Understanding Interculturalism and Multiculturalism for the Successful Integration of Immigrants

Project Report , 2012 , 12 Pages , Grade: 82%

Cultural Studies - Basics and Definitions

Multiculturalism grew straight out of a rejection of “biculturalism” proposed by Liberals in 1963 as a means to protect Québec’s distinct national country in the same country as Anglophones also had been developing a culture of their own. Québec nationalists see multiculturalism as a threat to their unique position within Canada. Sovereignists introduced Bill 101 as their cultural charter and compelled Quebeckers to choose between French and English while sacrificing any distinct and different culture of their own. Québec realized that it needed newcomers even more desperately than other Canadian regions because of its low birth rate. However, welcoming newcomers and integrating them in the Canadian society are another story. Many controversies have arisen over the past few years about the accommodations and integration of immigrants in Québec.
In 2007, Premier Jean Charest appointed the Bouchard-Taylor Commission to inquire about the issue of reasonable accommodations. This essay will present a case-study on Canadian multiculturalism and Québec interculturalism, which the author has undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the Bouchard-Taylor Commission. To do so, I will compare and contrast the achievements of interculturalism with the Canadian federal policy of multiculturalism in helping immigrants integrate in Québec by looking at a series of interviews from English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians and immigrants vis-à-vis multiculturalism and interculturalism.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Multiculturalism and Interculturalism in Canada and Quebec
• The Canadian Multiculturalism Policy
• The Bouchard-Taylor Commission
• The Canadian Multiculturalism Policy
• Origins and Development of the Policy
• Arguments in Favour of Multiculturalism
• Criticisms of the Multiculturalism Policy
• Interculturalism in Quebec
• The Rise of Interculturalism in Quebec
• The Bouchard-Taylor Commission: Context and Mandate
• The Role of Religion in Accommodation Debates
• Challenges and Opportunities
• The Hérouxville "Life Standards" Charter
• The Impact of Recent Events on Integration
• Future Directions for Integration in Quebec

Objectives and Key Themes

This essay examines the effectiveness of the Bouchard-Taylor Commission in promoting successful integration of immigrant communities in Quebec. The essay aims to compare and contrast the achievements of interculturalism in Quebec with the Canadian federal policy of multiculturalism. It analyzes the impact of both approaches on the integration of immigrants, drawing upon interviews with English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians and immigrants. Key themes explored in the text include: * **Multiculturalism vs. Interculturalism:** The essay contrasts these two approaches to integration, highlighting their different perspectives and impacts. * **Accommodation and Integration:** It examines the complex relationship between reasonable accommodations for cultural practices and the process of integration. * **Cultural Identity and National Identity:** The essay explores the tension between maintaining cultural identity and fostering a sense of national belonging in a diverse society. * **The Role of Religion:** The text highlights the significance of religious beliefs and practices in the accommodation debate, particularly in the context of the Muslim community. * **Social Cohesion and Diversity:** The essay considers the challenge of maintaining social cohesion in a diverse society without eroding the identity and culture of any particular group.

Chapter Summaries

This preview will focus on the main themes and arguments of the essay, but will avoid revealing any major conclusions or spoilers. **Introduction:** This section introduces the topic of multiculturalism and interculturalism in Canada and Quebec, focusing on the controversy surrounding reasonable accommodations for immigrants. It also introduces the Bouchard-Taylor Commission and its mandate to investigate these issues. **The Canadian Multiculturalism Policy:** This section examines the origins and development of the Canadian Multiculturalism Policy, highlighting arguments both for and against the policy's effectiveness. **Interculturalism in Quebec:** This section explores the rise of interculturalism in Quebec, emphasizing the context and mandate of the Bouchard-Taylor Commission. It also examines the role of religion in accommodation debates. **Challenges and Opportunities:** This section delves into the challenges and opportunities faced by Quebec in navigating the integration of immigrants, including the Hérouxville "Life Standards" charter, the impact of recent events on integration, and future directions for integration.

Keywords

This essay explores the key concepts of multiculturalism, interculturalism, reasonable accommodations, integration, cultural identity, national identity, and the role of religion in a diverse society. It also examines the experience of immigrants in Canada and Quebec, focusing on the challenges and opportunities they face in navigating the complex landscape of multiculturalism and interculturalism.

• College: McGill University
• Grade: 82%
• Author: De Zhong Gao (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 12
• Catalog Number: V191923
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656167655
• ISBN (Book): 9783656167570
• Language: English
• Tags: understanding, interculturalism, multiculturalism, successful, integration, immigrants