STEWART: Why repealing the Multiculturalism Act makes sense

Maxime Bernier, leader of the People's Party of Canada, speaks during a party event at the Stonebridge Hotel in Fort McMurray on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. SunMedia

The Act for the Preservation and Enhancement of Multiculturalism in Canada is a law enacted in 1988 that officially recognizes the multicultural nature of Canadian society.

It has been said that in the debate on multiculturalism there is an issue that must be addressed with rigor and clarity, the very definition of what multiculturalism is. Likewise, the term multiculturalism is spoken and used with great ease and lightness. Frequently multiculturalism is presented in an exaggerated, caricatural way, in a way that would certainly be very difficult to support.

It should be noted that Canada has become the only country of high immigration, in which multiculturalism maintains its official role, its social and political recognition. In fact, it has been said that in Canada, at least so far, there has not emerged a movement of great importance or relevance that questions multiculturalism as one of the central elements of the country’s identity. Thus, it is appropriate to mention that Canada is where there are some of the most powerful intellectual voices that continue to defend the value of multiculturalism.

Proposal to repeal Multiculturalism Law

Currently, there is a question that should be paid attention, why repealing the Multiculturalism Law makes sense?

Thus, it is necessary to say that during the past week, Maxime Bernier, requested the repeal of the Law during a rally in Mississauga, where he presented the platform on immigration and integration of the Popular Party of Canada. In this way, there are those who consider and assure that although the other parties will not admit it, Canada is becoming an increasingly difficult place for newcomers to integrate and assimilate. Thus, they affirm that for the sake of keeping Canada as a viable and cohesive nation, this has to change.

Likewise, it is essential to mention extremely important data related to the subject. And it has been said that Canadians agree. Since a 2016 CBC-Angus Reid survey found that almost 70% of Canadians want minorities to “integrate” and assimilate more. Similarly, a survey conducted by Forum Research that same year showed that two-thirds of Canadians said immigrants should be evaluated for anti-Canadian values. While in 2015, an EKOS survey found that 41% of Canadians simply thought that fewer visible minorities should come to accelerate integration. Meanwhile, the most recent surveys show a lot of frustration for refugees and immigration in general.

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Source: Toronto Sun