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Multiculturalism

Article by Jack Jedwab

Published Online June 27, 2011

Last Edited March 20, 2020

Canada’s federal multiculturalism policy was adopted in 1971 by Pierre Trudeau ’s Liberal government. An unexpected by-product of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (1963–69), multiculturalism was intended as a policy solution to manage both rising francophone nationalism, particularly in Quebec ( see French-Canadian Nationalism ; The Quiet Revolution ), and increasing cultural diversity across the country. Canada was the first country in the world to adopt a multiculturalism policy. The federal multiculturalism policy marked its 50th anniversary in 2021.

The initial idea behind multiculturalism was brought to popular attention by John Murray Gibbon’s 1938 book Canadian Mosaic: The Making of a Northern Nation , which challenged the US-born idea of cultural assimilation, known as the “melting pot.” However, it was not until the 1960s that multiculturalism emerged as an object of national conversation about Canadian identity .

The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism

The origins of Canada’s multiculturalism policy can be found in the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (1963–69).

The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism was appointed to investigate the state of bilingualism and biculturalism in Canada. The commission was a response to the growing unrest among French Canadians in Quebec, who called for the protection of their language and culture, and opportunities to participate fully in political and economic decision making (see Quiet Revolution ). The commission's findings led to changes in French education across the country, the creation of the federal ministry of multiculturalism and the Official Languages Act (1969) .

Two years later, in 1971, Canada’s multiculturalism policy was adopted. The policy acknowledged that Canadians come from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, and that all cultures have intrinsic value. In a speech in the House of Commons in April of 1971, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau introduced it as “a policy of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework,” a policy that would complement the Official Languages Act by facilitating the integration of new Canadians into one or both of the official language communities. “Although there are two official languages, there is no official culture,” said Trudeau.

Multiculturalism was not welcomed by everyone. Opposition to the federal multiculturalism policy was strongest in the province of Quebec.

Evolution of Multicultural Policy in Canada

Federal multicultural policies and programs have evolved considerably since they were first introduced in 1971.

Ethnicity Multiculturalism (1970s)

The initial approach taken by the government might be described as “ethnicity multiculturalism.” During the early 1970s, financial assistance was extended to certain ethno-cultural organizations for the promotion of cultural heritage. Modest support was provided for folkloric and artistic ethno-cultural expression.

Early opponents of federal multiculturalism argued the program discouraged social integration. Some charged that the real purpose of the funding was to secure political support from ethnic minority populations. Despite such criticisms, multiculturalism remained popular with Canadians, though to a lesser extent in Quebec.

Equity or Rights-Based Multiculturalism (1980s)

Prior to 1970, much of Canada’s immigration was from European countries. However, the Immigration Act of 1976 lifted some restrictions on immigration from non-European countries ( see Immigration Policy in Canada ). The ensuing shift in demographics prompted calls to rethink multicultural policies with a focus on the need to combat discrimination. There were also calls to move away from supporting the cultural and/or folkloric expression of ethnic groups. As a result, equity or rights-based multiculturalism increasingly defined the policies and programs of the 1980s.

The 1982 patriation of the Canadian Constitution added a Charter of Rights . Section 27 stipulated that the Charter “shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.” While the section created a basis for how other sections might be applied, it did not provide a legislative framework for multicultural policy and therefore did not prescribe what government had to do to implement and advance multiculturalism. But many Canadians began to associate multiculturalism with other basic and rights and freedoms enshrined in the Charter, such as freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

However, the Quebec government did not sign the 1982 Constitution. And so, in 1987, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney ’s Conservative government sought the agreement of all provinces to amend the constitution with an offer of recognition for Quebec’s distinct character (“distinct society”). Known as the Meech Lake Accord , the proposed constitutional amendment also called for the recognition of official language minorities, including the “recognition that the existence of French-speaking Canadians…constitutes a fundamental characteristic of Canada.” Meech Lake did not affect any of the provisions of the constitution that relate to Indigenous peoples in Canada or section 27 of the Charter, which related to multiculturalism ( see also Meech Lake Accord: Document ).

The Accord failed to secure the required consent of all provinces. Nevertheless, in 1988 the federal government passed the Multiculturalism Act (Bill C-93). It was aimed at promoting “the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society.”

In the late 1980s, concerns resurfaced about Canadian unity. Some opponents of multiculturalism believed that ethnic minority attachments to the cultures of their countries of origin were the main threat to Canadian identity. In their view, multiculturalism encouraged divisive dual and multiple identities and, in so doing, prevented citizens from simply describing themselves as Canadians.

Anti-Racism/Anti-Discrimination Multiculturalism (1990s)

During the 1990s, federal multiculturalism policies and programs placed greater emphasis on eliminating barriers to economic and social participation of immigrants and designated minority groups. In 1995, the federal government passed employment equity legislation that, among other things, required that information be gathered in order to determine the degree of the underrepresentation of persons in designated groups, notably the country’s visible minorities . Since 1996, the census has collected information about visible minorities in Canada and multiculturalism aimed at eliminating racism and discrimination , assisting institutions to become more responsive to Canada’s diversity.

Public Discourse on Canadian Multiculturalism

There are many examples of critics and champions of multiculturalism in Canada. Here are two:

Neil Bissoondath

With his 1994 publication Selling Illusions: The Cult of Multiculturalism in Canada, author Neil Bissoondath emerged as one of Canada’s most outspoken public critics of multiculturalism. He argued that the policy undermined Canada’s bicultural nature and thereby undermined Canadian identity ( see Canadian Identity and Language ). He insisted that the encouragement of ethnic differences led immigrants to adopt a “psychology of separation” which created distinct communities and prevented newcomers from becoming fully part of the mainstream culture. He suggested that this threatened Canadian unity and cohesion.

Will Kymlicka

With his 1995 book Multicultural Citizenship: A Liberal Theory of Minority Rights, philosopher Will Kymlicka emerged as one of the leading proponents of multiculturalism. He articulated a typology of minority rights, which includes self-government rights (for Quebec), special representation rights (for Indigenous peoples) and polyethnic rights (which he defines as legal and financial support for the protection of specific cultural practices). In a later publication, Finding Our Way: Rethinking Ethnocultural Relations in Canada (1998) , Kymlicka presented evidence that multiculturalism did not decrease the rate of immigrant integration. Using data on naturalization rates for immigrants, levels of political participation among ethnocultural groups, and rates at which new Canadians can speak an official language and rates of intermarriage, Kymlicka argued that the multiculturalism policy has worked, and that there is no evidence that it has promoted ethnic separateness.

Multiculturalism in Quebec

Initial Rejection of Multiculturalism in Quebec

As mentioned earlier, multiculturalism was not welcomed by everyone in Canada. Opposition to the federal multiculturalism policy was strongest in Quebec, the only province in which French is the majority language. For example, premier Robert Bourassa insisted that the federal policy was founded on a questionable dissociation of culture from language. He argued that the policy of multiculturalism was not suited to the majority-French province. Claude Ryan , then-publisher of the Quebec French-language newspaper Le Devoir , warned that federal multicultural policy challenged the recognition of Canada’s two founding peoples (the English and the French). Many Quebecers expressed concerns that multiculturalism seemed to place French culture on an equal footing with all other ethno-cultural groups.

Charter of the French Language (1977)

In 1977, the government of Quebec introduced the Charter of the French language (Bill 101) which made French the province’s official language. In contrast with the federal model of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework, Bill 101 was described as unilingual and culturally pluralist. In an article titled “Ethnic Minorities in the New Québec” published in 1978, Camille Laurin , Bill 101’s chief architect, explained that in order to live together in the same nation, different ethnic groups must be able to speak and understand each other using French as the common language. “Hence,” he added, “a national language and common culture are useful, although they do not preclude the continued use of ethnic languages and maintaining of individual cultures.”

Bill 101 addressed a widely held concern among many francophones that without language legislation, newcomers would inevitably integrate into the English-speaking community while selectively retaining their ethnic identities. In 1978, under the Cullen/Couture agreement, the government of Canada transferred responsibility to the Quebec government for the selection of economic immigrants and the province thus assumed increased authority for programs in the area of newcomer integration and cultural retention ( see Quebec Immigration Policy .)

“Many Ways of Being a Quebecer” (1981)

Under Premier René Lévesque , in 1981 the Parti Québécois formally rejected federal multiculturalism. In its place, the government of Quebec proposed a policy of “cultural convergence.” The policy was entitled “Many ways of being a Quebecer.” Its principal objective was to “ensure the maintenance and development of cultural communities and their specificities, make French-speaking Quebecers aware of the contribution of cultural communities to our common heritage and finally promote the integration of cultural communities in Quebec society and especially in sectors where they are particularly underrepresented.”

Some critics suggested that the Quebec government’s policies and programs regarding the province’s ethno-cultural communities looked somewhat like multiculturalism in the French language, and thus resembled what the federal government had introduced in the previous decade.

The Bouchard-Taylor Commission on Reasonable Accommodation (2007–08)

In Quebec, the public discussion over the accommodation of religious diversity has been especially vocal. In 2007 Liberal Premier Jean Charest announced the creation of a provincial Commission to investigate the issue of accommodating cultural and religious differences. Over several months, Commission co-chairs Gérard Bouchard and Charles Taylor heard public testimony from Quebec francophones denouncing multiculturalism.

In their report, the Commissioners noted that “multiculturalism is presented as though it solely takes into account recognition and affirmation of difference with no regard for integrating elements such as the teaching of national languages and intercultural exchange programs. It is this truncated version of multiculturalism that often prevails in Quebec, as though this model had not evolved in Canada since its adoption nearly 40 years ago.”

The Commissioners concluded that the Canadian multiculturalism model was not well adapted to conditions in Quebec. They proposed that Quebec opt for a model of interculturalism with the stated intention of “reconcil[ing] ethnocultural diversity with the continuity of the French-speaking core.” Through the institution of French as the “common public language” of Quebec and promoting cross-cultural interaction, an intercultural model was said to “afford security to Quebecers of French-Canadian origin and to ethno-cultural minorities and protects the rights of all, in keeping with the liberal tradition.” They also pointed to the need to clearly define the lines of separation of religion from government. The Commissioners recommended a ban on persons wearing religious symbols in what were referred to as positions of authority, notably judges, Crown prosecutors, prison guards and police officers. Nine years after the Report was issued, co-chair Charles Taylor revisited his stand and argued that such a ban was no longer required.

Multiculturalism in the Early 21st Century

Most Canadians think of multiculturalism as a demographic reality that acknowledges the diverse ethnic makeup of the Canadian population . However, there is ongoing debate over the message that multicultural policy conveys to Canadians, particularly to immigrants.

Over its first 30 years, the principal challenges confronting multiculturalism involved reconciling support for ethnic diversity, the preservation of the French language and the promotion of Canadian identity. While such debates have persisted into the 21st century, they’ve largely given way to the view that the message of multiculturalism promotes excessive accommodation of cultural and religious diversity at the expense of promoting social cohesion and common values. Others see the multicultural message as discouraging newcomers from adopting Canadian values. This, in turn, makes them less likely to participate in the mainstream culture and society and encourages the creation of ethnic ghettos.

In recent years, there has been a greater acknowledgement and acceptance of mixed and multiple identities in Canada. While most Canadians appear favourable to the ideal of multiculturalism, research suggests that support for the accommodation of religious diversity is more divided.

immigration
multiculturalism

External Links

Canadian Multiculturalism Day

Canadian Heritage's guide to celebrating Canadian Multiculturalism Day.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Meech lake accord, population of canada.

How did multiculturalism become so central to Canada's identity?

Social Sharing

Over five decades, multiculturalism has evolved from a feel-good ideal to official policy to a national article of faith and a defining part of Canada's national identity.

The surfacing of anti-multicultural sentiment in Canada and anxieties over immigration and asylum seekers can seem jarring in that context. The nascent Yellow Vest movement in Canada has had to contend with supporters and opportunists airing anti-immigrant and sometimes outright xenophobic views, while Maxime Bernier's People's Party of Canada has made its critique of "extreme multiculturalism" a central part of its platform.

Maxime Bernier explains what he means by 'extreme multiculturalism'

It seems to belie the Justin Trudeau government's mantra that "diversity is our strength."

But Keith Banting, a professor of political studies and policy studies at Queen's University and a leading expert on the history of Canadian multiculturalism, believes the current tensions over immigration and multiculturalism are not anomalous.

"If you go back and look at public opinion polls on questions of "Are we admitting too many immigrants?" or "Do immigrants too often not adopt Canadian values?" up until the mid-1990s, Canadian were not enthusiastic celebrants of immigration and diversity," Professor Banting told Sunday Edition guest host Peter Armstrong.

"Strong majorities opposed then-levels of immigrants. And from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, Canadian attitudes shifted immensely, becoming much more [supportive of immigration]," he said.

"[But] when we saw the big shift in that a solid majority of Canadians were now comfortable with immigration levels, we tended to forget that about a third or maybe as high as 40 per cent of Canadians were uncomfortable with the new Canada. If you look at the long-term trends, it's not the case that Canadians' fundamental attitudes toward immigration have shifted, but our politics have shifted in ways that are now mobilizing the 30-40 per cent of Canadians who who have always had reservations about the new Canada."

Banting believes that while Canada is not immune to the kinds of xenophobic nationalism that have gripped European countries, the Canadian philosophy and practice of multiculturalism is unlikely to lead to the same kind of backlash against immigrants, refugees and multiculturalism.

"In Canada, multiculturalism was always seen as a form of integration. It was always seen as having a more diverse approach to how we would integrate people. In the European context, they had always basically ignored their minorities. They developed this idea that for some reason, multiculturalism meant segmentation, and they wanted something completely different."

Click "listen" above to hear the full interview.

17 Ethnic, Linguistic, and Multicultural Diversity of Canada

Will Kymlicka is Professor and Canada Research Chair in Political Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy, Queen’s University Canada.

Published: 02 September 2010
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In the past twenty years, there has been a growing pessimism on the effects of ethnic diversity. Studies are dominated by the assumption that ethnic diversity is a problem along multiple dimensions. Studies also suggest that countries marked with high levels of ethnic diversity are less peaceful, less democratic, underdeveloped, and negligent to the needs of the poor. In short, ethnic diversity is seen as a dysfunction for modern societies, and is moreover viewed as a threat to political systems, as ethnic minorities are now seeking public recognition in the form of multiculturalism and minority rights. This article discusses ethnic diversity in Canada. Against the background of the pessimistic view on diversity, Canada is an exception. It contains high levels of ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity. Moreover, although Canada supports multiculturalism and minority rights, it remains peaceful and enjoys a prosperous democracy with a reasonably well-developed welfare state. The Canadian experience suggests that the effects of ethnic diversity and identity politics are not predetermined, and that a multicultural form of citizenship is possible. In the following discussions of the article, the basic features of the Canadian approach to ethnic diversity, including the controversies and challenges of Canadian diversity, are examined.

The past twenty years have witnessed growing pessimism around the world about the effects of ethnic diversity. Study after study has suggested that ethnic heterogeneity is a “problem” along multiple dimensions. Studies seem to show, for example, that countries with higher levels of ethnic heterogeneity are likely to be less peaceful, less democratic, have lower economic growth, and lower levels of social spending to help the needy. 1 High levels of ethnic diversity, in short, are widely seen as dangerous and dysfunctional for modern societies. Moreover, this threat is said to be exacerbated by the increasing tendency of ethnic minorities to mobilize politically for public recognition in the form of multiculturalism and minority rights. In an era of “identity politics,” the effects of ethnic heterogeneity have become more pronounced.

Against this background, Canada stands out as an important exception. It contains very high levels of diversity—indeed, it is a statistical outlier among western democracies in its level of ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity (Laczko 1994 ). Moreover, Canada has actively embraced the politics of multiculturalism and minority rights, giving public recognition and accommodation to its ethnic and linguistic diversity in a wide range of public institutions. Yet, it remains a peaceful and prosperous democracy, with a reasonably well-developed welfare state.

For this reason, Canada is often invoked as a “counternarrative” to the “master narrative” of ethnic heterogeneity's pernicious effects (Banting 2005 ). The Canadian experience suggests that the effects of ethnic diversity and identity politics are not predetermined, and that an explicitly multicultural form of democratic citizenship is viable. Not surprisingly, academic experts and policy makers from around the world have become interested in understanding the Canadian experience, and in exploring its relevance for other countries. As a recent Globe and Mail article put it, “Pluralism: The world wonders how we pull it off” (Ibbitson 2004 ).

Yet this “Canadian model” has its own share of stresses and controversies. Many commentators worry that Canada has gone too far in accommodating diversity, and that current policies are unsustainable. In this chapter, I will outline the basic features of the Canadian approach to ethnic diversity, and identify some of the controversies and challenges it faces.

Mapping Diversity in Canada

Issues of accommodating diversity have been central to Canada's history. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the earliest European settlers had to reach a modus vivendi with Aboriginal peoples; in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the British colonial administrators had to learn to live with the long-settled French population; and in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Canada has had to accommodate successive waves of immigration. At each step along the way, Canada's stability and prosperity—and indeed its very survival—depended on being able to respond constructively to new forms of diversity, and to develop new relationships of coexistence and cooperation, without undermining the (often-fragile) accommodations of older forms of diversity, which are themselves continually being contested and renegotiated.

This long history of diversity has resulted in a “palimpsest” of federal laws and policies, with new layers continually being added on top of the old (Green 2005 ). Recent multiculturalism policies for ethnic groups formed by immigration overlay earlier linguistic and territorial accommodations of French Canadians, which overlay earlier historical agreements and settlements with Aboriginal peoples. 2

If we look carefully at these policies, however, they appear not so much as three horizontal layers, but rather as three vertical silos (Kymlicka 2007a ). One striking aspect of these accommodations is how disconnected they are from each other, legally and administratively. These policies not only have different historical origins, but are embodied in different pieces of legislation, administered by different federal government departments, enshrined in different sections of the Constitution, and are articulated and negotiated using different concepts and principles. As a result, each forms its own discrete silo, with very little interaction among them.

To oversimplify, we can say that in the case of Aboriginal peoples, the historic roots lie in the Royal Proclamation of 1763; the framework piece of legislation is the Indian Act; the key constitutional provisions are sections 25 and 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982; the main federal department responsible for administering and coordinating Aboriginal issues is Indian and Northern Affairs; and the guiding concepts used in articulating claims include treaty rights, Aboriginal rights, common-law title, sui generis property rights, fiduciary trust, indigeneity, self-government, and self-determination.

In the case of the French Canadians, the historic roots lie in the Quebec Act of 1774 and the British North America Act (BNA Act) of 1867; the framework piece of legislation is the Official Languages Act; the key constitutional provisions are sections 16 to 23 of the Charter; the coordinating federal government agencies are Intergovernmental Affairs (within the Privy Council Office) and the Commissioner for Official Languages; and the main concepts used in articulating claims include bilingualism, duality, (asymmetrical) federalism, distinct society, and nationhood.

In the case of immigrant/ethnic groups, the historic touchstone is the 1971 parliamentary statement of multiculturalism, the framework legislation is the Multiculturalism Act, the key constitutional provision is section 27 of the Charter, the coordinating federal government departments are Canadian Heritage and Citizenship and Immigration, and the key concepts include multiculturalism, citizenship, integration, tolerance, ethnicity, diversity, and inclusion.

Whenever claims relating to the accommodation of ethnocultural diversity are made (or contested) in Canada, the political engagement almost invariably takes place within one of these three silos. Each silo has its own well-established entry points and opportunity structures, and anyone who wishes to participate effectively in these political debates must use these access points, and master the relevant laws, constitutional provisions, and terminology. Given this tripartite structure, it is misleading to talk of the Canadian model of diversity, as if there was one overarching policy on diversity from which policies regarding Aboriginal peoples, francophones, and immigrant/ethnic groups are derived. There are just the three silos, with their own separate histories, discourses, legal frameworks, and governance structures.

Evolving Forms of Accommodating Diversity

Although each of these three silos has a long history, there have been dramatic changes over the past forty years in relation to all three, moving in the direction of greater recognition of diversity. Let me start with the case of immigrant/ethnic groups.

Immigrant/Ethnic Groups

The terms ethnic groups and immigrant groups are often used interchangeably in Canada to refer to those who are neither indigenous nor colonizers, but were admitted under Canada's immigration policy. However, the term immigrant group is potentially misleading, because many of the group's members may be second, third, or fourth generation. This is obviously true of those ethnic groups, such as the Ukrainians, Poles, or Jews, who have been in Canada for more than one hundred years. By contrast, other ethnic groups such as the Vietnamese or Somalis are more recent—having arrived only in the past thirty years—and many of their members are still foreign-born immigrants.

Ethnic groups are a major element in Canadian society. First-generation immigrants—in other words, the foreign-born population—formed more than 18% of the overall population according to the 2001 Census. If we add the descendants of earlier waves of immigration, the percentage of Canadians who have origins other than British, French, or indigenous rises to around 50%. 3 So the issue of the status and treatment of ethnic groups has been an important and long-standing one in Canada.

In the past, Canada, like the other major British settler societies (the United States, Australia, New Zealand), had an assimilationist approach to immigration. Immigrants were encouraged and expected to assimilate to the preexisting British mainstream culture, with the hope that over time they would become indistinguishable from native-born British Canadians in their speech, dress, recreation, and way of life in general. 4 Indeed, any groups that were seen as incapable of this sort of cultural assimilation (such as Asians and Africans) were prohibited from emigrating to Canada or from becoming citizens.

This racially discriminatory and culturally assimilationist approach to ethnic groups was slowly discredited in the postwar period, but was only officially repudiated in the late 1960s and early '70s. There were two related changes. First, the adoption of race-neutral admissions criteria (the “points system”), so that immigrants to Canada are increasingly from non-European (and often non-Christian) societies. This change was completed by 1967. Second, the adoption of a more “multicultural” conception of integration, one that expects that many immigrants will visibly and proudly express their ethnic identity, and that accepts an obligation on the part of public institutions (like the police, schools, media, museums, and so forth) to accommodate these ethnic identities. This second change was formalized in 1971, with the adoption of the multiculturalism policy by the federal government.

The original goals of the policy were fourfold:

To “assist all Canadian cultural groups that have demonstrated a desire and effort to continue to develop a capacity to grow and contribute to Canada”

To “assist members of all cultural groups to overcome cultural barriers to full participation in Canadian society”

To “promote creative encounters and interchange among all Canadian cultural groups in the interest of national unity”

To “assist immigrants to acquire at least one of the Canada's official languages in order to become full participants in Canadian society” 5

There have been various changes to the policy since 1971, primarily in the relative emphasis given to these four goals. Over time, starting in the mid 1970s, the second and third goals have increasingly received the lion's share of funding under the program. However, the core ideas have remained fairly stable: recognition and accommodation of cultural diversity, removing barriers to full participation, promoting interchange among groups, and promoting acquisition of the official languages. The policy was reaffirmed and given a statutory basis in the Canadian Multiculturalism Act of 1988. It was “renewed” again in 1997, after twenty-five years of operation, after a major policy review. 6

Multiculturalism is best known as a policy of the federal government in Canada, and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act only covers federal departments and agencies. However, versions of the policy have been adopted as well by provincial and municipal governments, and even by businesses and civil society organizations, which is a testament to multiculturalism's “long march through the institutions,” as socialists used to put it. Standing at the apex of this field of multiculturalism policies is the multiculturalism clause of the Constitution Act, 1982. Section 27 of the Constitution Act states that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms will be “interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.” This clause does not guarantee that multiculturalism policies will exist in perpetuity in Canada, or that the funds available for these programs will not be cut, but it does provide some symbolic affirmation of the public commitment to the goals of multiculturalism, and serves to place it above the fray of partisan politics.

This, then, is a brief outline of the basic contours of Canada's policy toward immigrant/ethnic diversity, and the shift from racial exclusion and cultural assimilation to race-neutral admissions and multicultural integration. This shift was remarkably quick, given the breadth of changes involved. The initial demands by ethnic groups for a “multiculturalism” policy arose in the mid 1960s, it was declared official public policy in 1971, and the administrative framework for implementing the program had been worked out by the mid 1970s. So the new contours of this first diversity silo essentially took shape between 1965 and 1975. Although the policy was (and remains) contested, for reasons I discuss later, it quickly became so embedded in Canadian political life that it was seen as appropriate to enshrine a multiculturalism clause in the Constitution in 1982. In short, multiculturalism went from being the bold idea of a few ethnic organizations in 1965 to being part of the supreme law of the land in 1982, and has since been reaffirmed in 1988 and 1997 with only minor changes in emphasis.

Aboriginal Peoples

The second set of policies concerns the rights and status of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada—the Indians, Inuit, and Métis. In the past, Canada, like all British settler states, had the goal and expectation that its indigenous peoples would eventually disappear as distinct communities, as a result of dying out, intermarriage, emigration into the cities, and cultural assimilation. Various policies were adopted to speed up this process, such as stripping indigenous peoples of their lands; encouraging residential schooling of children away from their communities; restricting the practice of their traditional culture, language, and religion; requiring cultural assimilation as a condition of acquiring citizenship; and undermining their institutions of self-government (Armitage 1995 ; Cairns 2000 ). Any laws that gave Aboriginal people a separate legal or political status, such as the system of treaties and reserves, were seen as temporary paternalistic protections for a vulnerable population unable to cope with the rigors of modern life, until such time as they were ready to stand on their own as equal and undifferentiated Canadian citizens.

However, there has been a dramatic reversal in these policies, a change that started in 1969 in response to the federal government's white paper on Indian policy (Government of Canada 1969 ). The white paper declared (in effect) that the need for paternalistic protections had passed, and that it was time for Aboriginal people to trade in their special status for the common rights of citizenship as individual Canadians. It therefore proposed to abolish existing treaties with Indians on the grounds that it was inappropriate and anachronistic for the state to stand in a treaty relationship with a section of its own citizens. It also proposed eliminating any special legal status of Indians on the grounds that this was inconsistent with norms of equality. In response, Aboriginal peoples engaged in massive political mobilization to protect their Aboriginal lands, treaties, and rights. They argued that these provisions were not inherently or originally paternalistic. On the contrary, they arose as a result of the exercise of Aboriginal autonomy (in other words, they reflected solemn and consensual agreements between Aboriginal peoples and Europeans), and formed the legal and material basis for ongoing Aboriginal autonomy into the future.

The federal government quickly backed down, and the Aboriginal position was subsequently strengthened by a string of developments in the early 1970s, including the Supreme Court's recognition of Aboriginal title in the 1973 Calder decision; 7 the 1974 Mackenzie Valley pipeline inquiry's conclusion that resource development must respect Aboriginal interests and Aboriginal consent (Berger 1977 ); and the 1975 James Bay Agreement with the Quebec Inuit and Cree, affirming both land rights and self-government powers.

It is difficult to exaggerate the shift in thinking about Aboriginal policy that took place in these few years. In 1969, the federal government was proposing to abolish existing treaties and denying that Aboriginal peoples should be seen as having any distinctive political status. By 1975, the government was not only promising to uphold old treaties, it was starting the process of signing new treaties and agreements, because treaties appropriately reflect the distinctive status of Aboriginal communities as self-governing peoples. Since then we have seen a battery of legal and political processes (land claims commissions, self-government negotiations, constitutional conferences, parliamentary committees, royal commissions) attempting to work out the implications of this new approach. Important moments include the constitutional entrenchment of Aboriginal rights in sections 25 and 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, which not only affirmed “existing treaty and Aboriginal rights” but also extended constitutional protection to any land claims settlements or treaty rights that would be acquired in the future; the House of Common's Penner Report in 1983, which formally endorsed the principle of an Aboriginal right to self-government (Canada 1983 ); and the inclusion of the principle of an Aboriginal right to self-government in the 1992 Charlottetown Accord. Although the referendum on the Accord failed, the federal government has since declared that it will operate on the assumption that a right to self-government is implicit in the “existing Aboriginal rights” affirmed in the Constitution. This position was affirmed by the massive five-volume Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in 1996 (RCAP 1996 ), and underpins the creation of Nunavut in 1999.

This, then, is a brief sketch of the Canadian approach to Aboriginal peoples, and the shift from paternalism/assimilation to self-government. The Canadian government today accepts, at least in principle, the idea that Aboriginal peoples will exist into the indefinite future as distinct societies within Canada, and that they must have the land claims, treaty rights, cultural rights, and self-government rights needed to sustain themselves as distinct societies. As with multiculturalism, the changes involved were dramatic and quick. The new contours of this second diversity silo were provisionally sketched out between 1969 and 1975. This shift was (and remains) contested in Canada. 8 But, as with multiculturalism, it quickly became so embedded in Canadian political life that it was felt appropriate to entrench it in the Constitution in 1982, and subsequent reports and constitutional proposals have reaffirmed it.

Francophones/Québécois

The third set of policies concerns the “French fact” in Canada—in other words, the status of the French-speaking communities that were initially established during the period of French colonialism, centered in Quebec and New Brunswick, but with long-standing settlements in many parts of Canada. When the British defeated the French to gain control over “New France,” they were faced with the question of what to do with a long-settled French Canadian population that was accustomed to operating within its own full set of legal, political, and educational institutions, and that was deeply attached to these institutions. These institutions were shaped by the distinct language, culture, and religion of the French Canadians, and served to reproduce a distinct national identity. In short, the British were confronted with the challenge of a “nation within”—in other words, a historically settled and regionally concentrated group with members who conceive of themselves as a “nation” within a larger state, and who give (varying levels of) support to nationalist movements that mobilize to defend their autonomous institutions and to achieve recognition of their distinct national identity.

The British rulers were nervous about the existence of such a “nation within.” The presence of such a group has been seen by most states as a threat, putting into question the legitimate authority of the state to speak for and govern all of its citizens and territory. As a result, western countries historically have attempted to suppress these forms of substate nationalism, through restricting minority language rights, abolishing traditional forms of local or regional self-government, and encouraging members of the dominant group to settle in the minority group's territory so that the minority becomes outnumbered even in its traditional homeland.

The British, too, tried this strategy in relation to French Canadians, first under the Royal Proclamation of 1763, and then again under the Act of Union of 1841, in the hope that the French would be swamped by, or assimilated into, a British settler society. But it failed miserably in both cases, and by the time of Confederation, it was clear that the national aspirations of the French would have to be accommodated through a framework of federalism and bilingualism. Federalism involved (re)establishing the French-majority province of Quebec as a political space within Canada where the French would be masters of their own home and could sustain their own institutions. Bilingualism guaranteed the use of the French language not only in Quebec, but also in the federal Parliament and courts to ensure equal opportunities for the French at the federal level.

This basic framework of provincial autonomy and federal bilingualism remains in place today, and in that sense the third diversity silo has longer historical roots than either Aboriginal rights or immigrant multiculturalism policies. However, this apparent continuity is potentially misleading, for here, too, there have been dramatic changes in the past forty years. By the early 1960s, it had become clear that the sort of provincial autonomy and federal bilingualism available under the BNA Act was inadequate. Bilingualism in the federal government, for example, had not enabled equal opportunities for francophones. On the contrary, bilingualism was largely token—the federal government operated almost exclusively in English and, as a result, French Canadians were seriously underrepresented in the federal civil service. Similarly, provincial autonomy had not enabled the French to be masters in their own home. On the contrary, they were second-class citizens in their own province, economically subordinate to the English elite that had been privileged under British rule, and relegated to the lower rungs of the economy. The accommodations built into the BNA Act were sufficient to prevent assimilation, and to avoid the “Louisianization” of Quebec, but were not sufficient to ensure either linguistic equality or national autonomy.

Faced with this situation, modernizing elites in Quebec in the 1960s engaged in a twofold struggle: (1) to acquire and exercise the powers of provincial autonomy needed to improve the educational and economic opportunities for the francophone majority within Quebec, and to make the French language a language of opportunity and mobility in society; and (2) to achieve real, as opposed to merely token, linguistic equality within the federal government. In both cases, there was the implicit (and sometimes explicit) threat that if these goals were not achieved, secession was the likely result. If equality and autonomy could not be achieved within Canada, they would be achieved outside Canada, as two equal sovereign states.

The basic legitimacy of these two goals was accepted by the federal government's Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, established in 1963, and a series of reforms were enacted to help achieve them. On the bilingualism front, the key reform was the 1969 Official Languages Act, which created one of the strongest systems of federal bilingualism in the world, in terms of the duties it imposes on the federal government to accommodate the use of both languages in its administration and public services. This commitment to full linguistic equality was enshrined in sections 16 through 20 and 23 of the 1982 Constitution, reaffirmed in the 1988 revision to the Official Languages Act, and strengthened once again in the 2003 Action Plan for Official Languages.

On the provincial autonomy front, a series of intergovernmental agreements have been signed to strengthen Quebec's autonomy, starting with the 1964 agreement to allow Quebec to run its own pension scheme (which was crucial in enabling the modernization of the economy), and the 1977 Cullen-Couture agreement to allow Quebec to run its own immigration program (which was crucial in ensuring that immigration was a benefit, not a threat, to Quebec's francophone majority). This commitment to honoring Quebec's distinctive needs for provincial autonomy is also implicitly reflected in the 1982 Constitution, with its constitutional guarantees for compensation in case of transfer of jurisdiction over language and culture (section 40), and its reservation concerning education in Quebec so as to protect Bill 101 (section 59). Since then, further intergovernmental agreements have been reached with Quebec to protect and expand its autonomy, most recently the 2004 health care agreement. The federal government has also made other efforts to affirm Quebec's distinctiveness and protect its autonomy, such as the 1995 parliamentary resolution recognizing Quebec as a “distinct society,” the 1996 Constitutional Amendments Act granting Quebec a veto over future constitutional changes, and the 2006 parliamentary resolution recognizing Quebec as “a nation.” As a result of these developments, Canada today has one of the most decentralized federal systems in the world, ensuring Quebec a high level of autonomy that it has effectively used to improve the status and opportunities of its historically disadvantaged francophone majority.

There remain disagreements within the federal government about how best to satisfy Quebec's aspirations for autonomy. Some have endorsed “asymmetrical” agreements that would grant powers to Quebec that are not available to other provinces; others have argued that any powers offered to Quebec must be offered to other provinces. Some have endorsed amending the Constitution to confirm Quebec's increased autonomy (as occurred with the 1964 pension agreement); others have argued that nonconstitutional intergovernmental agreements are sufficient to satisfy Quebec's legitimate interests. But despite these disagreements about strategy, there has been a broad consensus, from 1964 to today, that the federal government must not be seen to be trampling on Quebec's autonomy and must be willing to negotiate a more “cooperative,” “flexible,” or “renewed” federalism in response to Quebec's aspirations.

This, then, is a brief outline of Canada's approach to “the French fact,” and the shift from second-class citizenship to full linguistic equality and strong provincial autonomy to accommodate the national(ist) aspirations of a “distinct society” within the state. Here again, this shift was fairly quick. The new contours of this third diversity silo were essentially put in place between 1964 and 1977. This shift was (and remains) contested. But as with multiculturalism and Aboriginal rights, it quickly became so embedded in Canadian political life that core elements of this package were included in the 1982 Constitution, and subsequent developments have largely affirmed it.

The extent to which this model has been constitutionalized is more contested than in the first two cases. Official bilingualism is explicitly enshrined in the Charter, and sections 40 and 59 are clearly a response to Quebec's concerns about provincial autonomy. But attempts to include a reference in the Constitution to Quebec's distinctiveness, as proposed in both the 1987 Meech Lake Accord and 1992 Charlottetown Accord, have been decisively rejected by Canadians. The idea of formally entrenching in the constitution any principle of “asymmetry,” “special status,” or “distinct society” (let alone “nationhood”) for Quebec remains wildly unpopular in most of Canada.

Despite these constitutional rebuffs, the federal government has declared that its approach to federal–provincial relations will be premised on the assumption that Quebec is a “nation” and a “distinct society” within Canada, thereby confirming what is clear to any observer. Whatever the constitutional niceties, the federal government has understood the need to negotiate Quebec's claims for autonomy, particularly when these are seen as essential to Quebec's national project, if only because refusing to do so would likely increase support for secession.

