Canadian Multiculturalism Act - wikipedia Canadian Multiculturalism Act Canadian Multiculturalism Act An Act for the preservation and enhancement of multiculturalism in Canada Loi sur le maintien et la valorisation du multiculturalisme au Canada Citation Canadian Multiculturalism Act Enacted by Parliament of Canada Date assented to July 21, 1988 The Canadian Multiculturalism Act ( the Act ) is a law of Canada, passed in 1988, that aims to preserve and enhance multiculturalism in Canada. Contents 1 Background 2 Details 3 Content 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External links Background Main article : Multiculturalism in Canada The Government of Canada, under Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, declared in 1971 that Canada would adopt a multicultural policy. The Government of Canada would recognize and respect its society including its diversity in languages, customs, religions, and so on. In 1982, multiculturalism was recognized by section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Canadian Multiculturalism Act was then enacted by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Details In a webpage published by the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship ( IRC ) it is declared that : `` In 1971, Canada was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy. '' This statement likely refers to the 8 October 1971 announcement of Prime Minister Trudeau in the House of Commons of Canada that, after much deliberation, the policies of bilingualism and multiculturalism would be implemented in Canada. One result of this policy statement was the Canadian Multiculturalism Act ' of 1988. The preamble of the Act declares that, `` WHEREAS the Constitution of Canada provides that every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination and that everyone has the freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, peaceful assembly and association and guarantees those rights and freedoms equally to male and female persons... '' This restatement of the Constitution is mirrored in the IRC webpage. The multiculturalism policy allows citizens to practice their religions and keep their identities without the fear of official persecution. It is believed by some that without this fear, Canadians are more willing to accept different cultures. The policy, therefore, emphasizes a mutual respect between ethnicities and also acceptance of one 's personal beliefs. This policy guaranteed equality before the law and for pursuing opportunities whether personal, career, or in any other field. This means anyone of any race or ethnic origin is capable of pursuing his or her interests without persecution. Canadian law, as a result, reflects many of these rights and belief as they guaranteed to all men and women. All of these rights are guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which is part of the Canadian Constitution. The Parole Board of Canada writes that the Act has two fundamental principles : All citizens are equal and have the freedom to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage. Multiculturalism promotes the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in all aspects of Canadian society. The Act binds the federal government and its institutions to encourage, facilitate, assist and undertake several high - minded goals. The Minister may also enter into agreements with provincial and foreign governments to promote these goals. Other ministers may enter into agreements with the provinces. The `` Canadian multiculturalism advisory committee '' is established in Section 7, and the Minister is charged with the annual composition of a report on the operation of the Act. Content The Canadian Multiculturalism Act affirms the policy of the Government of Canada to ensure that every Canadian receives equal treatment by the government which respects and celebrates diversity. The Act also : recognizes Canada 's multicultural heritage and that this heritage must be protected recognizes Aboriginal rights recognizes English and French remain the only official languages but that other languages may be used recognizes equality rights regardless of race, religion, etc. recognizes minorities ' rights to enjoy their cultures. Section 3 ( 1 ) of the Act states : It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Government of Canada to ( a ) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society and acknowledges the freedom of all members of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage ( b ) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity and that it provides an invaluable resource in the shaping of Canada 's future ( c ) promote the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society and assist them in the elimination of any barrier to that participation ( d ) recognize the existence of communities whose members share a common origin and their historic contribution to Canadian society, and enhance their development ( e ) ensure that all individuals receive equal treatment and equal protection under the law, while respecting and valuing their diversity ( f ) encourage and assist the social, cultural, economic and political institutions of Canada to be both respectful and inclusive of Canada 's multicultural character ( g ) promote the understanding and creativity that arise from the interaction between individuals and communities of different origins ( h ) foster the recognition and appreciation of the diverse cultures of Canadian society and promote the reflection and the evolving expressions of those cultures ( i ) preserve and enhance the use of languages other than English and French, while strengthening the status and use of the official languages of Canada ; and ( j ) advance multiculturalism throughout Canada in harmony with the national commitment to the official languages of Canada. See also Multicultural media in Canada Multiculturalism in Canada References Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Jump up ^ Miriam Verena Richter ( July 2011 ). Creating the National Mosaic : Multiculturalism in Canadian Children ¿ s Literature from 1950 To 1994. Rodopi. p. 37. ISBN 978 - 90 - 420 - 3351 - 1. Jump up ^ Understang of Ideologies, Oxford University Press Canada 2010 Jump up ^ M.O. Dickerson ; Thomas Flanagan ; Brenda O'Neill ( March 11, 2009 ). An Introduction to Government and Politics : A Conceptual Approach. Cengage Learning. p. 56. ISBN 978 - 0 - 17 - 650042 - 9. Jump up ^ David Bennett ( November 10, 1998 ). Multicultural states : rethinking difference and identity. Psychology Press. p. 220. ISBN 978 - 0 - 415 - 12159 - 0. ^ Jump up to : Government of Canada ( October 19, 2012 ). `` Canadian Multiculturalism : An Inclusive Citizenship ''. Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014. Jump up ^ Miriam Verena Richter ( 2011 ). Creating the National Mosaic : Multiculturalism in Canadian Children ¿ s Literature from 1950 To 1994. Rodopi. p. 37. ISBN 978 - 90 - 420 - 3351 - 1. Jump up ^ Parole Board of Canada ( November 4, 2008 ). `` The Canadian Multiculturalism Act ''. Government of Canada. Retrieved 26 March 2014. Jump up ^ `` Canada 's Multicultural Policies. '' Understanding Canadian Diversity Edukit, http://www.edukits.ca/multiculturalism/student/diversity_multiculturalism_e.html Jump up ^ Jonathan L. Black - Branch ; Canadian Education Association ( 1995 ). Making Sense of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Canadian Education Association. p. 38. ISBN 978 - 0 - 920315 - 78 - 1. Further reading Stephen Tierney ( 2007 ). Multiculturalism and the Canadian Constitution. UBC Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7748 - 1445 - 4. External links Text at the Department of Justice Canada website Canadian Multiculturalism Act National Parole Board Canadian identity Canadians Constitutional debate in Canada Culture of Canada Canadian cultural protectionism Demographics of Canada Multiculturalism in Canada Canadian values National identities in Canada Annexationism Canadian nationalism Quebec nationalism Western alienation Alberta separatism Relations between English and French Canada Acadian movement Anti-Quebec sentiment National question ( Quebec ) Federalism Sovereigntism Distinct society État québécois Two Solitudes Notable events : Manitoba Schools Question ( 1890 -- 96 ) Regulation 17 ( 1912 ) Conscription Crisis of 1917 Conscription Crisis of 1944 Quiet Revolution Vive le Québec libre speech ( 1967 ) October Crisis ( 1970 ) Quebec referendum, 1980 Quebec referendum, 1995 Unity Rally Québécois nation motion ( 2006 ) Multicultural politics Canadian Multiculturalism Act Cultural mosaic Section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Reasonable accommodation Global Centre for Pluralism Multicultural media in Canada 1976 separate schools case 1985 and 1986 Sunday shopping cases 1985 day - of - rest case 1986 separate schools case 1986 homeschooling case 1990 RCMP turban controversy 2001 religious university case 2004 succah case 2006 Kirpan case 2006 school etiquette case Quebec Charter of Values ( 2013 ) 2015 niqab case Language politics Official bilingualism in Canada Gendron Commission Language policies of Canada 's provinces and territories Legal dispute over Quebec 's language policy Official bilingualism in the public service of Canada Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism Timeline of official languages policy in Canada Immigration to Canada Canadian nationality law Economic impact of immigration to Canada History of immigration to Canada Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Permanent residency see also : Template : Canadian citizenship Race and ethnicity Canadian Anti-racism Education and Research Society Canadian Race Relations Foundation Ethnic origins of people in Canada List of ethnic interest groups in Canada Visible minority Racism cases 1899 coalminers ' case 1903 voting rights case 1914 employment case 1939 tavern case 1946 Japanese deportation case 1951 housing case 1970 liquor law case Quebec historical anti-Semitism controversy Saskatoon freezing deaths Carding ( police policy ) Indigenous politics National organizations Métis Red River Rebellion ( 1869 ) North - West Rebellion ( 1885 ) Indian Act ( 1876 - present ) Indian Register 1969 White Paper Oka Crisis ( 1990 ) Self - Government Inuit territories Inuvialuit ( 1984 ) NunatuKavut claimed Nunavik ( no final agreement ) Nunavut agreement 1993 establishment 1999 First Nations territories Eeyou Istchee James Bay Nitassinan claimed Royal Commission ( 1991 -- 96 ) Kelowna Accord ( 2005 ) Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission ( 2008 -- ) Idle No More protest movement ( 2012 -- ) Missing and murdered Indigenous women see also Template : Canadian Aboriginal case law Federal -- Provincial -- Territorial relations Province building Royal Commission on Dominion - Provincial Relations ( 1937 -- 40 ) Royal Commission of Inquiry on Constitutional Problems ( 1953 -- 56 ) Patriation debate ( 1960s to 1982 ) Fulton -- Favreau formula ( to 1965 ) Canada Act 1982 and Constitution Act, 1982 Canada Health Act ( 1984 ) Victoria Charter ( 1971 ) Meech Lake Accord ( 1987 -- 90 ) Citizen 's Forum on National Unity ( 1990 -- 91 ) Charlottetown Accord ( 1992 ) Calgary Declaration ( 1997 ) See also template : Constitution of Canada, Category : Federalism in Canada, and Category : Canadian federalism case law Symbols in Canada National Provincial and territorial Royal Flags Heraldry Debates and legislation : Name ( 1867 ) Canadian Citizenship Act 1946 Great Canadian Flag Debate ( 1963 -- 64 ) National Anthem Act ( 1980 ) Debate on the monarchy in Canada ( Monarchism in Canada and Republicanism in Canada ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canadian_Multiculturalism_Act&oldid=846458131 '' Categories : Canadian federal legislation 1988 in Canadian law Immigration to Canada Multiculturalism in Canada Hidden categories : Wikipedia articles needing clarification from April 2015 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Italiano Português Edit links This page was last edited on 18 June 2018, at 22 : 14 ( UTC ). 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Question: canada was the first to enact a multicultural
Answer: official policy