COMM171 Winter 2019 Research Essay: Multiculturalism in Canada

This essay examines the multifaceted impact of multiculturalism on Canadian society. The author argues that multiculturalism is a positive force, deeply rooted in Canadian identity and contributing to the country's uniqueness. The essay supports its thesis with evidence from various sources, including an opinion article from The Globe and Mail, and personal accounts from a Korean-Canadian immigrant. The essay explores the influence of multiculturalism beyond government policies, its deep integration into society, and its role in making Canada a distinctive nation. The essay also acknowledges the challenges some immigrants face in maintaining their cultural identities within a multicultural framework. The conclusion reiterates the benefits of multiculturalism for Canada, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and integration.

Running head: IS MULTICULTURALISM A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING FOR CANADIANS?
IS MULTICULTURALISM A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING FOR CANADIANS?
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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IS MULTICULTURALISM A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING FOR CANADIANS?
Introduction
Canada has been known for its multiculturalism for years and it continues to be regarded
as one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. However, in the recent years, people
have raised questions about the status of multiculturalism in the country and these people include
both Canadian born people and people of non-Canadian origin.
Thesis: The essay aims to argue:
 Multiculturalism is good for Canada
 Multiculturalism is rooted deeply in the Canadian society
 Multiculturalism makes Canada a unique country
Body
Main supporting point 1: Multiculturalism has become deeper and greater than the
government policies.
Details: In an opinion article published in The Globe and Mail, authors Michael Adams
and Ratna Omidvar talk about the influence of multiculturalism in Canada. According to the
authors, “multiculturalism is something less concrete and powerful; it is a sensibility that
millions of Canadians has adopted as they navigate diversity in daily life in their communities”
(Theglobeandmail.com, 2019). The authors are true to assert this because Canada has always
been a welcoming country when it comes to integrating various cultures. One of the main
reasons for Canada being a strong multicultural nation is the result of “Canada’s unique
multiculturalism policy” that is based on the amalgamation of comprehensive integration,
selective immigration and strong subjugation of opposition on these policies by the state

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IS MULTICULTURALISM A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING FOR CANADIANS?
(Ambrose & Mudde, 2015). The authors of the opinion article further cement their support for
multiculturalism stating that it has become the top choice of Canadians when asked, “What
makes Canada unique” (Theglobeandmail.com, 2019).
Main supporting point 2: Despite its drawbacks, multiculturalism is rooted deeply in
the Canadian society.
Details: At times, multiculturalism could prove to be a troublesome concept for some
Canadian especially those who come from a non-Canadian background. This has been the case
with Sun-Kung Yi, a Korean-Canadian. In her essay on her experiences of being a Korean-
Canadian, Sun-Kyung Yi described how she suffers from a “split personality” for being an
immigrant. The split personality has occurred because of her identity crisis that she faces due to
the hyphenated Canadian identity. She has been living in Canada for the past 16 years but she is
still to be completely accepted by either cultures. As she describes, “some people advised me
that I should just take the best of both worlds and disregard the rest. That’s ideal, but unrealistic
when my old culture demands a complete conformity with very little room to maneuver for new
and different ideas” (Yi, 2019). This is where the actual problem comes for the millions of
immigrants living in Canada. They feel closer to Canada but could not detach themselves
completely from their own culture. For multiculturalism to flourish fully, the Canadian culture
and immigrants’ culture must “find ways to merge their distinct identities” (Yi, 2019).
Main supporting point 3: Multiculturalism is good for Canada because it makes the
country unique.
Details: As pointed out earlier, Canada’s uniqueness lies in its multiculturalism and the
people embracing it warmly. Andy J. Somotiuk wrote in an article published in Forbes that

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IS MULTICULTURALISM A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING FOR CANADIANS?
multiculturalism is “the distinguishing factor that makes Canada great” (Forbes.com, 2019). The
author remarks that multiculturalism has received a bad name in multiple countries in Europe.
He asserts, “In most of those instances a key problem has been the host country’s efforts to
assimilate immigrants (Forbes.com, 2019). He then explains why Canada is unique because of its
multiculturalism by highlighting the country’s history of multiculturalism. Most of the Canadian
governments in the past and in present as well have focused greatly on strengthening
multiculturalism by introducing laws and policies that protect and uphold multiculturalism.
Canada has never tried to assimilate immigrants but to let them live with their own cultures.
Conclusion
To conclude, it could be reiterated that multiculturalism is good for Canada because it
brings uniqueness and greatness to the country. As the essay has explained, multiculturalism has
been the best example that Canada has taught other nations. However, it needs to be considered
that strengthening multiculturalism further depends on various things than just implementing
policies. Canadians must consider the immigrants as pure Canadians and not from other
background.

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IS MULTICULTURALISM A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING FOR CANADIANS?
References:
Ambrose, E., & Mudde, C. (2015). Canadian multiculturalism and the absence of the far right.
Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 21(2), 213-236.
Forbes.com. (2019). Multiculturalism -- The Distinguishing Factor That Makes Canada Great.
Retrieved from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyjsemotiuk/2017/10/18/multiculturalism-the-
distinguishing-factor-that-makes-canada-great/#426d67516b11
Theglobeandmail.com. (2019). Multiculturalism doesn’t divide. It encourages belonging.
Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-multiculturalism-
doesnt-divide-it-encourages-belonging/?cmpid=rss
Yi, S. (2019). An Immigrant's Split Personality. Retrieved from
http://web.uvic.ca/~resist/split.html