Even more striking, the Supreme Court said, in its 1998 Secession Reference, that Quebec's distinctness must be taken into account in interpreting the Constitution, that protecting its distinctness is one of the justifications for federalism in Canada, and that failure to honor this constitutional value could provide legitimate grounds for secession. This is as close as one could come to the de facto constitutionalization of the third diversity silo. 9

Explaining the Canadian Model

This overview of the three diversity silos is highly schematic, ignoring a multitude of advances and retreats in response to shifting political coalitions and public opinion. The funding for multiculturalism programs goes up and down, the federal government toughens and relaxes its bargaining position when negotiating Aboriginal land claims, the commitment to strengthen federal bilingualism waxes and wanes, as does the openness to negotiate new agreements with Quebec.

However, these short-term variations should not obscure the fact that there has been a dramatic shift in the baseline from which these advances and retreats are made. The federal government may play hardball when negotiating Aboriginal land claims, for example, but the obligation to negotiate land claims is now constitutionally entrenched, as are the principles of multiculturalism and bilingualism. There is no route back to the 1969 Indian white paper, or to the Anglo-conformity model of immigrant incorporation, or to the days when francophone Quebecers were hewers of wood and drawers of water and were excluded from the corridors of power.

In short, there has been a tidal wave of reform in the field of diversity policies. Canada's current policies are, in large part, the result of a wave of reform that was concentrated essentially in a single decade, from 1965 to 1975. For all three types of diversity, this wave overturned the presuppositions of earlier policies, and defined the basic parameters of multiculturalism, Aboriginal self-government, and bilingualism/provincial autonomy that remain with us today.

What explains this wave of reform? I believe that the answer lies in a broader process of liberalization. The decade between 1965 and 1975 was the most concentrated period of social and political liberalization that Canada has witnessed. That decade witnessed liberalizing reforms across virtually the entire range of social policy—liberalizing abortion laws, access to contraception, and divorce laws; abolishing the death penalty; prohibiting gender and religious discrimination; and decriminalizing homosexuality, among many other such reforms. This era is often characterized as reflecting a “human rights revolution” in Canada, and indeed it witnessed the establishment of human rights commissions in virtually every province, and at the federal level in 1977. Others have characterized it as the triumph of a “rights-based liberalism,” or a “civil rights liberalism,” in Canada. The reform of diversity policies, I believe, is simply one more example of this liberalization, inspired by the same liberal ideals and principles, and enacted by the same liberal reformist coalitions.

Indeed, Canada's diversity policies must be understood in the context of the global human rights revolution. In 1948, through the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the international order decisively repudiated older ideas of a racial or ethnic hierarchy, according to which some peoples were superior to others and thereby had the right to rule over them. It is important to remember how radical this postwar commitment to ethnic and racial equality is. Assumptions about a hierarchy of peoples were widely accepted throughout the West up until World War II, when Hitler's fanatical and murderous policies discredited them. Indeed, the whole system of colonialism was premised on the assumption of a hierarchy of peoples, and it was the explicit basis of both domestic policies and international law throughout the nineteenth century and first half of the twentieth century (such as Canada's racially exclusionary immigration laws).

Since 1948, however, we live in a world where the idea of human equality is unquestioned, at least officially, and this has generated a series of political movements designed to contest the lingering presence or enduring effects of older ethnic and racial hierarchies. We can identify a sequence of such movements. The first was decolonization, from roughly 1948 to 1966. Some western countries that signed the UDHR did not believe that endorsing the principle of the equality of peoples would require them to give up their colonies (for example, France, Spain, Portugal), but this position was unsustainable. The second stage was racial desegregation, from roughly 1955 to 1965, initiated by the African American civil rights struggles. When the United States signed the UDHR in 1948, it did not believe that this would require abandoning its segregationist laws, but this position, too, became unsustainable. The African American civil rights struggle subsequently inspired historically subordinated ethnocultural groups around the world to engage in their own forms of struggle against the lingering presence of ethnic and racial hierarchies. We can see this in the way indigenous peoples adopted the rhetoric of “Red Power,” or in the way national minorities (such as the Québécois, or Catholics in Northern Ireland) called themselves “white niggers” (Vallières 1971 ), or in the way Caribbean immigrants to the United Kingdom adopted the rhetoric and legal strategies of American blacks (Modood 2003 ). All these movements were profoundly influenced by American ideas of civil rights liberalism, and its commitment to defend equality for disadvantaged and stigmatized minorities through the enforcement of countermajoritarian rights.

However, as civil rights liberalism spread, it also had to adapt to the actual challenges facing different types of minorities around the world. For American theorists, the very idea of “civil rights” and “equality” have been interpreted through the lens of antidiscrimination in general and racial desegregation in particular. For most American theorists, the sorts of countermajoritarian rights that civil rights liberalism must defend are therefore rights to undifferentiated citizenship within a “civic nation” that transcends ethnic, racial, and religious differences.

In most countries, however, the sorts of minorities needing protection are different, and so, too, are the sorts of civil and political rights they require. African Americans were involuntarily segregated, solely on the basis of their race, and excluded from common institutions that they often wanted to join. Many minorities, however, are in the opposite position; they have been involuntarily assimilated, stripped of their own language, culture, and self-governing institutions. They, too, have faced oppression at the hands of their cocitizens and have had their civil rights denied to them, often with the enthusiastic backing of large majorities, on the grounds of their inferiority or backwardness. They, too, need countermajoritarian protections. However, the form these protections take is not solely antidiscrimination and undifferentiated citizenship, but rather various group-specific accommodations. In the Canadian context, as we have seen, these include bilingualism and provincial autonomy (for the Québécois), land claims and treaty rights (for Aboriginal peoples), and various multicultural accommodations (for immigrant/ethnic groups). The struggle for these differentiated minority rights in Canada must be understood, I believe, as a local adaptation of civil rights liberalism, and hence as a third stage in the unfolding of the human rights revolution in the sphere of ethnic and racial relations.

Viewed this way, Canada's diversity policies are centrally concerned with the constructing of liberal democratic citizens in a multiethnic state. They are forms of “citizenization,” in sociological jargon. They start from the reality that ethnocultural and religious diversity in Canada has historically been defined by a range of illiberal relationships—including relations of conqueror and conquered, colonizer and colonized, settler and indigenous, racialized and unmarked, normalized and deviant, civilized and backward, ally and enemy, master and slave—and that this complex history will inevitably generate group-differentiated ethnopolitical claims. However, they seek to transform this catalog of uncivil relationships into relations of liberal—democratic citizenship, both in terms of the vertical relationship between the members of minorities and the state, and the horizontal relationships among the members of different groups. This project of citizenization is inspired and guided by the global postwar trends in human rights and civil rights liberalism.

Of course, this immediately raises a puzzle. If Canada's diversity policies are rooted in global trends regarding human rights and political liberalization, why do we not see the same trends in other countries that have similarly been influenced by the human rights revolution? Why is Canada so distinctive in its commitment to accommodating diversity?

The short answer is that Canada is less distinctive than it appears. All three of the trends are replicated across the western democracies. For example, all western democracies that contain indigenous peoples have moved in the direction of greater recognition of land rights and self-government (for example, for Native American tribes in the United States, Maori in New Zealand, Aboriginal people in Australia, Sami in Scandinavia, Greenlanders in Denmark). Similarly, most western democracies that contain substate nationalist movements have accorded autonomy and language rights to their substate national groups (for example, Catalonia and the Basque Country, Flanders, Scotland and Wales, South Tyrol, Puerto Rico). And with respect to immigrant groups, all of the traditional countries of immigration, like Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Britain, have shifted from discriminatory to race-neutral admissions and naturalization policies, and from an assimilationist to a more multicultural conception of integration. 10 In all these cases, broader processes of liberalization and human rights reform have pushed countries in the direction of acknowledging minority rights, creating a global wave of minority rights reforms (Kymlicka 2007b ).

What distinguishes Canada, therefore, is not primarily the adoption of diversity policies, but rather the centrality that these policies have come to play in Canada's collective life and collective identity. For one thing, Canada is unusual in having to deal with all three forms of diversity. Australia and New Zealand, for example, have been grappling with issues of immigration and indigenous peoples, but have no substate nationalist movements. Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, and Britain, by contrast, have been grappling with issues of both substate nationalism and immigration, but have no indigenous peoples. Canada is unusual in having to confront all three issues at the same time.

Moreover, and more important, Canada is distinctive in the extent to which it has not only legislated but also constitutionalized its practices of accommodation. Its commitment to multiculturalism is enshrined not only in statutory legislation, but also in section 27 of the Constitution Act. No other western country has constitutionalized multiculturalism. Similarly, Canada's commitments to Aboriginal and treaty rights are constitutionalized in a stronger or more explicit fashion than most western countries. That has been the case as well with Canada's commitments to federalism and official language rights.

This decision to constitutionalize practices of accommodation is one example of a more general feature of the Canadian experience—namely, the decision to highlight these practices in the national identity and national narratives. Although the actual practices of accommodation in Canada may not be that distinctive, Canada is unusual in the extent to which these practices have been built into its symbols and narratives of nationhood. Canadians tell each other that accommodating diversity is an important part of the Canadian identity, a defining feature of the country. This is quite unlike the United States, for example. In practice, the United States accords self-government and treaty rights to Native Americans, regional autonomy and language rights to Puerto Rico, and multicultural accommodations to immigrant groups, but these are peripheral to the self-conception of most Americans and are not considered defining features of the American national narrative. Americans accommodate diversity in practice, but they do not shout that fact from the rooftop, the way Canadians often do. 11

Indeed, it is precisely this fact—the centrality of diversity to Canada's national identity—that is the source of such interest internationally. Many countries have experimented with policies to accommodate ethnic minorities, but rarely have these policies become part of the majority's self-identity. Policies of multiculturalism, bilingualism, and Aboriginal rights are no longer seen by mainstream Canadians as policies that are adopted solely for “them,” but rather are seen as part of who “we” are. To be sure, it would be a mistake to exaggerate the depth of support for these policies, or to ignore the potential for backlash and retreat. But in comparison with most other countries, Canada's diversity policies appear to have taken root in a deeper way. This is attested not only by the higher level of public support for multiculturalism and minority rights in Canada compared with other countries, or the higher levels of expressed comfort with ethnic and racial diversity (Adams 2007 ), but also by the cross-party consensus on these matters. Most of the key decisions regarding reforms to diversity policies over the past forty years have been endorsed by all three major national parties, on the Left (New Democrats), center (Liberal), and Right (Conservative). None of these parties has attempted in recent years to win votes by “playing the race card” or by adopting antiminority political platforms.

This contrasts with the intense partisan manipulation of issues of race, immigration, and diversity in most other countries. Across the western democracies, antiminority parties and movements have been able to draw significant support from members of the majority who feel threatened by the increasing diversity of their societies. As a result, even when other countries have adopted diversity policies that are similar in some respects to Canada's, they have often been subject to greater public backlash. The dramatic retreat from multiculturalism in the Netherlands is a case in point, as are the significant if less dramatic retreats in the case of Britain and Australia.

Explanations differ regarding why there has been less “white backlash” against diversity in Canada. Some attribute it to a long-standing ethos of tolerance in Canada, dating back to the colonial-era habits of coexistence among Aboriginal peoples, French, and British. Others argue that the reform of diversity policies in the 1960s happened to coincide with a time when English Canada was casting off its earlier self-conception as a loyal outpost of the British Empire, and was looking for a new way of asserting its distinctness and independence from both the United States and the United Kingdom. In this context, the idea of “multiculturalism within a bilingual framework” provided English Canadians with a new national identity and national purpose that could anchor feelings of pride and belonging. 12 And yet others attribute the absence of backlash to a range of contingent factors relating to Canada's distinctive economic and geopolitical context. 13

Future Challenges

Whatever the explanation, it seems clear that the adoption of diversity policies, and their inclusion into the national narrative, has been a smoother process in Canada than in most other countries. What is less clear, however, is whether this apparent national consensus on diversity policies is stable. The 2007 provincial election in Quebec—where the Action démocratique du Québec played the anti-immigrant card with some success—has been interpreted as the first signs that the “white worriers” who have mobilized against diversity in other countries remain a potent potential force in Canada as well. 14

There are indeed many sources of anxiety about the future of diversity policies in Canada. I cannot address them all here. Because Aboriginal peoples and Quebec are addressed in other chapters in this book, let me focus on two unresolved issues regarding immigrant multiculturalism. The first concerns the relationship between multiculturalism and human rights liberalism. As I noted earlier, the initial impetus for multiculturalism emerged as part of a larger human rights revolution in Canada, aimed at challenging inherited ethnic and racial hierarchies. In this sense, it was seen as a progressive and emancipatory cause, and was supported by the same left-Liberal segment of public opinion that also championed the rights of women or gays. But it has become clear that the idea of multiculturalism can also be used (or abused) to try to defend cultural practices that are oppressive rather than emancipatory—for example, practices of forced arranged marriages, or female genital cutting, or the imposition of gender-biased religious family law. Multiculturalism, in short, can be invoked not to contest inherited hierarchies and inequalities between immigrants and the mainstream society, but rather to defend inherited hierarchies within the immigrant community in the name of cultural authenticity or religious orthodoxy. This concern became particularly prominent in Ontario in 2005, with the proposal for recognition of sharia-based family law arbitration.

In reality, attempts to invoke multiculturalism to defend such illiberal practices have been uniformly rejected in Canada. The multiculturalism policy is clearly framed as part of a larger human rights agenda, and principles of gender equality and human rights are clearly articulated within the policy. From a legal point of view, there is no possibility that multiculturalism can be invoked to justify abridging the rights of women or children within immigrant communities. But determining the precise “limits of tolerance” remains a difficult and unresolved issue, in Canada as in all western democracies.

A second concern is that multiculturalism is more about the symbolic recognition of diversity, rather than any genuine inclusion of immigrants into the larger economic and political structures in Canada. This is a long-standing criticism of multiculturalism—that it is a “feel-good” policy that leaves untouched the real hierarchies of power. Indeed, critics argue this is precisely why so many white English Canadians endorse diversity policies, because these policies have left their real power untouched (Day 2000 ).

There is indeed growing evidence that recent immigrants are having difficulty in the labor market, that nonwhite Canadians continue to face an “ethnic penalty” in comparison with white Canadians who have similar credentials and work experience, and that many second-generation visible minority Canadians continue to experience discrimination (Reitz and Banarjee 2007 ). So Canada is far from a utopia for many immigrant/ethnic groups, and multiculturalism by itself seems unable to remedy these obstacles to inclusion.

On the other hand, there is also growing evidence that immigrants integrate into the political process more quickly and effectively in Canada than in other countries. In an interesting recent study entitled Becoming a Citizen , Irene Bloemraad (2006) compared the political integration of Portuguese and Vietnamese immigrants in Toronto and Boston, and noted that those in Toronto are having more success in “becoming a citizen,” not just in the legal sense of naturalizing, but in the substantive sense of participating and feeling a sense of political efficacy. She attributes this differential result in large part to Canada's multiculturalism policy, which encourages and funds the self-organization and self-representation of ethnic groups, and helps nurture a cadre of effective community leaders.

This illustrates my earlier comment that Canada's diversity policies are fundamentally about “citizenization.” I think we can find comparable evidence of citizenship building from the Aboriginal and French silos as well, where diversity policies have enhanced the political participation of groups that were previously excluded or underrepresented politically (Kymlicka 2007a ). In short, diversity policies are not a panacea for the full range of economic and social disadvantages that ethnic minorities suffer in Canada, nor are they simply a matter of feel-good symbolic recognition. At their best, they help to construct new relations of democratic citizenship, which in turn create the political space for ongoing contestation about the future of ethnic relations in Canada.

More recent research has cast doubt on some of these claims about the negative effects of ethnic heterogeneity. For overviews, see Fearon and Laitin (2003) , Alesina and LeFerrara (2005) , and Fish and Brooks (2004) .

There are no universally accepted terms to designate different types of ethnocultural groups. In this chapter, I am distinguishing (1) ethnocultural groups with roots in Canada that predate European colonization (“Aboriginal peoples”), (2) ethnocultural groups rooted in projects of European colonizing settlement (French and British), and (3) ethnocultural groups that have emerged in Canada as a result of immigration. In Canadian discourse, the term ethnic groups is often reserved for the latter category, although all of them qualify as ethnic groups as that term is defined by most academic social scientists. It would be more accurate, therefore, to describe this third category as “ethnic groups formed through immigration.” As shorthand, I will use the term immigrant/ethnic group , although it is important to emphasize that many members of these groups may be second-, third-, or fourth-generation descendants of the original immigrants.

See 2001 Census figures in Statistics Canada 2003a . A more detailed breakdown of ethnic origins was done as part of the 2002 Ethnic Diversity Survey, summarized in Statistics Canada 2003b .

This is often called the Anglo-conformity model of immigration. Historically, only a small number of immigrants integrated into the French-speaking society in Quebec, and prior to the 1970s, immigration was not seen as a tool of nation building in Quebec the way it was viewed in English Canada.

These are taken from Prime Minister Trudeau's statement to Parliament declaring the multiculturalism policy in 1971 (Trudeau 1971 , 8546).

For the origins of the multiculturalism policy, see Jaworsky (1979) and Day (2000) . For the twenty-five-year review, see Brighton Report (1996) and commentary in Kordan (1997) . For the most recent annual report on the operation of the multiculturalism policy, see Government of Canada 2007 .

As Borrows ( 2001 , 18) puts it, this decision invited Canadians to “seriously contemplate the possibility that aboriginal peoples would be a permanent part of the political and legal landscape.”

For a critique of this shift, see Flanagan (2000) , who argues that the increasing recognition of Aboriginal group rights is both a violation of liberal principles of equal citizenship and a counterproductive strategy, condemning Aboriginal peoples to poverty and marginalization.

In the Secession Reference, the Supreme Court laid down the principles and procedures that should apply in the event of an attempt by Quebec to secede from Canada. Although denying that Quebec has a unilateral right to secede, the Court stated that the underlying values of the Constitution generate a duty on the part of the federal government to negotiate in good faith regarding the aspirations of Quebecers.

There are differences in how formal this shift to multiculturalism has been. In Australia and New Zealand, as in Canada, this shift was officially marked by the declaration of a multicultural policy by the central government. But even in the United States, we see similar changes on the ground. The United States does not have an official policy of multiculturalism at the federal level, but if we look at lower levels of government, such as states or cities, we will find a broad range of multiculturalism policies. State-level policies regarding the education curriculum, for example, or city-level policies regarding policing or hospitals, are often indistinguishable from the way provinces and cities in Canada deal with issues of immigrant ethnocultural diversity. As Glazer (1997) puts it, “we are all multiculturalists now.” It is important to note, however, that multiculturalism has not taken hold in countries that do not view themselves as “immigrant countries,” such as most countries in continental Europe. These countries may contain large numbers of “foreigners,” in the form of illegal economic migrants, asylum seekers, or guest workers, but these groups were not initially admitted as part of an immigration policy or as future citizens. As a mode of “citizenization,” multiculturalism only becomes a meaningful option when migrants are seen as citizens, not foreigners.

As Joppke ( 2002 , 250) puts it, countries can adopt diversity policies without this being “written on the forehead of the state.”

See McRoberts (1997) for an analysis of how bilingualism and multiculturalism, although primarily intended to encourage minorities to feel a sense of attachment to Canada, have in fact become sources of pride and identification among majority English Canadians, in part as a replacement for an obsolete British identity.

For example, the fact that Canada is economically dependent on immigration, the fact that Canada is not threatened by neighboring enemies who seek to destabilize the state by encouraging disloyal minorities, the fact that Canada does not face the threat of large-scale illegal immigration, and so on. I explore these explanations in Kymlicka (2004) .

After the 2007 election, a commission established by the Quebec government held a series of public town hall meetings to discuss the issue of the “reasonable accommodation” of cultural differences. These meetings of the Consultation Commission on Accommodation Practices Related to Cultural Differences—also known as the Bouchard-Taylor Commission—revealed a high level of anxiety about the growing diversity of Quebec society. In its final report, however, released in May 2008, the Commission defended the need to accommodate diversity and rejected calls for a retreat from existing practices of accommodation (Quebec 2008 ). For discussions of the “white backlash” and “white worrier” phenomenon in other countries, see Hewitt (2005) and Bulbeck (2004) .

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Jaworsky, John . 1979. A Case Study of the Canadian Federal Government's Multiculturalism Policy . Masters thesis, Department of Political Science, Carleton University.

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Kordan, Bohdan . 1997 . Multiculturalism, citizenship and the Canadian nation. Canadian Ethnic Studies 29(2): 135–143.

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—— . 2007 a. Ethnocultural diversity in a liberal state: Making sense of the Canadian model(s). In Belonging? Diversity, Recognition and Shared Citizenship in Canada , ed. Keith Banting , Thomas Courchene , and Leslie Seidle , 39–86. Montreal: Institute for Research on Public Policy.

—— . 2007 b. Multicultural Odysseys: Navigating the New International Politics of Diversity . Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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Fact-based journalism that sparks the Canadian conversation

Canadian Multiculturalism: A Work in Progress

As we mark fifty years since the adoption of Canada’s federal multiculturalism policy, human rights advocate Amira Elghawaby celebrates its merits and reflects on the work that is yet to be done when it comes to inclusion, acceptance, and fighting systemic racism in our country

I ’ve often joked that many of us have drunk the Kool-Aid, one with a distinctly Canadian flavour called “multiculturalism.”

In fact, the sentiment that people of a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures could happily fit into Canada while holding on to, even celebrating, the aspects of their identities that make them who they are has long informed my life’s trajectory.

Multiculturalism has marked many of my formative experiences growing up as the daughter of Egyptian immigrants. In elementary school, I was encouraged to share information about my faith and culture with my peers. In high school, I was the president of the multicultural club at our incredibly diverse school overseeing an annual cultural showcase that attracted hundreds of young people and their families; families who were thrilled to see their home countries celebrated by their teenagers on stage.

While it has become a somewhat contentious concept over the years, multiculturalism remains a cherished belief for me, and for so many people who have long called this country home, or who have arrived more recently to build, or rebuild, their lives here.

And yet, looking at the history books, one could easily assume that Canadian multiculturalism happened by accident.

In 1963, then-Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson was trying to figure out how to stave off a national unity crisis threatening to tear society apart across linguistic lines. At the core of the crisis was mounting resentment by Quebecers toward Anglophone dominance, concerns about the preservation of their culture and language, and growing separatist sentiment.

Pearson created the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism “to explore issues relating to the languages and cultures of the English- and French-speaking ‘founding peoples’ of Canada.”

But that narrow vision didn’t go over well with members of Canada’s ethnocultural groups, and so commissioners were also asked to “report on the cultural contribution of other ethnic groups and how to preserve this.”

The concept of Canada as a “mosaic” rather than a “melting pot” had been posited early on in author John Murray Gibbon’s award-winning book Canadian Mosaic: The Making of a Northern Nation, published in 1938. Gibbon imagined various cultures holding on to their identities while contributing to the country’s progress. This thinking was furthered by Canadian sociologist John Porter in his study Vertical Mosaic: An Analysis of Social Class and Power in Canada.

As for the notion of an American melting pot, it emerged from a play by that name first staged in 1908 in Washington, DC. It depicted the story of a Russian Jewish family that survived a pogrom and immigrated to the US, longing for a society where identities melt away so as not to cause the types of deadly divisions experienced back home. The concept became synonymous with cultural assimilation.

So, while bilingualism was embraced, the Royal Commission rejected the idea of “biculturalism,” which was defined as referring to the existence of two principal cultures in Canada, those of the French and English—Indigenous and other communities were rendered practically invisible.

Instead of biculturalism, the commission helped to usher in a different kind of consciousness based on the mosaic: ethnocultural communities should be encouraged to maintain and celebrate their cultural heritage, while fully participating in Canadian life. The commission put it this way: “man is a thinking and sensitive being; severing him from his roots could destroy an aspect of his personality and deprive society of some of the values he can bring to it.”

These reflections nurtured the eventual articulation of a multiculturalism policy in 1971, exactly fifty years ago.

Cultural Perspectives

“I was born in Afghanistan, but my family fled that country and ended up in Canada in 1988 when I was eight years old. I also teach in an elementary school where most of the kids don’t speak English. The multiculturalism that Canada advertises doesn’t always trickle down, and many of the policies toward refugees don’t work in practice. That said, the reason I can criticize the government is because I was raised in Canada and was exposed to uniquely Canadian experiences. I have mixed feelings of having tremendous gratitude but also needing to advocate for voices that we rarely hear.”

Ajmer Darawal, Toronto, Ontario

That policy, the first of its kind in the world, would shape the country in ways that have both garnered worldwide admiration and attracted some criticism throughout the decades.

Half a century on, Canada as a mosaic continues to exist in the popular imagination of many of the first-generation immigrants who arrived in the initial waves of immigration following the policy’s establishment. Indeed, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, under whose watch the official policy came into effect, has long been a revered figure for many immigrant communities for the promise that the policy held for them and their families. It became a vision of Canada that was shared across a variety of partisan lines and promoted by various provincial governments, though was politically rejected in Quebec. (Quebec historian Gerard Bouchard instead introduced the concept of “interculturalism” as an alternative model for integration and the management of ethnocultural diversity. Within the intercultural model, cross-cultural engagement and acceptance are still respected and encouraged, but with French as the common language binding all groups.)

Following the adoption of the federal policy, Canada came to be considered worldwide as a country of immense potential, hope, and freedom; a place where families and individuals could hold on to who they were without having to assimilate into one narrow frame of what it meant to be “Canadian.”

Today, over 20 percent of the country’s population is foreign-born, with more and more people arriving in the country due to evolving immigration policies that have sought to make it easier to attract talented and skilled workers and their families.

“Canada rightly prides itself on its evolutionary tolerance for diversity and pluralism,” reads an excerpt from a 2007 Supreme Court ruling involving a couple’s faith-based marital dispute. “This journey has included a growing appreciation for multiculturalism, including the recognition that ethnic, religious or cultural differences will be acknowledged and respected. Endorsed in legal instruments ranging from the statutory protections found in human rights codes to their constitutional enshrinement in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the right to integrate into Canada’s mainstream based on and notwithstanding these differences has become a defining part of our national character.”

It would sadly take decades for the irony of the treatment of Indigenous children and communities to break through the public consciousness in the same way—the realization that, while a mosaic was upheld as a part of Canadian exceptionalism, in essence Canada was founded with the same assimilationist attitudes that characterized the colonial mindset evident throughout European settlement and colonization.

Furthermore, while the mistreatment and abuse of Indigenous communities and the genocide committed against them remains a horrific and painful legacy, one that begs sincere reconciliation and repair, it was in fact Indigenous teachings that helped nurture the view that we should see the “other” as part of an interconnected whole. As former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson noted in her book Belonging: The Paradox of Citizenship, the testimony of Chief John Kelly at the 1977 Royal Commission on the Northern Environment attested to this grand design.

“My parents immigrated here in the mid-1960s from South Africa and I was born in Manitoba. I’ve always been supportive of multiculturalism because it’s what makes my inclusion in Canadian society possible. Canada’s multiculturalism policy is not perfect, and growing up, our family often talked about our experiences with racism and how we coped with that. But on the other hand, a lot of the time Canada is a very pleasant and welcoming place and that’s the reason my whole family still lives here.”

Ian Samuels, Calgary, Alberta

“[. . .] as the years go by, the circle of the Ojibway gets bigger and bigger,” he said. “Canadians of all colours and religions are entering that circle. You might feel that you have roots somewhere else, but in reality, you are right here with us.”

Being “right here” together has indeed translated into better outcomes for immigrants to Canada who seem to integrate far more quickly than their American counterparts. That being said, there are some signs that people here in Canada are becoming increasingly aware we are far from living in a multicultural utopia.

On the one hand, there are polls like one released earlier this year by Ipsos, which asked people representing the demographics of the general adult population in twenty-eight countries, “to what extent do you agree or disagree that [your country] is divided by ‘culture wars?’”

Only 28 percent of people who responded in Canada identified a divide; we did far better than many other countries on this front. Up to 46 percent of respondents in Belgium, 38 percent in France, and 32 percent in Great Britain saw division. In the United States, over 50 percent of Americans said they believe their country is divided by culture wars. Yet, Canadians have nothing to be smug about. We’ve also seen disturbing surveys like one released a few years ago by Angus Reid and CBC that found that 68 percent of Canadian respondents thought people should assimilate rather than keep their own customs and languages.

A study by EKOS in 2019 found that while opposition to immigration remains low, there has been some ideological and partisan polarization on the issue, reflecting a shift toward “ordered populism,” which includes hostility to “outgroups” (i.e., immigrants) and “rests on the belief in a corrupt elite, and the idea that power needs to be wrested from this elite and returned to the people.”

This is evident in the growth of white supremacist groups, which have become increasingly active both on and off-line. It’s also evident in how people continue to be denied job opportunities and housing, and continue to be harassed, assaulted, and even killed because of their faith and racial identities.

The most significant threat to multiculturalism—declared dead in some parts of Europe—may be populism, which is on the rise here at home and globally.

Nevertheless, considering how reliant this nation remains on the arrival of people from around the world to continue to build and strengthen this country’s economic and social fabric, there is little doubt that Canada’s ever-growing circle must be one that is based on mutual respect and free from racism and discrimination.

I believe we can get there, despite the history we must confront, the reconciliation we owe Indigenous communities, and the ongoing work we will need to undertake to address the systemic racism plaguing our institutions; systemic racism which continues to prevent the full and equal participation of far too many of our friends, neighbours, colleagues, and fellow residents of Canada.

For many of us, this has been our life’s work, fuelled by the hope that we will one day live in a country that truly honours all of us.

Please pass the Kool-Aid.

Multiculturalism in Context

BY Elizabeth Chorney-Booth

Many countries around the world boast very specific national traits—be it America’s tales of rugged individualism or Italy’s rich culinary heritage. For Canadians, one of our biggest points of national pride hasn’t been highlighting what makes us different from other countries, but our ability to build a culture around a mosaic of the traditions immigrants bring from around the world.

As of 2021, multiculturalism has been on the books as an official policy for fifty years. The idea that anyone can come to this country and not only continue to practice but to share the customs that make their countries of origin special has been a key part of not just how the rest of the world views Canada, but how we see ourselves.

Multiculturalism Through the Years

Everyday Encounters

In our nation of immigrants, the traces of other cultures and countries are all around us, from the restaurant stalls that line our suburban strip malls to the party tunes floating from open windows on a warm summer night. Here, we look at just some of the ways we Canadians tend to experience multiculturalism in our daily lives.

by Jessica Wei

Just about every plate of food tells a story—especially in a country like Canada, where culinary tastes and traditions come from around the world, settle here, and then evolve based on locally available ingredients and changing trends.

As global food supply lines grow ever more sophisticated and waves of newcomers continue to fill out the demand for imported products, Canada’s cities have emerged as some of the most exciting dining scenes in the world.

From the Vietnamese-inspired “pizza” on Bánh xèo crepes at the Richmond Night Market, to the Berlin-style döner kebabs or Japanese soufflé pancakes at Toronto’s Kensington Market, to the myriad restaurants, take-out spots, and food stands serving up bold culinary twists on traditional Indian, Mexican, or Chinese dishes, Canadians are spoiled for choice when it comes to experiencing the foods of our immigrant cultures.

Food for thought

While people in Canada are blessed with a rich and varied landscape of cuisines to choose from, class and racial barriers continue to prevent many talented chefs of immigrant backgrounds from rising to the national stage. Meanwhile, the word “inspired”—like Middle Eastern-inspired, Thai-inspired, or Japanese-inspired—is often thrown around loosely, giving license to mostly white chefs working for large restaurant groups to co-opt elements of these cuisines while their POC cooks are relegated to junior positions in the kitchen.

BOOKS & FILM

Unlike the Nordic noir of Sweden and Denmark, there’s no dominant storytelling genre in Canada. Instead, our books and films are as diverse as they come, with tales that blend styles, weave in multiple languages, and spotlight communities from coast to coast.

Over the last half-century, prolific writers like Lawrence Hill, Dionne Brand, Lee Maracle, and Wayson Choy have penned poems and novels that have helped to expand Canada’s multicultural story, reflecting our rich diversity and its inherent conflicts.

And in recent years, more communities have come to colourful life through books, including Little Jamaica in Toronto (in the book Frying Plantain by Zalika Reid-Benta), the frozen tundra of small-town Nunavut (in Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq), and Vancouver’s Chinese community (in Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien).

Toronto’s Chinese community, meanwhile, has recently been given a mainstream spotlight through filmmaker Domee Shi’s short film for Disney, Bao, and the feature-length Turning Red. Shi joins a long line of filmmakers who have turned the lens on their unique diasporic identities in Canada, including Mina Shum, Nicolás Pereda, Atom Egoyan, and Deepa Mehta.

Point to ponder

Despite a stated desire to create pathways for diverse voices in the creative arts, Canada’s media and entertainment industries still struggle with barriers to access. According to statistics from the Canada Council for the Arts, racialized artists represent only 15 percent of all artists in the country, and racialized artists have a much lower median income than non-racialized artists. Ironically, the media continues to celebrate and popularize aspects of various cultures while sidelining many of the people who bring these rich traditions to the forefront.

Pre-colonization, the land echoed with the chanting and drumming of many First Nations people who believed that drumming was the heartbeat of Mother Earth. As European settlers arrived, they brought their musical traditions with them. The maritime fiddle music heard to this day in kitchen parties and weddings across the East Coast is a surviving tradition brought over by early Acadian, Irish, and Scottish settlers.

Meanwhile, Vancouver boasts a 150-year-old tradition of Cantonese opera, the largest scene of its kind outside of Hong Kong. And the jazz musicians who flocked to Canada in the early twentieth century to escape Prohibition and anti-Black racism in the US helped to create a legacy of jazz that is still celebrated through the country’s major jazz festivals, including the historic Halifax Jazz Festival, the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, and the TD Toronto Jazz Festival.

Deep roots, future sounds

The Polaris Music Prize is given to artists for putting out the best new record, as judged by an impartial jury of music insiders and writers. After addressing criticisms over the perceived lack of diversity in the award nominees and jurors—its first eight winners were white indie-rock and pop artists—the prize has finally settled into its original purpose: to fairly identify, for mainstream audiences, the most promising artists and map the future sound coming out of Canada.

In 2014, Tanya Tagaq, an Inuk throat singer from Nunavut, took home the prize. From there, winners have been more varied and boundary-pushing, from Jeremy Dutcher’s artful and moving tribute to his ancestral Wolastoqey language to Lido Pimienta’s Latin-pop output, which draws from her Afro-Colombian and Amerindian roots.

VISUAL ARTS

Art is everywhere—splashed onto the red brick of our neighbourhood alleyways, strung up on gallery walls, adorning our bodies, and bringing life to all of the interstitial places in between.

A neighbourhood’s public art often pays tribute to the area’s past, nodding to the traditions and cultural influences of its people. Take, for example, the statues of Sun Yat-sen greeting visitors to Chinatowns across our major cities. Or the large-scale murals honouring the late Portuguese fadista and icon Amália Rodrigues located in Little Portugals in both Toronto and Montreal and at the Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga.

In Canada’s public art realm, though, diasporic patriotism often doubles as a form of protest. The Chinatown Anti-Displacement Garden in Toronto was created partly as a statement against gentrification and urban development. And in Manitoba, the sculpture known as Kakigay-Pimitchy-Yoong Pimatizwin in Sagkeeng First Nation was created both to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and to protest centuries of neglect and abuse.

Multiculturalism and Reconciliation

Métis writer Danielle Paradis examines Canada’s multicultural policy through a modern Indigenous lens.

But fortune has not fallen equally among the people who live here. Five decades after Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s Liberal government adopted a formal multiculturalism policy, many Indigenous people are still searching for their identity within this land.

This is a country that thinks of itself as a model of multiculturalism for the world. One that defines itself to its school-aged citizens in opposition to the United States. We learn in early grades that in the US you have to assimilate into American culture. Here, instead, we are a cultural mosaic where all the bright tiles of diversity form a picture of tolerance. Canada was the first country in the world to adopt a multicultural policy, but it took until June 2021 for it to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In general, the notion of multiculturalism has proved to be a fairytale. Something that obscures slavery, Japanese internment camps, and other dark chapters of Canadian history. In 1996, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples wrote in its report, “a country cannot be built on a living lie.” The lie today is that Canada has always been a place that promotes tolerance and diversity. The multiculturalism policy that was promoted in 1971 was not designed to recognize Indigenous people. This promise of tolerance and formal equality was not extended to our inherent rights.

