What do you see as the true Canadian Identity?
I feel like it is hard to determine a stone set identity since Canada is such a diverse country. It is known as a cultural mosaic as multiple people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds reside in the country. Despite this, I believe that the Canadian identity is not so much as culture and cultural tradition, instead it is the beliefs and values that Canadians hold as a collective. Here are some beliefs and values that I feel define the true Canadian identity:
The promotion of peace within the nation, as well as the global community, is very prominent in the Canadian identity. This is exemplified in the many humanitarian and foreign aid efforts made by the Canadian government. Around 1990's, over 80, 000 Canadian (including other nations) forces were deployed. Canada sometimes acts with other organizations and countries, sometime it acts alone. For example, Canada sent troops to Afghanistan before the UN peacekeeping was established. In early October, before the 9/11 attacks, a naval task force was sent to the Persian Gulf by Canada. The country also sent a battle group to help the U.S backed troops as well as support Afghanistan's Northern Alliance to get rid of the Taliban group that was in power since 1996. The primary goal of the operations was to stop the country's use as a base for terrorist activity . The Taliban group's interpretation of Islamic law is extreme. It is so extreme such that there have been human rights abuses, including the slaughter of minority ethnic groups, and the implementation of repressive laws. An example of one of the repressive laws is the limitations set on women. Girls were prohibited from attending school or work after the age of eight. If they disobeyed, they risked execution. Later, the United Nations decided to intervene. Canada, along with the other countries affiliated with mission, aimed to help build a stable, democratic, and self-sufficient society. As well as provide security for the Afghani people, rebuild the basics of society (hospitals, schools, police forces, and more). The willingness of Canada's intervention in the situation led to the loss of billion dollars, and lives of Canadian Armed Forces. Despite this, Canada continues to make peacemaking and peacekeeping efforts as the country feels like they are part of a global community when everyone has to do their part to ensure social, political, and economic global prosperity and security. This is a significant part of the Canadian identity.
Treating others with upmost respect is another value that I believe makes up the true Canadian identity. As previously mentioned, Canada is basically a cultural mosaic. With a large diversity of cultures and ethnic groups, clashing can occur. A minority group could be marginalized by more dominant groups. However, Canada promotes treating everyone with dignity through many forms. For example, Canada promotes this through legislation. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has sets of laws that centralize on this value. The fundamental freedoms are:
Peacekeeping and Peacemaking:
The promotion of peace within the nation, as well as the global community, is very prominent in the Canadian identity. This is exemplified in the many humanitarian and foreign aid efforts made by the Canadian government. Around 1990's, over 80, 000 Canadian (including other nations) forces were deployed. Canada sometimes acts with other organizations and countries, sometime it acts alone. For example, Canada sent troops to Afghanistan before the UN peacekeeping was established. In early October, before the 9/11 attacks, a naval task force was sent to the Persian Gulf by Canada. The country also sent a battle group to help the U.S backed troops as well as support Afghanistan's Northern Alliance to get rid of the Taliban group that was in power since 1996. The primary goal of the operations was to stop the country's use as a base for terrorist activity . The Taliban group's interpretation of Islamic law is extreme. It is so extreme such that there have been human rights abuses, including the slaughter of minority ethnic groups, and the implementation of repressive laws. An example of one of the repressive laws is the limitations set on women. Girls were prohibited from attending school or work after the age of eight. If they disobeyed, they risked execution. Later, the United Nations decided to intervene. Canada, along with the other countries affiliated with mission, aimed to help build a stable, democratic, and self-sufficient society. As well as provide security for the Afghani people, rebuild the basics of society (hospitals, schools, police forces, and more). The willingness of Canada's intervention in the situation led to the loss of billion dollars, and lives of Canadian Armed Forces. Despite this, Canada continues to make peacemaking and peacekeeping efforts as the country feels like they are part of a global community when everyone has to do their part to ensure social, political, and economic global prosperity and security. This is a significant part of the Canadian identity.
Treating Others with Respect:
Treating others with upmost respect is another value that I believe makes up the true Canadian identity. As previously mentioned, Canada is basically a cultural mosaic. With a large diversity of cultures and ethnic groups, clashing can occur. A minority group could be marginalized by more dominant groups. However, Canada promotes treating everyone with dignity through many forms. For example, Canada promotes this through legislation. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has sets of laws that centralize on this value. The fundamental freedoms are:
- The freedom of conscience and religion
- The freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, which includes freedom of the press and other media of communication
- The freedom of peaceful assembly
- The freedom of association
Canadian are expected to respect each others' differences and not discrimination against each other.
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