2. Multiculturalism in Canada
Have you ever thought about multiculturalism? There are plenty of
definitions which determine that it is associated with diverse cultures and people’s
identity. Throughout the decades, this concept has been adopted by people and
countries all over the globe. That is why cultural pluralism comprises different
societies around the world and it promotes diversity. For instance, Canada, which
was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism, has developed policies
supporting multiculturalism in order to avoid discrimination and encourage
integration of people with different cultures. Thus, the purpose of this essay will be
clarify how multiculturalism makes this society more tolerant and gives people the
opportunity to keep their own beliefs.
First of all, Canada is an exemplary country of integration and cultural
tolerance. Cultural pluralism assists in the integration of Canadians removing
obstacles to their involvement in Canadian life and making them feel more
welcome in Canadian society. By way of illustration, there is a high level of
immigrants that participate in the political process as voters and even candidates
(Schneck, 2009). This situation reflects that Canada is a nation where different
ideologies and cultures can exist without problems because multiculturalism serves
as a link of integration and tolerance. For that reason, multiculturalism has given
Canadians a feeling of security and self-confidence to express themselves, due to
the fact that they are more tolerant to diverse cultures.
Secondly, being a multicultural society provides people the opportunity to
maintain their own religions. Canada’s root is to accept cultural diversity, since it
was made up from two different countries, the indigenous people and many other
immigrants. Besides, in Canada people are free to keep their beliefs, because it is
a right protected by the constitution. People have the freedom to gather, adore and
preach without suffering any kind of discrimination. It had been presented through
3. several surveys which showed that approximately 77 % Canadians are Christians,
while many other people do not follow any religion. There are some other religions
such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, among others (Lad, 2013). It does not
matter what beliefs you have or what your culture is, because all Canadians are
fully respectful with people who are different and nobody sees people’s differences
in a discriminatory way.
Taking everything into account, being a multicultural society is part of a
globalized world and Canada is one of the countries which have shown the biggest
amount of cultural diversity. Multiculturalism is mainly due to the arrival of different
communities. Moreover, Canadians are open-minded and let people express their
own beliefs. People from different cultures are allowed to keep their own culture
without being questioned, because their freedom of expression has been protected
by the constitution. Therefore, no matter the customs, religions or traditions that
people who go to Canada have, because they will feel very comfortable, as if they
were in their own country. That is why being a multicultural society is a clear sign
of a developed country. Hence, all countries around the world should follow
Canada’s example and adopt this attitude towards multiculturalism.
4. References
Lad, K. (2013, April 29). Canadian culture and traditions. Retrieved August 28,
2014, from Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/canadian-culture-and-traditions.
html
Schneck, P. (2009, May 26). "Done with multiculturalism?": Putting Canadian
Attitudes towards Immigration to the Test . Retrieved August 28, 2014, from
Canadian literature: http://canlit.ca/letters/archive/28
