The Multiculturalism: a model for managing cultural diversity in Canada

Abstract

The history of Canada, akin to that of other countries on the American continent, originates from Western colonization. However, the presence of two colonial powers, Great Britain and France, imparted distinct characteristics to the process of national identity formation. Following the waves of migration in the 19th century, Canada promoted the assimilation and integration of external cultures into its social landscape, thereby diverging from the exclusionary policies adopted by the United States and Europe. Since then, heterogeneity has been an essential component of Canadian identity. The state's management of cultural diversity facilitated the creation of an ethnocultural model based on equality and respect. The rise of nationalism in Quebec during the 1960s prompted the establishment of an integration policy grounded in the adoption of bilingualism in 1969 and the approval of the Multiculturalism Program in 1971, the Multiculturalism Act in 1988, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is included in the Constitution of 1982. This research will analyze multiculturalism as a foundational pillar for the preservation of cultural diversity in Canada. This uniqueness has allowed Canada to project itself as a united nation and promote cohesion as a basis for international relations.