“I was born in Montreal. My mom is Chinese and my dad is Vietnamese. I was lucky enough to grow up in the Asian community with a good mix of everyone’s cultures. I could invite my Indian friends or French Canadian friends over to eat or I’d go to their homes to try their food. I was lucky, too, because of the location where I was living in Montreal—some of my other Asian friends did not have the same experience if they were living more remotely. I still live on the island of Montreal. It’s so diverse here—the city is an emblem of multiculturalism. I see it every day and can really vouch for it.”

Bellie Nguyen, Montreal, Quebec

For fifty years, our multiculturalism narrative has told a positive story of integration into a tolerant, liberal, and equal society. Yet even today, we live in a culture that prioritizes joining English and French settler societies. Our policies may be multicultural, but our institutions are not. We have Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state, Westminster-style legislatures, and towns, cities, rivers, and roads named after European colonizers or the Europe they left behind.

That is not so surprising, when you consider that the 1971 creation of our multiculturalism policy was at a time of rising Francophone nationalism. Although the policy was not greeted warmly in Quebec either—Claude Ryan of Le Devoir claimed that in trying to separate language and culture, the prime minister minimized both.

While the two Canadas—French and English—fought over their own languages and cultures, the state continued to crush Indigenous languages. Young children were taken from their families and sent to a school that beat their mother tongue out of them. That sent them home, if they survived, with a language that forever separated them from their community.

Within this context, multiculturalism has been a tool to legitimize and strengthen Canada, but minimize and erase the First People.

These are the sorts of memories, that, as a country, we prefer not to dwell on. Chief Dan George, an acclaimed poet and First Nation leader, silenced a crowd of over 30,000 with his scathing “Lament for Confederation.” There, he mourned the loss of his land and home, and said he witnessed his “freedom disappear like the salmon going mysteriously out to sea. The white man’s strange customs, which I could not understand, pressed down upon me until I could no longer breathe.”

The next fifty years must focus on a renewal of Indigenous culture. We must work to find a balance between Canada’s European style of parliamentary democracy and the Indigenous ways of knowing. We must work to preserve the land of this beautiful country, as the Anishinaabe teach, so that in seven generations our ancestors may live as we do, or better.

We must teach the true history of Canada, and work to restore to Indigenous people the traditional knowledge that was taken away.

A Strong Narrative

May 22, 2024 May 22, 2024

The Return Home

Unlocking Human Potential

May 7, 2024 May 22, 2024

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Diversity in Canada: an overview

June 4th, 2013 Lisa Evans Moving to Canada comments

A History of Immigration

Canada is a nation of newcomers. Originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, immigration to Canada began with the French and British colonization in the 17 th century. The trend continued through the 18 th and 19 th centuries with United Empire loyalists who fled the United States during the American Civil War. A subsequent wave of immigration from Europe after the two World Wars brought many new cultures, languages and religious groups to Canada, resulting in many changes in government policy and the first laws to protect diversity. During the last 60 years, immigration has continued to flourish, with newcomers arriving from every corner of the globe.

In 1971, Canada became the first country in the world to enact an official policy of multiculturalism, showing how valued diversity is in Canada’s political and social landscape. The Canadian constitution, implemented by Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau in 1982 contained a Charter of Rights and Freedoms that protected multiculturalism. The Canadian Multiculturalism Act was introduced in 1988 and federal funds began to be distributed to ethnic groups to assist them in preserving their cultures. Many of the cultural community centres that exist today were established during this time as a result of this funding.

Diversity by the Numbers

Today, immigrants represent over 21 percent of the total Canadian population, one of the highest proportion among G8 countries. According to Statistics Canada, the majority of Canada’s foreign-born population reside in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec and Alberta, and most in the nation’s largest urban centres. Over 200 ethnic origins were reported in the 2011 National Household Survey and 13 of those had surpassed the one million population mark.

Language Diversity

Walk down the street in one of Canada’s major cities and you won’t be surprised to hear a dozen languages spoken. Although Canada has two official languages (English and French), more than 200 languages were reported in the 2016 Census of Population as a home language or mother tongue. 19.4 percent reported speaking at least two languages at home, compared to 14.2 percent in 2006. In 2016, 75 percent of the population who reported speaking a language other than English, French or an Aboriginal language lived in one of Canada’s six largest census metropolitan areas (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa).

The Future of Diversity

The diversity of Canada’s population is expected to continue to increase significantly, especially in the large metropolitan cities. Statistics Canada projects by 2031, between 25 to 28 percent of the population will be foreign-born and 29 to 32 percent of the population will belong to a visible minority group. Visible minorities are expected to account for 63 percent of the population of Toronto, 59 percent of Vancouver and 31 percent of Montreal.

A Broad View of Diversity

Diversity in Canada extends beyond race and ethnicity but spans language, gender, religious affiliations, sexual orientation, abilities and economic status. One area where diversity is often discussed is in the labour market. Canadian employers have taken strides to ensure their corporations are representative of the diverse Canadian population. Canada’s Best Diversity Employers competition recognizes employers across the country who have developed exceptional workplace diversity and inclusion programs towards five major groups of employees: women, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, aboriginal peoples, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender/transsexual peoples.

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Senior Advisor, Transport Canada

City: Winnipeg

Country of origin: India

In the heart of Canada in Winnipeg, Jaideep Johar is a testament to resilience and unwavering commitment. His journey from India to Canada in 2005 marked the beginning of a remarkable odyssey despite a year-long struggle to secure employment.

His perseverance, sincerity and strong belief in values and ethics facilitated his adaptation to the new environment. Leveraging his best professional capabilities, Johar has actively assisted new immigrants in their settlement journey. He collaborates with various organizations to promote diversity, equity and inclusivity, ensure sustainable living, safeguard Mother Earth from the impacts of climate change, assist in search and rescue efforts, promote pride and support veterans.

With a Ship Captain Certificate and a bachelor’s of maritime studies from Memorial University, Newfoundland, along with his pursuit of a master’s degree in marine management, Johar’s credentials underscore his extensive expertise in the maritime field, spanning over 30 years. Beginning his career in the Merchant Navy at 18, Johar has navigated seas worldwide as a ship captain. Before his current role as a senior advisor with Transport Canada’s Prairie and Northern Region’s Marine Safety and Security branch, he contributed his skills to BC Ferries. Throughout his career, Johar has held various managerial positions, including serving as the regional director of the Transportation Security and Emergency Preparedness branch.

His leadership is evident in his efforts to enhance marine safety measures, advocate for environmental conservation and foster collaboration with Indigenous communities. He is a spokesperson for a video with Inuktitut subtitles, which has received widespread praise for efforts to safeguard Canada’s pristine waters. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YOiNPVwdiU

Despite his demanding full-time job and the responsibilities of a young family, he goes above and beyond his personal needs to contribute to the community. His ability to balance personal and professional life while engaging in volunteer work is commendable, earning him appreciation from all quarters.

As chairperson of the Winnipeg Public Library Board, he led efforts to promote cultural diversity, enhance community safety and advance reconciliation with Indigenous communities. Johar actively engages with organizations such as the Global Citizen movement, David Suzuki Foundation, Rotary International Club, CASARA, Royal Canadian Legion, Winnipeg Committee for Safety and World BEYOND War.

He actively participates in the Winnipeg Pride Parade, which supports the GSRD (Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diverse) community.

He has regularly volunteered at the Winnipeg Folklorama Festival, which aims to celebrate diversity and promote cultural understanding. His family members, including his wife Narinder Johar, a daycare teacher, and his son Harsh, a business college student, and daughter Sage, also participate annually in the Folklorama. Harsh and Sage were recently chosen as Ambassadors for the Punjab Pavilion of the Folklorama.

His collaborations and partnerships, such as with Forester Care Insurance to raise funds for Harvest Manitoba, Toys for Daycare and Beds for Children, highlight his dedication to making a difference. He has inspired community members to join various organizations as volunteers.

Additionally, he regularly supports various organizations, including the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Covenant House, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Kidney Foundation, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Canadian Red Cross, Diabetes Canada, the Cancer Research Society, Breast Cancer Canada and Oxfam Canada.

Johar’s accolades include the prestigious Hind Rattan Award (Jewel of India) and the India Canada Culture and Heritage Association Distinguished Service Award.

Recently he was invited to the Global Peace Summit at the University of Oxford. He has received recognition from deputy ministers of Transport Canada and the regional director general from Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) for his outstanding contribution to working with Indigenous communities, representing the Government of Canada. He received the National Creativity and Transformation Team award and has been acknowledged by Indigenous Canada for his participation in Treaty Annuities. Johar has been featured in several news articles in Canada and abroad.

In order to serve his country, he has recently joined the Naval Reserves.

Chief executive officer, Success Skills Centre

Country of origin: Germany

Monika G. Feist came to Canada from Germany as a child in 1954. Difficulties her parents and their friends had in establishing themselves in Canada made a deep impression; she recalls being called a DP and other names. These memories stirred in her a desire to improve immigrants’ conditions.

Feist’s journey with Success Skills Centre began in 1983. As the Prairie region’s employment and immigration women’s employment co-ordinator, she helped set in motion funding of the new centre’s work experience project for immigrant women professionals to return to their occupations.

In 1989, she joined the centre, steering its evolution as a not-for-profit, niche organization dedicated to helping immigrant professionals navigate the Canadian employment landscape and jumpstart their careers through its preparatory training and internships. In the earlier years, she often felt she was a voice in the wilderness for systemic changes needed to remove employment and credentials recognition barriers immigrants face, making presentations to Ottawa, Manitoba ministers and staff.

Before starting at Success Skills, Feist carved a path as a consultant, delving into various realms including employment equity, organizational development and management training. She authored several handbooks on employment equity, employee ownership, the 1974 Manitoba Driver’s Handbook (first since 1954), developed Manitoba’s first seatbelt campaign, and co-edited a book on the Dakota Sioux in Canada. Prior, she was consultant to Manitoba assistant deputy minister of communications, involved in PR for the first Winnipeg school breakfast program, and as an editor.

Feist chairs the employment sector committee for Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, has served on boards/committees, including presently SEED Winnipeg, World Education Services’ #ImmigrantsWork project, National Cultural Brokers, Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training and National/Provincial/Winnipeg Councils of Women.

Her commitment to community building extends to her role in the founding of several organizations, e.g., Reaching Equality, Immigrant Women’s Association of Manitoba and Women’s Employment Counselling Services. She was honoured for her contributions in 2000 with the Citation for Citizenship Award, the Long Service to Immigrants Award and more recently, with the Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba’s Celebrating Women’s Award.Top of Form

Entrepreneur and community builder

City: Kitchener, Ontario

Country of origin: Syria

Faaez Al-hendi’s story begins when he and his family first immigrated to Canada from Syria in the 1990s in pursuit of better opportunities, which was exactly what was in store. The Al-hendi family are the proud owners of Ammar’s Halal Market in Kitchener, Ontario, which has been serving the community for over 20 years.

The supermarket offers a variety of fresh grocery, local halal meats and a selection of home staples. Al-hendi, who is vice president of operations, elevated Ammar’s from a small family-owned business to a thriving enterprise, achieving an impressive $5.5 million in annual revenue last year. His leadership transformed the store into a vital community hub, offering support to newcomers with gift cards to Ammar’s through local Masjid’s and Reception House, and services ranging from government assistance to employment opportunities, reflecting his deep commitment to his immigrant roots.

Beyond his professional success, Al-hendi is dedicated to giving back to the community through his role as board member at Food4Kids Waterloo Region, a non-profit that offers healthy food packages to children outside school hours. About 45 per cent of children served require halal food, which is where Al-hendi’s strategic insights and halal industry background ensured the organization is meeting the needs of the community.

His contributions also extend to partnerships with the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, where he facilitates the distribution of halal meats to community centres, embodying his commitment to community welfare and immigrant integration. He also supports low income families through House of Friendship.

Innovative and forward-thinking, Al-hendi implemented sustainable practices at Ammar’s, including waste reduction initiatives and the launch of Ammar’s Rewards, one of the first halal supermarket loyalty programs in Canada. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, he displayed unwavering dedication by personally delivering online orders to customers’ doors, exemplifying his commitment to customer service and community support.

His expertise spans operational philosophy, marketing, team leadership and inventory management, contributing to his reputation as an entrepreneurial trailblazer. His strategic vision, coupled with his immigrant background, drives his commitment to ethical business practices and community service, making him a respected leader in both spheres.

Arts manager, culture worker and EDIA advocate

City: Calgary

Country of origin: Nigeria

Named Calgary’s Avenue Top 40 under 40 in 2023, Top 100 Black Women to Watch in 2022 by CIBWE, CRIEC’s Formidable Women in 2023 and 2024, Star Person of the Year by Ethnik Festival for Arts and Culture in 2023, Local Women and Global Changemakers Award in 2022 by CIWA, Top 25 EDIA Persons of the Year in 2021 by Canadian Multicultural Group and the Inclusive Leadership Award by Inclusion Champions Award in 2024, Toyin Lafenwa Oladele is an esteemed transformational arts and culture leader, international speaker, equity, diversity, inclusion & accessibility advocate, businesswoman and community builder.

With almost two decades in the arts, Oladele came to Canada six years ago, and the challenges she faced finding a job led to founding the Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI) in 2019 to integrate and support newcomers and immigrant professionals into the arts sector in Alberta. With almost 3,000 members, Oladele is the executive director for ICAI and also a public art project manager for the City of Calgary. She serves as mentor, coach and sounding board for arts organizations across Canada providing recommendations on inclusive language, arts management curricula, non-profit strategies and leading million-dollar initiatives. Her drive for an equitable culture sector made her create about 400 opportunities while mentoring over 150 BIPOC individuals across the country in four years.

Recognized by the City of Calgary, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and the Premier of Alberta for her work in the community, Oladele directed the first Immigrant Arts Festival and created the Newcomer Arts Professional Program for newcomer arts professionals to receive mentorship and professional experience in Canada during the pandemic, this program is the fourth of its kind in North America. She is a diversity and inclusion champion, leading projects and programs targeted at elevating the cultural landscape in Canada.

She has a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature from Nigeria and she is also an Executive MBA student at the Smith School of Business, Queen’s University.

She volunteers on the board of CARFAC Alberta, Calgary Young People’s Theatre, Contemporary Calgary, Chromatic Theatre, Global fest, Business Arts etc.

Actor and musician

City: Toronto

Country of origin: Iraq

Ahmed Moneka’s introduction to the world of Canadian art began in 2015 when a film he had acted in screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. This was the first film in Iraq to speak of gay men, which resulted in him receiving threats from militias in Baghdad, preventing his return. He had no choice but to remain in Toronto, where he made his new home.

During his formative years in Iraq, Moneka learned Afro-sufi traditional songs and drumming in the Moneka tradition, as his family arrived in Iraq from Kenya in the 8th century. He also attended the top high school for performing arts, where he learned a variety of artistic disciplines, from theatre to singing maqam (scales and nuances) of Middle Eastern music. Through these experiences, he acquired his perspectives on the world and his place within it, and continued attending the Academy of Fine Arts at the University of Baghdad. During these years, he began to be especially moved by stories of human struggle and freedom, forming his convictions about human rights through his art, voice and song.

Moneka is the lead artist of Moneka Arabic Jazz, and his story is that of an Iraqi refugee turned Canadian citizen. He brings a unique perspective of the Iraqi Canadian experience and his deep-rooted knowledge of the earliest civilizations in Baghdad. Toronto audiences have warmly welcomed his stories and songs, enriching his experiences in this diverse cultural tapestry.

He is a member of Noteworthy The Musical Stage & Prime Mover and a member of Soulpepper Academy . He was also one of the Stingray Rising Stars finalists in 2019 at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival and the Stingray Rising Stars winner at Mundial Montreal 2022. In 2023, he was a Dora nominee for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role.

Moneka, a performing artist in music and theatre, has made notable contributions to the Canadian cultural scene. He has collaborated with many organizations, including the Canadian Opera Company, Soulpepper Theatre, Crow’s Theatre and Aga Khan Museum. Moneka is also a founder of Moskitto Bar and a Kuné member.

Screenwriter, actor, director and playwright

Born in Kochi (formerly Cochin), in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sugith Varughese came to Canada as a toddler and spent his childhood in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1969. After graduating high school with a Governor General’s medal for the province of Saskatchewan, he attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where he graduated summa cum laude with a BA in theatre arts. He received an MFA in film in Canada from York University and was the first minority to attend the prestigious Canadian Film Centre as a writer-director.

He broke into television as a writer, best known as one of the original writers of the famed Muppet TV series, Fraggle Rock . Besides many hours of Canadian TV series episodes, in 1983, he wrote the first multicultural romantic comedy movie produced by the CBC called Best of Both Worlds , which he also starred in, launching his acting career.

As an actor, he has over 100 film and TV credits, over 25 radio drama credits and many stage appearances. He is considered a pioneering South Asian Canadian actor and writer, becoming a series regular on CBC’s Gemini-winning comedy series An American in Canada and recurring on CBC’s famed comedy Little Mosque on the Prairie . He is perhaps best known for creating the iconic characters of Mr. Mehta in the hit comedy, Kim’s Convenience and the hard-boiled Dr. Singh on the TV series Transplant , notably appearing in both series at the same time, yet another first for a Canadian television actor, let alone a brown one.

His many stage appearances culminated in a Dora award nomination for his poignant and funny portrayal of the father in Little Pretty and the Exceptional in 2017. In 2013, he wrote his first stage play, Entitlement, produced to good notices at Summerworks in Toronto and he contributed to The Postman, which was produced in 2015. He continues to act on stage and will be appearing in the Toronto premiere of The Wrong Bashir at Crow’s Theatre in spring 2024.

As a director, he has made award-winning short films, like the Genie-nominated Kumar and Mr. Jones and his films for children have been nominated for several awards including a Gemini. In addition to those awards, he won the first York Trillium Award —Most Promising Writer in Television in 1989. He has won two WGC Awards and been nominated for acting and writing Geminis. In 2007, the Writers Guild of Canada gave him a Writers Block award for service to the guild and he received a distinguished alumnus award from the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts in 2012.

For 10 years, he volunteered on the board of Home Ownership Alternatives, which provides financial assistance to non-profit home ownership projects in Ontario. He has also been on the national council for the Writers Guild of Canada and since 2005, has been a governor of AFBS, a federally regulated financial institution that provides insurance and retirement for two arts unions, the WGC and ACTRA.

An avid golfer, he also holds black belts in karate and kobudo and was the first Canadian to grade in his style of kobudo in Japan.

Founder, Tudor Consulting, founder, Evolve X App Society and co-founder, Shayk Technologies

City: Vancouver

Country of origin: Romania

Iulia Tudor’s journey from Romania to Canada embodies resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Fleeing a communist revolution and seeking better health care for her scoliosis diagnosis, her family arrived in Canada in 1997. Inspired by wartime narratives, Tudor pursued psychology at UBC, focusing on aiding trauma survivors. Volunteering at an orphanage in Cambodia, she aided Khmer Rouge genocide survivors to overcome grief with the Buddhist Coping Scale. This research has practical applications by helping refugees from war-torn countries integrate into society. It was funded by grants and presented at the Canadian Psychology Association for clinical applications.

While at UBC, Tudor committed herself to a variety of philanthropic missions. She helped organize the “Diamond Ball” softball tournament, helping raise over $4,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities. She also participated in the UBC Shinerama campaign and “Songfest” musical competition, fundraising for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Transitioning to applied research, Tudor also contributed to the scientific community at UBC’s Behavioural Cardiology Lab, where her research, published in peer-reviewed journals, offered valuable insights into preventative approaches for prostate cancer treatment.

Despite a career-ending spinal injury, she secured, supported by research and travel grants, a research position at Harvard University, investigating resource allocation biases. Her work challenged traditional notions of fairness, prompting a re-evaluation of resource allocation processes across societal sectors and led to another notable publication.

Undeterred by her spinal injury, Tudor co-founded successful ventures like Tudor Total Fitness and A+ Property Maintenance, demonstrating entrepreneurial prowess. As brand director at a branding agency, she led philanthropic efforts with the Canucks Alumni, fostering corporate-community engagement. She then identified market gaps, and founded Evolve X App Society, a non-profit organization and application, addressing the needs of students, startups and investors by offering education, real-world experience, startup resources and funding. This venture empowered students and businesses to enter the competitive landscape.

Building on her passion for technology, Tudor co-founded Shayk™ Technologies, aiming to revolutionize NDA management with blockchain technology. Shayk’s platform streamlined NDA processes and transformed agreements into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), enhancing security and efficiency.

Through her achievements, Tudor exemplifies resilience, innovation and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in Canada’s business, technology and research landscape.

Academicreactivist, scholar, filmmaker, musician and changemaker

Cyrus Sundar Singh, PhD, is an AcademiCreActivist : a Gemini Award-winning filmmaker, scholar, composer, singer-songwriter, author, poet and changemaker. He arrived in Toronto as a 10-year-old from India and almost embraced the winter. A much sought-after creative scholar, guest lecturer and multimedia producer who continually pushes conventional boundaries, Sundar Singh’s productions and presentations have taken him around the world, including Senegal, India, Israel, Spain, Haiti, Jamaica, U.K., U.S.A. and Sri Lanka.

On the foundation of his documentary/storytelling career, which began with the Gemini Award-winning NFB debut Film Club (2001), Sundar Singh conceived and successfully produced the following site-specific live-documentary world premieres: Brothers In The Kitchen (2016), Africville in Black and White (2017/18); In the Wake of Time (2021).

As a research fellow with CERC in Migration , Sundar Singh successfully conceived, mentored and produced the following: i am… (2021) storytelling project — 28 short films by 28 graduate students exploring identity and belonging; Under the T ent (2022) 18 creative projects unpacking Canadian multiculturalism; Where We Stand (2023–2024) eight creative projects each paired with Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants.

Sundar Singh has produced across a range of genres including documentary, reality, food and lifestyle for various international broadcasters including BellMedia, CBC, VisionTV, Smithsonian Channel, Discovery Channel and MuchMusic. His writings have been published in poetry anthologies, academic journals and peer-reviewed medical journals.

Other accomplishments include publications: “Brothers in the Kitchen: a multidisciplinary look at migration through live-documentary” in India Migration Report 2023, Routledge, New York (2024); “i am: circular questions of identity” in Canada Watch (2022); “Lines in the Sand: A Triptych of Resistance” (2022); “ Floating to the Lure of the Promised Land” in Refuge in Canada: Narratives of Dislocation (2021); “ How We See: The Colourization of Race” in Gnosis: Journal of Philosophy (2020).

As a singer-songwriter, he has a critically acclaimed CD Sun to Star . He composed Genie Award winner Moving Day; Gemini Award nominated Twisted Sheets ; Film Club ; and Salaam Shalom: The Jews of India. His installations include: Emancipation2Africville / Africville: A Spirit that Lives On-A Reflection Project at MSVU Art Gallery, Nova Scotia (2019); foot[age] at WC2 Symposium Toronto (2018) and Bata Shoe Museum (2015–2017).

Photo by Bob Bean

Executive director, Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women

Sunder Singh immigrated to Canada over 52 years ago along with her family from India. The greater part of her professional career has been spent identifying community issues and finding viable solutions for them. She holds a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Windsor and has completed her leadership program from Schulich School of Business, York University.

In 2023, Singh received the Order of Vaughan, as well, she received the Toronto Community Champion Award for her extraordinary contributions to support the health and solidarity of the residents throughout the pandemic. In 2019, she received the Pioneer for Change Award and the Police Foundation Award. In June 2017, Singh was appointed a local and regional councillor for the City of Vaughan. She served in this role for 15 months to fill in the position of then recently resigned councillor. In 2016, she was given the Leading Women Building Communities Award presented to her by the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. In 2012, she was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for her significant contribution to the community services.

Her active interest in empowering thousands of women, under the “Reduce Abuse” program, resulted in the organization being awarded the 2015 Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction and the Toronto Mayor’s Community Safety Award in 2011. In the community, Singh frequently engages with residents and talks about possible solutions to empower women and reduction of domestic violence from our society. She has played an active role to place women in business and help them lead a self-sustaining life of dignity.

Singh is currently the executive director of Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women. She has been serving newcomer women and their families since 1993. She started a social enterprise named RivInt Interpretation and Translation Services, currently providing income opportunities to over 850 interpreters and translators speaking total of 110 languages, mainly immigrants, serving the hospitals and corporate sector in the GTA. The income from this social enterprise covers the core costs and women’s programs of the community organization that Singh operates.

Youth social justice and environmental advocate

City: Milton, Ontario

Country of origin: Malaysia

At 21 years old, Ashwini Selvakumaran never imagined that she would found a registered non-profit in her community of Milton, Ontario. Today, at just 23 years of age, she is the proud president of Brown Citizen Circle (BCC), which helps BIPOC youth navigate structural barriers to representation through collective action.

A young South Asian woman herself, Selvakumaran identified a critical need to provide a platform for fellow BIPOC voices, which are overlooked across social and cultural institutions. Ashwini describes herself as having a tri-identity, being South Asian-Canadian with Malaysian roots. Immigrating to Canada in 2012, Selvakumaran recalls teaching herself early on to lose her accent to belong in social settings. She has since sought to reclaim her tri-identity on her own terms.

BCC is invested in amplifying the critical and creative perspectives of South Asian youth across Canada. To garner support for her vision, Selvakumaran created lasting partnerships, most notably with the David Suzuki Foundation and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. She raised over $15,000 through these partnerships to fund BCC initiatives, including an upcoming panel with Northeastern University (Toronto Campus) that mobilizes South Asians in industry success.

Intersecting with her advocacy for South Asian youth, Selvakumaran also makes great strides as a climate activist. She won the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award with the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Board in 2021 through a placement with the FORA Rise on Boards program, which connects women to non-profit boards. She continues to research environmental policy and justice by pursuing a master’s of environment and sustainability at Western University in London, Ontario.

Selvakumaran has been recognized with numerous accolades for her activism, including the Laadli in Leadership Award given to rising leaders of South Asian descent in Ontario, the Toronto City Hall’s Tamil Youth Fellowship Award, the Halton Newcomer Award and the prestigious Princess Diana Award.

Chairing the Halton Youth Newcomer steering committee since 2019, Selvakumaran continues to empower South Asian youth to be changemakers in their communities. Her vision for BCC is to foster a sense of community and belonging among BIPOC individuals in Canada and globally.

Founder, BC India Business Network

City: Surrey, B.C.

Born in 1942 in southern India, Vivek Anand Savkur studied commerce and economics at Mumbai University and pursued a certificate in management at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Prior to immigrating to Canada in 2007, Savkur established himself as a successful businessman in many sectors, pursuing his passion for international trade and marketing. He also served as national president of Indo-Canadian Business Chamber (ICBC). As a board member of the Indian Automotive Racing Club, he helped organize the first and second international Himalayan car rallies.

With 35 years of international business experience, Savkur immigrated to Canada and established the Savkur International Agency, a trading company that continues to strengthen trade ties through the BC India Business Network of which he is the founder (2015) and currently the president emeritus.

Savkur is a nationally recognized community leader and advisor who has worked closely with all levels of Canadian government to do business with Indian companies. He was instrumental in bringing the Times of India Film Awards to Vancouver in 2013, working closely with the Government of BC, business and community leaders. He became the resident director of the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber in 2007, was on the board of Luke 15 House and became the director of the Hope for Orphans Society in 2009, which looks after and educates nearly 500 orphan girls.

He was also the chairman emeritus of the Canada India Education Council (Western Canada chapter). Currently, he is a member of the Simon Fraser University India Advisory Council, sits on the steering committee of Trinity Western University and the University of Fraser Valley. He is the chair of the board of advisors of the Pacific Link College and sits on the board of the Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival.

Savkur was awarded an honorary doctorate (Honoris Causa) by Trinity Western University in 2023 and prior to that the Global Leadership Award, by the Global Emerging Leadership Programs (GELP) and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor General of Canada for his service and dedication to his peers, community and Canada.

Activist, founder and director

Country of origin: Mexico

Born in Mexico, Viviana Santibanez’s journey took her to Canada in 2018. She has been a community leader, having worked with marginalized communities for over 12 years, focusing on supporting refugees and newcomers in addition to advocating for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ Latinx community living with HIV.

Santibanez is also the first trans-Latina woman appointed to the board of directors of the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Pride Toronto and the Race Base Data Collection Panel at the Toronto Police Service.

In 2019, Santibanez founded Vivi’r, a non-profit organization that helps and supports 2SLGBTQ+ immigrants, newcomers and refugee Latinxs. As director of various programs and initiatives, she has consistently demonstrated dedication to uplifting and amplifying the voices of those who often find themselves facing multiple facets of marginalization and has empowered them through workshops on topics such as human trafficking, human rights, information sessions on creating tools to face deportations and report hate crimes, discrimination and harassment.

One of Vivi’r’s most remarkable aspects is its unwavering commitment to creating safe spaces where individuals from the Latinx LGBTQ+ community can come together, share their experiences and find solidarity in their journeys. This grassroots organization connects with the community and refers people to social, legal and health care services. The services provided operate through minimal financial support.

Using her apartment as an office, she provides consulting and settlement services to newcomers. Santibanez’s work with the 2SLGBTQ+ community has led to work with different communities, institutions and organizations that support the integration of Latinx people into Canada. She provides services for non-profit organizations such as Latinos Positivos Toronto, Toronto PWA Foundation, Hispanic Canadian Heritage Council, Canada Trans Summit, Ontario Cohort Studies and Toronto HQ.

Passionate about health care, Santibanez has an educational background in community health, nursing, community capacity building, and digital communications. Her latest community involvement is providing volunteer support to the Toronto Police Service as the first trans-Latina auxiliary officer.

She is also the first Latina awarded the Inspire LGBTQ Person of the Year in September 2022 by INSPIRE Awards, and she has been recognized as among the 10 most influential Hispanic Canadians since 2022.

Taekwondo grandmaster

Country of origin: Republic of Korea (South Korea)

Grandmaster Seoung min Rim’s remarkable journey from the heart of taekwondo in Seoul, Korea, to becoming a revered member of the Canadian community is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence and tireless dedication to personal and community development.

Arriving in Canada with little more than a white uniform and a black belt, Grandmaster Rim’s story embodies the essence of the Canadian dream. Over the past 13 years, he has distinguished himself as the Canadian National Team Head Coach, guiding numerous athletes to podium finishes in prestigious events like the Pan American Games and World Championships. His coaching prowess has consistently propelled Canadian taekwondo athletes to victory, showcasing his leadership and talent development acumen.

Grandmaster Rim’s impact extends beyond the national level. He has conducted hundreds of seminars for coaches and athletes across Canada, from the territories to the far east, as well as for continental and international taekwondo federations. Operating taekwondo studios throughout the province, his dedication to teaching has empowered practitioners of all ages to enhance their mental and physical wellbeing while instilling values of respect and discipline. His school’s excellence was recognized with the Business of the Year Award by the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce.

In acknowledgment of his contributions, Grandmaster Rim has received commendations and acknowledgment from three governments, including recognition from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, the Premier of Alberta and the Minister of Sports in Ukraine. His tireless efforts in promoting taekwondo internationally and fostering positive community impact have garnered widespread acclaim.

Grateful for the opportunities afforded to him by Canada, Grandmaster Rim is committed to giving back. He actively supports various humanitarian projects, providing financial assistance to organizations such as Ronald McDonald House and offering aid to Ukrainian refugees. Additionally, he extends generous contributions to athletes in financial need from Korea, Ukraine and Canada, further exemplifying his dedication to empowering individuals and communities through the practice of taekwondo.

Entrepreneur

Sahib Singh Rana, an immigrant entrepreneur and co-founder of Lazeez Shawarma , epitomizes the Canadian dream through resilience, innovation and a profound commitment to community. Recognized as the “Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year” for 2020, Rana’s journey began in 1989 when he embarked on his immigration to Canada.

In 2013, Rana, alongside his business partner Nada Nasri, established Lazeez Shawarma, a culinary venture driven by their shared passion for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. With a focus on authenticity and quality, Lazeez Shawarma quickly flourished into a network of over 60 restaurants, a testament to Rana’s entrepreneurial acumen and dedication.

Central to his success is his unwavering belief in treating franchisees like family. This ethos has not only fostered a sense of unity within the Lazeez Shawarma community, but has also allowed the business to actively contribute to initiatives that promote inclusivity and social cohesion.

Rana actively contributes to significant initiatives that exemplify Canada’s pride and spirit. He is a devoted supporter of esteemed organizations such as Veterans Canada, championing Canada Day celebrations and working toward distributing one million Canadian flags to foster patriotism and unity across the nation. Additionally, Lazeez is a proud sponsor of Team Canada’s Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams at the FIBA World Cup and the Paris Olympics, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to promoting Canadian excellence on the global stage.

Rana’s philanthropic efforts extend further as vice president of community services for Canadian Eyesight Global, where he has facilitated life-changing surgeries for over 50,000 individuals worldwide, showcasing his impact on a global scale.

He remains a devoted family man, prioritizing his wife, two daughters (a health entrepreneur, and a lawyer) and grandchildren. His values of love, unity and support shine through, making him a role model not only in business but also in family life.

His outstanding contributions have garnered him accolades such as the Community Services Award by the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB). His leadership, entrepreneurship and dedication to family and community epitomize the Canadian dream, inspiring others to pursue their aspirations while making a positive impact on society.

Community servant leader, writer/author and event planner

Country of origin: Philippines

Marietta B. Pangan owns Your Best Option Marketing and Promotion and specializes in customized digital and multimedia marketing solutions that enhance brand awareness.

Pangan has 30+ years of experience in scientific, academic, news, content writing and menu/recipe writing. She’s been a licensed dietitian in the Philippines since 1992 and has extensive knowledge of public health, research, menu development and food product standardization. Pangan also received a three-year degree equivalent in a Canadian education program in nutrition and dietetics in 2024.

She passionately volunteers with multicultural communities. She holds key positions in several organizations, including president of the Filipino Society for the Arts & Culture in Alberta, secretary of the Asian Media Federation of Canada, coordinator of the RISEC Community Foundation and mentor at the Calgary Region Employment & Immigrant Council. She is also a Filipino National Congress of Canada active member and was the DA Society’s executive director.

Pangan advocates for diversity and inclusivity by organizing and hosting community events, food festivals, galas and fundraisers that have brought together people from different backgrounds and cultures. Her efforts have been instrumental in raising awareness about important issues such as racism and promoting understanding and unity among communities. She has also been a collaborator in helping establish the Philippine Consular Office in Alberta/Saskatchewan designating June as Philippine Heritage Month, as well as establishing various award programs.

Pangan is an excellent event organizer who has managed successful events, including a Meet-and-Greet and Dialogue with Premier Smith. She coordinates the Globalfest Philippine Cultural Pavilion & Food Kiosk and hosts food festivals such as Pearl of the Orient Cuisines, Balik Kultura and Philippine Cuisine Festival Galas.

Some of the awards she has received include 2024 Remarkable Community Volunteer, International Women’s Day (PI Association); 2023 Formidable Women of Alberta 2023 (CREIC); 2022 Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Medal Award 2022 (Alberta); 2022 Best Cultural Pavilion & 2019-Best Ethnic Food Kiosk (Globalfest); 2018 Excellence in Multicultural Media and Community Building (TFCC); among others.

Founder and CEO, OneDrug Inc. and pharmaceutical scientist, University of Toronto

Named chair of the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and drug metabolism community of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists USA in 2023, Chukwunonso Nwabufo leads a community of more than 1,200 pharmaceutical scientists from reputable pharmaceutical and academic organizations across the globe to support the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences and the development of transformational medicines for unmet medical needs.

In 2022, Nwabufo ranked Top 11.65% out of 515 national applicants across Canada and was awarded the prestigious Canadian Institutes of Health Research Doctoral Award valued at $105,000 to support his research work on the improvement of the clinical efficacy and safety profile of promising COVID-19 drugs. He has received over 20 awards worth more than $400,000 in total funding awards including the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Pfizer Canada Graduate Fellowship, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Deans Fellowship and Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements Award.

