The News media has been cautious, timid and even hypocritical in recognizing the ethnic minorities. The media has this contradiction of preaching virtues and not practising them with respect to equality and hiring practices. Ethnic minorities are part of the Canadian identity and should be seen as an equal partner in Canada, not an adjunct We are all Canadians. The use of the words 'minority' and 'ethnic' currently works, in a way, against the concepts and ideas being talked about. The recognition of 'difference' poses an interesting dilemma.
Ethnic programming ensures a differentiation or a sense of separateness.
The laws serve more to protect the minorities against negative images than to foster positive portrayal. We all came in different boats but we're all in the same boat now. Basically the delegates, representing one third of Canada's population, want the rest of the Canadian population to recognize them, first and foremost, as fellow Canadians. What they want is an equal chance to prove themselves on the job and in a society unfettered by racist attitudes, distrust and misconceptions. They want genuine social acceptance and the Media can be very helpful in portraying them as just regular Canadians.