Canada has 4 main regions-Northern, Central, Western and Atlantic. It's a different experience living in each area. Factors that affect one may not affect another. Therefore, growing up or residing in one place will shape the way you look and feel about the world around you, so much so, that a Canadian from a different area may have contrasting outlooks. For example, many citizens of Quebec feel a strong anger towards the rest of the country because of the predominantly British influence that Canada was founded on, and because French views are often downplayed.
Canada became known for its peace keeping missions that ended many affairs. During the cold war, Canada lost a bit of its reputation for being an independent nation. Canada aligned itself with the US while trying to stay true to Canadian goals and values. This was not easy. Canada struggled to keep US influences from weakening its national identity.
In the United States, they have also adopted systems to ensure limits of the abuse of power. However, the system of checks and balances in the United States is often based on mistrust and suspicion of other branches of government. In Canada, the different branches of government work together (almost as a team) towards the common goal of upmost equality and liberty for all citizens. The Canadian political system is also much more welfare-state oriented compared to the United States' individualist and capitalist tendencies. Regardless of whether a Conservative or a Liberal is in executive power, the needs of minority groups are always clearly represented in the passing of legislation.
Treatment of Aboriginals in Canada People outside of Canada perceive Canada as a very multicultural and accepting country. As we look through Canada’s past history between Aboriginal peoples and the government this statement doesn’t seem so true. “First Nations were often stripped of their rights in the past” (Riles02, Indian Act and Canadian Treaties). They had little say in their own lives due to the creation of the Indian Act, suppressing their traditions and trying to assimilate their culture. To try and control their lifestyles the government created residential schools, and forced the First Nations children to attend.
Institutional racism is part of the Western world and the ulterior effects could be found if thoroughly vetted. The first and most important clandestine concern is economic consequence as we all need to be economically sound to meet the basic needs of our lives. If we look at the Caribbean people one might notice that majority are still under poverty even though they came to Canada few decades ago. The question is, do these citizens just happened to be unfortunate and poor or is it triggered by institutionalized racism? A simple answer is that racism is the concealed norm, inscribed in organizations, institutions and state level, in our Canadian society.
However, there have been several stumbling blocks. Some have included the overshadowing of the cultural industry by other industries such as the education sector and the health sector which compete for resources and attention with the cultural sector. In recent years, immigration of Asians, South Americans and other Europeans into Canada has further complicated the social and cultural dynamic of the country as has the emergence of a contemporary Canadian society (Cohnstaedt, 2007). Canadian cultural policy has had to incorporate all the different viewpoints of the diverse societies living in the country. When the political perspective is included into this equation, then it leads to contentious cultural
These freedoms and rights ensure that we are all treated the same and gives citizens the freedom to be who we want to be, while feeling safe to do so. More specifically, we are able to be who want to be because we have fundamental freedoms, and we are able to feel safe while doing so because we have equality rights. The Canadian charter of rights and freedoms clearly states: “Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.” Our freedoms include the freedoms of speech, the freedom of religion, the freedom of association, and peaceful meetings.After reading my textbook, I learned that in the year of 2001, four women and 5 labour unions from Ontario decided to launch a charter challenge that argued that they were being discriminated by the province because of their gender. The textbook says “In 1993 an Ontario law required the province to pay women and men equally when they had equivalent levels of experience and training.” These four women were owed in millions from lost wages because the province failed to meet this promise of equal pay. Finally in 2003, the Ontario government agreed to pay female workers $414 million dollars in pay adjustments.
The wide scope of the Charter, encompassing official language to aboriginal rights, reflects our commitment to social diversity. However, the notwithstanding clause demonstrates that Canada is not completely restricted by the written constitution. The foresight to address the uncertainties of law is a testament to the uniqueness of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In the era of globalization, the extensive movement of people contributes to the creation of an increasingly heterogeneous society. Nationality and citizenship are no longer synonymous with a specific ethnicity.
Stephen Castles’ argument fits into the broader themes of the course because similar to the course, it gives a Canadian focus, and a focus on the outcomes of immigration. Specifically, this argument focuses on the outcomes of the migrants who come to Canada with a high level of education and work experience. I also mention how Canada is racist towards highly skilled minorities, regardless of their English speaking skills, which fits perfectly into the theme of “race relations” in the course. The issue of highly skilled workers
Firstly, the Liberal government will bring forth a Low Income Tax Benefit for families with low incomes. The purpose of this program will be to encourage families in social assistance to join Canada’s work force. Presently, a family in social assistance does not want to obtain a job because their income after income tax will offset or even be less than the amount they are getting from social assistance. If low-income families are taxed less, this can be a great incentive for families to join the work force. The Liberal Party of Canada also believes that adequate and affordable housing is essential for strong communities as well as individual dignity.