At Gilead Sciences, Nwabufo contributed to the successful development of two life-saving medicines for the treatment of COVID-19 and HIV. As the founder and CEO of OneDrug Inc., Nwabufo is leading the development of smart point-of-care technologies that will empower healthcare providers to personalize patient treatments based on their genotypes to help them get well sooner, minimize adverse drug effects and save healthcare costs.

OneDrug has been named one of the top key players in pharmacogenomics by the World Research Report. Nwabufo is an accomplished pharmaceutical scientist with 15 peer-reviewed scientific publications and seats on the editorial board of Drug Metabolism Reviews and Journal of Applied Bioanalysis.

Nwabufo’s substantial scientific influence has led to the establishment of two international partnerships in Canada. He has mentored over 30 students and continually serves as a judge for the SRHacks coding and engineering competition for high school students. Recently, Nwabufo was honoured as the recipient of the 2024 African Scholars Emerging Academic Award.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Nwabufo is the second of five siblings and has called Canada home since 2017 as a first-generation immigrant. He holds a BSc in biochemistry, an MSc in pharmacy, an MBA, and is currently a PhD candidate in pharmaceutical sciences, all with distinction.

Sportscaster and fashion designer

Hazel Mae is a Filipino-Canadian sportscaster and fashion designer. Mae is currently the sideline reporter for the MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays on Rogers Sportsnet. A trailblazer in her industry, Mae was one of the first females to break into the sports broadcasting industry in Canada. Her baseball knowledge and insight stem from her experience working with the New England Sports Network (NESN) and the MLB Network in the U.S. before returning home to Canada.

Off the diamond, Mae founded Hazel Mae Design to deliver what she had trouble finding in the marketplace — a line of dresses made from high-quality ponte fabric in vibrant, jewel-toned colours, designed to flatter the female figure.

Dancer, instructor and choreographer

Country of origin: Peru

Soraya Lozano is the founder and artistic director of Estampa Peruana and Inspiracion Latina Dance Company. She is a versatile and highly trained dancer, instructor and choreographer who has been involved in fitness, dance and the performing arts her entire life and has extensive training in gymnastics, fitness, and Peruvian and Latin dances.

Lozano was a member of several dance companies in Peru and Canada. She was part of the ballet of the circus of the famous Peruvian TV show Mil Oficios and performed at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games closing ceremony as well as dance congresses, festivals and shows in Peru, Bermuda, U.S.A., France, Spain and Canada. She participated in music videos of singers Hadel Toma (Assyrian), Senthil Kumaran (Tamil), Teria Morada and Sensei Musica (Canadian).

Lozano choreographed and performed for the concerts of singers Manuel Donayre (Peruvian), Rosario Arce (Bolivian), Leo Rey (Chilean) and Yara Orozco (Colombian). She was also the back-up dancer of American actress and model Nargis Fakhri. Lozano was part of the international cast of “Follow Your Heart,” a Middle Eastern spectacle in Richmond Hill.

Lozano volunteered as a dance instructor for MIAG (Multicultural Inclusion to Achieve Growth), as a roundtable host for the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and she is part of the executive committee of the KPMG Latin American Network.

Lozano is the award winner of the Toronto Waterfront Awards 2018 —Celebrating Outstanding Women in the category of Arts and Culture. She won the Woman on Fire Award 2019 in the category of Best Performer as well. Also, she has received recognition from the Peruvian community in Canada as “Peruvian Pride” and Ambassador of Peruvian dances in Canada for her great artistic trajectory and hard work to promote Peruvian dances.

Lozano shares her passion for dancing and fitness with her students. With her combination of fitness and dancing skills, she aims not only to assist others on the path to fitness, but to conduct classes that are fun and energetic and unleash the hidden dancer in her students

Founder, 10Fold-HFX

City: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Country of origin: Turkiye

Named one of Atlantic Canada’s Most Inspiring Immigrants in 2024, Burcu Kaptan’s journey reflects resilience, determination and a profound commitment to social responsibility.

Originally from Ankara, Turkiye, she began her Canadian journey in 2002, settling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, while eight months pregnant, establishing roots. Just like the newcomers she supports today, Kaptan faced numerous challenges as a permanent resident, navigating the unfamiliar territory of a new country without her established support systems as an immigrant woman and mother.

With her international experience and post-graduate studies in human resources management from both Istanbul University and NSCC in Atlantic Canada, she embarked on a journey of professional growth intertwined with community empowerment.

Kaptan’s advocacy extends to identifying talent and supporting individuals to reach their potential, especially immigrant women, and advocating for role models in senior leadership positions. As president of Turkish Society of Nova Scotia, her efforts inspire newcomers to work toward their futures and stay in the Atlantic region and Canada. Her dedication to fostering inclusive communities earned her recognition as a leader committed to social impact, diversity and supporting the Turkish community. This recognition was further solidified by her active involvement in community relief efforts following the Turkish earthquake, where she played a pivotal role in supporting the reunification of affected families.

Furthermore, leveraging diverse platforms, Kaptan has dedicated herself to linking different generations of immigrants, spanning from children to international students, newcomers and emerging businesses, with Canadian partners throughout the year. Through her LinkedIn and Instagram account @KanadaliKadin, she has built a community of over 5,000 women from Canada and Turkiye, offering guidance on navigating the Canadian experience. She continuously works toward gender equality for women and accessibility to information for newcomers, fostering genuine opportunities for integration.

After a 20-year Canadian corporate career and public service, Kaptan has embarked on yet another journey as an entrepreneur in digital HR, establishing 10Fold-HFX. Her focus extends beyond sharing her expertise in systemic change and digitizing people and culture programs; she is committed to supporting the immigrant community and working on a project for the integration of newcomers and building a stronger and more inclusive community across Canada.

Beyond her professional endeavours, she stands tall not only for herself but also for all immigrant women across Canada who are redefining success despite the barriers they face and striving to reach their true potential. Moreover, she serves as a founding executive committee member of the Canadian Turkish Business Council-Women’s Network, further supporting her commitment to empowering immigrant women.

Her journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of determination and community building, embodying the resilience and spirit of immigrants who enrich their environments with diverse perspectives and experiences they bring to the table. Kaptan fittingly concludes her community speeches with the profound reminder that in a community, there is no “me” or “you,” only “we,” and together, we are stronger.

Nursing academic

Freida Chavez, professor emerita, University of Toronto, was born and raised in the Philippines. The political climate of the early 1970s prompted her decision to immigrate to Canada, driven by a desire to sponsor her parents and siblings, all of whom successfully joined her in Toronto.

Her journey stands as a beacon of inspiration for immigrants, epitomizing her achievements in global health and nursing leadership. It is a testament not only to her exceptional strengths but also to her adeptness at seizing opportunities, her affable demeanour, and the qualities instilled by her Filipino heritage.

With expertise spanning health systems leadership, academia and board governance, Chavez has an indelible mark. As the founding director of the Global Affairs Office at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Nursing for two terms, she fostered innovative partnerships across continents including Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America.

A trailblazer in curricular reform, she champions the transformation of health professional education, introducing groundbreaking interprofessional courses in global health and primary health care. Her seminal work includes authoring the World Health Organization’s publication on Interprofessional Collaborative Practice in Primary Health Care, Nursing, and Midwifery Perspectives , reflecting her passion for infusing global perspectives into education and practice.

Her leadership extends to collaborative projects on nursing leadership and capacity building in primary health care between Brazil and Canada. Chavez scholarly endeavours encompass a breadth of areas, from global citizenship to public health.

Recognized for her outstanding contributions, she has received numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Alumni Award, Case Western Reserve University, School of Nursing at the 2023 centennial celebration. As a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Nursing, she sits on the Global Health Expert Panel, where she continues to champion equity.

Driven by a commitment to advancing Filipino nurses’ careers, she founded the Alliance of Filipino Nursing Professionals in Canada, formerly known as the Philippine Nurses’ Association of Canada. Additionally, she serves on several not-for-profit boards and lends her expertise to various advisory panels including the Internationally Educated Nurses Mentorship Advisory Committee.

Business owner

Country of origin: United States of America

Where culinary mastery meets community engagement, Tobias Q. Brown has propelled Tommie’s Jerk to unparalleled success in British Columbia’s culinary landscape. In a mere three years, his unwavering dedication to excellence has catapulted Tommie’s Jerk to the pinnacle of Caribbean dining, ranking it as a premier choice in the province and a top contender nationwide.

Brown’s commitment extends beyond the kitchen, evident in his recognition as a National Finalist in six categories of the Canadian SME National Business Awards, including esteemed titles like: Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Best Professional Services, Customer Service Excellence, Entrepreneur of the Year and Inspirational Leader of the Year. His relentless pursuit of excellence and steadfast dedication to community involvement mark him as a true trailblazer in the culinary sphere.

With a discerning eye for innovation, Brown has garnered attention from esteemed media outlets such as Global News, CBC and Joy TV, as well as international acclaim from Food & Wine Magazine , which hailed Tommie’s Jerk as a culinary gem in Surrey, among the World’s Best Emerging food cities.

Amidst his array of achievements, his commitment to community service shines brightly, notably through transformative efforts at Aldergrove Secondary. Through mentorship in their work and volunteer experience program, Brown seamlessly intertwines culinary education with community support, leaving an enduring impact on the international student community. By transforming the school’s kitchen into a dynamic learning environment, he not only nourishes but also empowers students, fostering a culture of mentorship and knowledge exchange that transcends the classroom.

Moreover, Brown’s accolades as the 2023 Winner of the BIPOC Foundation’s Top 10 Black Entrepreneur of the Year and Top 10 Black Business of the Year underscore his impact and influence in both the culinary and business arenas.

Educator, professor and researcher

Country of origin: Antigua, the Caribbean

Winner of Canada Council for the Arts’ prestigious 2022 Killam Prize in Social Sciences, Carl E. James is said to have spent “his career studying how to create a more equitable society and was among the first to tackle and name issues of racial inequity.” His trailblazing interdisciplinary research into racialization has helped to reshape how educational institutions (school boards), community organizations and government agencies (e.g., Statistics Canada ) research, understand and address issues of inequity that structure the educational and social policies, programs and practices responsible for the lived experiences and trajectories of marginalized individuals.

Interviewed about his work on CBC Radio by Nahlah Ayed on the Ideas program in 2022, producer, Tom Howell writes under the headline: “Change the system” quoting James as saying: “We just cannot think one approach is going to fit all our students and enable them to be successful.”

Starting out as a youth worker in Regent Park, Toronto, James went on to become a professor at York University where he teaches in the Faculty of Education with cross-appointments in the graduate programs of sociology, social and political thought, and social work.

A resident of Canada for more than 50 years, James, who holds a PhD in sociology, has authored, co-authored, edited and co-edited books 24 books — among them his seminal text, Seeing Ourselves: Exploring Race, Ethnicity and Identity (2010) now in its fourth edition and thousands of copies sold. Through longitudinal studies he has contributed to in-depth understandings of the experiences of marginalized youth. From his first major study: Making It: Black Youth, Racism and Career Aspiration in a Big City , 1990, James made a short film: Making It in 2006 for the National Film Board (NFB) Work for All series, and has written, Colour Matters: Essays on the Experiences, Education, and Pursuits of Black Youth (2021) a retrospective of his writings from the 1990s to the present.

Another publication co-authored with Leanne Taylor is First-Generation Student Experiences in Higher Education (2023) in which they analyzed the experiences and attainments of former university students some 18 years later.

In addition to being a visiting scholar at several universities in Canada, James has also lectured at universities in the United States, Australia, Jamaica, and in Sweden where he taught in the Teacher Training Department (1997-2013), Uppsala University, from where he received an Honorary Doctorate (2006). A fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, he is also recipient of many community and teaching awards including: Outstanding Contribution Award, Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) (2020); Graduate Faculty Teaching Award (2017), York University; Harry Jerome Professional Excellence Award, Black Business & Professional Association (BBPA) (2013); and William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations, City of Toronto (2008).

Professor and dean, Faculty of Community Services, Toronto Metropolitan University

City: Markham, Ontario

Usha George, PhD, is recognized for her expertise in newcomer settlement and integration. Her main areas of teaching, research and professional activity are social work with diverse communities, and newcomer settlement and integration, with an emphasis on examining policies and programs to ensure newcomers have the supports they need to settle and become contributing members to Canadian society.

George is professor and dean at the Faculty of Community Services, Toronto Metropolitan University . As the dean, she oversees nine professional schools in the area of health and human services, with undergraduate and graduate programs, some of which are the largest in Canad

George came to the university in 2006 from the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, where she had served as the associate dean and interim dean, and held the Royal Bank Chair in Applied Social Work Research. She also served as the director of the national Joint Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement.

George is a distinguished scholar and researcher in the areas of newcomer settlement and integration, and diversity and organizational change. She is well published and is frequently quoted in the Canadian media on newcomer settlement and multicultural issues.

President, George Brown College

City: Toronto Country of origin: England

Gervan Fearon, PhD, is president of George Brown College . An accomplished economist, scholar and teacher, he brings his vision for the transformative impacts of education to leading one of Canada’s most culturally diverse, urban post-secondary institutions.

Recognized for his ability to inspire and move teams toward positive and constructive change, Fearon collaborates across the college to support career-focused programs, advance applied research and innovation, and promote community development.

Fearon has an esteemed record of progressive leadership positions in higher education. He served as the president and vice-chancellor at Brock University in Ontario and Brandon University in Manitoba (where he also served as provost and vice-president, academic). Prior to his presidential appointments, he was dean of the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University, associate dean at York University’s Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies (where he also held a faculty position) and was a visiting scholar at the University of Washington.

Fearon began his career as an economist and policy advisor in government. Improving social and economic mobility through education is one of Fearon’s areas of expertise, and he shares his insights around the world. He currently chairs the external reference group for the federal government’s Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative and is a board member with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Niagara Health and Ingenium – Canada’s museums of science and innovation. He also co-founded the Canada Caribbean Institute with Sir Hilary Beckles, vice-chancellor, the University of the West Indies.

His work has been recognized with the Order of Ontario, Queen Elizabeth II Platinum and Diamond Jubilee Medals, and the Michaëlle Jean Foundation Influencer Award, among other honours.

Fearon earned a PhD in economics from Western University and received his master’s and bachelor of science degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Guelph. He holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation (CPA, CGA) and an Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D).

Entrepreneur and assistant professor

City: Edmonton

Elizabeth Coker-Farrell, PhD, is a wife, mother, owner, mentor, public speaker, entrepreneur and assistant professor of business management at Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta. Born in Nigeria, she immigrated to Canada in 2018 from her then home of Cyprus-Turkey, where she started her family and earned a master’s degree in health care organizational management at Cyprus International University, as well as a PhD in business administration, specializing in human resources management.

Less than two years arriving in Canada, Coker-Farrell put in the necessary work and completed needed assessments to validate her international qualifications and trainings. This led to her success in landing a faculty position at the Concordia University of Edmonton. Less than a year into the job, she was appointed the department chair for the faculty of business management and was responsible for the leadership and management of the faculty’s resource team, while delivering excellent academic deliverables. This speaks to her high level of discipline in time management, dedication, commitment and hard work toward achieving goals set before her, while also balancing her family life.

As a researcher, she focuses on population and organizational human resources, and advocates for development of a healthy working population in Alberta, focusing on healthy and safe workplace, mental health and other correlated variables. She has presented her research findings on world stage conferences such as the Alberta Innovates – Inventures, Academy of African Business and Development (AABD), nursing conference Canada, Diversity and Inclusion Canada, among others. Her publications are featured in peer-reviewed journals, social science citation index journals, and IEEE for a wide broad readership of scholars.

Coker-Farrell is compassionate and passionate about community development; hence, her volunteerism and services as a board of director for Habitat for Humanity Alberta, an academic outreach director for Project Management Institute – Northern Alberta Chapter (PMI-NAC), mentor at Chartered Professional of Human Resources (CPHR), mentor at Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC), mentor at Mentorship & Resilience program at Concordia University of Edmonton, mentor at Norquest College mentorship program, coach at Hope City Church, and more.

Elizabeth obtained her first degree in Computer Science from the University of Jos in Nigeria. She then went on to complete her Her professional qualifications include Project Management Professional (PMP), Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), among others.

President and founder, For the Love of Children Society of Alberta

Country of origin: Kenya

An enthusiastic philanthropist, prolific writer, poet and artist, Ashid Bahl is the president and founder of For the Love of Children Society of Alberta, a charity aid organization. He was only 11 years old when he started giving his lunch and toys to less fortunate children in his Kenyan school and the process of giving never stopped for him when he immigrated to Canada.

This year marks the 44th anniversary of Bahl’s aid work with his society, providing millions of dollars of aid in supplies, support and manpower to build stable orphanages and schools and to deliver medicine and healing methods that would otherwise be unavailable. A human rights activist who fights against the human trafficking of children, it is estimated that his work with the society has helped over one million children in Canada and abroad.

He has personally gone to help the victims of major natural disasters worldwide, which included countries like Haiti, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Guatemala, Japan, Philippines, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico, Kashmir, India and Canada, recently risking his life to help his interpreters to escape from Afghanistan, helping vulnerable children and their families in Ukraine, and helping orphaned children in Gaza.

Bahl has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to philanthropy in supporting healthy and vibrant communities of children across the globe. No one in the organization gets paid to do the charitable work. The vital funding he has provided stems from countless hours of volunteering and fundraising. He has singlehandedly raised over $15 million worth of aid to help the less fortunate around the world.

Bahl’s recent directorial debut of For the Love of Children, a film documenting his life’s work, won the coveted Angel Trophy Award for Best Film at the Angel Film Awards.

Bahl has received several awards including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Prime Minister of Canada’s Volunteer Medal, the Reader’s Digest award/Canadian Hero of 2007, the Alberta Centennial Medal from the Province of Alberta and more.

Registered nurse (RN)

City: Whitby, Ontario

Country of origin: Trinidad & Tobago

Angela Cooper Brathwaite, PhD, is a past president of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), co-chair of RNAO’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force, adjunct professor and associate graduate faculty member, Ontario Tech University (OTU).

As a visionary leader, she was influential in having the Ontario government develop and implement the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program in 1998. This program bridges the gap between hospital and community care for mothers and newborn babies. In 2008-2009, she advocated for the Ontario government to amend the Highway Traffic Act: Distractive Driving and Passenger Safety, to reduce motor vehicle injuries due to texting, drinking and driving in Ontario. This act was amended in September 2009.

In 2022, she and the chief executive officer of the RNAO launched the groundbreaking report: Acknowledging, Addressing, Tackling Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in the Nursing Profession . This resulted in many television (CP24, CTV, CBS), newspaper ( Toronto Star , and the Globe & Mail ) and radio (CBC Radio Ottawa) interviews.

She has received academic and service awards such as: Lifetime Achievement Award & Leadership in Student Mentorship (2022), Leadership Awards in Political Action (2013), and Award of Merit (2015) from the RNAO; UofT Distinguished Alumnus Award (2007); Ontario Public Health Association Leadership Award (2010); and Award of Excellence, Regional Municipality of Durham (2006). In 2022, she was inducted to the Order of Ontario and appointed to the Order of Canada.

She holds a PhD in nursing from the University of Toronto (UofT), master of nursing from the University of Manitoba, bachelor in nursing from Memorial University, NFLD and is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She has national and international nursing experience in leadership, nursing administration, education, policy advocacy, mental health and maternal-child nursing. She has taught undergraduate and graduate students at UofT and OTU and has mentored numerous nurses. Her areas of research are preventing type 2 diabetes, culturally tailored interventions, and systemic racism in nursing.

Cooper Brathwaite immigrated to Canada as a registered nurse (RN) and midwife in 1975 and is the fifth child of seven children.

Vice president, International Renewable Energy Systems Inc.

Chris Chukwunta is the vice president of International Renewable Energy Systems Inc. , a start-up with a vision to transition a million homes and businesses to clean energy by 2050.

Recognized in Canada and internationally for his contributions to global sustainable development, Chukwunta serves as a United Nations Affiliated Technical Reviewer, a member of Canada’s Sustainable Development Advisory Council (SDAC) and a member of the Commonwealth Engineers Council (CEC) Board.

From an invitation to Buckingham Palace by HM King Charles III for a reception with The King and The Queen Consort on Commonwealth Day, 2023, to engaging with world leaders and policymakers at the United Nations, the Commonwealth and multinational engagements, Chukwunta expresses his passion as an advocate for clean energy and sustainable development.

Chukwunta led the climate action working group at the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO), which was recognized by the United Nations Secretary General, the Conference of the Parties (COP) President and policymakers — the WFEO represents national engineering institutions from 100 nations and over 30 million engineers, and the COP is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

In response to rapid urbanization and climate change across the Commonwealth, Chukwunta supported the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative (CSCI) and partners to curate the Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation, which was adopted by the 56 Commonwealth Heads of Government. Chukwunta also volunteers with the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) team where he supports Commonwealth energy ministries to develop and implement workable net-zero transition strategies.

Chukwunta works with the WFEO and UNESCO as a judge of the world engineering day hackathon, an annual global competition supporting youth innovation, and the development of policies, initiatives and projects with the potential to change the world.

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Chukwunta and his family migrated to Canada in 2018, and are delighted to call Canada home. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and a master’s degree in systems engineering and innovation from Imperial College London.

Founder and volunteer

Mike Borlongan, an accomplished architectural hardware consultant, is renowned for his significant contributions to his community in Milton, Ontario. He has created a commendable life defined by determination, passion and altruism

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Borlongan’s early life was marked by his love for basketball. He played for his college team and was a proud member of the 1988-1989 National Collegiate Athletic Association Champion team. This early experience in sports not only honed his skills, but also instilled in him the values of teamwork and leadership.

In 1993, he embarked on a life-changing journey, immigrating to Canada. He settled in Milton in 2003, embracing it as his new home. Here, he combined his professional career and education with his enduring love for basketball. In 2005, he founded the Milton Stags Youth Basketball Club, a not-for-profit basketball club. Starting with modest beginnings, the club has flourished under his guidance and now boasts over 2,500 members, a testament to Borlongan’s dedication and the club’s inclusive philosophy.

Aside from his professional pursuits and contributions to youth basketball, Borlongan is deeply committed to his family. A loving husband and father of two, he manages to balance his family life with his extensive community work. His role as a volunteer with the Town of Milton’s Community Services Advisory Committee from 2013 to 2017 further exemplifies his dedication to community service. He contributed his insights and expertise to various community projects, enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Milton.

Borlongan’s journey from a college basketball player in Manila to a respected community leader in Canada is an inspiring tale of perseverance and community engagement. His ability to impact lives through sports and service has made him an esteemed figure in Milton, where he continues to inspire and lead with passion and integrity.

Writer, actress and director

City: Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec Country of origin: Iran

In 2018, writer, actress and director Baharan Baniahmadi moved to Canada from Iran. Immediately after arriving to Canada, she was able to take part in numerous initiatives and join the French and English language actors’ unions. Despite facing language challenges, she was a finalist chosen by the jury of Montreal Art Diversity (DAM) in 2019.

She was invited to appear as a guest on numerous TV and radio shows and acted in numerous Canadian films and television shows.

As a filmmaker, her short film My name is Saba has been selected to BUEIFF Channel (Buenos Aires International Film Festival), the Stone Flower Youth Film Festival (Russia), Kalakari Film Fest (India) and the Serbia International Youth Film Festival.

She is also a published author. Two significant awards were given to her English-language book, Prophetess, the Blue Metropolis (2023) and Best Work of the Year from Quebec Writer Federation (2022).

Her second book will shortly be released in French, making her a trilingual published writer.

She has made a lot of efforts for newcomers in the fields of cinema, theatre, dance, music and by launching Farm Land Festival in 2020 with her partner. She was able to create jobs for a great number of immigrants or newcomer artists and expand professional audience from urban areas to countryside.

Another example of her entrepreneurship for newcomers to Canada is co-founding the talent agency “On est la!”, which now has over 100 members. Through it, she has given talented newcomers the chance to be seen in theatre, television and film.

In addition, in 2024, she was one of the readers in CBC story writing contest.

Additionally, she has been an activist, standing for Iranian women during the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran.

STEM advisor, Manitoba Catholic Schools

City: Winnipeg Country of origin: India

Anju Bajaj, PhD, embarked on her journey from India to Canada in July 2005, driven by a spirit of adventure and a thirst for new opportunities. Overcoming the culture shock, she embraced the Canadian experience, finding wonder in her first encounter with snow and gradually adapting to the rhythms of Winnipeg winters.

Completing her post-doctoral training at St. Boniface Research Centre in 2007 marked a significant milestone in Dr. Bajaj’s professional pathway. There she made notable contributions, before transitioning to pursue her true passion for teaching. She obtained her permanent teaching certificate in 2011.

Bajaj’s commitment to advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education is evident in her current roles. Serving as the STEM Advisor for Manitoba Catholic Schools , she plays a pivotal role in shaping STEM initiatives, while also inspiring students as a STEM educator at Holy Cross School.

Bajaj is deeply committed to community service. She founded the Bison Regional Science Fair in 2017, providing a platform for budding scientists to showcase their talents. She was honoured with the very esteemed Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Canada Community Service Award in 2022. This was not only for her work with the Canadian South Asian community but also the wider community, including the Black Manitoban’s Chamber of Commerce and many First Nation groups.

Throughout her career, Bajaj has been honoured with many other prestigious awards, including the Prime Minister National Award for Teaching Excellence in 2021, and the Manitoba Excellence in Education Award in 2020. Additionally, she has been recognized as the Outstanding Science Educator of the Year by the Bioscience Association of Manitoba in 2018 and received the Science Teacher Award from the Science Teacher Association of Manitoba in 2017.

Bajaj’s journey from India to Canada exemplifies her unwavering pursuit of growth and opportunity. While she holds her Indian heritage close to her heart, Canada has provided her with the wings to soar and pursue her dreams. Through her dedication, resilience and commitment to education and community, Bajaj continues to shape the future of STEM education and inspire generations to come.

CEO, Icon Marketing

Country of origin: Taiwan

Crystal Hung is a Taiwanese-born, award-winning housing advocate and marketing executive. Starting with only $800 in her pocket upon graduating university in 2009, Hung has since masterminded and led many notable community-oriented marketing initiatives addressing critical social and housing needs.

One example is pioneering Canada’s first “Condo Truck” — a mobile condo buying experience for a 45-condo affordable East Vancouver condo development. By repurposing a retired Canada Post truck, Hung and her team achieved widespread media attention, a rapid sell-out of 35,000 square feet of condo inventory in a 20-square-foot mobile space, and a significant reduction in holding costs and constructions waste incurred by the development team compared to the traditional paradigm of building a brick-and-mortar presentation centre; this enabled the developer to pass along savings to homeowners.

During the period of great uncertainty caused by COVID-19, when many charitable foundations experienced disruption in their fundraising activities and a sharp decline in donation revenue, Hung leveraged her marketing background to co-found an ambitious project called PIXEL Moments.

PIXEL Moments was the creation of a large technology-driven and augmented-reality (AR) public art mural at one of the busiest intersections in Downtown Vancouver, with donors being encouraged to make $5 micro-donations to “purchase” individual pixels. When scanning the mural from a distance with a mobile device, the 80×20-foot mural would come to life through AR technology enabling gathering remotely during the pandemic lockdown. Creatively bringing together this intersection of public art and technology, and using it as a vehicle for fundraising and creating awareness was the first of its kind in Western Canada — raising $300,000 for the St. Paul’s Foundation.

Hung is winner of Business in Vancouver’s “Top 40 under 40” and is the recipient of the “Great Trekker Award,” given by the Alma Mater Society of UBC to prominent alumni who have achieved eminence in their chosen field and made a worthy contribution to their community. She also kicked off a $300 million campaign for the UBC Sauder Powerhouse Project by personally donating $1 million, which will make business education and entrepreneurship more accessible for future generations.

Head of inclusion and reconciliation, ATB Financial

City: Porters Lake, Nova Scotia Country of origin: India

Born in India, Roselle M. Gonsalves immigrated to Canada in 1998 at age 13. Dedicated to becoming Canadian, Gonsalves was curious to understand why her brown skin meant something different than it did before immigration.

To investigate, Gonsalves pursued a bachelor’s degree in neuropsychology and later a master’s in Gender Studies and Religious Studies, both from the University of Toronto. She also earned a PhD from the University of Calgary, undertaking an ethnographic study of identity and multiculturalism.

Gonsalves has also always been steadfast in her commitment to community service. In 2005, her years of volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society was recognized by a Volunteer Service Award from the Government of Ontario. She now contributes her knowledge and skills on the board of governors at Curling Canada and at the World Curling Federation. She is also a member of the global DEI council at the Boston College Centre for Corporate Citizenship.

Professionally, Gonsalves is the head of inclusion and reconciliation at ATB Financial , and brings over a decade of experience leading systemic change around equity, inclusion and socio-economic reconciliation with Indigenous communities. Recognized in 2022 as one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 for her career, Gonsalves is proud to have been a part of transformative inclusive change in diverse sectors, including social services, consulting and post-secondary education.

Gonsalves’ career is a reflection of her commitment to the values of inclusion and community, and deep gratitude to the Indigenous peoples on whose land she has had the immense opportunity to build her life as an immigrant settler.

Believing deeply in the power of storytelling to create bridges, in 2023 Gonsalves published her first book, a memoir, entitled The Ordinary Turned Precious . The book hit several of Amazon’s #1 Bestseller lists, including a few weeks at the top of the “Immigrant & Emigrant Memoirs” category, an accomplishment that would seem so surreal to that 13-year-old who first arrived in Canada.

Gonsalves enjoys true crime podcasts, tattoos and a spicy mutton curry. With her partner Dustin, Gonsalves now makes her home in Mi’kma’ki, now called Nova Scotia.

President, Results Advertising

Country of origin: China

Hon Lai Chui, Henry, an immigrant to Canada since 1998, has emerged as a prominent figure in community development and entrepreneurship. Graduating from Milliken Mills High School, he pursued his passion for marketing, earning a degree from McMaster University.

In 2009, Chui founded Results Advertising , a thriving marketing agency known for its innovative campaigns and community engagement. Results Advertising has worked with prominent clients such as Toshiba, Midea Group, Menkes Developments, Tridel, Toronto Premium Outlets, T&T Supermarket, Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation and North York General Hospital. Beyond marketing services, the agency prioritizes social responsibility, actively engaging in initiatives benefiting the community.

Chui is also the founder of the Canadian Asian Heritage Association, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Asian culture and heritage in Canada. He successfully helped organize the inaugural Uptown Asian Festival in 2023.

He is also one of the founders and chairs of the Outstanding Women Awards, recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women leaders in various fields.

Chui has been president of the Markham, Richmond Hill & Vaughan Chinese Business Association since 2022, advocating for the interests of Chinese businesses and fostering collaboration within the community. He is also vice president of the Cross-Cultural Community Services Association since 2023, promoting diversity, inclusion and social cohesion through various programs and initiatives. He is a RESCO shareholder, director and partner.

Chui has received several awards including:

ACCE Awards 2018, recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions to the Asian Canadian community.
Scarborough-Agincourt Silver Jubilee Medal at the 25th Anniversary of Scarborough-Agincourt Community, honouring exemplary service and dedication to the community.
Humanitarian Services Medal from Shaun Chen, M.P. of Scarborough North during COVID-19, acknowledging his efforts in supporting vulnerable communities.
Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, recognizing his outstanding contributions to community development and philanthropy.

Chui’s impactful contributions extend beyond entrepreneurship to community service and advocacy. He actively fosters cultural understanding and social cohesion while empowering women in leadership roles. His dedication to community enrichment and his numerous accolades underscore his commitment to making meaningful and lasting contributions to Canadian society.

Chef and restaurateur

Country of origin: Iran

Bardia Ilbeiggi is the chef and sole owner of Delara , a modern Persian restaurant in Vancouver.

Ilbeiggi is one of the first people to apply meticulous classical cooking techniques to traditional dishes from Iran, elevating the flavours and textures to familiar yet surprising territory. He is passionate about sharing his Iranian heritage, making it more accessible through his thoughtful and delicious dishes, as well as a stylish environment and relaxed but kind service. Additionally, Ilbeiggi is dedicated to cooking seasonally and continues to evolve and improve Delara’s menu.

Ilbeiggi’s path to Delara included a career pivot from engineering to cooking. Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, he immigrated to Canada in 2003 to attend university, studying aerospace engineering at Carleton University in Ottawa. He then moved to Toronto and worked at IBM for several years after graduation. But while still a student, Ilbeiggi had discovered a passion for cooking, so after a few years he left his job to attend culinary school in Paris and begin his career as a chef.

Following his culinary training, Ilbeiggi worked at Michelin-starred Frenchie in Paris, then returned to Vancouver and worked at L’Abattoir and Farmer’s Apprentice, as well as a stint at Michelin-starred Relae in Copenhagen. He steadily worked his way through the kitchen ranks, and after 10 years of restaurant experience focused mainly on French and Pacific Northwest techniques and ingredients, Ilbeiggi set about developing his own restaurant concept, and opened Delara in summer 2021.

Ilbeiggi is steadily gaining accolades both locally and nationally — most recently, he was named a 2023 Business in Vancouver Top Forty Under 40 winner in recognition of his entrepreneurial and business achievements. Delara is included in the Vancouver Michelin Guide, and was longlisted as one of Canada’s best new restaurants in 2022 by Air Canada’s EnRoute magazine.

Ilbeiggi has been profiled by many publications including the Globe and Mail , Elle Canada magazine, Vancouver Sun , Nuvo magazine and Montecristo magazine. Delara is also in the curated Vancouver city guide on all Air Canada flights.

Country of origin: Barbados

Andy Knight, provost fellow (Black excellence and leadership), distinguished professor, University of Alberta, Fulbright distinguished chair in international and area studies (Yale University), a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, was born in Barbados, immigrated to Canada in 1977 and graduated with a BA from McMaster University. Elected McMaster Student Union’s first Black president (1982-83), Knight also served on the executive councils of the Ontario Federation of Students (OFS) and the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). He was awarded the Honour ‘M’ (1983) for outstanding contributions to student and community life at McMaster. Knight holds a MA (Dalhousie 1986) and a PhD (York 1995). In his first job at L’Université Bishop’s, Knight excelled in teaching, receiving the Chancellor’s Award for most outstanding teacher.

Hired by the University of Alberta in 1998, Knight quickly rose to the rank of full professor in 2000 and served as department chair from 2009 to 2012: receiving a number of teaching and research awards and founding the very popular Model UN Club for high school students in Edmonton. Knight has been visiting professor, Landegg University (Zurich) and United Nations University (Tokyo). Wanting to give back to the region where he was born, Knight took a secondment to the University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad & Tobago (2013-2016). There, he served as director of the Institute of International Relations (IIR), co-founded/directed the Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean (DAOC), and established the HUB of the Caribbean Child Rights Observatory Network (CCRON) under UNICEF.

Recipient of several research grants amounting to over $6 million, Knight has published 16 important books, 78 chapters in edited volumes and 67 peer-reviewed journal articles. As a public intellectual, Knight’s commentaries can be found in major newspapers, magazines, and on radio and TV in many parts of the globe. He hosts Blacktalk.ca, a popular podcast, and recently created a free online MOOC – “Black Canadians: History, Presence, and anti-racist futures.” Named by Venture Magazine among Alberta’s top 50 most influential people, Knight is a past recipient of the Harry Jerome Trailblazer award by the Black Business and Professional Association of Canada.

Co-founder, Sparq Productions

Vishal Malpuria, one of the founders and creative minds behind Sparq Productions, along with his partner, Tania Lemos Malpuria, has dedicated his life to enriching Calgary’s arts scene and Calgary’s South Asian community, through a variety of annual productions including the ONE – World Goes Bollywood, Stampede Bolly Flash Mob, Holi Hungama, Diwali Dhamaaka Dinner gala, Incredible India Fest, Educational Dance Programs in the Calgary Board of Education, Calgary Catholic School District, charter schools and many mor

Malpuria has over 30 years of experience with the world’s largest film industry, India and has brought it to Calgary. He is an enthusiastic and energetic professional choreographer and director whose mediums include corporate instruction, music video choreography and live dance performance choreography, both nationally and internationally. Having worked with numerous reputable artists within Bollywood cinema and having the experience of choreographing and working on live international concert performances, Malpuria was thrilled to bring his experience to Calgary, when he decided to make it his home, 20 years ago.

