NEWSLETTER - Canada Egypt Business Council

CEBC
Savor Canada
Trudeau’s Multiculturalism Act is not the
birthplace of this exceptional example
of multiculturalism, it is a value that
arguably has its roots in strategies
laid by the political leaders of pre-
Confederation Canada, John A.
Macdonald and George Etienne
Cartier, who were warned by the
political and social divisions in the
United States, which eventuated in
civil war. Thus, determined to avoid
political deadlock and civil strife,
created a system of government
that was aimed at safeguarding the
country’s unity, despite the diversity
of its composing population.
In the current century, roughly
200,000 immigrants go to Canada
each year, all of whom bring a
wealth of heritage with their own language,
culture, and religion and add it to the constantly evolving identity of Canada. As
a result, Canadian culture is a mosaic of diverse elements. While immigrants maintain their
identity and heritage, the acceptance and tolerance of their differences and the differences
of others, which they see in Canada, makes the egalitarianism of multicultural Canada their
new identity. Canada’s commitment to multiculturalism keeps its elements cohesive and
strongly united. This, among other values of Canadian society, makes Canada a destination
that is much desired by immigrants.
But is this a historical inheritance, which Canadians do not relate to anymore, with all the
xenophobia that is becoming prevalent elsewhere?, the answer is no, according to a recent
poll run by Mosaic Institute and the Association for Canadian Studies, 82% of Canadians aged
18 to 24 say that they believe multiculturalism in Canada is a model that other countries can
learn from in trying to overcome their ethnic, religious or linguistic conflicts. On the other
hand, older people are not as ardent about the Canadian model of multiculturalism, yet, all
in all 64% of Canadians surveyed said they believe that Canada’s brand of multiculturalism
is a model for other countries.
In a world where differences are becoming increasingly grounds for wars, terrorism and
oppression, a model of successful multiculturalism, which operates seamlessly, is of quintessential
importance. While according to some Canadians, who took the survey, it is no a model to be
exported, it is a necessary deterrent to war and divisions in other places of the world, and a rare
success to pride on.
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