Cultural Change in Canada

Cultural Change in Canada

Pierre Trudeau stated that English Canada didn't have a culture and he wanted to give it one. He wanted Canada to be a strong country when Canadians of all provinces felt at home in all parts of the country, and when they felt that all Canada belongs to them (Trudeau, 1971) Trudeau encouraged immigration and thought these immigrants will assimilate and strengthen Canada. He wanted Canada to be a society where people were all equal and where they can share some fundamental values based upon freedom. After 1971, the government proclaimed a policy of multiculturalism and Canada went from an all Caucasian community to a multicultural community. Because of Canada’s different cultures and ethnic groups, it was often referred as a mosaic community. Culture is defined as the way of living of a group of people, including their traditions, inventions and conventions (Bain et al., 2002, pp.49-50). Canada has been shaped by migration that has combined to form a unique blend of customs, cuisine, and traditions that have marked the socio-cultural development of country. Throughout the20th century, many cultural changes have taken place in Canada resulting diffusion, enculturation, and acculturation due to the change in the immigration policy. From the beginning of the 20th century until the present Canada’s culture has undergone and some state that Canadian culture doesn't exist.

Canada’s cultural diversity created an accepting environment for people but Canada was not always a diverse country and it did not always accept non-white immigrants. Canada was an ethnically divided place, Chinese immigration was excluded, Japanese Canadians were put in camps and Jews and blacks were discriminated. In 1900, the Federal i...

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... culture is rich and unique culture and it can’t be defined. Stephen Harper states that, “there is a Canadian culture that is in some ways unique to Canada, but I don't think Canadian culture coincides neatly with borders”. The culture of Canada is a working progress and it can’t be predicted because there’s a lot to be done. The immigration policy has resulted many cultural changes in Canada such as diffusion, enculturation and acculturation. Languages, music, food, fashion and media has changed because of this massive shift. The country went from an all white community to mosaic community and the society has become more accepting for the newcomers. People often ask, “Is there a Canadian culture?” the answer to this question is there is no such thing as Canadian culture. The languages and religious differences with the different countries make our culture unique.