ARCHIVED – Annual Report on the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act 2008-2009
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Part I: The Multiculturalism Program 2008-2009
1.4 The way forward
Integrating Structure and Strategy
The delivery of multicultural programs has changed over the years to adapt to the increasing diversity of Canadian society. Recent organizational changes have made possible greater coordination between the government’s programs for short-term and long-term integration of newcomers and the development of an integrated, socially cohesive society for all Canadians. The creation of a Citizenship and Multiculturalism Branch within CIC, the development of a Citizenship Action Plan and the implementation of new policy objectives for the Multiculturalism Program will enable the Government of Canada to better meet the needs of Canadians and newcomers alike.
The new policy objectives are as follows:
- Building an integrated, socially cohesive society;
- Making institutions more responsive to the needs of Canada’s diverse population; and
- Engaging in international discussions on multiculturalism and diversity.
The Multiculturalism Program will focus its efforts on building an integrated, socially cohesive society. As immigrants from all corners of the world continue to make Canada their home, our country continues to become more culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse, facing challenges related to maintaining a well-integrated diverse society. The Government of Canada will address the barriers that prevent equal opportunities for all Canadians, foster civic memory, pride and understanding among Canadians and build bridges between our communities. The Multiculturalism Grants and Contributions Program, for instance, will give priority to projects that involve more than a single cultural community and create concrete opportunities for positive interaction between them.
The Citizenship and Multiculturalism Branch will work to make institutions more responsive to the needs of Canada’s diverse population, as per the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. We achieve this by helping institutions integrate multiculturalism into their programs, policies and service delivery. We will expand and enhance our partnerships with both federal departments and provincial, territorial, municipal and community partners, which will also involve the further strengthening of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Network of Officials Responsible for Multiculturalism Issues (FPTORMI). Created in 2005, FPTORMI provides an ongoing forum for federal, provincial and territorial government representatives to share information and engage in an ongoing policy dialogue on programs, research and other issues concerning multiculturalism, diversity and anti-racism.
The Government of Canada is now implementing new policy objectives for the Multiculturalism Program to meet the needs of Canadians and newcomers alike.
The Citizenship and Multiculturalism Branch will also actively engage in international discussions on multiculturalism and diversity. Many countries that, like Canada, experience great diversity in their populations face similar challenges in the integration of immigrants and minorities. Immigration and diversity policies become the focus of global dialogue, and there is wide interest in Canadian multiculturalism. Canada will continue to promote Canadian approaches to diversity as a successful model, while contributing to and learning from international policy dialogue on diversity.
1970s: Celebrating Differences; 1980s: Managing Diversity; 1990s: Constructive Engagement; 2000s: Inclusive Citizenship; The Way Forward: Integrated and Cohesive Society.
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