He has had the unforgettable opportunity of working with Oscar and Golden Globe winner A.R. Rahman of Slumdog Millionaire, as well as to open for Michael Jackson, for his concert in Mumbai, India. He and his partner were the only Bollywood choreographers chosen to put forward a team for Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, at the 2005 Alberta Centennial Celebrations held in Edmonton.

It was also an honour for him to be bestowed the Queen’s Golden Jubilee pin in Calgary. In 2015, he received the South Asian Excellence Award for Cultural Icon. On November 19, 2022, he was honoured with the South Asian Inspiration Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts, Culture and Entertainment. He is deeply honoured to have recently been awarded the Immigrants of Distinction Awards 2023 for Visual & Performing Arts on November 2, 2023

Malpuria has been a fighter all his life, but more so when things took a downturn in 2015 on the medical front and he was put on the transplant list for a heart. With sheer blessings and gratitude, he received a heart on September 27, 2015. He fought his way to strength back again and got right into the community, teaching and producing events.

Beyond his artistry, he is active in youth engagement, cultural inclusivity and community outreach, supporting charities like Canadian Transplant Association, Calgary SCOPE Society, Canadian Red Cross, Kids Up Front, YYCharity, Bullying.org and the Sun Life Arts + Culture Pass through the Calgary Public Library Foundation.

City: Brampton, Ontario

Country of origin: Jamaica

Vanassa Richards-Thompson was born in Jamaica and immigrated to Canada in 2004. While previously a practising lawyer in Jamaica, she re-qualified in Canada and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2009. Vanassa is a panel lawyer for Legal Aid Ontario and the Office of the Children’s Lawyer and passionately represents and serves the most vulnerable members of society, including visible minorities, immigrants, victims of domestic violence and at-risk children and youth. Richards-Thompson finds this fulfilling in the Peel Region, one of the most multiculturally diverse regions in Canada.

In 2021, Richards-Thompson became the first-ever Black president in the Peel Law Association (PLA)’s then 75-year history and was president until 2023. She introduced the first Black History Month Celebrations to the PLA during the pandemic and in 2023 organized the first in-person Black History Month Celebrations at the courthouse, which was the largest courthouse event ever hosted by the PLA and has become an annual event. She proudly mentors new and young lawyers, especially women and is always seeking to encourage and empower youth.

In addition to her work with the PLA, Richards-Thompson sits on a number of outside committees and volunteers and supports community organizations serving vulnerable sections of the Peel community including the Knights Table, Regeneration, the Dream Never Dies Foundation and as a board member of Acorn2Oak Youth Services.

Richards-Thompson was a youth pastor at Faith Gospel Tabernacle Church in Brampton for several years and is currently that church’s Sunday School superintendent. She also spearheaded the creation of and currently leads a reading club in the community comprised primarily of children of Black and South Asian backgrounds

In February 2023, Richards-Thompson was appointed a deputy judge of the Superior Court of Justice, Central West Region. She has authored several articles published in both Jamaican and Canadian media and is a sought-after, motivational speaker and poet. She has been the recipient of the Emerging Leader Award from the Women’s Law Association of Ontario, Ralf Jarchow Community Service Award from the Peel Law Association and the Women Achiever’s Award from the Indo-Canadian Women’s Federation.

Tania Lemos Malpuria, one of the founders and creative minds behind Sparq Productions, along with her partner, Vishal Malpuria, has dedicated her life to enriching Calgary’s arts scene and Calgary’s South Asian Community, through a variety of annual productions including the ONE – World Goes Bollywood, Stampede Bolly Flash Mob, Holi Hungama, Diwali Dhamaaka Dinner gala, Incredible India Fest, Educational Dance Programs in the Calgary Board of Education, Calgary Catholic School District, charter schools and many more.

Malpuria has over 30 years of experience with the world’s largest film industry, India and has brought it to Calgary. She is an enthusiastic and energetic professional choreographer and director whose mediums include corporate instruction, music video choreography and live dance performance choreography, both nationally and internationally. Having worked with numerous reputable artists within Bollywood cinema and having the experience of choreographing and working on live international concert performances, she was thrilled to bring her experience to Calgary, when she decided to make it her home 20 years ago.

She has had the unforgettable opportunity of working with Oscar and Golden Globe winner A.R. Rahman of Slumdog Millionaire, as well as to open for Michael Jackson, for his concert in Mumbai, India. She and her partner were the only Bollywood choreographers chosen to put forward a team for Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, at the 2005 Alberta Centennial Celebrations held in Edmonton.

It was also an honour for her to be bestowed the Queen’s Golden Jubilee pin in Calgary. In 2015, she received the South Asian Excellence Award for Cultural Icon. On November 19, 2022, she was honoured with the South Asian Inspiration Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts, Culture and Entertainment. She is deeply honoured to have recently been awarded the

Immigrants of Distinction Awards 2023 for Visual & Performing Arts on November 2, 2023.

Beyond her artistry, she is active in youth engagement, cultural inclusivity and community outreach, supporting charities like Canadian Transplant Association, Calgary SCOPE Society, Canadian Red Cross, Kids Up Front, YYCharity, Bullying.org and the Sun Life Arts + Culture Pass through the Calgary Public Library Foundation.

Member of Ontario Provincial Parliament

City: Mississauga, ON

Country of origin: Egypt

Sheref Sabawy is the member of Ontario Provincial Parliament for the riding of Mississauga-Erin Mills for two consecutive terms. On March 28, 2024, he was appointed by the Premier of Ontario Doug Ford to be the Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturism. Prior to that he served for one year as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery, responsible for the digital government services.

He is the first Canadian of Egyptian-Coptic descent to be elected to the legislature in Canada’s history. He first got elected on June 7, 2018, and has since been an integral part of Ontario’s legislative landscape.

MPP Sabawy also served on multiple legislative committees including Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure, and Cultural Policy; Standing Committee on Social Policy; and Standing Committee on Government Agencies.

MPP Sabawy has successfully helped to pass several important pieces of legislation to build Ontario. His advocacy has helped secure:

Egyptian Heritage Month to be celebrated in July of every year in Ontario, Canada
Elimination of the “Canadian experience” requirements for new immigrant professional workers
$45 million in provincial funding for the South Common Community Centre and Library
Over 1,880 long-term care beds for Mississauga
The redevelopment of the Mississauga Hospital to be the largest emergency department in Canada
The development of the 18-kilometre light-rail train “Hazel McCallion Line”

Other than his legislative work, Sabawy has been an active and engaged member of the Canadian community for over 18 years; including the Inter-Faith Committee of Peel, the Peel Region Inclusion & Multi-Culture Task Force, the Mississauga Post-Secondary Education Task Force and the Canadian-Coptic Community Centre. He remains vocally and actively involved in the community, regularly meeting with community members and businesses throughout Mississauga-Erin Mills and across Ontario to learn how to make life better for Ontarians.

Professionally, he is a successful computer network and IT technologies professional with over 38 years of experience, having worked for some of Canada’s largest companies and major financial institutions like Bell, HSBC, CIBC and Cisco. Additionally, he has managed a successful consultancy business and continues to share his knowledge as a professor of IT at George Brown College and Centennial College.

Executive director, SFU International

City: Vancouver Country of origin: Kenya

Shaheen Nanji is a prominent figure in Canadian academia and community leadership, renowned for her tireless advocacy for social justice, diversity and education. Born and raised in Kenya, Nanji embarked on a journey marked by resilience, determination and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in her adopted home of Canada.

Arriving in her early twenties, Nanji faced the challenges of adaptation and integration common to many immigrants. Despite lacking traditional credentials and “Canadian experience,” she embraced the opportunities available to her and quickly made her mark.

Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish herself in the business world, where she co-founded a travel agency within a remarkably short span. However, driven by a desire to effect social change informed by her international experiences, she transitioned to academia.

At Simon Fraser University (SFU), Nanji found her true calling. She pursued higher education, earning a master’s in international studies. Her academic journey at SFU heightened her passion for social justice, equity and inclusion, and community engagement.

Currently serving as the executive director of SFU International, Nanji plays a pivotal role in shaping and leading the university’s international diplomacy and fostering impact. As an ambassador of Canada and SFU, she works tirelessly to promote educational collaborations and serves as an interlocutor across sectors, cultures and disciplines on the global stage.

At the global community level, she convenes substantive conversations between diverse communities, addressing pressing issues such as immigration, the climate crisis, and equity and inclusion. To that end, she serves as an associate for the SFU Centre for Dialogue.

In addition, Nanji remains deeply engaged in community leadership. She has served on the boards of various non-profit organizations, including Burnaby Family Life, where she held the position of chair. Additionally, Nanji chairs the board of Proteknon and is board member with Academics Without Borders, further amplifying her impact on both local and global scales.

Nanji stands as a shining example of the transformative potential of immigrants in shaping Canadian society. Her journey is an inspiration, embodying the values of resilience, compassion and unwavering dedication to creating a more just and inclusive world.

Patient advocate and professor

City: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Country of origin: Turkiye (Turkey)

Named as one of the Most Inspiring Immigrants in Atlantic Canada in 2024, Sevtap Savas is dedicated to improve the lives of cancer patients and families through community engagement, advocacy and research.

Originally from Turkiye, Savas moved to Canada in 2002 and later became a Canadian citizen. Since 2008, she has been a faculty member at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Savas’ aim is to help reduce cancer’s effects on individuals and communities. She believes that every day is an opportunity to achieve this aim. Together, we can make this a reality. For this purpose, she works with dedicated students, assistants, collaborators and patient partners.

Her long-term expertise is about understanding the influence of genetic make-up on survival of cancer patients.

Lately, inspired by patient stories and social justice, she started to examine discrimination, as well as social and workplace issues experienced by patients. Her students and patient partners have important roles in this work.

Additionally, Savas has been leading the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, a patient-scientist partnership in Newfoundland and Labrador. This group promotes public knowledge on cancer and helps create research studies. They also advocate for cancer patients and identify ways to connect with the community. They have successfully utilized various outreach tools, including a public conference, media articles, radio interviews, blog posts and podcasts.

Also, recently Savas created a pan-Atlantic Canada patient-scientist partnership. This new group will support researchers solving cancer-related problems and elevate patient and family voices in the region and beyond. She is motivated by her interest in social justice and wellbeing of cancer patients.

She credits her resilience to overcoming numerous obstacles as an immigrant woman, scientist, and advocate, and as a person living away from family. While cancer is her main focus, Savas also advocates for international students and under-served communities.

Savas has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her life. In 2020, she was promoted to a full professor.

Last but not least, Savas loves animals. She has been volunteering for an animal rescue organization by fostering their cats.

Litigation and immigration lawyer

Born in Tamilnadu, India, to a father who was an auto-rickshaw driver, Rizwana Nazar faced extreme financial hurdles from a young age. Yet her determination saw her winning a scholarship to compete in the prestigious Willem C. Vis Moot Court Competition, in Austria and Hong Kong, marking her out as a talent to watch.

Moving to Canada in 2018 as a permanent resident, Nazar faced the double challenge of being pregnant and lacking Canadian work experience, which made job hunting particularly difficult. However, holding a master’s in law (LLM) from India, she didn’t let these obstacles deter her. Nazar tackled the Canadian law equivalency and bar exams head on, passing them by 2021 while also caring for her newborn. Just four days after obtaining her barrister and solicitor license, she founded Naz Law Professional Corporation, a Brampton-based law firm demonstrating her remarkable resilience and drive.

Nazar, from a modest background, understands the value of every penny and the need for legal justice, saying, “like doctors, we save lives, just differently.” Her firm offers free, fixed-fee and pro-bono services, aiding newcomers and low-income families, shining as a beacon for the underserved.

She has also been a pivotal figure in the Tamil community in Canada, founding the Association of Tamilnadu Community in Canada. This association, boasting over 5,000 members, provides workshops, cultural and career events, significantly impacting the Tamil immigrant community in Canada.

Nazar’s social media influence, boasting 130,000 Instagram followers and 115,000 YouTube subscribers, has offered key resources for Tamil-speaking audience seeking guidance on immigration and legal matters.

Besides her legal work, Nazar is an entrepreneur with several businesses, including a bed and breakfast and a startup called Biz Nook, which supports new entrepreneurs. She has also established a network of immigration firms in India.

Social impact leader

City: Burlington, Ontario

Rania Younes is a systems designer and community strategist with a deep commitment to fostering community, dismantling barriers, and advancing equity and inclusion. An unwavering advocate for social change, Younes held leadership positions in marketing and branding roles within multinational corporations across the Middle East and North Africa. In the last decade, Younes made a strategic pivot to the non-profit sector, driven by her passion for social change and impact. Through her work in co-designing solutions and fostering community-based partnerships, Younes is an inspiring visionary dedicated to shaping brighter futures and equitable communities.

As the senior manager of employer networks and national engagement at the Immigrant Employment Council of BC, Younes plays a pivotal role in connecting employers with skilled immigrants, promoting inclusive hiring practices, and tackling systemic employment challenges. Her passion for economic empowerment has a particular focus on immigrant women and youth, evidenced by her involvement with organizations like the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council and the Canadian Arab Institute. Driven by a profound belief in the transformative power of societal impact of immigrant prosperity, she co-founded WelcomeHomeTO and the Professional Canadian Arab Network (PCAN), organizations focused on alleviating settlement challenges and cultivating networking and mentoring opportunities, particularly within racialized communities.

Younes leverages the arts as a catalyst for social justice and inclusion, with consulting contributions to various productions including In Her Shoes , a dark comedy short film exploring pervasive employment challenges of Arab women in Canada, collaborations with Against the Grain Theater on the BOUND-HANDEL WITH CARE digital album, and a project that that celebrates immigrant women’s stories with artist Madhu Kumar.

Born in Egypt and raised in Kuwait, Younes relocated to Canada in the early 2000s after completing her studies at the American University in Cairo. She also holds a master’s degree in strategic foresight and innovation design from OCAD University, which deepened her commitment to social innovation and community development.

Rani Younes has held leadership roles, such as president and chair of the board for the Arab Community Center of Toronto, Newcomer’s Kitchen and Newcomer Students’ Association. She has volunteered extensively with initiatives like Scale Without Borders, Yalla Let’s Talk, Canadian Arabic Orchestra, Environmental Defence and the Canadian Muslim Vote, showcasing her commitment to fostering inclusion, equity and social development.

Educator and musician

City: Winnipeg Country of origin: Chinese born in Philippines

Paul Ong is Chinese by heritage, born and raised in the Philippines. He immigrated to Canada in 2010. Since migrating to Canada, he has been using his gifts to make a positive impact in the community.

Ong is an educator and a musician (tenor). By profession, Ong is a vice-principal who empowers youth to excel. He started his teaching career in a northern community, and was an inclusive education resource teacher in an inner-city junior high, before his appointment into school administration. He is currently the vice-principal at Meadows West School, with the Winnipeg School Division, where they are currently piloting a Filipino-bilingual program.

As a musician, Ong uses his voice to build community and spark social change. He performs with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and is the first local Chinese-Filipino accompanied by the WSO for a full concert. His annual “Concerts for a Cause” have raised close to $150,000 for local Manitoba charities since its inception in 2015.

Ong will host his 10th Concert for a Cause this November 2024, and is truly grateful for the collective community support that has allowed him the privilege and opportunity to use his voice as a platform for community causes.

As a singer, Ong has been recognized nationally (Canada’s Got Talent, Tim Hortons Hometown Hero) and internationally (World Championship of Performing Arts); and is one of 10 CBC Manitoba Future 40 awardees, recognizing individuals who make a positive impact in the community, and make this province better for future generations.

In 2023, Ong established Yap-Ong Family Fund through the Winnipeg Foundation to solidify the family’s commitment to sustainable charitable giving. He also made it to Ace Burpee’s Top 100 Most Fascinating Manitobans of 2023, and his April 2023 Concert for a Cause is among one of 12 top headline stories in the Winnipeg Free Press for 2023.

This 2024, Ong has been requested to be a board of director for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and is also a member of Manitoba Opera’s Community Engagement committee. He also made his debut performance for the NHL singing the national anthem for the Winnipeg Jets in February 2024.

Chef and author

Noel Cunningham’s culinary journey is filled with incredible learning experiences, from Jamaica to Canada. His path to becoming one of Canada’s celebrated chefs and culinary extraordinaire is as authentic and inspiring as the dishes he prepares daily.

Cunningham is a multi-award-winning chef and culinary personality who hails from Kingston, Jamaica. He is the executive chef of Cuisine by Noel, a private chef and catering company, as well as the host of the What’s Cooking with Chef Noel podcast and best-selling author of his debut cookbook, Cuisine by Noel: A Culinary Journey through Recipes and Stories . Cunningham is a culinary expert who appears regularly on Canadian television shows, including CP24, Your Morning Live, Breakfast Television and Global News .

In 2013, Cunningham brought his international experience and unique culinary flair to some of Manitoba’s hotels while working as their executive chef. After making an impact on the Manitoba culinary scene for six years and being nominated and voted Winnipeg’s best chef, Cunningham relocated to Toronto in 2019, and since then he has become one of the most sought-after chefs, working with high-profile brands such as Appleton Estate Canada, the Jamaica Tourist Board Canada, Guinness, Sunwing Vacations and the City of Toronto.

His culinary prowess has earned him recognition nationally as well as internationally, culminating in multiple accolades and appearances in print and broadcast media across the U.S., Canada and Jamaica. In 2019 and 2020, he was voted Best Black Chef in Canada. In 2021, he also took home the Best Restaurant and Baker, Best Podcaster and Best Caterer awards from the ByBlacks.com Magazine awards.

Cunningham is the face of Sherbourne Health’s Food for Good campaign. The initiative improves food-related skills and knowledge, as well as job opportunities and access to healthy food for our community’s most vulnerable. He is also a monthly donor for the Sick Kids Hospital.

In 2022, Cunningham was named one of the 60 most influential and impactful next-generation and senior leaders of Jamaican descent in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. As a food writer and culinary podcaster, Cunningham uses his platform to advocate for chefs, restaurants and the culinary industry.

Founder, Nigerian Canadian Multicultural Centre

When Nekpen Obasogie arrived in Canada in 2008 from Nigeria, she took a decisive step to adapt to Canadian life; she had to repeat her high school education, not minding that she was in her thirties. Today, she has a degree in sociology and a second in law and society, a master’s degree in social work, and, to boot, a certificate in refugee and migration studies.

Since 2021, Obasogie has authored three history books, and she is currently a PhD candidate at OISE/University of Toronto. She has volunteered in various organizations in Toronto, including Rexdale Women’s Centre. As an immigrant woman in Canada and a student at York University, Obasogie understands the many barriers faced by new immigrants and their families in the country. She asserts that education is one of the keys to social and economic integration. To address this issue, she formed an association under the student federation at York University called the Immigrant Women’s Alliance (IWA) in 2015. This organization seeks to empower new immigrant women, especially those facing integration challenges in education and access to social services. Obasogie believes that education benefits women, their families, Canadian society and the rest of the world.

Obasogie is also the key host and CEO of NEBO TV in Toronto. NEBO TV is an online television channel that produces history documentaries and reports news worldwide. From 2021 to 2023, she served as the assistant secretary of the Nigerian Canadian Association (GTA) and held other positions. In 2022, she made history when she initiated the annual Edo Language Day Worldwide (Edo is her native language in Nigeria). The Edo Language Day initiative is her response to the warning by the United Nations over the extinction of Indigenous languages worldwide. She continues to coordinate the program every year worldwide.

As part of her community service work in Canada, in 2022, she founded the Nigerian Canadian Multicultural Centre (NCMC) in Toronto. NCMC is a not-for-profit organization that aims to enhance the social, economic, mental health and cultural development of the members of Etobicoke Centre and new immigrants in the GTA. Obasogie manages three organizations at her Etobicoke Centre (Toronto) office. In 2022, she set up a committee (Benin Artifacts Restitution) to oversee and campaign for the restitution of Benin Cultural Artifacts that were looted from Benin by the British colonists in 1897. In 2023, she was appointed the Diaspora African Konnect (DAK) lead researcher (an international organization in the United Kingdom).

CEO, Lavender Smiles Daycare

City: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Country of origin: India

Namrata Sharma immigrated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 2017 with her mother from their home country India. After experiencing culture shock within her new city, she fell into a deep depression that she battled for an entire year. But she fell in love with Canada and recovered once she emersed herself into the community around her. After feeling accepted and supported through peers, colleagues and professionals, she finally developed a true sense of home in her new country.

Not only has she developed a sense of home for herself, but her company has done exactly that for neurodivergent children. She is the CEO and co-founder of Saskatoon’s one and only complex behavioural daycare, Lavender Smiles Daycare. She has changed the face of childcare in her province for many children with complex behavioural disabilities and have benefited their families lives in abundantly positive ways.

The impact of her company on the community has changed many families lives across the province of Saskatchewan. Testimonies both online and in person reflect the significance that Sharma and her business has had on families with children who are neurodivergent. A diagnosis often poses a dark and heavy journey ahead, but Sharma intercepts that and opens a door to inclusion and acceptance.

She has volunteered at local hospitals as well as at the University of Saskatchewan. Her services and impact have extended far beyond local facilities with her generosity and kind manner being her prominent attributes. Sharma has a bright soul with ambition that is infectious. Her age, 24, has not stopped her from achieving things that many only dream of.

She has been honoured by being a finalist in three categories between two prestigious local business awards, the NSBA Business Builder Awards and the WESK Gala. The categories that her business is eligible for are Young and Promising Entrepreneurs, Small Business and Innovation Award.

Poet, author and arts educator

City: Niagara Falls, Ontario Country of origin: Jamaica

Nadine Williams is a Jamaican-Canadian who now calls Ontario home. She has published four collections of poetry, two children’s books and over 16 volumes of literature for Black History Month. These creations are a staple in the curricula of several schools in Canada in celebration of Black history. She is a regular presenter at schools across Canada, including universities and was the distinguished guest lecturer to the prestigious African Writers Club at the University of Vienna in May 2019, and is often called upon to participate in Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees Canada citizenship ceremonies reading poetry, singing the anthem and welcoming new Canadians. She is the recipient of the CIC Volunteer Award 2012, York Regional Police Deeds Speak Award 2014, received parliamentary mention for significant contribution to Black History in Canada in 2019, was named among the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women (100ABC) 2022, received the 2024 Women Who Inspire Change Award from the Jamaican Canadian Association and have received numerous certificates from all levels of government.

Williams has exhibited her artwork at Canadian Museum of History, Bank of Canada Museum, Old Town Hall Gallery, Art Gallery of Mississauga, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Billy Bishop Airport and Toronto’s Union Station. As the resident poet for the Caribbean Consular Corps, she is vested in supporting the next generation of authors, writers and scholars. This distinguished President’s Poet has opened for Michelle Obama, the Right Hon. Michaëlle Jean, Canada’s former Governor General, Hon. Justin Trudeau, PM of Canada, and Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller, PM of Jamaica.

She was the proponent in the recognition and dedication of four recent significant events of the journey of Black Peoples in Canada; “The Enslavement of African People in Canada,” “The West Indian Domestic Scheme,” “George Dixon” and “Celebrations of Emancipation Day.” These occurrences and person are now catalogued by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada as historical Canadian significant events and person.

Her current project is to bring awareness to the UN’s International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) through her art installation project, “The Fabric of Our Being” and successfully advocated for the domestic extension of the decade to 2028.

Notary Public

City: Langley, B.C.

Country of origin: Republic of Moldova

Recognized as the Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year by Small Business BC in 2017, Lilián Cazacu embodies resilience and determination in overcoming formidable obstacles on his path to pursuing his passion for law. In 2005, Cazacu and his young family embarked on a courageous journey to Canada, despite of lack of English and any substantial financial means.

Having dedicated nearly a decade to his legal education in Moldova, including attaining a bachelor’s in civil law, a master’s in law and PhD studies in criminology, Cazacu encountered a stark reality — he couldn’t sustain his family on his modest income as an in-house legal counsel for a local non-profit organization. Undeterred by adversity, he started intensively studying English during the day, while toiling as a laborer in a manufacturing plant by night. Despite sustaining an injury and learning that his legal credentials from Moldova weren’t recognized in Canada, his resolve remained unyielding, and he continued improving his English proficiency while obtaining a Certificate in Legal Administrative Studies at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, which allowed him to secure a paralegal position. Subsequently, he applied and was admitted into the MAALS program at SFU, which he helped fund with a low-interest loan through a foreign recognition program with S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

In 2014, Cazacu achieved a significant milestone, graduating with an MA in Applied Legal Studies, passing statutory exams and being sworn in by the Supreme Court of BC as a notary public. Founding LC Notary Corporation, his entrepreneurial venture flourished rapidly, earning him abundant accolades for his business acumen and community contributions. Over the years, Cazacu has been recognized with numerous local awards, beside the BC Immigrant Entrepreneur award, such as the U40 Person of the Year by the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce in 2016, the Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018, the Small Business Person of the Year by Alignable. Also, in 2019, Cazacu was recognized by the Kwantlen Polytechnic University as the Distinguished Alumni of the Year while the Langley Chamber awarded him with their most prestigious award — the George Preston Memorial Business Person of the Year.

Cazacu’s commitment to philanthropy is as steadfast as his dedication to professional excellence. He keeps paying it forward and giving back to his community by actively serving on various boards and lending his time and expertise to local non-profit organizations. He ardently advocates for legal and financial literacy within his Langley and B.C. community. Through his unwavering determination and altruistic endeavors, Lilian Cazacu continues to inspire and uplift those around him, leaving a perpetual mark on both professional and philanthropic landscapes.

Author/writer

Country of origin: Singapore

Kelly Kaur grew up in Singapore and lives in Calgary. Her writing centres on issues of immigration, displacement, race, colour and women’s experiences.

Kaur’s poem, part of the Lunar Codex Nova , landed on the moon on February 22, 2024 — the first historic library on the moon, declared an Artemis Accords Heritage Site, designated as a heritage of humanity, and preserved for posterity. Her novel, Letters to Singapore , will also be going to the moon on the Astrobotic Griffin/NASA VIPER mission in November 2024.

Kaur’s novel, Letters to Singapore, chronicles the hilarious and challenging experiences of a newcomer to Canada. Kaur’s upcoming children’s book, Howdy, I’m Harnam Singh , is the story of a pioneer Sikh rancher in Alberta. It will be published in fall 2024. Kaur’s interviews and works have been published in Singapore, Canada, U.S.A., Malaysia, U.A.E., United Kingdom, Prague, Peru, Columbia, Berlin, Italy, Greece, New Zealand and Africa.

Kaur has a passion for human rights; her poems were selected by the North Dakota International Human Rights Arts Festival in both 2022 and 2023.The poems were in a one-year travelling exhibition to museums and arts galleries in six cities. Kaur’s poem won Honorable Mention for the Creators of Justice Literary Award, New York, and her story was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Some publications include Landed: Transformative Stories of Canadian Immigrant Women and Growing Up Indian, Singapore . Other poems were choreographed to dance by the Voices Dance Project in Ottawa.

Kaur is a preliminary reader for IHRAM Publishes, International Human Rights Art Movement, New York (IHRAM). She edited an anthology for IHRAM: From Africa with Love: Voices of a Creative Continent . She is currently editing another IHRAM anthology showcasing Canadian Indigenous writers and artists: Indigenous Voices of Canada: Heart, Hope and Land . She was a judge for IHRAM’s Creators of Justice Literary Award and the African Spoken Word Award. A Calgarian toastmaster, she represented Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan’s District 42 at the Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking. She volunteers as a board member for the Alexandra Writers’ Centre. Kaur teaches at Mount Royal University.

Family lawyer, mediator and arbitrator, Kavita V. Bhagat, Family Law Solutions

Kavita V. Bhagat C.S. has practised law for over 20 years. She was designated as a certified specialist in family law by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO). Bhagat serves as a committee member with the Judicial Appointments Advisory Council (Ontario). She is an accredited family mediator, arbitrator, parenting coordinator and a former panel lawyer for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer.

She offers evaluative voice of the child reports and is trained to provide collaborative family law services. She is an ADR instructor at York University. Bhagat is a former board member of the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario and past-president of the Peel Chapter of the Ontario Association of Family Mediators.

She currently serves as the treasurer for Peel Mediation Arbitration. She is a former board member of the Caledon Parent and Child Centre, Ontario Early Years and served as the fund development coordinator and board member of Volunteer MBC, a not-for-profit that oversees 220 plus not-for-profits in the Region of Peel.

She served as director, Peel Law Association and currently serves as an executive on the Ontario Bar Association.

Media champion in diversity, equality, multiculturalism and inclusion

Jay Chowdhury is a seasoned professional with a track record of success across multiple industries and regions. He has held key roles such as station manager at CKYR Multicultural Broadcasting Corporation RED FM 106.7, where he led a team in promoting multiculturalism through innovative radio programming in 19 ethnic Languages reflecting ethnic diversity.

In his role as Canadian Foodgrains Bank Alberta Representative Advocacy Coordinator on Global Food Security, Chowdhury advocated for crucial issues like global food security, playing a vital role in addressing hunger on a global scale.

His work with uTurn Project (Inc) Canada as a project officer for South Asia and Far East Asia led to the successful implementation of projects that brought about positive change in these regions.

As director of programs for Habitat for Humanity in Asia and the Pacific Region, Chowdhury spearheaded efforts to provide sustainable housing solutions through engaging community programs.

Additionally, his role as a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) program officer focused on combating human trafficking for sexual purposes and supporting children in difficult circumstances underscored his dedication to social impact.

Further, as board co-chair for the Calgary Police Service, Diversity Unit’s South Asian Portfolio, Chowdhury led initiatives to strengthen police-community relations within the South Asian community, showcasing his commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity.

Chowdhury’s achievements reflect not only his professional expertise but also his unwavering dedication to making a positive difference in the world.

Born and raised in Calcutta, Chowdhury has lived in Alberta for two decades, where he still lives with his wife, Jyoti, and three boys.

Small business owner and city councillor

City: Kingston, Ontario

Country of origin: Pakistan

Jamshed “Jimmy” Hassan was born in Pakistan, raised as a foster child by his aunt and uncle. Living in poverty, he was inspired to engage with local politics to create equitable and sustainable changes at just 17 years old. However, due to lack of opportunity, he left to pursue the full extent of his dream across the world.

Hassan has lived and worked in Japan and America before finally moving to Canada as a landed immigrant in 1998 for culinary skills work. In 2003, he moved to Kingston and became a small business owner when he bought a Pizza Pizza franchise location. He has lived there, managing the restaurant, for the past 23 years.

Hassan has always been grateful for everything he has, and he believes that giving back your blessings is an important responsibility as a Canadian. He has spent the past eight years doing just that through a local non-profit he founded called the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation.

Through this organization, he has many projects including the Diversity Dinner for seven years to celebrate the unique cultures and histories that make up Canada; with over 450 participants last year, the Santa Slices Initiative for three years donating over 1,800 slices to local charities last holiday season, and Project Red Rose for six years to provide the vulnerable with a fresh meal and companionship on Valentine’s Day.

For his efforts, Hassan has won several awards, including the Community Foundation of Kingston & Area’s Community Builder Award, the city’s First Capital Distinguished Citizens Award and an honorary diploma from St. Lawrence College.

Hassan has also been the producer and host of his own show on local television, “Community Voices” on YourTV Cogeco, opening discussions about local socio-political matters.

Now, decades later, Hassan’s journey has circled all the way back to that desire to help create the best and most equitable city that he sparked in his youth, as he has been the first South Asian immigrant elected to the Kingston City Council as of 2022.

City: Whitby

Torres is an award-winning writer of comics and graphic novels for younger readers. He was four years old when his family immigrated to Canada from the Philippines. At an early age, he learned to read from newspaper comic strips like Peanuts and Family Circus . By the third grade, he was writing and drawing his own comic strip for the school paper. In the sixth grade, he directed a play he adapted from an Archie comic. By the time he graduated high school, he knew he wanted to be a writer and aspired to work for the publishers of his favourite superhero comics. That dream came true in the early 2000s when he wrote some X-Men stories for Marvel and was soon recruited to helm the original Teen Titans Go series for DC Comics. He’s been writing comics professionally ever since.

Torres has worked for all the major North American comic book publishers as well as some of Canada’s biggest children’s book publishers. He’s written stories for popular characters and titles such as the Archies, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Batman, Black Panther, Degrassi: Extra Credit, Rick and Morty Presents, The Simpsons, Wall-E, Wonder Woman, Yo Gabba Gabba and more.

His graphic novels include Brobots ( Kids Read Comics and Parents Choice award winner), How to Spot a Sasquatch (Junior Library Guild selection), Planet Hockey (Forest of Reading Honour Book), Lola: A Ghost Story (recipient of an Aesop Accolade from the American Folklore Society) and Stealing Home (Forest of Reading Honour Book and Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award). He has also written for television and animation, most notably Degrassi Minis and DC’s Adventure Comics on YouTube. Born in Manila, raised in Montreal and educated at McGill, Torres is a recipient of the “Outstanding Writer” Joe Shuster Award and listed on the Government of Canada’s “Noteworthy Canadians of Asian Heritage.” He also volunteers as an ESL instructor and participates in conversation circles for new Canadians. The writer currently resides with his wife and two sons in Whitby, Ontario.

Founder, Kibbi

Country of origin: Vietnam

Hong Phuc (HP) Nguyen is a Vietnamese newcomer who, in just two years, transformed her challenges into opportunities. Faced with the labyrinth of barriers immigrants encounter in the job market despite coming here with an MBA and +12 years’ work experience, Nguyen founded the Kibbi app . Her mission is to revolutionize the settlement experience for immigrants and refugees, enabling efficient workforce entry and integration.

Raised in modest circumstances, she learned about hard work and grit, bringing the app to where it is today. Her formative years were spent in a woman-led family business, where she helped sell fish sauce in plastic bags in a small coastal town in Vietnam starting from the age of five. This upbringing instilled in her an entrepreneurial spirit for addressing market gaps and solving real-world problems.

Today, the Kibbi app stands out as a platform available in 17 languages, specifically spoken by refugees, employing a map-based interface so jobseekers can explore local employment opportunities. It leverages AI to support resumé building and adaption for every job application.

In her first year of business, Nguyen secured an $895K investment and thrives under Platform Calgary’s incubation. Her journey culminated in being awarded the Immigrant of Distinction Award for Entrepreneurship & Innovation in 2023. To date, the app has aided over 21,000 jobseekers across Canada and facilitated 67,000 job applications to local businesses. Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and a commitment to using technologies and innovation for social change.

Gerontologist

Haidong Liang, PhD, a renowned gerontologist, embodies the spirit of the Canadian dream. Arriving in Canada in 2002 as an international student from Mainland China with limited English proficiency, he has since made significant academic and professional strides. He earned three degrees from top Canadian universities and taught English writing at two universities.

Currently, Liang is the executive director of Westend Seniors Activity Centre (WSAC) and WESeniors Strathcona County, one of the few racialized, non-Canadian-born leaders of a mainstream senior-serving organization in Alberta. His transformative leadership has tripled the centre’s programs and membership and secured over $5 million in funding.

He created the “WESeniors” platform, an inclusive movement for seniors’ wellbeing. This platform connects seniors and their social networks both in person and digitally through a variety of programs, services and digital solutions. The strength of the platform lies in its openness to partnerships, leveraging the strengths of other organizations, and its commitment to serving seniors effectively and efficiently.

His vision also led to the founding of the Alberta Seniors Alliance, providing support to other organizations serving over 5,000 equity-deserving populations. He introduced cutting-edge technologies to WSAC, making it one of the few senior centres with its own app tailored for seniors.

Liang works closely with universities across Canada (e.g., University of Alberta, Western University), connecting seniors to the latest research (e.g., on dementia). He has also been instrumental in creating a multilingual senior-focused fraud prevention website (https://seniorfraudalert.ca/) in Canada, which has been featured in BC, Alberta and Ontario.

His volunteer roles span various notable provincial/municipal/community committees (e.g., the Minister’s Advisory Committee for Seniors and the Edmonton Age Friendly Alliance Stewardship Group). In these roles, he leverages his expertise to influence policies and trends that benefit seniors.

Liang’s achievements have been recognized with several awards, including the 2019 Edmonton Top 40 Under 40, 2019 and 2021 Minister’s Seniors Service Awards, and 2022 Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. His story is a testament to the positive impact immigrants can have on their communities since arriving in Canada.

