Diversity and Politics in Canada

Douglas Brown

St Francis Xavier University

March 2013

Diversity and Politics in Canada: Outline

Key Concepts Changing Demography and Its

Consequences Institutionalization of Diversity Contemporary Issues

Key Concepts

Vertical mosaic Visible minorities Multiculturalism Group rights vs. universal rights Various lens through which to view diversity…

Culture Race Colonialism Combinations of all three (e.g. issues around

Islam)

Changing Demography…1

Aboriginal population Two dominant settler populations (French,

British) Waves of later immigration (to 1970:

mostly white, Europeans) (after 1970: mostly non-white, Asian, Latin America, Middle East and Caribbean)

Changing Demography…2 Consequences…

Growing diversity, especially in major urban areas

20 percent of Cdn. Population is foreign-born, 16 percent of Cdn. population are “visible minority”

Leads to concerns regarding social cohesion, inequality, and political representation

Broad political debates about the reality/perception of diversity, the nature of rights, and the challenges of accommodation.

Institutionalization of Diversity…1 Key Historic Milestones 1763 -- Royal Proclamation: Crown role re

aboriginal nations 1774 -- Quebec Act: specific rights and

guarantees to French population 1867 – Confederation: entrenches

territorial pluralism, recognizes some minority religious and language rights

1971 – federal Multiculturalism Act 1982 – Charter of Rights and Freedoms,

aboriginal rights

Institutionalization of Diversity…2Some current policies Multiculturalism policy Financial support for cultural groups Employment equity Human Rights Commissions Anti-racism, discrimination advocacy,

advertising, media Statements and/or compensation for historic

injustices (e.g. apology for Japanese internment, aboriginal residential schools)

Recent Flashpoints

Post 9/11…racial profiling/targeting of anti-terrorism measures

Debate over “reasonable accommodation” in Quebec

Debate over Shar’ia law in Ontario Muslim women and head coverings

Deeper, longer term issues…1

Identity and multiculturalism: “aren’t we all just Canadians…?”

The study of “Diversity, Power and Inequality”: how to sort out the intersecting and reinforcing impacts of: gender, race, ethnicity, language, aboriginality, sexual orientation, etc.

Deeper, longer term issues…2

Identity groups seek at the same time to both overturn and to reinforce identity differences:

1. Overturning: overcoming stereotypes, ending discrimination, achieving greater economic and social equality

2. Reinforcing: preserving cultural and religious traditions, preserving historic rights