] Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p13.
[5] Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p14.
[6] NFB Films; ‘From Far Away’, Shira Avni and Serene El-haj Daoud, http://www.nfb.ca/film/from_far_away/
[7] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[8] Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p11.
[2] Allan Gregg, Identity Crisis, March, 2006, http://walrusmagazine.com/article.php?ref=2006.03-society-canada-multiculturism&page
[3] Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p11.
[4] Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p13.
[5] Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p14.
[6] NFB Films; ‘From Far Away’, Shira Avni and Serene El-haj Daoud, http://www.nfb.ca/film/from_far_away/
[7] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[8] Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p11.