ARCHIVED – Annual Report on the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act 2009-2010

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Introduction
Canada: An Increasingly Diverse Society

"All Canadians Share a Page in Canada’s History"
Izra Joanna Fitch
Northeast Kings Education Centre (Canning, Nova Scotia)

In this vividly-coloured pencil crayon drawing, newcomers to Canada are sitting in a circle, listening to stories about Mathieu Da Costa. There is a window on the left, and a train, boat, and canoe near the top. The drawing highlights immigrants who explored, worked on the railway, and worked on farms, among others. Maple leafs are blowing in the air.

Canada has a proud tradition of welcoming newcomers from around the world. In 2009, more than 156,000 people became citizens and more than 250,000 new permanent residents were welcomed by communities across the country.

Immigration has made an important contribution to the nation-building process. Since the 1970s, largely due to shifts in immigration patterns, Canadian society has become more culturally and religiously diverse. Demographic projections indicate that this trend will continue. The 2006 Census showed that people from more than 200 ethnic origins make Canada their home. Statistics Canada predicts that by 2031, between 25 per cent and 28 per cent of Canada’s population will be foreign born, and between 29 per cent and 32 per cent will belong to a visible minority group. It also projects that by 2031, non-Christian religious communities will represent approximately 14 per cent of Canada’s total population.

Canada has shown a historic commitment to accommodating and protecting diversity through a strong legislative framework that incorporates equality, democracy and human rights. This can be seen, for example, in Canada’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the passing of the Canadian Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Canadian Multiculturalism Act provides a legal framework to guide federal responsibilities and activities with regard to multiculturalism in Canada. Enacted in 1988, the Act includes the Multiculturalism Policy of Canada which marks its 40th year in 2011.

The Act:

• Reaffirms multiculturalism as a fundamental characteristic of Canadian society;
• Encourages federal institutions to uphold longstanding values of respect, fairness and equality of opportunity with respect to members of diverse groups;
• Helps protect the rights of all Canadians, foster the full participation of all members of society, celebrate Canada’s diverse heritage, and recognize the vast contributions of all Canadians regardless of their ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic background; and,
• Encourages federal institutions to carry out their activities in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the multicultural reality of Canada.

Each year, the Minister responsible for multiculturalism is required to table a report in Parliament detailing the Government of Canada’s activities and achievements in implementing the Act.

The 2009–2010 Annual Report on the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act marks the 22nd year that this report has been tabled. The report highlights the activities carried out by the Multiculturalism Program. This year, it outlines the activities, successes and challenges of 134 federal institutions between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. The size and scope of the institutions range from large federal departments and Crown corporations to smaller agencies. A detailed list of institutions that provided submissions can be found in Annex A.

The report is divided into two sections.

Part One highlights the key activities undertaken by the Multiculturalism Program during the reporting period, and covers the Department of Citizenship and Immigration’s strategic direction for continued implementation and responsibility for the Act, including complementary initiatives to build an integrated society.

Part Two shifts the focus to other federal institutions and the opportunities and challenges they faced in 2009—10 while meeting their obligations under the Act. These obligations include promoting policies, programs and practices that enhance understanding of, and respect for, the diversity of Canadian society, and that enhance the ability of individuals and communities of all origins to contribute to the continuing evolution of Canadian society.

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