Why repealing the Multiculturalism Act Makes Sense

08/29/2019

When the Multiculturalism Act was enshrined in law in 1988 (building on Pierre Trudeau's earlier policies), Canada became the first nation in the world committed to "enhance multiculturalism", and to ensure that immigrants could "keep their identities." Even though immigrants by their very coming here show at least some willingness to integrate into a new society, by adopting the Act, Ottawa chose to elevate ethnic divisions above national unity.

The Canadian people agree. A 2016 CBC-Angus Reid poll found almost 70% of Canadians want minorities to "fit in" and assimilate more. A Forum Research poll from that same year showed two-thirds of Canadians saying immigrants should be screened for anti-Canadian values. And in 2015, an EKOS poll found 41% of Canadians simply thought fewer visible minorities should be coming in order to hasten stronger integration. Meanwhile, more recent polls show much frustration over refugees and immigration in general.

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