CEO, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

Country of origin: Former Yugoslavia

Gordana Radan is the chief executive officer of Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), a leading organization in the Prairies for immigrant and refugee services. Under her visionary leadership, CCIS boasts a dynamic team of over 450 employees and 2,000 volunteers, delivering pioneering programs and services that support the settlement and integration of newcomers in Calgary and Southern Alberta.

Prior to becoming CEO in 2023, Radan was the director of the Business, Employment and Training Services (BETS) at CCIS for 16 years, leading the design and implementation of over 40 innovative employment and training initiatives, significantly advancing the labour market integration of newcomers to Alberta. She enhanced CCIS’s sectoral leadership and visibility by forging hundreds of multisectoral employer partnerships that secured vital employment opportunities for thousands of refugees, youth and skilled immigrants. Her efforts at BETS significantly transformed the unit into a multidisciplinary team of 110 professionals and quadrupled the unit’s funding, establishing CCIS as a preeminent agency in Alberta for newcomer employability and training services.

Radan’s path to leadership within the immigrant and refugee services sector was shaped by her own experiences as a refugee from the former Yugoslavia in 1995. Her first home in Canada was CCIS’s refugee reception house, the Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre (MCRC) in Calgary, infusing her work with profound empathy and a deep understanding of the newcomer experience.

Her commitment to improving the outcomes of Canada’s newcomers extends to high-level involvements in various boards and committees, including serving as the vice-chair of the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA).

Radan’s journey from refugee to influential leader is an inspiration for all newcomers to Canada. Her story underscores the incredible ability of newcomers, including the most vulnerable, to rise above challenges and turn their experiences into catalysts for personal growth and lasting community impact.

Provost and vice-president (academic) at Western University

City: London, Ontario

Florentine Strzelczyk is an internationally recognized scholar and university leader. Currently the provost and vice-president (academic) at Western University, Strzelczyk’s impact on Canadian higher education is underscored by her dedication to enabling student success, strengthening inclusivity and deepening global connection.

Born in Germany, Strzelczyk came to Canada as an international PhD student at the University of British Columbia. She has received many prestigious national and international research awards that have solidified her reputation as an innovative researcher whose work contributes to our collective understanding of fascism, racism and discrimination in culture and society.

Strzelczyk began teaching at the University of Calgary in 1997, becoming deputy provost in 2018. At Calgary, she introduced a unique program in Muslim cultures to combat prejudice, and in 2020 received the Provost Award for her work on campus community wellbeing during the pandemic. Strzelczyk was named provost at Memorial University in Newfoundland in 2021, where she facilitated the creation of a campus in Labrador, expanding university education opportunities for Indigenous students in the vast province. As provost now at Western, Strzelczyk improved access to university for students with diverse backgrounds, created financial supports for new-to-Canada students entering Western, and is fostering new international partnerships to tackle our world’s most urgent global problems through collaboration.

For more than 20 years, Strzelczyk has remained committed to inspiring university leaders to be bold and innovative, serving as a facilitator, instructor and mentor in national leadership programs, including those supporting women and equity-deserving groups.

Strzelczyk’s commitment to community engagement and volunteerism has been a cornerstone of her career. Currently a member of provincial and national committees that are committed to driving excellence in higher education, she also serves on local boards that enhance cultural offerings, facilitate opportunities for newcomers, and foster an ecosystem where education, business and culture can thrive.

Strzelczyk lives outside London, Ontario, with her husband, her precocious dog Toby and a pet rabbit named John Watson. She loves the rich beauty of the Canadian outdoors, and can be found kayaking, backcountry hiking, cycling and swimming, preferably when her children come to visit.

Policy, research and evaluation analyst, Office of Immigration

City: Stratford, P.E.I.

Farahnaz Rezaei is an exemplary individual who has made significant contributions to promoting engagement, inclusivity and cultural understanding in Prince Edward Island. She has worked tirelessly to facilitate newcomer settlement and integration and create more welcoming and inclusive environments for all.

Originally from Iran, Rezaei grew up in Kuwait before immigrating to Canada and settling in P.E.I. in 2012. As a policy, research and evaluation analyst at the Office of Immigration in P.E.I., she continues to facilitate newcomers’ engagement and integration in the province. Her professional records demonstrate proven skills and her strong communication and linguistic abilities are assets to the community.

Her passion for initiatives that support engagement, inclusivity and cultural diversity has led to her receiving several awards, including the Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes by My East Coast Experience in 2018, the Faces of Fusion Award in 2022 for community organizing, the Craig Mackie’s Award for dedication to newcomers and community spirit, and the Neil and Gail MacDonald Volunteer of the Year 2023 from the Town of Stratford for promoting cultural understanding and inclusion.

Rezaei is deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others and her professional training at UNHCR and experience in cross-cultural conflict resolution in the Middle East have informed her work.

In 2021, Rezaei established the World Religion Day Interfaith Committee to plan the annual celebration of World Religion Day, with members from diverse faith communities and people from all walks of life in P.E.I.. The leadership demonstrated through her interfaith initiative resulted in her being honoured with the P.E.I. Human Rights Award 2023 for her dedication toward interfaith dialogue.

Her diverse skills, dedication and passionate advocacy for engagement, inclusivity and cultural understanding, as her purposeful and tangible actions have yielded positive outcomes in achieving inclusive, bias-free environments, to creating more welcoming and inclusive communities for all.

She is the middle daughter of five siblings and a mother of two amazing young men. She has been calling Canada and P.E.I. her home for 12 years. She holds degrees and certificates in business administration, computer science, conflict resolution and immigration enforcement services.

Founder, Odihi Foundation

City: New Westminster, B.C.

Efe Fruci, a distinguished TEDx Speaker and serial entrepreneur, emerges as a seasoned professional career and confidence coach, boasting a wealth of over 10 years’ experience. Her dedicated mission revolves around guiding individuals, particularly women, in constructing unshakable confidence and acquiring the essential steps to lead successful, purposeful lives.

Renowned as the author of Faith Over Fear , Fruci’s literary work transcends conventional self-help, employing positive psychology to inspire others to recognize and embrace their innate greatness. Through her empowering words, individuals are emboldened to dream audaciously, navigating life’s challenges with a profound sense of confidence.

In addition to her literary pursuits, Fruci is a formidable community builder, educator and advocate for mental health. As the founder and executive director of the Odihi Foundation, The Bigger Ideas Conference™ and The Agape Initiative, she is committed to fostering resilience and empowerment within diverse communities.

Engineer, entrepreneur and volunteer

Country of origin: Colombia

Diana Carolina Morales Valenzuela is an industrial engineer and specialist in occupational health management, with a master’s in human resources management, doctorate in administration and currently pursuing a diploma in occupational health and environmental management in Canada. She arrived in Canada and Winnipeg about five years ago with her husband, daughter, pet beagle and mother.

Dianita, as everyone calls her, loves to do social work, since her arrival she joined the Association of Colombians in Manitoba and helped lead more than 40 activities for the Colombian community, including celebrations with families, Mother’s Day, independence day of the country, conducting meetings of newcomers, and more. In addition, she did other activities with other foundations such as the Colombian Day in the middle of the pandemic organizing videos and online activities to encourage their community.

But then she had the idea, together with other friends, to open and organize the Federation of Latino Associations in Manitoba, where she serves as president. Through the 18 Latino organizations it represents, she helps organize different activities for the Latino community in the province that is growing every day.

She has an action plan for each year and helps her community with activities for families, activities to find jobs, to find housing, to answer questions from mothers or fathers about the school system, and activities so that newcomers know how to settle well in the province and where to go. It has a support group and through funded activities with other organizations and foundations has supported activities such as the first Latin American Women’s Congress in Manitoba held on March 9, 2024.

In August 2024, the Latin Folklorama will be held at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, where the federation will support one of the foundations to showcase the rich crafts, gastronomy and art of our region. She does all this work as a volunteer, dedicating part of her time to organizing, supporting and promoting the Latino community in Manitoba.

Global nurse consultant, nurse leader and educator

City: Regina, Saskatchewan

Country of origin: Ghana

Delasi (Del) Essien has dedicated a great portion of her life in Canada to nurturing future nurses in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Essien is passionate about making learning environments safe and welcoming for learners particularly in Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) communities. As an exemplary mentor and nurse educator, Essien has led many innovative academic strategies to facilitate success in diverse student populations.

Essien is a true champion of education and leadership and has dedicated herself to inspiring nursing students and nurses to achieve personal, academic and professional growth. Her scope and reach in coaching and mentoring is not limited to only Saskatchewan; as many nurses across the country can attest to her passion for excellence in nursing education and her ability to cultivate and lead highly effective cross-cultural teams.

As a global nurse consultant, Essien is an advocate for fair and equitable practices in nursing education and has brought an equity, diversity and inclusion lens particularly to assessment processes of internationally educated nurses (IENs) seeking to transition to the Canadian workforce. Her dedication to IENs was recognized in 2023 with a nomination for the YWCA Regina’s Nutrien Women of Distinction Award where she was selected as a finalist in the Community Champion category.

Essien takes every opportunity to give back meaningfully and philanthropically to her community. Two projects she actively leads in her community are the administration of a food pantry and an initiative to supply backpacks with basic essentials to the homeless in her city. She also serves on several boards and committees in the city of Regina and does so with a “joie de vivre” that is uniquely her.

Born to Ghanaian parents, Essien is one of three siblings and has called Canada home for almost 18 years. As a lifelong learner, Essien is enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Regina where her research focuses on the discourses of indigenization, decolonization and reconciliation in the nursing academy. She holds a bachelor of nursing degree from the University of Manitoba and a master of nursing degree in educational leadership from the University of Saskatchewan. Essien is currently the director of innovation and inclusion at the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.

Artistic director, Lamondance

City: North Vancouver Country of origin: Brazil

Lamondance artistic director Davi Rodrigues arrived in Canada in 2008 with little English, following a decorated career as an acclaimed choreographer in his native Brazil. He choreographed eight original full-length dance shows for Cia Criatividança, where he worked as both director and dancer for 15 years.

Rodrigues moved to Vancouver to work as a dancer and guest choreographer for Lamondance Company and has since risen to the position of artistic director and resident choreographer. In 2019, Rodrigues was instrumental in getting Lamondance incorporated as Lamondance Arts Society, a charitable organization registered under the laws of the Province of British Columbia.

His unmistakable passion and drive have helped establish Lamondance Company as one of Vancouver’s premiere training programs for emerging dancers. His most recent works for Lamondance are Ubuntu – I am because we are, Garden of Lights, Kauã, WE, Marbled, IELE (a collaboration with the Emmy-nominated music composer Hall Beckett), How It Ends and, lastly, VIVA, which premiered in June 2019, in celebration of the company’s 10th anniversary.

His works as a choreographer have also been performed by many prominent dance schools in Vancouver since his arrival in Canada, including Arts Umbrella, Pacific DanceArts, Kirkwood Academy of Performance and Arts and RNB Dance & Theatre. His choreography has received several awards from prestigious festivals in Vancouver, as well as in the United States.

Furthering his commitment to community impact, Rodrigues created the “Lamondance and Friends” show, which unites the dance community in celebrating dance as an art form in an inclusive space. Now in its 12th year, the annual show has had a profound impact thanks to Rodrigues’ countless volunteer hours.

Rodrigues has found success with his unique style, his infallible optimism and his generous heart. As a passionate mentor, he enthusiastically contributes to dance communities by supporting, educating and challenging artists to take risks. He continues to pursue artistic excellence, creation, production and performance, with an ongoing commitment to share his breadth of experience with performers, choreographers and arts educators in the community at large.

Professor and writer

City: Ontario

Country of origin: England

Daniel McNeil is an award-winning author, professor and mentor who has inspired local, national and international audiences to develop historically informed and forward-looking approaches to the movement of people and ideas.

After growing up in a working-class community in the north of England, McNeil studied history at Oxford University, directed the Oxford Access Scheme, and encouraged people from racialized and non-traditional backgrounds to apply to university in general and Oxford University in particular. After being awarded an Oxford-Canada Scholarship from the Canadian Rhodes Scholars Foundation, he obtained an MA and a PhD in history and ethnic and immigration studies at the University of Toronto.

Professor McNeil is the author of numerous articles and books that have transformed multiple academic fields and stimulated collaborations with art galleries and museums worldwide. In recognition of his history of research achievement, capacity to present his research across disciplinary and institutional boundaries, and continued excellence in the fields of Migration and Diaspora Studies, McNeil has had the honour of holding several prestigious professorships, fellowships and chairs, including the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Visiting Professor of African and Black Diaspora Studies at DePaul University in Chicago; the inaugural Visiting Public Humanities Faculty Fellowship at the University of Toronto; and the Queen’s National Scholar Chair in Black Studies at Queen’s University. His ability to galvanize students and colleagues to study and engage the connections between the arts, social justice and decolonial thought has also been recognized with multiple teaching and mentorship awards.

McNeil’s cultural criticism, public lectures, feature articles, podcasts and contributions to documentary films expertly bring cutting-edge academic research into the public sphere for informed debate, discussion and examination. He is a popular and much-requested speaker and consultant for agencies and institutions in the public and private sectors seeking to anticipate and reflect critical issues in multiculturalism, anti-racism and related fields. As the co-host and co-producer of the Black Studies Podcast, he was recently nominated for a Canadian Podcast Award for his creative and collaborative approach to knowledge-making, building and sharing.

Youth/community leader and safe school liaison

Country of origin: Liberia

Dacious Richardson is a community leader of various organizations and initiatives that fight against systemic racism. He serves as a committee member of the United Nation Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC) and United Nation of Counterterrorism for the Youth, Sport and Preventing Violent Extremism. He served for three years as a committee member for the Canadian Council for Refugee Youth Network. Richardson advocates for Blacks, refugees, immigrants, newcomer and at-risk youths to address racial discrimination, cultural barriers and gang violence.

Richardson is the founder of Rise Above Reality Expectation, an initiative to support and provide youth with mentorships, leaderships, building connections to their culture, through empowerment, diversity, improving social and economic outcomes and prevention of violence. He runs an after-school soccer program at Frank Hurt Secondary School and organizes a free soccer tournament every winter and summer time that have hosted over 1,000 youth participants in the community of Surrey-Guildford and the Lower Mainland area since 2016 to break financial barriers to youth and kids who are unable to afford to play organized sports.

He is the youth coordinator of the Liberia-Canadian Association of Greater Vancouver and support staff of the Black Student Union at Frank Hurt Secondary.

Richardson served as a youth outreach mentor for the Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative which provides mentorships and self-defence for at-risk youth throughout Metro Vancouver. A former member and mentor for the Surrey Newcomer Youth Council, a track and field coach for the AirBlastOff Athletics in Surrey. Richardson is also a coach for Coast Wrestling Academy. He is a soccer player and coach of the Liberian soccer team that is an affiliate member of the African Canadian Soccer and Cultural Association. Richardson is a team member and referee of BC Wrestling Association and Canada Wrestling, and he has wrestled at an elite level.

Recognized as an “Emerging Leader” for the BC Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Award by the BC Ministry of the Attorney General on March 21, 2024, for his work in building intercultural trust, tackling racism and reducing barriers for marginalized communities. Richardson was also named a “Rising Star” by the DIVERSEcity Black Brilliance Awards in February 2024, recognizing him as a young leader, innovator and changemaker in the Black community. In 2023, Richardson received the AMSSA Service Recognition Volunteer Award for his commitment and dedication to volunteering his time and serving marginalized communities. His time with the Canadian Council for Refugee Youth Network was remarkable and he was given the “Sunshine Award” for shining light on refugee and immigrant communities across Canada through his dedicated to the organization

Currently, he works for the Surrey School District as a liaison where he provides mentorship and safety for high school students.

Counsellor, director and supervisor

Azita Afsharnejat is dedicated to empowering immigrant families and advocating for the rights of vulnerable women and children. She is also passionate about organizing social inclusion activities that help build a sense of community among immigrant families and provide them with a space to connect and support one another.

With over 16 years of experience in Canada as a family supervisor, manager, team leader, counsellor and coordinator, Afsharnejat has demonstrated exceptional skills in providing effective case management for high-risk youth and adults. Her professional journey includes diverse roles aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of the immigrant community’s special immigrant women. As a volunteer, Afsharnejat played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Calgary Cross-Generational Organization (CCGO). Now, as the programs director at CCGO, she spearheads initiatives fostering intergenerational collaboration and develops programs for the enduring benefit of all involved.

Additionally, Afsharnejat served as the designated manager of the wellbeing and resiliency department at CIWA. Her dedication to supporting immigrant women is further evident through her tenure as the One-on-One Counseling for Immigrant Women Program Coordinator at CIWA.

Her commitment to community welfare has garnered recognition, including the MCKILLOP Awards for exemplary frontline services work, the You’r Rock! Award presented by the Calgary Youth Justice Society for Innovation, the Bill Hearn Freedom Award from the Alberta Seven Step Society for Supporting offenders and ex-offenders to achieve and maintain their freedom, realize their potential, and grow within the community, while providing proactive education, and the Bhayana Family Foundation Award for Partnership, Connection and Collaboration.

Academically, Afsharnejat holds an MSc degree in clinical psychology, complemented by various certifications in therapy modalities such as Dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. She actively participates in national and international conferences and training programs focused on addressing social and psychological issues affecting immigrant communities.

In her multifaceted career, Afsharnejat continues to make significant contributions to the wellbeing of immigrant families, leveraging her expertise, compassion and dedication to create positive impacts within the community.

Health care leader

Ava Onwudegwu is an accomplished health care leader dedicated to catalyzing positive change. Raised in the vibrant landscapes of Trelawny, Jamaica, Onwudegwu cultivated a profound sense of community and a profound respect for the inherent value of every individual’s wellbeing. Her formative years on the island imbued her with a spirit of resilience, compassion and unwavering faith, qualities that continue to shape her professional journey today.

As a devout Christian, her belief in the divine ordination of each person’s unique purpose grounds her approach to life and leadership. As a health care leader armed with a master of nursing degree, she is devoted to enhancing health care systems, cultivating inclusive environments and empowering healthcare professionals to deliver exemplary care.

Having occupied pivotal leadership positions in esteemed health care institutions such as Lakeridge Health and Unity Health Toronto, Onwudegwu has made significant strides as a trailblazing Black leader. From becoming the first Black patient care manager to the first Black interim director of critical care, respiratory services & trauma at Lakeridge Health in under two years, her rapid ascent is a testament to her leadership prowess. Additionally, as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Toronto Lawrence S. Bloomberg School of Nursing, Onwudegwu contributes to shaping the next generation of health care professionals and has co-authored an online resource focusing on anti-racism in nursing to drive curriculum change at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).

Beyond her professional endeavours, Onwudegwu is deeply engaged in community and faith-based initiatives. As the co-founder, vice president, and director of academic relations for the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA), she advocates tirelessly for equity, diversity and inclusion within the nursing profession, believing fervently in the responsibility to pave the way for future generations to exceed the present’s limitations and dismantle systemic barriers.

Professional ballroom dancer and Inspire Dance Studio founder

Country of origin: Kazakhstan

Originally from Kazakhstan, Asiya Iskander, a 15-year-old inspiring ballroom dancer, is making her mark in Canada. Upon immigrating to Canada, limited English proficiency posed a significant challenge for Iskander, but her love for dance served as a beacon of hope during this period. Inspired by the universal language of dance, Iskander now serves as a founder, director, and teacher at her dance studio, where she provides free dance classes to immigrant children to assist them in adapting to the new country.

Her goal extends beyond teaching dance; she envisions the universal language of dance as a form of art therapy, a medium for familial bonding and a tool for cultural adaptation. She organizes free recitals that welcome over 100 people, where her students can present their newly learned skills. Her classes are also inclusive toward students on the autism spectrucm and ADHD.

In addition to teaching dance, Iskander actively volunteers to assist Ukrainian refugees in adjusting to the Canadian education system, drawing from her own experiences as an immigrant. By sharing her personal journey and offering guidance, she provides invaluable support to newcomers, helping them navigate the challenges of adaptation.

Iskander boasts an impressive array of academic achievements, including multiple first place wins at national-level ballroom dance competitions, recognition of her project provincially with the JR Hall Award, Top 5 Young Citizens in North America, publication of her article in the Canadian National Science Fair Journal and her spot at a Canadian medical internship program. Her achievements also include earning a $15,000 sponsorship for her dance studio, and being honoured with the Daughters Day Award from the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association for outstanding community service. She also seized multiple opportunities to feature on CTV News as a distinguished speaker, while CBC-Kids highlighted her dance studio in their article.

As a full IB student, Iskander maintains an outstanding academic record, graduating from grade 10 first semester with honours and demonstrating a commitment to excellence in all endeavours. Her remarkable achievements, coupled with her unwavering dedication to community service and artistic expression, position her as a beacon of inspiration for immigrants and aspiring changemakers alike.

Executive director, Maskan Family Association

City: Calgary Country of origin: Pakistan

In Calgary, a beacon of hope shines bright in the form of Aneela Azeem, the founder and executive director of the Maskan Family Association . Formerly known as the Canadian Pakistani Support Group Association, this organization stands as a testament to Azeem’s unwavering dedication to serving the community, particularly women and youth. Aneela Azeem is a Canadian citizen, originally from Pakistan, immigrated to Canada in 2000. Having worked as a realtor for 18 years, Azeem spent a significant portion of her career in Montreal before relocating to Calgary in 2013.

Under Azeem’s leadership, Maskan introduced the first Calgary-based women’s shelter providing culturally relevant services. The “Maskan,” which means a peaceful dwelling supports women and children fleeing domestic violence, provides a range of essential services, including food and shelter for victims of domestic violence, mental health support, educational programs promoting independence and self-sustainability, and workshops aimed at preventing family violence.

Azeem’s commitment to serving the community has garnered recognition from various quarters, including the City of Calgary, which awarded her the esteemed Community Advocate Award in 2020. She has also been honoured with the Immigrant of Distinction Award in 2022, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Alberta Newcomer Recognition Award in 2022 and the Women of Distinction Award in 2022.

Moreover, Azeem is deeply committed to engaging youth in community service initiatives, providing them with opportunities for leadership and fostering a culture of giving back to the community. Azeem has initiated a youth group called Youth Lifting Youth, which is formally registered at the University of Calgary, boasting a membership of 350 young individuals. This group focuses on raising awareness about mental health and aims to dismantle the intergenerational trauma associated with domestic violence.

Azeem finds her greatest fulfillment in the positive impact Maskan has on the lives of women escaping violence. She strives to be a role model for others, exemplifying resilience, motivation, and inspiration, particularly within women-led organizations. Her passion and empathy toward those in need serve as a guiding light, inspiring individuals of all ages.

CEO, Omy Laboratories

City: Quebec City

Country of origin: Colombia

Andrea Gomez is a dynamic entrepreneur and the distinguished CEO of Omy Laboratories , a Quebec-based online sales company that is revolutionizing the custom dermocosmetics sector through innovative use of artificial intelligence. Founded five years ago, Omy has quickly emerged as a major player in the industry, leaving its mark through hypergrowth and numerous innovations.

At the helm of Omy, Gomez has spearheaded a true transformation in the beauty world by providing over 70,000 consumers across Canada and the United States with personalized products tailored to their unique needs. Her laboratory in Quebec, comprised of 39 employees ranging from chemists to doctor of pharmacy professionals, is at the forefront of technology and is transitioning toward complete automation of the manufacturing line. This innovative approach has resonated with consumers, establishing Omy as a benchmark for innovation and product efficacy in facial care.

In addition to being a visionary entrepreneur, Gomez is a model of success and inspiration as an immigrant. Her journey is marked by resilience and perseverance, qualities that have enabled her to overcome numerous obstacles to achieve her goals.

Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Gomez is also a passionate advocate for inclusion and diversity. She has been actively involved in philanthropic initiatives since a young age, eager to make a positive difference in society.

In recognition of her remarkable achievements, Gomez has been honoured in multiple ways. She was crowned “Start-Up of the Year” by Women of Influence+ at the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards in 2022, and her innovative work was also recognized at the Mercuriades, where she won the distinction in the “Innovative Manufacturer” category in 2023. Furthermore, she is a finalist for the prestigious Women’s Leadership Award at the 2023 Fidéides Gala.

Passionate about subjects such as entrepreneurship, innovation, and local wealth creation, Gomez is a proud ambassador of her adopted country, Quebec. Her ambition is to propel Quebec innovations onto the international stage and showcase the creativity and expertise of her region to the world.

With her bold vision and commitment to excellence, Gomez is firmly determined to continue redefining the dermocosmetics industry while leaving a positive and lasting impact on society. Her perpetual quest for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit make her an inspiring example for future generations of entrepreneurs in Quebec and beyond.

CEO, Flip & Floss

Andre Smith is the founder and CEO of Flip & Floss, operating under the banner of Flip Academy , a premier fintech company dedicated to revolutionizing financial literacy education for children. Leveraging innovative tools such as animation, simulation and gamification, Smith and his team have been instrumental in empowering young minds with essential money management skills.

In recognition of his exceptional commitment to promoting financial literacy, Smith was honoured with the prestigious CBC Toronto award in 2020 for his voluntary contributions to the cause. His company, Flip Academy, was also named a finalist in the 2023 Small Business Big Impact Award by Meridian Credit Union. He extends his passion for mentorship beyond his professional endeavours, volunteering at YESS Global where he provides invaluable guidance to high school students.

Since 2020, Smith has positively impacted the lives of over 20,000 individuals, equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance their financial well-being and begin the journey towards building generational wealth. Notably, he spearheaded one of the pioneering financial literacy workshop series tailored for inmates and has consistently collaborated with high school students across various jurisdictions to prepare them for future success.

Driven by an ambitious vision, Smith aims to ensure that every child in Canada has the financial resources to pursue higher education or homeownership. He firmly believes that his innovative app will serve as a catalyst for children to learn crucial money management skills, cultivate saving habits, explore investment opportunities, and break free from the constraints of generational financial cycles.

Hailing from Jamaica, Smith has proudly called Canada home for the past 12 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from York University and attributes great importance to his Canadian identity, viewing it as a commitment to caring for both his family and his community. Through his unwavering dedication and vision, Smith continues to make profound strides in reshaping the landscape of financial education for future generations.

Founder and CEO, MavenMind

Country of origin: Russia

Named Canada’s Emerging Leader in the “People and Culture” category by The Peak and Top Female Founders to Watch by FoundersBeta, Anastasia Artemova is founder and CEO of MavenMind and MTC Media where she is focusing her work on helping newcomers excel and thrive in Canada.

Born in Ukraine and raised in Russia, she moved to Canada as a teenager in 2009. Faced with cultural shock and identity crises of being both a newcomer and a teenager, Artemova immersed herself in volunteering with St John’s Ambulance, providing first aid as a first responder around the Island of Montreal. She provided 1000+ hours of community service, taught first aid to 50+ students and eventually ran operations in her division.

As volunteering helped Artemova integrate and make friends, she completed her bachelor of commerce at Concordia University in Montreal. She became an active member of the Montreal and Toronto Tech Startup scene helping various startups build innovative products that help more Canadians. Artemova started mentoring younger generations as part of Techstars Accelerator and Youth Employment Services to inspire more women to join technology startups.

Her passion for helping others led her to start a rapidly growing YouTube channel “Make That Change” helping newcomers make educated decisions and prepare for their big move to Canada. She’s learned that the biggest factor for the newcomer’s success is finding a good job and establishing their career with confidence.

Artemova, together with her MavenMind co-founders who are also immigrants to Canada, has built a career platform that’s helping hundreds of newcomers prepare for the Canadian job market and land their dream job in Canada faster.

In her spare time, Artemova continues mentoring young entrepreneurs, takes occasional rock climbing trips to the Rockies and enjoys her time with her partner, Anna, playing in the backyard with their two cats, Mars and Luna.

Artist and entrepreneur

Country of origin: Togo, West Africa

Abel Maxwell, a Toronto-based singer-songwriter, bestselling author and entrepreneur raised in West Africa, France and in the Netherlands, is passionate about bridging cultural divides and promote intercultural learning.

After moving to Canada from Lyon in 2007, he transitioned from corporate finance to pursuing his passion for music and entrepreneurship, co-founding BODB Entertainment Record Label and AM International Consulting Firm .

He released five albums, performed globally with music focusing on youth empowerment, leadership and intercultural understanding, earning him grants and international recognition.

Additionally, he co-authored a bestselling book with Brian Tracy and received numerous awards (including the UNESCO Community Achievement Award) and honours for his contributions to the arts and multiculturalism.

Maxwell’s impactful work garnered widespread media coverage, accolades and has earned him acknowledgment from organizations like the International Association of Parliamentarians of La Francophonie, culminating in the prestigious Order of La Pleiade.

On March 20, 2024, he was formally awarded this honour by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, highlighting his significant impact on Canadian society and beyond.

Medical student; youth representative, UN SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee

City: Mississauga

Country of Origin: India

As the Youth Representative on the United Nations SGD4 High Level Committee on Education, Kenisha Arora has a mandate regarding the global governance of education and youth engagement in the SDG framework. Arora recently launched a Youth Declaration at the United Nations headquarters that brought together the perspectives and recommendations of 500,000 youth from 170+ countries. This declaration shows her dedication to amplifying the voices of young people and advocating for their education. In addition to her work at the United Nations, Arora is a student at Western University, studying medical science with aspirations of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. She has also served as a student senator, a student board of governors’ member and a student council board director at Western University. Through these leadership roles, Arora has been instrumental in influencing several educational policies in the interest of the students of the university. She has also pushed for the student voice for a sustainable future to be better reflected in student council’s policies and governance. One of the ways she has achieved this is by advocating for the divestment from companies and organizations that explore the use of and currently use fossil fuels.

Arora’s volunteer achievements are equally as impressive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she co-founded The HopeSisters, a non-profit organization focused on spreading hope to vulnerable communities. The organization began with Arora and her sister writing cards for seniors in long-term care homes and creating “HopeBags” for disadvantaged children. Since then, The HopeSisters has grown into a movement, with 5,000+ “HopeSpreaders” and many global school chapters. One of the most remarkable things about The HopeSisters is its focus on giving young girls access to education in Malawi and Liberia, where many young girls do not have access to quality education. Through school chapters in these countries, The HopeSisters have been able to provide educational resources and support to girls who may not have had the opportunity to attend school otherwise.

Arora has received several awards and honours for her outstanding work in advocacy, humanitarian service, and entrepreneurship, including the Princess Diana Award, which recognizes young people who have made a positive impact in their communities. She also received the Ivey Business School Founder’s Award, which provides $20,000 in funding to student entrepreneurs who demonstrate innovative thinking and a commitment to entrepreneurship. Arora has also been recognized for her work in education advocacy and humanitarian service, being selected as a Top 10 Finalist for the Global Student Prize out of tens of thousands of nominations from 150+ countries.

Additionally, Arora has been named one of London’s Top 20 in their 20s and placed first in Western University’s Brain & Mind Competition.

Human rights education and cooperation advisor

City: Montreal

Place of Origin: Guadeloupe – French West Indies

Sabine Monpierre is an education and cooperation advisor at the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse. Her files touch on the issues of the rights of racialized people: racism, discriminatory profiling, discrimination in housing and hateful acts. She raises awareness of human rights in Quebec by developing tools, promoting and popularizing the rights contained in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

This community-sector professional has worked for 12 years on professional integration among recent immigrants. She graduated in community development and intercultural relations, she mobilizes for the fight against all forms of exclusion and contributes to the reflections within the Education and Awareness Committee of the Coalition Against Hate and the advisory committee of the Week of Action against Racism. Her skills are sought in personal identity, stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination and identity formation among racial minorities and majority groups.

Outgoing first vice-president of the Intercultural Council of the City of Montreal in 2019, she is a member of one of Correctional Services Canada’s Regional Ethnocultural Advisory Committees. Since 2020, she has been making recommendations so that the needs of ethnocultural and racialized inmates are identified and met through the provision of effective services and interventions that will contribute to the success of their social reintegration and the improvement of public safety.

Former city councillor candidate for the 2021 municipal elections, she is dedicated to the socio-economic development of Afro-Caribbean communities. She is also the founding president of Arbre du voyageur – Insertion and Integration Services for West Indians in Canada for four years, which provides West Indians with services to integrate in Canada. The members are equipped with free educational workshops on cultural codes, Quebec and Canadian values.

The commitment to the preservation of Black history and the achievements of Monpierre have often been highlighted, whose most recent recognitions are being the winner of the 32nd edition of the Black History Month calendar. Being founding director of Femmes & traditions, she was recently accredited as a member of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

Activist; academic

Country of Origin: Mexico

Alejandro Mayoral Baños, PhD, is a highly accomplished technologist, researcher, educator, activist, leader and mentor who has dedicated his career to improving the wellbeing of Indigenous peoples and their communities. With a PhD in Communication & Culture from York University and Toronto Metropolitan University, he specializes in the intersections between Indigeneity, decolonization and digital technologies. He is the founder and executive director of the Indigenous Friends Association (IFA), an Indigenous-led tech not-for-profit in Canada that promotes digital pathways grounded in Indigenous ways of being through education, software solutions and research, driving positive change for current and future generations. His work and commitment are a reminder of the role of newcomers and immigrants in reconciliation with Indigenous nations and communities across Canada.

Under Mayoral Baños’ exemplary leadership, the IFA has seen tremendous growth and continuously impacted Indigenous peoples’ lives across Canada. His vision for incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing and doing into the design of digital technologies has led to safer and more sustainable virtual spaces for Indigenous Peoples, creating lasting change in support of Indigenous communities entering the tech labour market and transitioning to sustainable career pathways. In March 2023, the IFA had more than 25 staff members.

Over the years, Mayoral Baños has participated in several initiatives in Canada, Latin America, and the United Nations, connecting digital education initiatives to the self-determination of Indigenous peoples. In 2007, he founded the non-profit organization Magtayaní in Mexico, which promotes the wellbeing and sustainability of Indigenous communities by reconstructing the social fabric. Currently, he serves as their board president. He has also been an active member of various organizations, including Youth Action Net (International Youth Foundation), Ibero-American Network of Young Leaders (RJLI), EPIC Leadership Canada, and Tierra Comun (a collective focused on decolonizing data).

Mayoral Baños has received numerous awards, including the CBC Toronto Community Champion Award in 2020 and the Mexican National Award: CEMEFI’s Reconocimiento al Compromiso por los Demás 2020, which recognized his remarkable contributions to society across Turtle Island (North America). He has also presented at various national and international forums, such as 4S Conference, Creative Commons Global Summit, UN Climate Forum Adaption Week, the IAVE World Volunteer Conference, RightsCon 2018-2022, etc.

Mayoral Baños moved to Canada in August 2014, and his achievements and contributions have already earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and colleagues because he is truly a visionary leader for Indigenous rights, tech equity and digital sovereignty.

Advocate for multiculturalism and community building

Tasneem Bandukwala is a highly creative, driven and accomplished advocate for multiculturalism and community building with a passion for main streets and small businesses, the backbone of the Canadian economy. As an executive director of two of 82 Toronto Business Improvement Areas, Bandukwala has made a significant impact on Canada’s small business and cultural landscape by consistently demonstrating her ability to create engaging and creative solutions that bring communities together through innovative marketing and promotional campaigns, streetscape improvements, street events and membership engagement and policy development.

As a liaison between Canada’s small businesses and the City of Toronto, city councillors, members of the government, community agencies, media and residents, Bandukwala acts as unified voice and helps member businesses navigate through opportunities and challenges to grow sustainably. Bandukwala defied the challenge of revitalizing of one of Toronto’s main streets popularly known as ‘’Little India’’ and to bring back the legacy of the Gerrard India Bazaar BIA in the midst of neighbourhood gentrification and increased alternate choices for South Asian diaspora in the GTA.

She has been instrumental in developing strategies for community economic development and placemaking initiatives and events, including North America’s largest south Asian street festival, Festival of South Asia, the Frozen Heritage Ice Sculpture Festival, Diwali Mela, Bazaar Beats, which have become hallmark events in Toronto’s cultural calendar. Her contribution to the Uptown Yonge BIA has been instrumental in providing efficient and effective leadership to implement strategic initiatives that reflects the changing needs and priorities of the community and local businesses.

