The Political atmosphere in canada
'Our Country (Canada Conservative Party Ad)'
- Canadian Conservative Party 2011. |
‘46%...of people [living in Canada have] British, French or Canadian [sic]’[1] heritage. Dewing acknowledges that this political, cultural and social situation in the nation’s population is altered further by the fact that ‘19.8% of the population [were] born outside of Canada’[2] (2006 Census). Canada, as noted by Professor Will Kymlicka, has ‘more foreign-born citizens elected to Parliament...than any other country’[3] in the world. Upon examination, one can argue that ethnic diversity in Canada is successful, because of its citizen’s attitudes and open mindedness to the rest of the world. They resent being compared to an inward looking nation, which fails to accept other beliefs or nations outside that of the North American model; instead they advocate a Canadian ideal which opens up to every culture, nation and continent in the world, absorbing issues, beliefs and culture into the national conscience. This, it can be argued, is the key reason why many believe ethnic diversity in Canada to be so successful.
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Secondly, one must consider the actions of the current Conservative government; spearheaded by Steven Harper, a Canadian who many believe favours the English rather than the French language. The Canadian Conservative party, which has been in power for seven years (since 2006), has offered many apologies in its time to different racial groups for their treatment by the state and previous governments. In 2006 ‘the government of Canada offered a full apology to Chinese-Canadians for the head tax that was imposed upon Chinese immigrants until 1923 and Canada’s subsequent refusal, until 1947, to accept Chinese immigrants’[4]. This is a clear indication, on the side of the government, that it wishes to make amends for the mistakes of its predecessors. This case, and many others like it, begs the question of whether it is the Canadian government, rather than the people, that is unable to understand quite how to deal with ethnic diversity.
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Conservative Party Logo.
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'Canadian soldiers with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) walk during a patrol at Shah Wali Kot district'
- Epoch Times. |
Each province, which houses different ethnic groups and economic wealth/resources, has a different approach to dealing with ethnic diversity, but all have similar policies and mandates; most commonly worded as Multiculturalism Acts. But it is the national message which the ‘Secretary of State for Multiculturalism announced’ in 1997, which has had the most influence. It ‘focused on 3 objectives’: ‘Social Justice, Civic Participation and Identity’. These 3 aims have become central to everything to which the government now commits and does. Canada has a ‘few serious problems to [which] test the national fibre’[5]. It is a country without nuclear weapons, little military power, few social and economic problems. But at the same time it is a growing economic power on the world stage. It therefore appears that ethnic inclusion and diversity sit quite low on the list of problems for many, because publicly it seems not to have failed. But the government, it would seem, has always taken too much interest in intervening in Canada’s naturally occurring diversity. Many believe that this led to its failure among certain peoples, whose past experiences hinder their belief in Canada’s success as a truly multiculturalist society.
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Lastly, it should be considered that for a
government to successfully unite a nation of so many different origins,
cultures and beliefs, is a very large feat to achieve. Steven Harper, the
current PM, is a white Caucasian English speaking male; ticking all the boxes
for a stereotypical political leader of the western world. But with the highest
level of foreign born MP’s in the world, Canada is placed in high regard for
promoting ethnic unity and representation. Peckover argues that ‘diversity is
not the determining factor. Leadership [sic.]...and
setting unity as a priority are what makes it possible to pull the country
together’[6].
But, on the other hand, if Canada decides to elect a ‘government that has a
different agenda, divisions grow deeper’13 and split the nation
further apart. So far the government has been able to act as a neutral arbiter,
holding Quebec within the union of Canada. But separatist feelings continue to
exist in the province and city of Quebec, closely resembling the Scottish Independence
situation currently being experienced in the UK. It can therefore be argued
that unity is decided by the people, not by the government. Upon reflection the
people have chosen to unite behind one another and express pride in their
multicultural society, which has brought them success,
economically and socially.
[1] Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p1.
[2] Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p2.
[3]Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p7.
[4]Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p8.
[5] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[6] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[2] Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p2.
[3]Prof. Will Kymlicka, The current state of Multiculturalism in Canada and research themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008-2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2010, p7.
[4]Michael Dewing, Canadian Multiculturalism; as issued and used by the Library of the Canadian Parliament. (revised 15th September 2009), Library of Parliament, Social Affairs Division, 2009, p8.
[5] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.
[6] Gordon Peckover, Personal Communication, 14th till 26th August 2012.