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4. Outline the arguments for and against the policy of multiculturalism. What are the advantages and disadvantages of officially promoting multiculturalism?

4. Outline the arguments for and against the policy of multiculturalism. What are the advantages and disadvantages of officially promoting multiculturalism?

Background

Multiculturalism in Canada is the ideology that all people have equal opportunities and rights regardless of their races, religions and, cultural backgrounds. The Canadian government during the 1970s and 1980s adopted the official policy of multiculturalism in Canada. It originated from the 1960s Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. In 1971, Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau declared that the country would adopt multicultural policy. In 1982, multiculturalism was recognized by section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Canadian Multiculturalism Act was then passed by Prime Minister Brain Mulroney in 1988. The Act has two fundamental principles: all citizens have equal rights and it promotes all communities of different origins. (Kobayashi, 1983)

Benefits of Multiculturalism policy in Canada

Economic Benefits
Multiculturalism helps integrate visible minorities into the labour market. Canada has experienced more participation of members of minority groups in different business sectors, such as transportation, communications, and banking. The increased participation is the result of the government's effort of providing a number of programs to ensure equality in the workplace. According to the Public Service Commission (2007, as cited in Dib & Turcotte, 2008), the public service had an increase of minority employees from 1% in 1986 to 8.6% in 2006. One of the programs implemented by the federal government is the Employment Equity Act that serves to maintain equal opportunities in the work

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