I__. - International Military Testing Association

Background
ETHNIC PARTKCIPATION
IN THE THE CANADIAN FORCES: DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
Lieutenant (Naval) D.T. Reeves
Canadian Forces Personnel Applied Research Unit
Willowdale, Ontario, Canada
INTRODUCTION
Given the current Human Rights climate and the dwindling lal-mlr
force, the perceived lack of ethnic minority representation in the
Canadian Forces (CF) is of concern. Socio-demographic trends portend a
Canadian population marked by cultural diversity ancl an aging, dwindling
Iabaur force. In keeping with the multicultural policy OF the Canadian
government, and in response to the proposed expansion of the Primary
Reserves, the CF is reviewing its representation of ethnic minorities.
Currently there is a dearth of most ethnic minorities in the CF
compared to their representation in the general population (Febhraro G
Reeves, 1990). This under-representation is of concern to National
Defence in its efforts to ensure that the cultural diversity of the
Canadian population is reflected in the composition of the CF.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the present ethnic
composition of both the Canadian population and the CF, and provide a
preliminary examination of immigrant and visible minority recruitment in
one l.arge urban area.
Definitions
CANADIAN ETHNIC DIVERSITY
In order to ensure concept clarity, the definitions of ethnic,
immigrant and visible minority are AS follows (Multiculturalism and
Citizenship Canada, 1990):
R . Ethnic. The culture or country of origin of an individllal nr
one's ancestors.
b. Immigrant. Anyone who is not a Canadian citizen by birth.
P-. Visible Minorities. Genera3ly, persons other than Aboriginal
peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.
There are in excess oE 100 ethnic groups in Canada and, exclud:ng
persons of English and French origins, this represents 25% of the Canadian
population (75% of the Canadian population are of English, French or
multiple English and French origins). Ethnic group concentratinns ‘JR i--g
from p-rovince to province and from city to city and many ethnic groups
13