Various Opinions on Bilingualism and Multiculturalism

Bilingualism and multiculturalism have created disunity in Canada:

The preceding statement is true to an extent, the validity is seen in the separatists in Quebec. Canada is known as a bilingual country, having English and French as the official languages. Numerous groups that vouch for Quebec separating from Canada were formed. For example, the Parti Quebecois' leader, Rene Levesque, suggested that Quebec gains sovereignty-association. Sovereignty associations is when Quebec is politically separated from Canada, but it still connected to the country economically. In 1980, a referendum was held. The Quebeckers were asked whether they wanted Quebec to remain a part of Canada or leave it. These desires to separate were born out of the inequality. There was inequality between the anglophones and the Francophone in France. Anglophones were receiving higher pay than the Franco-phones, according to a study in the 1960's. Job opportunities for Francophone who did not speak English were very limited. Favoritism of the English-speaking arised in a predominantly French environment. This led to accumulating tension between the two groups, ultimately leading to the Quiet Revolution. Franco-phones in Quebec wanted social change, economic opportunities, and political control in their own province. This was all caused by the clashing of two completely different cultural groups. Which was due to the bilingualism and multiculturalism in Canada. It created disunity in this way, since the "us versus them" mentality grew.

Bilingualism and multiculturalism have fostered unity in Canada:

The preceding statement is true to an extent, the validity is seen in the affirmation and promotion of the value and dignity of all Canadian citizens through policing multiculturalism. The adoption of the multiculturalism policy is important because it applies to every Canadian regardless of their racial or ethnic origins, language, religious affiliation. In 1971, Canada was the first country to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy. It serves as a unifying factor by discouraging discrimination of people. Discrimination serves as a divisive factor, in that an individual/group is mistreated due to prejudice. This policy stands against it, and with this as the backbone of Canada, more Canadian are likely to follow it. People from different cultures are able to co-exist, and respect each other in this nation.

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Visual Rep of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism

Note: Comedian isn't meant to be there, instead the word should have been Canadian This image is my visual representation of Canada's multiculturalism and bilingualism. I will highlight on a few terms that I've selected to add to my visual. Canada's multiculturalism is represented by the words recognition, acknowledgement, aboriginal, diversity, treaties, and cultural mosaic. Multiculturalism is known as a the presences of many different cultural or ethnic groups in a nation. With that, Canada is often referred to as a cultural mosaic, being composed with so many different cultural and ethnic groups. Efforts to acknowledge the importance of respecting diversity in Canada are often made. For example, with the Meech Lake accords aimed to recognize Quebec as a "distinct society". Another example would be the land claim agreements between the Aboriginal peoples and the Canadian government. It allows for the Canadian government to acknowledge the Abo

Influential Canadians: Terry Fox

What has he done that contributes to a national identity in Canada? Terry Fox Terry Fox was a cancer research activist, and used his voice to raise awareness of cancer. When he was experiencing months of chemotherapy he saw the pain and suffering others who had been diagnosed with cancer was going through. This became a driving force in Fox's mission to help. Dick Traum, an amputee that ran the New York City Marathon, had inspired Fox with an idea. What if he would run across Canada on his own feet, to raise awareness and funds for cancer research? In April 1980, Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope initiated. More than 5,000 km were logged on his training runs. He also gained the support of a multitude of companies and organizations: the Canadian Cancer Society, War Amputations of Canada, Ford Motor Company, Imperial Oil, and Adidas. On average, Fox was set on running about 42 km per day. Terry Fox contributes to a national identity in Canada because his actions are what

Promoting an Alternate Canadian Identity: Louis Riel

What were his motives and goals behind creating a national identity for Canada? Louis Riel Canada, Britain, and the U.S were attacking the Hudson’s Bay Company rule in the 1850’s. The HBC decided it would be best to surrender its monopoly, which included Rupert’s Land, the North West, the Red River settlement. This led to the migration of Protestant settlers from the East to move into the primary. They created tension and fear in the Roman Catholic Metis through their aggressive methods. Metis felt that preservation of their religion, land rights, and culture was threatened, as the British and Canadian government didn’t care about the Metis. This mentality of viewing the Metis as insignificant is seen because the negotiations of the Metis land and home were made as if no population existed there. This treatment served as a major motivation. Louis Riel’s main goals: Prevent the mapping out of Metis territory as part of the Canadian colony Preserve the Metis’ lan

National Identity in Canada

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