Task #2 – Group Letter to the Minister of Culture or Minister of Immigration

Should Canada retain or abandon its multicultural policy?

Read the background articles and information on your resources page.

Canadian Multiculturalism: an Inclusive Citizenship

Canadian multiculturalism is fundamental to our belief that all citizens are equal. Multiculturalism ensures that all citizens can keep their identities, can take pride in their ancestry and have a sense of belonging. Acceptance gives Canadians a feeling of security and self-confidence, making them more open to, and accepting of, diverse cultures. The Canadian experience has shown that multiculturalism encourages racial and ethnic harmony and cross-cultural understanding, and discourages ghettoization, hatred, discrimination and violence.

Through multiculturalism, Canada recognizes the potential of all Canadians, encouraging them to integrate into their society and take an active part in its social, cultural, economic and political affairs.

Introduction

Respecting our Differences

Canada's experience with diversity distinguishes it from most other countries. Our 30 million inhabitants reflect a cultural, ethnic and linguistic makeup found nowhere else on earth. Approximately 200,000 immigrants a year from all parts of the globe continue to choose Canada, drawn by its quality of life and its reputation as an open, peaceful and caring society that welcomes newcomers and values diversity.

Diversity has been a fundamental characteristic of Canada since its beginnings. At the time of European settlement there were more than 56 Aboriginal nations speaking more than 30 languages. As the French and then the English colonized Canada, treaties were signed that acknowledged Aboriginal nationhood. Linguistic duality was enshrined in law at the earliest stages of the development of the Canadian federation. At a time when it was accepted practice to establish sovereignty through war and cultural domination, there were enough Canadians who believed in the virtues of accommodation and mutual respect to ensure that, with some exceptions, Canada would develop peaceably and the foundations of its diversity would be preserved.

This does not mean that there aren't tensions in Canada that flow from the differences between people. But as these tensions are addressed, Canadians learn to adapt and relate to one another despite their differences. Through practice, we have come to understand that the differences between us do not have to divide us. This encourages citizens who face common challenges to step forward and claim their right to full participation in Canadian society. As a consequence, Canada's concept of what constitutes diversity is expanding. Diversity is moving beyond language, ethnicity, race and religion, to include crosscutting characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, and range of ability and age. The same approaches that have helped Canadians develop into a bilingual, multicultural society are now also helping to bring down other barriers that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential.

A broad framework of laws and policies supports Canada's approach to diversity. At the federal level, these include the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Employment Equity Act, the Official Languages Act, the Pay Equity Act and the Multiculturalism Act. Provinces and territories also have laws, human rights commissions and programs that promote diversity. Finally, Canada reinforces its commitment to diversity as a signatory to international conventions including, for example, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

However, making equality of opportunity meaningful in a diverse society requires more than constitutional measures and legislation. All levels of government in Canada deliver programs that mobilize communities to promote dialogue and help people overcome barriers to their participation in society.
"Canada has become a post-national, multicultural society. It contains the globe within its borders, and Canadians have learned that their two international languages and their diversity are a comparative advantage and a source of continuing creativity and innovation. Canadians are, by virtue of history and necessity, open to the world." -the Right Honourable Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada, June 2000

Canada's future depends on maintaining and strengthening its capacity to bring together peoples with many differences—even grievances—and building a peaceful society where no one's identity or cultural heritage should have to be compromised. Canada's approach to diversity is based on the belief that the common good is best served when everyone is accepted and respected for who they are, and that this ultimately makes for a resilient, more harmonious and more creative society. This faith in the value of diversity recognizes that respect for cultural distinctiveness is intrinsic to an individual's sense of self worth and identity, and a society that accommodates everyone equally is a society that encourages achievement, participation, attachment to country and a sense of belonging.

"It is my deepest hope that Canada will match its new legal maturity with that degree of political maturity which will allow us to make a total commitment to the Canadian ideal. I speak of a Canada where men and women of Aboriginal ancestry, of French and British heritage, of the diverse cultures of the world, demonstrate the will to share this land in peace, in justice, and with mutual respect."-the Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, April 17, 1982

Prepare for Group Discussion –
Copy and paste the following questions into a word document and then prepare point form notes to answer each of them. Print off one copy of the notes for yourself and submit one copy to the teacher’s drop box(save it as Your Name).

Meet with your group and record your collective ideas as you discuss each of the following items:

Record the names of the group members on the sheet with the collective responses and submit it to the teacher's drop box.

Letter to the Minister

Use the collective responses to write a persuasive letter to either the Minister of Immigration or the Minister of Culture persuading them to either maintain or drop our multicultural policy. Be sure to include a clearly defined statement of your position with 3 or 4 well explained reasons and or pieces of evidence. Use the editing guidelines to complete a self edit of your letter and then make the needed revisions. Arrange to have a parent, guardian or other adult edit your letter using the editing guidelines. You can email or print a hard copy of your letter and editing guidelines for them to use. Revise your letter as required and then use the assessment rubric to self-evaluate your letter. Be sure to refer to the specific characteristics of your letter that would warrant your mark in each of the categories.

Submit the letter, the parent edit and the self-assessment (with reasons) to the teacher's drop box or to the teacher in person.

Mail or email a copy of the polished and revised letter to the appropriate minister.