Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 11120029
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED187774 AUTHOR: Anderson, Alan B.; Stasiulis, Daiva K.
TITLE: Canadian Multiculturalism: A Critique.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1979
NOTE: 54 p.; Paper presented at the Conference on
"Ethnicity, Power and Politics in Canada," the Biennial
Conference of the Canadian Ethnic Studies Association
(Vancouver, Canada, October 11-13, 1979). References may be
marginally legible. Not available in paper copy due to
reproducibility factors.
ABSTRACT: This paper attempts to assess the extent to which
multiculturalism in Canada is fact (sociological reality),
fancy (ideology), or policy. First, the actual
observability of separate ethnic groups is considered. Some
factors in the persistence of cultural identity are
discussed. These include ethnic visibility, replenishment
through continued immigration, institutional completeness
and enclosure of ethnic minorities, a group's position in
the capitalist socioeconomic structure, and the role of the
Anglo-French bilingual bicultural framework in emphasizing
general ethnic diversity. Census data on language and
religion are examined as indicators of erosion of
ethnicity, at least among Euro Canadian groups. Second,
multiculturalism is explored as an ideology in Canadian
society. Factors considered include the flexibility and
manipulability of individuals' ethnic identities, and
overemphasis on ethnicity, especially in social science
literature, and the romanticization of ethnic identity and
ethnic history. Finally, multiculturalism is examined from
the policy perspective. Recent Federal, Provincial, and
municipal policies are mentioned and the public funding of
ethnic events and multicultural activities is emphasized as
an important perpetuator of ethnic diversity. Critiques of
current multicultural policies, including the leftist view
that "multiculturalism" actually represents the interests
of the dominant society, are reviewed. Future directions in
multicultural policy are also considered. (GC)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Cultural-Differences; Ethnic-Groups;
Foreign-Countries; Immigrants-
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Cultural-Pluralism; *Ethnicity-; *Group
Unity; *Public-Policy
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