From creating first-time events like Halloween Haunt UP, CelUPbrate Winter, CelUPbrate Mom to launching a mobile app to drive foot traffic to the members businesses and create dynamic and engaging content, Uptown Yonge BIA has successfully set a benchmark and has become a sought-after destination to live, shop and dine. Her ability to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions has earned her numerous awards from the TABIA (Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas). Some of these awards include:

“Creative Solutions Awards” for ‘’Glow in the Dark outdoor exhibits’’ in Gerrard India Bazaar BIA
“Events Awards” for the “Festival of South Asia 2022” in Gerrard India Bazaar BIA
“Mural Award 2022” for “3 Gratitude Murals, in UPtown Yonge BIA”
“Events Awards” for the “Festival of South Asia 2017” in Gerrard India Bazaar BIA.
“Environmental Initiative Awards 2016” for environmental protection through reduction in street lighting expenditure, in Gerrard India Bazaar BIA.

Bandukwala also serves as a marketing & event consultant to clients in Canada as well as the United States of America and has been invaluable in helping businesses grow and succeed.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Bandukwala has served on the City of Toronto’s Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) for several years and has advocated for building a safe community. She also serves on the board of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion).

Born in Mumbai and now a Canadian resident for seven years, she holds a bachelor of management studies and a postgraduate master of commerce degree with international marketing honours from the University of Mumbai. Additionally, she has earned the local economic development (LED) certification from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Senior manager, equity, diversity and inclusion, City of Burnaby

City: Coquitlam, B.C.

Country of Origin: South Africa

Vishad Deeplaul (he/him/his), the first senior manager for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), for the City of Burnaby is a true advocate for change; lending his voice to support many marginalized groups in South Africa, the country where he was born, raised and immigrated from almost six years ago together with his husband and son.

His focus is primarily on fostering respect and understanding in the workplace and driving towards fair, equitable treatment for all. His first-hand experience in driving change has contributed to his passion for EDI. Together with his husband, they sparked constitutional change in South Africa in support of equal treatment for all fathers, changing South African history and one if his proudest accomplishments as he explains in a Tri-City News article.

Deeplaul draws his inspiration from the life and teachings of Nelson Mandela, playing a pivotal role in getting the Nelson Mandela Capture Site sculpture project implemented in his hometown in KwaZuluNatal. This capture site and work of art now holds deep significance for all South Africans, reminding us of the importance of respecting and appreciating EDI in all that we do.

Deeplaul’s experience with non-profit organizations includes his work and volunteerism at United Way, Backpack Buddies, The Peoples Pantry and Tri-Cities United; celebrating the communities that we live, work and play in. His contagious enthusiasm and zest for life has been widely recognized as the recipient of the City of Coquitlam Spirit Award 2020, Port Coquitlam Volunteer of the Year 2020 and 2021; as well as nominations for British Columbia Medal of Good Citizenship Award 2020 and the Tri-Cities ChamberAwards for both Community Spirit and Business Excellence in 2020 and again in 2021.

Deeplaul also plays a role in bringing both the Diwali Fest and Colour Fest to the province, traditional celebrations that are celebrated across the globe in the South Asian community. A celebration that encompasses art, culture and community. Deeplaul is very proud to be Canadian, not forgetting his South African roots and community that have all played such an important role and equipped him with the life tools to continue the meaningful work that he loves doing

Retired Crown Counsel; community volunteer

City: Richmond, B.C.

Country of Origin: Philippines

Winston Sayson and his family immigrated from the Philippines in 1981. He served with excellence as a trial Crown Counsel with the BC Prosecution Service and in his community work. He developed expertise in the prosecution of crimes against children and vulnerable victims and trained others. Sayson helped develop the innovative use of accredited facility dogs to help children and vulnerable witnesses testify in court. He supported the use and advancement of forensic nursing within the criminal justice system.

He mentored countless students and professionals both in and out of work. His work dealt with death, serious injuries and violence. This included cases of vehicular homicide, domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. This took a toll on him. He advocates for bringing mental wellness to the forefront of the legal profession. While a full-time Crown Counsel, he completed part-time studies to be a counsellor and mentor to others.

Sayson also volunteers as an emergency support services worker with the Canadian Red Cross. He is an adviser for the BC Federation of Asian-Canadian Lawyers. He serves on the board of directors of the Christian Legal Fellowship. He provides mentorship to law students, articling students and new lawyers.

Sayson gives free presentations on mental health and wellness to members of the legal profession as well as to university students. He is a Life Group leader for his church and a facilitator for a ministry helping children from broken families. He is committed to greater service for his community.

Sayson is a distinguished Filipino-Chinese Canadian who personifies the virtues of the Medal of Good Citizenship (BC’s second highest award) as demonstrated through his three-decade-long legal career, steadfast service to victims of crime, dedication to the rule of law and volunteer work.

He has been recognized with many awards including:

2010 Police Victim Services Criminal Justice System Leadership Award, in recognition of compassionate work with victims of crimes and families
2011 Appointed Queen’s Counsel by the BC Attorney General to recognize exceptional merit, contribution, professional integrity, and good character
2014 Recognizing Excellence Award, BC Prosecution Service, Ministry of Attorney General for the leading role as trial Crown Counsel
2015 Vision Award, International Association of Forensic Nursing, for assisting the advancement and use of Forensic Nursing within the Criminal Justice System
2018 Leadership Award, BC Prosecution Service, Ministry of Attorney General
2018 Thirty-year long Service Award with the BC Public Service
2019 Award of Excellence, Surrey Women’s Centre, for excellence and commitment to justice for women, girls and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
2019 Lawyer of Distinction, BC Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, for excellence and leadership within the Pan-Asian legal community
2022 Distinguished Alumni Award, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, for demonstrating lifetime accomplishments in professional work, service to the community, and exemplifying resilience in the face of adversity
2022 Outstanding Contribution Award from the Forensic Nursing Services of the Fraser Health Authority for advocating the development and use of Forensic Nursing in criminal courts
2022 British Columbia Medal of Good Citizenship recognition for generous, kind, or selfless service for the common good without expectation of reward and for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community’s wellbeing.

Founder and CEO, HRx

Country of Origin: Yemen

Wyle Baoween is originally from Yemen and came to Canada in 2011 to study for his MBA. Since then, he has become a successful entrepreneur, recognized thought leader, and highly sought-after speaker on social equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

While working for 10 years as a civil engineer in marine, construction and transportation industries around the globe, Baoween was witness to many workplace inequities. With his inherent entrepreneurial spirit, he jumped at the opportunity to create a positive impact and in 2016 he founded HRx.

At the time, equity, diversity and inclusion were far from mainstream. Leaving a secure job to start HRx was a big risk, especially for a newcomer to Canada with a young family. But his mission was for all workplaces to be fair and to offer a sense of belonging, regardless of a person’s identity.

In its early days, HRx was recognized as “one of Vancouver’s startups to watch.” It has grown to become Canada’s leading provider of practical, data-informed solutions for equity, diversity and inclusion. Baoween is now a trusted advisor to senior leaders at some of Canada’s largest organizations, and year after year HRx has proven to increase the diversity of workplaces, leadership teams, and boards and improve employees’ sense of fairness and belonging.

Baoween is the founder and former president of the Yemeni Canadian Society, which he started to build connections and help people from Yemen settle and adapt. He is also a board member of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, vice chair of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, volunteer mentor at the Urban Native Youth Association, and a past board member at Mosaic.

Baoween is a contributing author to research publications with the University of Toronto, the University of Victoria and the Conference Board of Canada. He often reflects on his own journey: “Coming to Canada was a huge achievement and one of the things I am most fortunate for in my life.” He lives by a philosophy of inclusivity and seeks always to bring more people into the conversation.

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Founder, Love with Humanity Association; account manager

Syed Najam Hassan and his family immigrated to Canada from Pakistan – first to Toronto and then to their present home in Calgary in 2009. In Canada, he upgraded his skills to an MBA from the University of Fredericton, and is currently working in his profession as an account manager.

Having faced some challenges during settlement, he decided to help others who were facing similar issues and developed a passion to give back to his community. So he launched his first project, which included job searching skills, resumé writing and interviewing skills for other newcomers.

Hassan realized the isolation new immigrants face and came up with an idea of providing books for them in their own language. He designated his front lawn as a venue for place to sit, read and socialize with others. For that reason, he introduced a multicultural outdoor free public library and placed tables and chairs in his front yard, built a mini library, and filled it with books in various languages. So far, he has built and donated 22 libraries in various neighbourhoods in Alberta as community gifts.

During the pandemic, unemployment became an issue for many. Hassan responded to the situation with the idea of community outdoor food banks with the motto, “Take a blessing / leave a blessing.” So far, Hassan and his volunteers have set up eight community outdoor food banks in different communities.

Hassan says his aim is to reach out with love to all in need, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. He is the founder and president of the non-profit organization, Love with Humanity Association. In addition to the libraries and food banks, he and his team have accomplished numerous projects: seminars for immigrants, food deliveries for those in isolation, holiday celebrations, winter gear for the homeless, “Coffee with Seniors” and free tax filing. The aim of his projects is to strengthen the community.

Hassan has received many awards and medals for his community services, the most recent being the Alberta Service Award.

Entrepreneur and PhD candidate City: Montreal Country of origin: Egypt

Mohamed Khalil is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, CEO of Pyrocycle and Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Polytechnique de Montréal. Holding a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering, he started his career based on his patent-pending technology for recycling end-of-life electronics waste.

His Ph.D. project focused on developing a new thermochemical process for recycling end-of-life electronics waste, which could greatly facilitate moving forward to produce clean and high-quality products including the recovery of precious metals. In April 2017, he was selected among the Top 25 emerging entrepreneurs in Quebec by the Claudine and Stephen Bronfman Family Foundation and C2 Montréal.

He won the province-wide Forces Avenir 2017 Award for the best university project in the Entrepreneurship, Business and Economy category. He was the National Finalist of Startup Canada Awards 2017 (Category: Newcomer Entrepreneur). He was selected among the six young innovators supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) as part of the entrepreneurial contest Adopte inc. 2018.

In September 2018, he was honoured as a Clean50 – Emerging Leader, for demonstrated leadership in sustainability through the development of his innovative solution for recycling electronic waste, and his project was named as one of Canada’s Clean50 Top Project Award winners. He was selected as a Canadian delegate for the G20 – Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance 2019 that was held in Japan.

He received the 2019 Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec “Recognition for outstanding contribution” and was selected among the Top 20 Personality of Diversity by Deloitte Canada and Media Mosaïque. His technology was selected among the top 10 inventions of Quebec in 2019 by the magazine Quebec Science.

Strategic partnerships and project manager, Global Institute for Water Security

City: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Country of origin: Bangladesh

A recipient of numerous awards for youth leadership, Palash Sanyal, PMP, certified EQ coach, is committed to creating space to listen and learn together while addressing global water security, one of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Sanyal currently acts as the strategic partnership and project manager at the Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan (USask). Previously, he worked for the USask’s School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), WaterAid and other international agencies. He has worked in remote and vulnerable communities, including the urban poor in Bangladesh and Indigenous communities in Canada, focusing on water issues.

A multidisciplinarian by training and experience, Sanyal builds meaningful partnerships with organizations to promote water sustainability and stewardship. He is passionate about climate change and water’s economic and human dimensions, the food-water nexus and community engagement in water governance. Under the leadership of world-renowned hydrologist Jay Famiglietti, Sanyal recently managed the preparation of Valuing Water Global Assessment Report, which will inform investors and companies worldwide about industry impact on freshwater.

Promoting new ideas that can support and enhance local culture, diversity and talents have been a significant objective of Sanyal’s engagements in Canada. He is the founding curator for the TEDx at USask and the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Saskatoon hub. In addition, he serves as a board member for SaskGalleries, International Association for Public Participation Canada and WaterAid Canada. He is also a part of the City of Saskatoon’s Environment Committee and Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) group.

Sanyal has been recognized for his work through awards like USask’s Alumni Achievement Award (2022), SYPE Young Professional of the Year (2019), EECOM Outstanding Youth Action Leader (2019), Water Canada’s Young Professional of the Year (2019), and Corporate Knights Top 30-Under-30 Sustainability Leader in Canada (2018).

Born and raised in Bangladesh, Sanyal came to Canada in 2017 and calls Saskatoon his home. He finds inspiration from his mother, who raised him and his sister against all odds and ensured that they grew up as educated and self-driven individuals. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and three master’s degrees, all related to water. A lifelong learner, Sanyal is currently pursuing a CPA accreditation. You can find him riding his motorbike around Saskatoon in his spare time.

Associate Professor (nursing), lactation consultant and advocate of baby-friendly initiatives, University of Regina

Born and raised in Pakistan, Shela Hirani is a neonatal and child health nursing professional, academician, researcher, lactation consultant and an advocate of baby-friendly initiatives. She earned her PhD in nursing in 2019 from the University of Alberta. Her professional goal is to make a difference in the lives of marginalized women and children through her research work, leadership and community services.

Hirani is recognized as one of 100 outstanding women nurse and midwife leaders from around the world by Women in Global Health in partnership with the World Health Organization, International Council of Nurses, International Confederation of Midwives, United Nations Population Fund and Nursing Now. She is also the recipient of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing’s Emerging Nurse Researcher award 2020, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Award and the Honorary Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship Award for her outstanding academic excellence, community services, leadership and contribution for knowledge development in nursing.

She is actively involved in breastfeeding advocacy in diverse care settings and health promotion of vulnerable women and young children who are refugees, immigrants, internally displaced and homeless. In Canada, she is actively involved in advocating for safe spaces to remove breastfeeding barriers in a variety of public places like airports, shopping malls, restaurants, mothers’ workplace settings, child daycare centres, hospitals and post-secondary institutions.

She is actively involved in work surrounding the improvement of health equity, health systems, programs and policies that often negatively affect the health and wellbeing of marginalized and vulnerable groups of women and young children, especially those affected by disaster and displacement. She has established her program of research entitled Breastfeeding Advocacy Research: Program, Practices and Policies (BARPPP). The key goal of BARPPP is to contribute in improving breastfeeding rates in Canada, especially among women who are Indigenous, refugee, immigrant, homeless, displaced after natural disaster, and/or negatively affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Another goal of BARPPP is to facilitate implementation of baby-friendly initiatives in hospitals and community-based settings of Canada.

Hirani is hopeful that her breastfeeding advocacy movement through her research will develop knowledge, guide future research and improve the wellbeing of breastfeeding mothers and young children in Canada and beyond.

Advertising and media professional

Canada afforded Milena Marques-Zachariah the perfect platform to combine her creativity with compassion when she landed here in 1999, armed with years of advertising experience in Mumbai and Dubai. She started volunteering her time and expertise as soon as she arrived at the Scarborough Women’s Centre and the Breastfeeding Association of Canada.

Understanding that the emerging multicultural landscape of Canada needed professionals to help advertisers connect effectively with diverse ethnic groups, she started her successful creative consultancy, Out of my Mind. She was one of the pioneers in multicultural marketing, helping national and multinational companies understand the importance of cultural connect.

Marques-Zachariah is also a published short story writer, blogger and columnist. Her observations on life for new immigrants led her to create the column ‘Confessions of an Immigrant Housewife’ for the Weekly Voice newspaper. Her blog, ‘Canadian Chronicles,’ records the journey of ordinary folk who’ve overcome extraordinary challenges to settle in their new home. Her other blog, ‘Chasing the Perfect Curry,’ introduced foodies to the yet unexplored part of India’s incredibly varied cuisine on the Konkan coast, now extended to curry chases in and around Toronto.

Marques-Zachariah created waves by creating, producing and hosting the first radio program in Konkani in North America, providing a platform for Canada’s Konkani speaking diaspora. Now a not-for-profit, this podcast is available to listeners across the globe.

Currently she’s the senior editor at Liisbeth, an online magazine for enterprising feminists looking to connect, grow and flourish. She is president of the board of directors of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peel-Halton, empowering and providing coping strategies and opportunities to women who are at risk, or in conflict with the law. She also mentors new immigrants at the Dixie-Bloor Neighbourhood Centre.

She’s been recognized for her commitment to the community by the Mangalorean Association of Canada, Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre and Absolutely Fabulous Women.

When she’s not travelling, Marques-Zachariah loves reading and doing yoga sun salutations.

Entrepreneurial artist, Calgary Party 50 Corp.

Maria Dina Galura was featured in the inaugural list of “Calgarians We Love” by Avenue magazine in 2021. This was a nod to her large-scale balloon art installations for the community.

Back home, she was the lone female warehouseman in the raw materials department of a paper mill. Later on, she moved to be part of the key startup team for Texas Instruments Clark. In Calgary, she expanded her career in oil and gas as a planner/scheduler.

In 2015, she started a side party business, Calgary Party 50 because she had leftover party supplies from one of her daughter’s birthday parties. She later focused on her childhood love of balloons and started to create large-scale art installations — all from balloons.

Her first installation was for 2017 Beakerhead, an art, science and engineering festival, was along the Calgary Transit line where 5,000 white balloons spilled out of Canada Legion No. 1 heritage building. For Mother’s Day 2018, her giant confetti balloon graced a magazine’s front cover.

“Dreams Never Die” was presented in fall 2018, a version of the animated movie UP house that went viral, seen in HuffPost Canada and Calgary Herald. She has continued to create balloon art in Edmonton, Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise. Thousands of balloons were seen at winter festivals, corporate events, charity galas and shopping mall offerings, even at TEDx as an artist in residence. Her passion project is an annual community gift at the architectural maven Calgary Central Library, one of Times 100 Places to Visit in 2019.

Galura names her installations with Tagalog words as a tribute to her roots. In CBC’s Kapitbahay (neighbour in Tagalog) Series, she was featured for her Iskrambol (Ice Scramble) winter installation in 2021.

Her balloon work has been repeatedly shared by Qualatex, the leading balloon manufacturer in the U.S. and Canada.

Along with her husband and three daughters, they love day trips to the Rockies. Galura calls Calgary home for 10 years and wants to do continuing education to complement her certificate of project management from University of Calgary, Bachelor of science in industrial engineering and masters in management from the University of the Philippines.

Program manager

City: Ottawa

Jatinder Chadha has been recognized numerous times for his work in the community. Hon. Governor General David Johnson awarded him the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteer in 2016. He received Ottawa Mayor’s City Builder Award, United Way’s Community Builder Award, Minister (MPP) Lisa Macleod’s Canada 150, and MP Chandra Arya’s Canada 150 medal. Chadha has also been recently appointed to Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Grant review committee.

Chadha migrated to Canada with his parents and younger brother at a young age of 16 with a big dream. For a young teenager arriving in a complete foreign county in late ’90s, Chadha faced many challenges. Usually at that age, teenagers get to experience life’s most cherish moments with their childhood friends and high school colleagues, but life had different plans for him at that time. Shortly after arrival, he was faced with survival challenge as both his parents didn’t speak English and couldn’t get any jobs. Chadha took upon the challenge to start his first job as a dishwasher at local restaurant while attending high school. Gradually, he moved to other positions such as baker, cashier, salesman while attending night school to complete his graduation.

Upon graduation, he got a position at JDS Uniphase and ended his career as a trainer prior to the tech meltdown in early 2000s. Thereon, Chadha started driving a cab overnight for 12 hours to support his family. He continued his quest for higher education while working night shifts. He took HR management courses at Algonquin College and Carleton University to continually develop his skillset. Shortly afterward, Chadha got a position as a bus operator at OC Transpo in 2003 and gradually moved up the ladder.

Chadha is currently working a program manager with City of Ottawa overseeing rail operations with annual budget of over $70 million. Chadha is a highly motivated, ambitious and passionate community leader. Since early 2000, he has been instrumental in building strong community presence over the years. He has served on many non-profit organization’s boards including India Canada Association, Barrhaven Foodbank, East Barrhaven community association and Punjabi Community Health Services

Director and screenwriter

Nisreen Baker has been working in the film industry for over 20 years, collaborating with local and international talents and broadcasters to create multilingual films that promote multiculturalism, give voice to underrepresented and marginalized communities, and explore cultural identity and sociopolitical issues.

Her passion for these topics stems from her exposure to different cultures, religions and societies, having lived in six different countries around the world and gained firsthand experience with social and political turmoil.

When Baker and her husband decided to immigrate, the choices were Australia, Canada or the U.S. To educate themselves about their new home, they read about each country’s history and laws; it was the Canadian Charter of Right and Freedoms that won them over, particularly Section 27: Multicultural Heritage, and the fact that this Charter became part of the Canadian constitution.

Baker’s 2023 feature documentary, Arab Women Say What?! , paints an unparalleled portrait of Arab women living in Canada. It offers a counter-mainstream narrative that embraces the unique experiences and perspectives of eight Arab women sharing their insights, cuisine and laughter. The film is a radical contemplation on politics, identity and home, unfolding through the provocative conversations, hospitality and openness of a group that’s often underrepresented and misunderstood.

Her previous documentary Things Arab Men Say depicts a group of Arab men at a barbershop getting haircuts and shaves, debating various issues and expressing often-surprising views with deft humour. She was nominated for two Rosie Awards for writing and directing this film. Both documentaries were produced by the National Film Board and are available for free streaming on the nfb.ca platform.

Her other films include Women of Karaoun, a look at three generations of Lebanese women in Canada that premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival, and Cultural Competency , which follows four immigrant families and one Canadian family as they navigate the challenges they encounter in Canada.

To contribute to the community, Baker regularly volunteers in soup kitchens and inner-city elementary schools.

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Multiculturalism in Canada

Canada is a multicultural country. Canadians come from a vast range of nations, races, religions and heritage. This multicultural diversity comes from centuries of immigration. As a result, a diverse population is now one of the distinctive features of Canadian society.

Some examples of Canada’s official support of multiculturalism and diversity:

The government of Canada funds programs and projects which promote multiculturalism.
Police and military officers may wear a turban as part of their uniform if their religion requires them to wear one.
Michaëlle Jean, who was born in Haiti and immigrated to Canada with her family as a refugee when she was a child, served as a governor general of Canada.

The government of Canada values the population diversity and tries to protect the cultural heritage of its citizens. Through the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, the government encourages Canadians to take pride in their language, religion and heritage, and to keep their customs and traditions, as long as they do not break any Canadian laws.

Multiculturalism in NL

Right up to the end of the twentieth century NL’s population was predominantly of English, Scottish, Irish and French descent, with a small percentage belonging to First Nations. There were immigrants from other backgrounds, but in very small numbers.

With the steep increase in immigration in the first decade of the twenty-first century, NL communities are becoming more and more diverse. There are people from all over the world living in the province.

This rise in immigration is reflected in increasingly diverse social, cultural and economic scenes in the province.

the Congo region of Africa and now members of the ANC as ESL students dressed in their traditional African garb. From left, are, Mauwa Ichard , Vanessa Aisha and Antoinette Kahindo. Photo by Joe Gibbons/The Telegram.

Related Resources

Faith-based organizations.

Muslim Association of NL
Masjid al-Noor
Hindu Temple (St. John’s) Association
Jewish Community Havura
Beth-el Synagogue
Chabad Jewish Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of St. John’s
Seventh Day Adventist Church
Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation (Tel: 726 3660 )
Anglican Church of Canada (Tel: 576 6697 )

Multicultural Organizations

The following is a list of multicultural organizations and cultural associations. Connecting with these organizations may connect you to newcomers in the region:

COMPAS Immigration (Federation des Francophones se Terre Neuve et du Labrador)
Multicultural Women’s Organization
Réseau immigration francophone / Francophone Immigration Network
Tombolo Multicultural Festival
Memorial University Internationalization Office
Human Rights Commission of NL
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Government of NL
St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership, City of St. John’s

Culture Adjustment

2021 Multiculturalism Week Winning Art Submission by L’anse-au-Loup student, Kennedi Holley.

Despite Canada’s multicultural heritage and policies, it can be difficult for you as a new immigrant in Canada to adjust to new customs, ways of daily living and social systems that may be very different from your country of origin.

The St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) is a collaborative community initiative dedicated to improving immigrant integration and retention in St. John’s. Aimed at helping newcomers fully engage in all aspects of social, economic, and cultural life and building on the knowledge gained through other LIP’s across the country, the role is to:

Establish priorities and develop action plans to help address key immigrant issues
Encourage broader stakeholder collaboration
Help St. John’s grow as a welcoming community for newcomers

Established in 2015 and hosted by the City of St. John’s, the St. John’s LIP is co-chaired with the Association for New Canadians and is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. There are currently more than 60 LIP’s across Canada, including seven in Atlantic Canada. Visit Newcomers – City of St Johns to learn more about the Local St. John’s Immigration Partnership.

If you are experiencing difficulty in adjusting to your new life in NL, ask for help . There are many organizations, groups and businesses that can help you overcome culture shock and the difficulties of living in a non-familiar environment.

Canadian Multiculturalism Act
Citizenship and Immigration: Multiculturalism
Canadian Heritage
Welcome to Canada – What You Should Know
Ethnocultural Organizations in NL

Adapting to cultural differences in Canada as an international student

Canada is known for its cultural diversity and, as an international student, classroom interactions may be your first experience with people from very different backgrounds and cultures. Many international students experience some degree of culture shock in their first few months in Canada . Even though most Canadians are warm and welcoming to newcomers, adapting to cultural differences may take time and effort.

We spoke to some former international students about the differences they observed in culture and personal interactions at university. Here are some of their tips to help you understand and adapt to cultural diversity in Canada.

In this article:

How international students can benefit from cultural diversity in Canada

Cultural differences you can expect as an international student in Canada

Tips for adapting to cultural differences in Canada

Finding a cultural balance as an international student in canada.

As an international student stepping into a lecture hall at a Canadian university , your first impulse might be to find other students from your home community. While sticking with what is familiar seems easiest, there are many advantages to stepping out of your comfort zone.

Meeting other international and Canadian students can expose you to new perspectives you may not have considered. A free exchange of ideas in a diverse group can broaden your worldview and give you a better appreciation for others. Learning about different cultures, traditions, and religions can also foster cultural sensitivity, empathy, and acceptance of differences in others.

Interacting with people from various backgrounds will also help to prepare you for the diverse, multicultural workspaces you’ll be a part of during your career in Canada .

Cultural differences you can expect as an international student in Canada

While not all international students experience culture shock when they come to Canada, it can take time to get used to cultural differences in your city and classroom. Knowing what to expect can help you adapt faster. Here are some cultural differences you might notice during your first few months in Canada:

Language as a cultural barrier

“ Language was one of the biggest cultural barriers for me when I arrived in Canada in 2017. International students who either didn’t know English or are not confident about their language skills often had trouble communicating in class and felt excluded, ” says Lucas, a former international student from Brazil.

If your English skills need work, a diverse classroom is a great place to practice.

Small talk and ice-breaker conversations

“ Unlike some cultures where people tend to get straight to the point, small talk is an essential skill in Canada ,” says Ke, an international student who came to Canada from China in 2019.

Small talk serves as an ice-breaker when you are speaking to someone new. It’s also a great way to begin forming meaningful connections . Common small talk topics may include the weather, sports, hobbies, current events, and other impersonal subjects. So, don’t be shy to initiate small talk – it’s part of Canadian culture .

Politeness is ingrained in Canadian culture

“ One of the first things I noticed was that people in Canada are very polite, ” says Ke. “ Even strangers will smile at you and be willing to help you out. ”

Canadians are known for their politeness and words like “thank you”, “please”, and “sorry” are used freely in conversations. Keep in mind that polite behaviour is a social standard and should not be confused with friendliness.

Be respectful of everyone

In Canada, every individual is considered equal. Discrimination based on culture, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language, and profession is unacceptable.

In Canada, the gender balance in your classroom might be different from back home and some of your classmates may identify with different genders. You may also meet people who have a different sexual orientation. Be sure to treat everyone with the same level of respect.

Different modes of teaching and learning

While many cultures prioritize individual contribution in class, in Canadian universities and colleges, group work forms an important part of education. During group work, you will need to communicate effectively with a diverse group of students and take ownership of your work, without coming across as pushy. However, individual assignments and exams are your own work. Getting help on these will count as cheating and comes with severe consequences.

The student-teacher relationship may also be different in Canada than in your home country. “ In many eastern countries, teachers are viewed as figures of authority, and challenging their views is considered disrespectful. In Canada, however, debates with teachers are encouraged and counter-views from students often lead to healthy discussions, ” says Ke.

Personal space and privacy

While hugging or kissing may be the acceptable way to greet people in some cultures, it could be considered offensive in others. Similarly, asking intrusive questions about people’s personal lives is generally not appreciated in Canada. Canadians tend to value their personal space and privacy. Be respectful of boundaries, both physical and emotional. Don’t behave in a way that may be perceived as disrespectful, such as asking questions about how much money someone makes or their religion.

Friendship and relationships

Canadians have a different cultural perspective on friendship. For international students who leave behind long-standing friendships, it can be difficult to start building relationships from scratch in a new country.

Cultural differences also exist in romantic relationships. For many international students, the concepts of same-sex relationships and non-exclusive relationships might be new. The general understanding of consent may also be different in your culture. In Canada, it is important that you get explicit, enthusiastic consent from your partner before engaging in sexual activities. Remember, consent can be withdrawn at any time, so communicate with your partner to make sure that they are not feeling uncomfortable.

Keep an open mind

The culture in Canada and societal norms around polite behaviour may be different than they are in your home country. Respecting and learning from these differences will give you a chance to grow as a person and appreciate new perspectives. Keep an open mind, talk to people from different backgrounds, and view this as an opportunity to widen your horizons.

Be sensitive to cultural differences

While all cultures may be different, it is important to recognize that none is better or worse than the other. Familiarize yourself with cultural differences , and learn about biases and behaviours that may not be accepted in other cultures. When in doubt, ask polite questions without being intrusive, and try not to form snap judgements about the people you meet.

Work on your English language skills

A lack of confidence in your language skills can lead to feelings of exclusion and limit the social circle you keep. “ It is important that international students overcome their fear of English and hesitation about their accent. Work on improving your listening and speaking skills by practicing as much as you can, ” says Lucas.

Your university may offer language courses and workshops to help improve your English . Check with your local public library for ESL resources or spend time watching English movies and TV shows.

Expand your friend circle

Make an effort to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Student societies and clubs in your university are a good place to start. Participating in group activities, neighbourhood clubs, and hobby groups is also a great way to meet new people. While it may take some time to find people with similar interests or perspectives, don’t lose hope.

Give yourself time to adjust

“ It’s natural to miss what is familiar. Many international students miss the people and cultural aspects of their home country and start feeling lonely and homesick, ” says Siang, who came to Canada as an international student from Malaysia in 2008.

Culture shock and feelings of homesickness are normal. There might be some cultural differences that leave you confused or lead you to question your own beliefs. Be patient and give yourself time to adapt to your new environment.

Seek support, if needed

Adjusting to academic demands, cultural differences, and life as an international student in Canada can take a toll on your mental health. Many international students also struggle to balance their schedules, especially if they are working part-time while studying . Most universities provide access to on- and off-campus mental health resources and student support programs to help students cope with pressure, stress, and mental health challenges.

“In Canada, people are more empathetic and open to having conversations about mental health and well-being ,” says Ke. Your mental health should be a priority, so don’t hesitate to seek help, if needed.

Stay in touch with family and friends

With phones, video calls, and email, it has never been easier to keep in touch with people—no matter where they are. If you start feeling homesick , talk to your family and friends back home. Get updates on how things are at home, share your experiences, and get advice from people you trust.

Connect with your home community in Canada

People from your home country in Canada may have navigated the same cultural challenges as you. Reach out to them for guidance and learn from their journey. Sign up for on- or off-campus community groups to meet people from similar backgrounds.

Find comfort in things that are familiar

Miss your favourite food? Find restaurants that serve your home cuisine or look for grocery stores that carry the ingredients you need to cook familiar food. Ask people from your home community for recommendations on places of worship, places to shop, or other things that remind you of home.

Don’t feel pressured to change

It can be confusing to find yourself surrounded by people with different cultures, values, and beliefs. While it is important to be sensitive and accepting of cultural differences, it doesn’t mean that you need to change your own behaviour or beliefs to fit in. Remember, diversity is what makes Canada great and your identity is your own.

Canada is a multicultural society that welcomes people of all backgrounds and beliefs. As an international student in Canada, you will learn to appreciate the cultural diversity your campus and city have to offer. While it is important to stay true to your culture, adapting to cultural differences and expanding your network during your academic years can help prepare you for a diverse workplace and successful life in Canada.

Networking for Newcomers to Canada guide

Things our lawyers want you to know

This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.

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Research publications

1 Introduction
2.1 Multiculturalism as a Sociological Fact of Canadian Life
2.2.1 The Incipient Stage (Pre-1971)
2.2.2 The Formative Period (1971–1981)
2.2.3 Institutionalization (1982 to the Present)
2.3 Attitudes Toward Multiculturalism
2.4.1 British Columbia
2.4.2 Alberta
2.4.3 Saskatchewan
2.4.4 Manitoba
2.4.5 Ontario
2.4.6 Quebec
2.4.7 New Brunswick
2.4.8 Nova Scotia
2.4.9 Prince Edward Island
2.4.10 Newfoundland and Labrador
3 Chronology of Federal Policy on Multiculturalism

4 Selected References

1 introduction.

The concept of Canada as a “multicultural society” can be interpreted in different ways: descriptively (as a sociological fact), prescriptively (as ideology) or politically (as policy).

As a sociological fact, multiculturalism refers to the presence of people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Ideologically, multiculturalism consists of a relatively coherent set of ideas and ideals pertaining to the celebration of Canada's cultural diversity. At the policy level, multiculturalism refers to the management of diversity through formal initiatives in the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal domains.

This study focuses on an analysis of Canadian multiculturalism both as a sociological fact and as a federal public policy. It goes on to look at attitudes to multiculturalism, as well as provincial and territorial multiculturalism policies. It also provides a chronology of federal policy on multiculturalism, and selected references.

2 Background and Analysis

2.1 multiculturalism as a sociological fact of canadian life.

Canada's history of settlement and colonization has resulted in a multicultural society made up of three founding peoples – Indigenous, French, and British – and of many other racial and ethnic groups.

The Indigenous peoples include First Nations (Status and Non‑Status Indians), Métis and Inuit. Their proportion of Canada's total population is increasing. Statistics Canada's 2016 Census revealed that just over 2.1 million people reported having some Indigenous ancestry, representing 6.2% of the total population. By comparison, in the 2011 Census, people with Indigenous ancestry represented 4.3% of the population.

French and British colonizers began arriving in the early 1600s, and at the time of Confederation, Canada's population was chiefly British (60%) and French (30%). At the turn of the 20 th century, immigrants from other European countries were allowed entry into Canada. In percentage terms, the influx peaked in 1912 and 1913, when annual arrivals exceeded 5% of the total population. The proportion of the population born outside the country dropped during the Great Depression and the Second World War, but has been rising since the early 1950s. The sources of immigration have also shifted toward locations such as Asia, the Caribbean, and South and Central America.

By 1981, the combination of a declining birth rate and ongoing immigration saw the British and French populations decline to 40% and 27%, respectively. At the beginning of the 21 st century, the proportion of people with British, French, and/or Canadian ethnic origins had dropped to 46%. (The term “Canadian” ethnic origin was first introduced in the 1996 Census.) An ethnic diversity survey published by Statistics Canada in 2003 showed that 21% of the population aged 15 years and older was of British‑only ancestry, while 10% reported only French origins, 8% were Canadian only, and 7% were a mix of these three origins.

This increased diversity is evident from the data from the 2016 Census carried out by Statistics Canada, in which more than 250 different ethnic origins or ancestries were reported. The most common reported ancestries were Canadian, English, Scottish, French and Irish, followed by German, Chinese, Italian, First Nations, Indian (from India), Ukrainian, Dutch and Polish. The census data also found that 21.9% of the population was born outside Canada – the highest proportion since the 1921 Census. In 2016, the largest number of immigrants was from Asia, representing 48.1% of the population born abroad. The visible minority population – that is, the non-white population, excluding the Indigenous population – accounted for 22.3% of the total population, up from 4.7% in 1981.

Linguistic diversity is also at the core of Canadian multiculturalism. In 2016, according to census data, English was the first language (mother tongue) for 58.1% of the population. This was a slight decrease from 2011, when 58.6% of the population said English was their mother tongue.

