1. From Biculturalism to Multiculturalism:
The Canadian Case
Adrienne N. Girling
Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

2. Outline
• Canadian multiculturalism policy
• Canadian Diversity
• Diversity Policies
 Official Languages Act
Multiculturalism Policy/Act
• Outcomes of Multicultural Policy
• Suggestions for NZ

3. Multiculturalism Policy
• Multiculturalism within a bilingual framework.
– Emphasises that everyone living in Canada
should be treated equally, while at the same time
promoting the use of English or French.
• Integration is promoted where everyone is
encouraged to both maintain their heritage
culture and adopt a common Canadian one.
• Emerged out of a commission on bilingualism
and biculturalism.

4. Canadian Diversity in Context
• Sixty percent of Canadians speak English as a
first language; 23% speak French; 17% speak a
third language as their mother tongue.
• Nearly 4% of the population is Aboriginal; 16%
identifies as a visible minority.
• Approximately 1 in 5 Canadians was born
overseas.
•

5. Bi and Bi Commission
“To inquire into and report upon the existing
state of bilingualism and biculturalism in Canada
and to recommend what steps should be taken to
develop the Canadian Confederation on the basis
of an equal partnership between the two
founding races, taking into account the
contribution made by the other ethnic groups to
the cultural enrichment of Canada and the
measures that should be taken to
safeguard that Contribution.”

6. Bilingualism and Biculturalism Report
• Made many recommendations for
resource-based bilingualism, including:
- Official Languages Act (1969)
- That Ottawa become bilingual
- French OR English school for anyone
• Recommended multiculturalism instead of
biculturalism, leading to the multicultural
policy of 1971.

7. Inception of Multiculturalism
“...there cannot be one cultural policy for
Canadians of British and French origin, another
for the original peoples and yet a third for all
others. For although there are two official
languages, there is no official culture, nor does
any ethnic group take precedence over any
other. No citizen or group of citizens is other
than Canadian, and all should be treated
fairly.” - Pierre Elliott Trudeau, PM

8. Multiculturalism Act (1988)
Officially recognised:
• Canada's multicultural heritage and that this
heritage must be protected
• Aboriginal rights
• English and French remain the only official
languages but that other languages may be used
• Equal rights regardless of colour, religion, and
ethnicity
• All Canadians’ full participation in society

9. Outcomes of Policy/Act
• 13% of MPs in Parliament are foreign born;
5.6% visible minority; 1.7% Aboriginal
• Media reporting on cultural and ethnic diversity
is highly inclusive of minorities
• 76% of immigrants proud to be Canadian
• 78% feel more strongly attached to Canada than
to their country of origin
• Increase in religious and ethnic accommodation

10. Unresolved Issues
• Discrimination and inequality still persist
• Misrepresentation and under-representation of
minorities in the media
• Aboriginal issues are not a central part of
multiculturalism and seem to sit elsewhere

11. Suggestions for NZ
• Adopt a policy of multiculturalism within the
existing bicultural framework.
- Officially recognise the diversity that
already exists in NZ
- Could take form of Treaty-based
multiculturalism
- Possibly an easier transition than
multiculturalism in lieu of biculturalism

12. Thank you
Email: Adrienne.Girling@vuw.ac.nz