LIBS1580 Essay: Strengths, Weaknesses of Multiculturalism in Canada

This essay provides a comprehensive SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of the Canadian Multiculturalism Project. It begins with an introduction to multiculturalism, emphasizing its core concept of embracing all cultures equally. The essay then delves into the strength...Read More

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Introduction
Primarily, multiculturalism implies a situation where all cultures are embraced equally.
Multiculturism has various strengths,weaknesses opportunities and challenges. Overall,
multiculturism has its limitations.
Strengths
In the Canadian context, multiculturism has promoted national identity. This is evidenced by
the fact that all the different cultures in Canada are allowed to speak and practice their native
customs and use their own language. Also, multiculturalism has created tolerance among
different Canadian cultures (Ng & Bloemard, 2015). The fact that every culture is allowed to
speak using own language is an example of cultural tolerance. Also, the passing of the Canadian
Charter of rights and freedoms and the Canadian Multiculturism Act is proof of the country’s
commitment to cultural tolerance.
Weaknesses
Despite the success of multiculturalism, it has led to the eradication of traditional cultures
in an effort to form a national identity (Silverman 2014). Due to the disparity in language,
customs, practices, resources, beliefs, there are no equal opportunities for all. For instance, the
aboriginal population in Canada doesn’t have equal access and opportunities like other
Canadians. Through multiculturism, some traditional ways might be abandoned to create
uniform cultural identity thus eradication tradition. Whereas multiculturism presents a position

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of equal treatment for all, minority cultures do not enjoy equal access to education, employment,
quality of life like other majority cultures The reality of multiculturism is more theoretical than
practical.
Opportunities
Owing to the existence of different cultures, there ought to be diversity management of the
different cultures for equality to prevail (Hirandandani, 2012). For instance, there should be a
diversity policy of management at all Canadian workplaces to ensure all cultures get equal
employment and promotion slots at the workplace. In addition to diversity management, the
Canadian government should control the immigration of foreign migrants into the country to
preserve the traditional Canadian culture. Through the uncontrolled entry of immigrants, newer
cultures might emerge due to intermarriages and reproduction with foreigners.
Threats
Owing to the globalized nature of the 21st century, multiculturalism is changing shape. This is
because there is more likelihood of the Canadian culture to be influenced by other globalized
cultures due to technological and globalization efforts (Leung 2011). In addition to globalization,
multiculturalism has created a security hazard in the sense that some cultural practices have to
lead to terrorist attacks and stereotyping thus undermining the benefits of multiculturism. Due to
immigration, the traditional Canadian culture might be eroded due to intermarriages with
foreigners.

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Evaluation of Canadian multiculturalism
In my view, multiculturalism has worked in the sense that different cultures have been able to
practice their own cultural practices with tolerance to other cultures and their practices. The fact
that different cultures exist and are allowed to express themselves culturally through their
language and practices is successful. However, the same has failed in creating an intercultural
connection between the different cultures present in Canada today.
Conclusion
Overall multiculturalism has brought about positive outcomes. However, not
all Canadian cultures such as the aboriginals are enjoying equal opportunities to the job,
education, national politics and other social and cultural spheres unlike other cultures hence there
are some challenges to multiculturism in this scenario.

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References
Hiranandani, V. (2012). DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT IN THE CANADIAN WORKPLACE:
TOWARDS AN ANTIRACISM APPROACH. Urban Studies Research. Retrieved I May
2019, https://www.hindawi.com/journals/usr/2012/385806/
Leung, H. H. (2011). CANADIAN MULTICULTURALISM IN THE 21ST CENTURY:
EMERGING CHALLENGES AND DEBATES. Retrieved 1 May 2019, Canadian Ethnic
Studies, 43(3)
Ng, S .D & Bloemard, I. (2015). A SWOT ANALYSIS OF MULTICULTURALISM IN
CANADA, EUROPE, MAURITIUS, AND SOUTH KOREA. Sage Journals. Retrieved I
may 2019,https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0002764214566500?
journalCode=absb
Silverman, B.A. (2014). CANADIAN IDENTITY, MULTICULTURALISM, AND A
COSMOPOLITANFUTURE. Retrieved I may 2019,https://etd.ohiolink.edu/!
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