Prof Huang Xing, Depute Director-General of CASS IEA meeting with Dr. Jean Kunz
Presentation on Multicultural
Dr. Jean Kunz is answering questions
Prof. Gong Yan, Director of
Marie Eve Reny and Annie Billington
Group photo in CASS IEA
Seminar on Multicultural Canada in the 21st Century
On July 13th of 2007, invited by the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (IEA/CASS), Dr. Jean Kunz from Policy Research Initiative Canada, had a presentation/roundtable discussion in IEA/CASS, the topic is Multicultural Canada in the 21st Century: Harnessing Opportunities and Managing Pressures. Professor Huang Xing, Vice Director of IEA/CASS welcomed and exchanged views with Dr. Jean Kunz.
There are more than 10 attendees joined in this seminar, such as Ms. Marie Eve Reny from University of Toronto, Ms. Annie Billington from University of Montreal, Professor Gong Yan and Ms. Dong Yikun from Beijing Foreign Studies University, Professors Zhang Jijiao, Zhang Xiaomin, Du Fachun etc. from CASS. This seminar organized by Professor Du Fachun. The working language is English.
Dr. Jean Kunz lectured that Multiculturalism resonates with Canadian values such as equality, tolerance, and mutual respect. Since its inception in 1971, multiculturalism policy has evolved from that of celebrating differences to institutional accommodation, and more recently to inclusion and full participation. In theory and intent, Canada ’s policies and legislation regarding ethno-cultural diversity are tools for building inclusive citizenship, reducing barriers to social and economic participation of marginalized groups, and sharpening Canada ’s economic edge in face of globalization. Yet, empirical evidence suggests a gap between theory and reality. In spite of measures to ensure equity and reduce discrimination, research continues to demonstrate the earning gap between visible minorities and those who are not. The perception of discrimination and exclusion persists even among visible minorities born in Canada, that is, the second and third generation Canadians. Such evidence suggests that, if issues of exclusion and inequality are not addressed, multicultural policies may not work as well for racial minorities compared to those of European origin. Additionally, rhetoric regarding the economic benefits of diversity and immigration has yet to be borne out with concrete evidence. While multiculturalism might be a dream of the twentieth century, could it become ‘a twenty-first-century conundrum?’ Although support for ethno-cultural diversity and immigration is higher in Canada compared to other countries, many are of the opinion that Canada should abandon the ‘mosaic’ approach to multiculturalism for one that encourages assimilation. In a Dominion Institute/CDFAI survey conducted by the Innovative Research Group in 2005, 70% of Canadians indicated that adapting to the Canadian way of life should be the priority for new immigrants.
In Dr. Jean Kunz’s finding, multiculturalism policies have evolved since their inception in the early 1970s. In the 1970s, the emphasis was on encouraging individuals to involve themselves in Canadian society by valuing their cultural identities. The 1980s saw a significant shift from celebrating cultures to removing institutional barriers to full social and economic participation by racial minorities. With the passage of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982), the Multiculturalism Act (1988), and the Employment Equity Act (1986), state institutions were obligated to reflect Canada ’s multicultural reality in their organizational structure. While equity remains a key aspect of multiculturalism, the focus in the 1990s has moved to fostering shared citizenship.
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, security has become a recurring topic in discussions of cultural diversity and immigration. In addition globalization, particularly advances in information technology and ease of travel, increasingly raises new questions regarding identity and citizenship. How then can Canada move towards the goal of inclusiveness in light of the pressure points identified earlier? Dr. Jean Kunz suggests that we may centers on the following questions: In light of these emerging social and demographic trends, what policies might Canada wish to adopt regarding ethno-cultural diversity resulting from immigration? How can inclusive citizenship be developed in pluralistic societies such as Canada where individuals and communities are globally connected but diverse in culture, religion and language? These questions will be addressed through roundtable consultations in Canada and China, review of research evidence, and analysis of current approaches to cultural diversity among countries similar to Canada.
Dr. Jean Lock Kunz is associate director with the Policy Research Initiative (PRI). In her current position, she oversees projects on issues relating to citizenship, immigration and diversity, as well as on China. At PRI, she is also responsible for PRI’s project on poverty and exclusion. Prior to joining the PRI, Jean was Chief, Labour Market Policy at the Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). She has written extensively on issues relating to immigration, multiculturalism, race relations, labour force participation, youth, and media. Some of her work include Unequal Access: A Canadian Profile on Racial Differences in Education, Employment and Income (Canadian Race Relations Foundation), Immigrant Youth in Canada (Canadian Council on Social Development), and Media and Minorities: Representing Diversity in a Multicultural Canada (Thompson Education Publishing, with Augie Fleras). Prior to joining the Public Service, Jean was senior research and policy associate with the Canadian Council on Social Development, primarily responsible for the creation of its cultural diversity research unit. Jean obtained her Master’s in Sociology at the University of Toronto and a Ph.D from the University of Waterloo.