The same trend was observed for French, the second most common mother tongue after English: 21.4% of the population reported speaking French as their first language, compared with 22% in 2011. Lastly, the percentage of those whose mother tongue was a language other than English or French was 22.9% in 2016, up 1.6% from 2011.

In 2016, “immigrant” languages – that is, languages other than English, French, Indigenous languages or sign language – were the mother tongues of 22.3% of the Canadian population (more than 7.7 million people). The immigrant languages spoken most often at home were Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog and Arabic. The Indigenous languages spoken by the largest number of people were Cree languages, Inuktitut, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, Dene and Montagnais (Innu).

2.2 Multiculturalism as a Public Policy at the Federal Level

Analysts generally agree that federal multiculturalism policy has evolved through three developmental phases: the incipient stage (pre-1971), the formative period (1971–1981), and institutionalization (1982 to the present).

2.2.1 The Incipient Stage (Pre-1971)

The era preceding 1971 can best be described as a time of gradual movement toward acceptance of ethnic diversity as legitimate and integral to Canadian society. Nation‑building in the symbolic and cultural sense was oriented toward the replication of a British type of society in Canada. Culturally, this was reflected in Canada's political, economic and social institutions. All Canadians were defined as British subjects until the passage of the Canadian Citizenship Act in 1947, and a variety of cultural symbols legitimized the British underpinnings of English-speaking Canada. For the most part, central authorities dismissed the value of cultural heterogeneity, considering racial and ethnic differences as inimical to national interests and detrimental to Canada's character and integrity. Only the massive influx of post-World War II immigrants from Europe prompted central authorities to rethink the role and status of “other ethnic groups” within the evolving dynamic of Canadian society.

Later, events and developments during the 1960s paved the way for the eventual demise of the official policy of assimilation and the subsequent appearance of multiculturalism. Pressures for change stemmed from the growing assertiveness of Canada's Indigenous peoples, the force of Québécois nationalism and increasing resentment on the part of some ethnic minorities regarding their place in society.

2.2.2 The Formative Period (1971–1981)

In 1969, the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism published Book Four of its report, which dealt with the contribution of non-Indigenous, non‑French and non-English ethnic groups to the cultural enrichment of Canada. The Commission recommended the “integration” (not assimilation) into Canadian society of those ethnic groups with full citizenship rights and equal participation in Canada's institutional structure. These recommendations led to the introduction in 1971 of the Multiculturalism Policy. Its key objectives were these:

to assist cultural groups to retain and foster their identity;
to assist cultural groups to overcome barriers to their full participation in Canadian society (thus, the multiculturalism policy advocated the full involvement and equal participation of ethnic minorities in mainstream institutions, without denying them the right to identify with select elements of their cultural past if they so chose);
to promote creative exchanges among all Canadian cultural groups; and
to assist immigrants in acquiring at least one of the two official languages.

Achieving these policy objectives depended on government funding. Nearly $200 million was set aside in the 10 years following the implementation of the policy for special initiatives in language and cultural maintenance. A Multicultural Directorate within the Department of the Secretary of State was approved in 1972 to assist in the implementation of multicultural policies and programs. The directorate sponsored activities aimed at assisting ethnic minorities in the areas of human rights, freedom from racial discrimination, citizenship, immigration and cultural diversity. A Ministry of Multiculturalism was created in 1973 to monitor the implementation of multicultural initiatives within government departments. In addition, formal linkages between the government and ethnic organizations were established to provide ongoing input into the decision-making process. An example was the Canadian Consultative Council on Multiculturalism, established in 1973 and later renamed the Canadian Ethnocultural Council.

The architects of the 1971 Multiculturalism Policy perceived barriers to social adaptation and economic success largely in linguistic or cultural terms. The marked increase in the arrival of visible minority immigrants whose main concerns were obtaining employment, housing and education, as well as fighting discrimination, required a shift in policy thinking. Equality through the removal of racially discriminatory barriers became the main focus of multicultural programs, and race relations policies and programs were put in place to uncover, isolate and combat racial discrimination at personal and institutional levels. Particular emphasis was placed on encouraging and facilitating the ways in which cultural minority groups could fully participate in Canadian society.

2.2.3 Institutionalization (1982 to the Present)

The 1980s witnessed a growing institutionalization of multicultural policy. Shifts in this policy coincided with a difficult period for race relations in Canada. Immigration had noticeably changed the composition of the population in large cities over a short period of time. Canada also began to see the emergence of a few individuals and groups promoting racist ideas. The government first concentrated on the changes needed in order to help Canadian institutions adapt to the presence of the new immigrant groups. It also introduced anti-discrimination programs designed to help remove social and cultural barriers separating minority and majority groups in Canada.

With the adoption of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter) in 1982, the multicultural heritage of Canadians was recognized in the Constitution. Section 27 of the Charter states: “This Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.”

This provision is critical in placing multiculturalism within the wider framework of Canadian society. It empowers the courts to take Canada's multicultural reality into account at the highest levels of decision-making. In the words of a former human rights commissioner, it provides a useful “interpretative prism” to assist the courts when balancing individual and multicultural (and often collective) rights. A relevant example is the issue of freedom of individual expression, which must take account of the prohibition against racial slurs or circulation of racially based hate propaganda. Hence, the principle underlying the freedom of individual expression does not extend to absolute free speech.

Moreover, the Charter addresses the elimination of expressions of discrimination by guaranteeing both equality and fairness to all under the law, regardless of race or ethnicity. Section 15(1) states:

Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

In addition, section 15(2) establishes entitlement to non-discriminatory benefits without denying the need for additional measures to assist disadvantaged groups.

In 1984, the Special Parliamentary Committee on Visible Minorities produced its well‑known report Equality Now! , and in 1985, a House of Commons Standing Committee on Multiculturalism was created. In 1987, the committee issued an extensive report that called for the enactment of a new policy on multiculturalism and the creation of the Department of Multiculturalism.

A new multiculturalism policy with a clearer sense of purpose and direction came into effect in 1988 when the Canadian Multiculturalism Act was adopted by Parliament. Canada was the first country in the world to pass a national multiculturalism law. Still today, the Act sets out the legal framework for Canada's multiculturalism policy.

The Act acknowledges multiculturalism as a fundamental characteristic of Canadian society with an integral role in the decision-making process of the federal government. Directed toward the preservation and enhancement of multiculturalism in Canada, the Act seeks to assist in the preservation of culture and language, to reduce discrimination, to enhance cultural awareness and understanding, and to promote culturally sensitive institutional change at the federal level.

In order to maintain a balance between cultural distinctiveness and equality, the Act specifies the right of all to identify with the cultural heritage of their choice, yet retain “full and equitable participation … in the … shaping of all aspects of Canadian society.” In effect, the Act seeks to preserve, enhance and incorporate cultural differences into the functioning of Canadian society, while ensuring equal access and full participation for all Canadians in the social, political, and economic spheres. It also focuses on the eradication of racism and the removal of discriminatory barriers as ways to fulfill Canada's human rights commitments.

Moreover, the Act presents multiculturalism as a positive instrument of change that aims to remove barriers that preclude the involvement, equity, and representation of all citizens in Canada's institutions, as well as their access to those institutions. The Act recognizes the need to increase minority participation in Canada's major institutions by bringing diversity into these institutions as a natural, normal, and positive component of decision‑making, resource allocation, and the setting of priorities. Under the Act, all government agencies, departments and Crown corporations – not just the department responsible for multiculturalism – are expected to provide leadership in advancing Canada's multicultural mix and to take part in the design and implementation of plans, programs, procedures and decision‑making strategies that enhance the full and equal participation of minorities within institutional structures.

It is also noteworthy that the Act makes the government accountable to both Parliament and the public for ensuring compliance with its provisions by requiring annual reports. A multiculturalism secretariat was established to support the government in implementing improved delivery of government services in federal institutions.

In 1988, the Government of Canada formally apologized for the wrongful incarceration, seizure of property and disenfranchisement of Japanese Canadians during World War II and offered compensation. The Government of Canada and the National Association of Japanese Canadians signed the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement , and the federal government promised to create the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act was adopted by Parliament in 1991. It established a Race Relations Foundation in Toronto with the purpose of helping to eliminate racism and racial discrimination through public education. Funding for the establishment of the Foundation was deferred until 1996, when the federal government provided a one-time endowment of $24 million to establish the Foundation. The Foundation's core mandate included the following:

undertaking research, collecting data, and developing a national information base to further understanding of racism and racial discrimination;
providing information to support effective race relations training and the development of professional standards; and
disseminating information to increase public awareness of the importance of eliminating racism.

The Canadian Heritage Languages Institute Act , which was adopted by Parliament in 1991, provided for the establishment of a Heritage Languages Institute in Edmonton, with the purpose of developing national standards for teacher training and curriculum content for ethnic minority language classes in Canada. Before it could be created, however, the 1992 Budget deferred the Institute's establishment until further notice. In January 2012, under the provisions of the Statutes Repeal Act , the Canadian Heritage Languages Institute Act was repealed.

Legislation creating a full-fledged Department of Multiculturalism and Citizenship was adopted by Parliament in 1991. The institutionalized programs established under the newly created department were:

Race Relations and Cross-Cultural Understanding “to promote among Canadians and in Canadian institutions appreciation, acceptance and implementation of the principles of racial equality and multiculturalism”;
Heritage Cultures and Languages “to assist Canadians to preserve, enhance and share their cultures, languages and ethnocultural group identities”; and
Community Support and Participation “to support the full and equitable participation in Canadian life of individuals and communities from Canada's racial and ethnocultural minorities.”

Where early multicultural policies concentrated on cultural preservation and intercultural sharing through promotion of ethnic presses and festivals, the rejuvenated multiculturalism policy emphasized cross-cultural understanding and the attainment of social and economic integration through institutional change, affirmative action to equalize opportunity, and the removal of discriminating barriers.

The new department was short-lived, however; it was dismantled in 1993. Its multiculturalism programs were integrated into the new and larger Department of Canadian Heritage, while programs associated with citizenship (citizenship registration and promotion) were assigned to the newly established Department of Citizenship and Immigration.

The Standing Committee on Multiculturalism and Citizenship released its last report in 1993, shortly before it ceased to exist when the Department of Multiculturalism and Citizenship was disbanded. Entitled Study of the Implementation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act in Federal Institutions , the report made recommendations suggesting various ways of improving the evaluation of federal institutions' progress in implementing the Canadian Multiculturalism Act . Other key recommendations identified specific measures whereby government departments and agencies could strengthen their commitment to the principles of the Act.

Following increased criticism of the multiculturalism policy voiced by various groups and individuals from different parts of Canadian society, the Department of Canadian Heritage launched a comprehensive review of its multiculturalism programming activities in 1995. In 1997, the federal government announced a new policy that focused on three objectives: social justice (building a fair and equitable society); civic participation (ensuring that Canadians of all origins participate in the shaping of our communities and country); and identity (fostering a society that recognizes, respects and reflects a diversity of cultures so that people of all backgrounds feel a sense of belonging to Canada).

The new policy prioritized proposals that:

assisted in the development of strategies to facilitate the full and active participation of ethnic, racial, religious and cultural communities in Canada;
supported collective community initiatives and responses to ethnic, racial, religious and cultural conflict and hate-motivated activities;
improved the ability of public institutions to respond to ethnic, racial, religious and cultural diversity;
encouraged and assisted in the development of inclusive policies, programs and practices within federal departments and agencies; and
increased public awareness, understanding and dialogue with respect to multiculturalism, racism and cultural diversity in Canada.

In 2002, the government announced that Canadian Multiculturalism Day would be held every year on 27 June.

In the February 2005 Budget, the government announced a five-year investment of $56 million for Canada's Action Plan Against Racism. The budget also allocated $25 million over the following three years for an Acknowledgement, Commemoration, and Education ( ACE ) Program that would undertake commemorative and educational initiatives to highlight the contributions of ethnocultural groups particularly affected by war measures or the immigration policies of the day. Agreements-in-principle were reached with the Ukrainian-Canadian, Italian-Canadian, and Chinese-Canadian communities, but the government changed before these agreements could be put in place.

Meanwhile, in March 2005, the government released A Canada for All: Canada's Action Plan Against Racism . Its objectives were to strengthen social cohesion, to further Canada's human rights framework, and to demonstrate federal leadership in the fight against racism and hate-motivated crime.

At the international level, on 23 November 2005 Canada became the first country to adopt the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ) Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions . The Convention recognizes that books, films, television programs, and other cultural goods and services have a distinctive nature that goes beyond their commercial value. It also reaffirms the right of countries to take measures to foster diverse cultural expressions.

In 2006, the federal government offered a full apology to Chinese-Canadians for the head tax that was imposed on Chinese immigrants until 1923 and Canada's subsequent refusal, until 1947, to accept Chinese immigrants. The government also replaced the ACE program, described above, with the Community Historical Recognition Program (which ended on 31 March 2013) and the National Historical Recognition Program to commemorate the historical experiences and contributions of ethnocultural communities.

In 2008, responsibility for multiculturalism was transferred from the Department of Canadian Heritage to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, whose minister was renamed the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. The multiculturalism policy was modified to stress the following priorities:

support for the economic, social, and cultural integration of new Canadians and cultural communities;
facilitation of programs that promote mentorship, volunteerism, leadership, and civic education among at-risk youth of different cultural backgrounds; and
promotion of intercultural understanding and Canadian values (democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law) through community initiatives, with the objective of addressing issues of cultural social exclusion (parallel communities) and radicalization.

In 2008, the federal government announced the creation of the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism to recognize the contribution and work of individuals and groups dedicated to promoting multiculturalism and helping newcomers integrate into Canada.

In 2009, Canada became a full member of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research. This organization was renamed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance ( IHRA ) in 2012. Canada chaired the IHRA from March 2013 to February 2014.

In 2010, Canada hosted the second annual conference of the Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism ( ICCA ). At the conference, the ICCA developed the Ottawa Protocol on Combating Antisemitism and in 2011 Canada became the first country to sign it.

That same year, the following three new objectives for the multiculturalism policy were implemented:

to build an integrated, socially cohesive society;
to improve the responsiveness of institutions to meet the needs of a diverse population; and
to actively engage in discussions on multiculturalism and diversity at an international level.

In 2013, the government created the Office of Religious Freedom with a mandate to defend religious minorities, promote religious freedom and advance policies and programs that support the right to freedom of religion. As a section of Global Affairs Canada, the Office focus was abroad. The Office closed its doors on 31 March 2016.

On 23 April 2015, Parliament passed Bill S-219, known as the Journey to Freedom Day Act , which commemorates the exodus of Vietnamese refugees and their acceptance in Canada after the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War.

In June 2015, Canada chaired the inaugural meeting of the International Contact Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief. This informal group seeks to protect the right to freedom of religion or belief through interstate cooperation.

Also in June 2015, the Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act was passed by Parliament. The Act amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act , the Civil Marriage Act , the Criminal Code and other Acts to stipulate a minimum age of 16 years for marriage and to specify that a permanent resident or foreign national is inadmissible on grounds of practising polygamy in Canada.

Following Canada's 2015 elections, the Government of Canada announced in November 2015 that the multiculturalism portfolio was being transferred from the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to the Department of Canadian Heritage. However, the objectives of the Multiculturalism Program were still the same as those announced in 2010.

On 17 May 2016, the government announced the creation of the Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion ( OHRFI ), to replace the former Office of Religious Freedom. The OHRFI comes under Global Affairs Canada and serves as a focal point for engagement with faith and belief communities to consult on promoting religious freedom and human rights, among other subjects.

Also in May 2016, the Government of Canada delivered a formal apology for the Komagata Maru incident in 1914. This Japanese ship arrived in Vancouver in May 1914 with 376 passengers on board from South Asia. A total of 352 passengers were refused entry to Canada because of the immigration policy of that era.

In March 2017, Motion M-103 on systemic racism and religious discrimination was passed by the House of Commons, and on 8 June 2017, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage began a study on how the government could achieve the following two objectives:

develop a whole-of-government approach to reducing or eliminating systemic racism and religious discrimination, including Islamophobia, in Canada, while ensuring a community-centred focus with a holistic response through evidence-based policy making, and
collect data to contextualize hate crime reports and to conduct needs assessments for impacted communities.

Further to this motion, in February 2018 the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage published a report entitled Taking Action Against Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination Including Islamophobia . The report made 30 recommendations, including updating and reinstating the previous Canadian Action Plan Against Racism , establishing uniform pan-Canadian guidelines and standards for the collection and handling of hate crime data and hate incident data, developing an anti-racism framework, and increasing multiculturalism funding dedicated to eradicating systemic racism and religious discrimination and to promoting greater intercultural understanding and awareness. The report also recommended that 29 January be designated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia and other forms of religious discrimination.

2.3 Attitudes Toward Multiculturalism

Various publications and polls suggest that Canadians are generally supportive of a multicultural society, at least in principle if not always in practice. Indeed, attitudes toward immigration and multiculturalism have become more positive over the years. According to the Focus Canada surveys conducted by the Environics Institute for Survey Research, the percentage of Canadians who see multiculturalism as a symbol of Canadian identity increased from 37% in 1997 to 54% in 2015. At the same time, the percentage of Canadians who feel that immigration levels are too high dropped from 61% in 1977 to 37% in 2016.

While it appears as though Canadians are largely in favour of multiculturalism, attitudes about religious diversity are more mixed. According to a survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute in 2017, when asked whether religious diversity in Canada was good or bad, 26% of Canadians responded that it was a good thing, 23% said it was a bad thing, and the remainder of respondents said they were unsure or they felt the impact was mixed.

Attitudes toward multiculturalism vary from region to region. In particular, many Québécois have expressed uneasiness about, or even resistance to, the federal multiculturalism policy since its inception. This uneasiness is largely explained in terms of the perception, by many Québécois, of multiculturalism as another intrusion by federal authorities into their province's internal affairs. Many are inclined to view multiculturalism as a ploy to downgrade the distinct society status of Québécois to the level of an ethnic minority culture under the domination of English-speaking Canada. Multiculturalism is thus seen as an attempt to dilute the French fact in Canada, weakening francophone status and threatening the partnership of English‑speaking and French-speaking Canadians. For many Québécois, the idea of reducing the rights of French-speaking Canadians to the same level as those of other ethno-racial minorities in the name of multicultural equality is inconsistent with the special compact between the three founding peoples of Canada.

In addition, some commentators have expressed the fear that the multiculturalism policy is promoting too much diversity at the expense of unity. Critics say the policy is divisive because it emphasizes what is different, rather than the values that are Canadian. Canadian culture and symbols, it is felt, are being discarded in the effort to accommodate other cultures. On the other hand, defenders of Canada's approach to multiculturalism argue that it encourages integration by telling immigrants they do not have to choose between preserving their cultural heritage and participating in Canadian society. Rather, they can do both.

In his book Selling Illusions: The Cult of Multiculturalism in Canada , published in 1994, author Neil Bissoondath leads the charge against the government's multiculturalism policy. His book reiterates his concern over the potential divisiveness inherent in government promotion of cultural diversity. In Bissoondath's opinion, the government's encouragement of ethnic differences leads immigrants to adopt a “psychology of separation” from the mainstream culture. Multiculturalism is blamed for isolating ethno-racial groups in distinct enclaves by fostering an inward-focused mentality that drives a wedge between Canadians of different ethnic backgrounds. The author argues that unity and cohesion are being sacrificed for a philosophy that separates, intensifies misunderstanding and hostility, and pits one group against another in the competition for power and resources.

Other prominent authors, such as Richard Gwyn, in his 1995 book Nationalism Without Walls , and Jack Granatstein, in his 1998 book Who Killed Canadian History? , have criticized what they see as the negative impacts of the multiculturalism policy. Gwyn argues that the political elite was mistaken in rationalizing that the backlash against multiculturalism was caused by temporary “employment anxiety” in the early 1990s, rather than a widespread fear that Canadians were becoming “strangers in their own land.” Granatstein implicates official multiculturalism and political correctness in the death of Canadian history, both in schools and among Canadian youth in general. He claims that a number of studies in schools and at post-secondary levels of education show that Canadians are learning less and less about their history and cannot pass relatively basic tests about historical events or personalities. Granatstein also argues that multiculturalism policies have helped spread the idea among immigrants and even native-born Canadians that Canada, particularly English‑speaking Canada, has no culture and identity of its own.

In response to these arguments, in 1998, philosopher Will Kymlicka published Finding Our Way: Rethinking Ethnocultural Relations in Canada . He says the evidence does not support claims that multiculturalism has decreased the rate of integration of immigrants. Using statistics on naturalization rates for immigrants, levels of political participation among ethnocultural groups, rates at which new Canadians can speak an official language and rates of intermarriage, Kymlicka argues that the multiculturalism policy has worked and that there is no evidence that it has promoted ethnic separateness.

As noted at the beginning of this section, recent polls show that multiculturalism is largely seen in a positive light. In a review of public opinion research on attitudes toward multiculturalism from 2006 to 2009, Stuart Soroka and Sarah Roberton found that multiculturalism is “viewed as an integral and largely positive aspect of the Canadian state.” At the same time, they found that Canadians “see some value in shared values and traditions as well.”

2.4 Provincial and Territorial Multiculturalism Policies

All provincial governments have adopted some form of multiculturalism policy. At present, six of the ten provinces – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and Nova Scotia – have enacted multiculturalism legislation. Eight provinces – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – have created a multiculturalism advisory council that reports to the minister responsible for multiculturalism. In Alberta, the Alberta Human Rights Commission performs the role of multiculturalism advisory council. In Nova Scotia, the legislation is implemented by both a Cabinet committee on multiculturalism and advisory councils. Ontario has an official multicultural policy and the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration is responsible for promoting social inclusion, civic and community engagement and recognition. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched the province's policy on multiculturalism in 2008 and the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills leads its implementation.

While the territorial governments do not have multiculturalism policies per se, they have human rights Acts that prohibit discrimination based on, among other things, race, colour, ancestry, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed or religion. In Whitehorse, the Multicultural Centre of the Yukon provides services to immigrants.

2.4.1 British Columbia

British Columbia adopted the Multiculturalism Act in 1993. It requires the government to “generally, carry on government services and programs in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the multicultural reality of British Columbia.” Each ministry and Crown corporation makes an annual report describing its efforts to promote multiculturalism. The minister responsible for multiculturalism submits an omnibus report, Report on Multiculturalism: Government of British Columbia , to the legislature. The Multicultural Advisory Council advises the minister responsible for multiculturalism on issues related to anti-racism and multiculturalism. It brings people together from across British Columbia who are dedicated to promoting multiculturalism.

In order to promote understanding of diversity, in 2008 British Columbia launched EmbraceBC. With support from the provincial and federal governments, this program provides information resources as well as funding for community-based anti-racism and multiculturalism projects.

That same year, the Government of British Columbia launched the British Columbia Multicultural Awards, which recognize individuals, organizations and businesses whose exceptional work helps bring diverse cultures together.

On 15 May 2014, the Government of British Columbia issued a formal apology to Chinese Canadians for the historic wrongs done to them by past provincial governments.

In British Columbia, the third week in November every year is dedicated to celebrating multiculturalism.

2.4.2 Alberta

Alberta first adopted multiculturalism legislation in 1984 with the passage of the Alberta Cultural Heritage Act . Multiculturalism was thereby recognized as a fundamental characteristic of Alberta society, which confers economic as well as social and cultural benefits on all Albertans. It was replaced in 1990 by the Alberta Multiculturalism Act , of which the main objectives were to encourage respect for and promote an awareness of the multicultural heritage of Alberta and to foster an environment in which all Albertans can participate and contribute to the cultural, social, economic and political life of their province. The Act established a Multiculturalism Commission to advise the government on policy and programs respecting multiculturalism, as well as a Multiculturalism Advisory Council to make policy recommendations to the Commission. A Multicultural Fund was also set up to finance programs and services related to its objectives and to provide grants to eligible persons and organizations.

In 1996, the government merged the human rights and multiculturalism programs. The Human Rights , Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act retained the main objectives of the Alberta Multiculturalism Act , and the Alberta Human Rights Commission took over the duties of the former Multiculturalism Commission. Similarly, the Multicultural Fund continued as the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Fund. In 2009, Alberta's human rights legislation was amended and was renamed the Alberta Human Rights Act . The Multiculturalism Fund became the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund.

2.4.3 Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan was the first province to adopt legislation on multiculturalism. The Saskatchewan Multicultural Act was first passed in 1974. In 1997, a new Multiculturalism Act was enacted, which reaches beyond the traditional scope of multiculturalism to address the social justice issues of society today, such as racism and discrimination. The purposes of the Act (section 3) are:

to recognize that the diversity of Saskatchewan people with respect to race, cultural heritage, religion, ethnicity, ancestry and place of origin is a fundamental characteristic of Saskatchewan society that enriches the lives of all Saskatchewan people; to encourage respect for the multicultural heritage of Saskatchewan; to foster a climate for harmonious relations among people of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds without sacrificing their distinctive cultural and ethnic identities; to encourage the continuation of a multicultural society.

The Government of Saskatchewan supports multicultural activity primarily through the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation. Lottery funding directly supports the activities of over 1,200 volunteer-driven organizations.

2.4.4 Manitoba

Manitoba adopted the Manitoba Intercultural Council Act in 1984. Under the Act, the Council's mandate is to make recommendations to the government, through the minister responsible for ethnocultural matters in the province, on education, human rights, immigrant settlement, media and communication, and cultural heritage. In the summer of 1992, the Manitoba legislature adopted a new provincial Multiculturalism Act , the preamble of which states:

Manitoba's multicultural society is not a collection of many separate societies, divided by language and culture, but is a single society united by shared laws, values, aspirations and responsibilities.

The new Act established a Multiculturalism Secretariat whose role is to “identify, prioritize and implement actions to contribute to the achievement of a successful multicultural society in Manitoba.” The Secretariat was established under the direction and control of the minister, and allows the minister to administer and carry out the provisions of the Act.

Manitoba provides funding for projects that promote multiculturalism and combat racism through the Ethnocultural Community Support Program, part of the Department of Sport, Culture and Heritage.

In 2015, Manitoba announced that the Manitoba Advisory Council on Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism would be created to replace the Manitoba Immigration Council and the Manitoba Ethnocultural Advisory and Advocacy Council. The new Council's mandate is to provide information, advice and recommendations to the government on the following matters:

matters relating to citizenship and immigration, including the attraction of immigrants to Manitoba and the retention of immigrants, the long-term settlement and integration of immigrants, and the full inclusion and participation of immigrants in the economic, social and cultural life of Manitoba; matters relating to multiculturalism, including intercultural relations and ethnic and linguistic diversity.

2.4.5 Ontario

Although Ontario inaugurated an official multicultural policy in 1977 that promoted the cultural activities of the various ethnic groups, formal legislation establishing a Ministry of Citizenship and Culture (now the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration) came into force only in 1982. Under the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture Act , the Ministry is responsible for “recognizing the pluralistic nature of Ontario society, to stress the full participation of all Ontarians as equal members of the community, encouraging the sharing of cultural heritage while affirming those elements held in common by all residents.”

In February 2016, the Government of Ontario announced that it was establishing an Anti-Racism Directorate to address systemic racism in government policies, decisions and programs.

On 7 March 2017, the Government of Ontario published A Better Way Forward: Ontario's 3-Year Anti-Racism Strategic Plan , an action plan outlining the government's strategy to eliminate systemic racism. The plan included:

developing a disaggregated race data collection framework;
introducing a new Ontario Black Youth Action Plan;
developing an anti-racism impact assessment framework;
introducing anti-racism legislation that would ensure future sustainability and accountability of the province's anti-racism work by providing a framework for government and organizations to identify and combat systemic racism; and
implementing targeted public education and awareness initiatives on racism in all its forms, including Islamophobia and antisemitism.

On 1 June 2017, the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 was enacted. It provides for the following:

retaining the Anti-Racism Directorate;
maintaining and regularly reviewing an anti-racism strategy; and
reviewing the anti-racism strategy at least every five years.

In June 2017, the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration announced the launch of the Multicultural Community Capacity Grants program, which seeks to help newcomers and ethnocultural communities participate fully in the civic, cultural, social and economic life of the province.

2.4.6 Quebec

Quebec designates its policy as “interculturalism.” The policy is mainly concerned with the acceptance of, and communication and interaction between, culturally diverse groups (cultural communities) without, however, implying any intrinsic equality among them. Diversity is tolerated and encouraged, but only within a framework that establishes the unquestioned supremacy of French in the language and culture of Quebec.

In 1981, the Ministry of Cultural Communities and Immigration set out its intercultural objectives by publishing a plan of action entitled Autant de façons d'être Québécois (Québécois – Each and Every One). The plan talked about the development of a strategy to:

develop cultural communities and ensure that their uniqueness is maintained;
sensitize francophones to the contribution of cultural communities to Quebec's heritage and cultural development; and
facilitate the integration of cultural communities into Quebec society, especially those sectors historically excluded or under‑represented within institutional settings.

In 1984, the National Assembly passed legislation creating the Conseil des communautés culturelles et de l'immigration (Council of Cultural Communities and Immigration), later known as the Conseil des relations interculturelles (Council of Intercultural Relations). The Council advised the minister on the planning and implementation of government policies relating to cultural communities and immigration. It also commissioned studies and undertook research on relevant issues.

In 1986, the Government of Quebec published the Déclaration sur les relations interethniques et interraciales (Declaration on Intercultural and Interracial Relations). This declaration condemns racism and racial discrimination and commits the government “to encourage the full participation of every person in the economic, social and cultural development of Quebec, regardless of colour, religion, ethnic or national origin.”

Quebec's intercultural orientation toward immigrants and diversity was further confirmed with the release at the end of 1990 of a white paper entitled Let's Build Quebec Together: A Policy Statement on Immigration and Integration. Three principles were reinforced in the government's policy:

Quebec is a French-speaking society.
Quebec is a democratic society in which everyone is expected to contribute to public life.
Quebec is a pluralistic society that respects the diversity of various cultures from within a democratic framework.

To meet these obligations, the white paper proposed a formal “moral contract” between immigrants and native-born Québécois. Quebec would declare itself a francophone, pluralistic society, yet one that is mindful of cultural differences. Immigrants would subscribe to Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and contribute to Quebec nation-building in cooperation with native-born Québécois.

In 2005, the National Assembly passed legislation creating the Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities, which replaced the former Ministry of Cultural Communities and Immigration. As spelled out in the legislation, the main functions of the Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities with regard to cultural communities are:

to support cultural communities in order to facilitate their full participation in Quebec society;
to foster openness to pluralism; and
to foster closer intercultural relations among the people of Quebec.

In 2007, the Government of Quebec established the Consultation Commission on Accommodation Practices Related to Cultural Differences, headed by co-chairs Gérard Bouchard and Charles Taylor. The Commission was established in response to a number of cases that gave rise to a public debate over the accommodation of religious practices and the broader question of the integration of immigrants and minorities. The Commission's report, published in May 2008, concluded that, while “the foundations of collective life in Québec [were] not in a critical situation,” there was a crisis of perception regarding reasonable accommodation. Bouchard and Taylor said the policies of interculturalism and secularism should be clearly defined. The Commission also made a number of recommendations on integrating immigrants, improving public understanding of intercultural practices, and fighting inequality and discrimination.

In 2008, the Government of Quebec published Diversity: An Added Value – Government policy to promote participation of all in Québec's development . It set out three policy directions:

recognize and combat prejudice and discrimination;
tackle all forms of discrimination and ensure better representation of under‑represented groups in public and private institutions and in businesses; and
ensure coherence and complementarity of efforts to combat prejudice and discrimination.

In 2011, the Conseil des relations interculturelles was disbanded. Its activities were integrated with the activities of the Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities.

In April 2014, the Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities became the Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion. On 7 March 2016, the Government of Quebec issued a new policy on immigration, participation and inclusion entitled Together, We Are Quebec . It also published an action plan, with four objectives:

harnessing the strategic benefits of permanent and temporary immigration;
making it possible for immigrants to quickly and effectively complete the immigration process;
strengthening trust and solidarity among people of all origins; and
striving for substantive equality through cooperation with economic leaders, local community partners, and departments and agencies.

On 18 October 2017, the National Assembly passed An Act to foster adherence to State religious neutrality and, in particular, to provide a framework for requests for accommodations on religious grounds in certain bodies . This legislation laid out the procedures for providing and receiving services from public organizations with faces uncovered.

2.4.7 New Brunswick

New Brunswick introduced its Policy on Multiculturalism in 1986. The policy is guided by the principles of equality, appreciation and preservation of cultural heritages, and participation. In the late 1980s, the provincial government established a Ministerial Advisory Committee to provide advice to the minister.

The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour is responsible for the Population Growth Division, which in turn is responsible for settlement and multicultural communities. The Division also administers the Multicultural Grants Program, which assists community partners working to meet the objectives of the Policy on Multiculturalism.

2.4.8 Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia adopted its multiculturalism legislation in 1989. The Act to Promote and Preserve Multiculturalism recognizes multiculturalism as an inherent feature of Nova Scotia society and pledges the government to the maintenance of good relations between cultural communities. The Act provides for two administrative structures to manage its implementation: a Cabinet Committee on Multiculturalism to oversee the application of the policy on a government-wide basis and a Multicultural Advisory Committee to advise the Cabinet committee and review the programs. The Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage is responsible for the administration of the Act.

In 2017, the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage issued Nova Scotia's Culture Action Plan, which outlines various ways to promote cultural diversity, including:

updating the province's 1989 Act to Promote and Preserve Multiculturalism ;
improving access to early childhood development intervention programs for Indigenous, Acadian and Francophone, African Nova Scotian, and immigrant families; and
strengthening the province's cultural offices.

2.4.9 Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island adopted a Provincial Multicultural Policy in 1988. Its purpose is to “promote cultural survival and expression, further cross-cultural expression, further cross-cultural understanding, acknowledge the contribution of cultural diversity and ensure the equal treatment of all people living in Prince Edward Island.” The Policy is built on four principles: equality, appreciation, preservation and participation. A Ministerial Advisory Committee advises the minister of Tourism and Culture, who is responsible for multiculturalism.

2.4.10 Newfoundland and Labrador

In 2008, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched the Policy on Multiculturalism for the province. It sets out the provincial government's commitment to “the promotion of multiculturalism and cross-cultural understanding where the cultural diversity of all people is valued, supported and enhanced to collectively build a self‑reliant, prosperous province.” The policy is designed to guide government programs and services. The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, which is part of the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, works to establish partnerships which promote multicultural activities.

3 Chronology of Federal Policy on Multiculturalism

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Abu-Laban, Yasmeen, and Christina Gabriel. Selling Diversity: Immigration, Multiculturalism, Employment Equity, and Globalization . Broadview Press Ltd., Peterborough, 2002.

Abu-Laban, Yasmeen, and Daiva Stasiulis. “Ethnic Pluralism under Siege: Popular and Partisan Opposition to Multiculturalism.” Canadian Public Policy. Vol. 18, No. 4, 1992, pp. 365–386.

Anti-Racism Directorate. “ Ontario Combatting Systemic Racism and Breaking Down Barriers .” News release, 7 March 2017.

–––. “ Ontario Passes Anti-Racism Legislation .” News release, 1 June 2017.

Bélanger, Alain, and Éric Caron Malenfant. “ Ethnocultural diversity in Canada: Prospects for 2017 .” Canadian Social Trends , Winter 2005, pp. 18–21.

Berry, John W. Sociopsychological Costs and Benefits of Multiculturalism . Economic Council of Canada, Ottawa, 1991.

Bibby, Reginald W. Mosaic Madness: The Poverty and Potential of Life in Canada . Stoddart, Toronto, 1990.

Bissoondath, Neil. Selling Illusions: The Cult of Multiculturalism in Canada . Penguin Books, Toronto, 1994.

Breton, Raymond. Ethnic Relations in Canada: Institutional Dynamics . McGill-Queen's University Press, Montréal, 2005.

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–––. The Current State of Multiculturalism in Canada and Research Themes on Canadian Multiculturalism 2008–2010 , 2010.

–––. Evaluation of Canada's Membership in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance , May 2015.

Department of Sport, Culture and Heritage of Manitoba. Ethnocultural Community Support Program .

Driedger, Leo, ed. Ethnic Canada: Identities and Inequalities . Copp Clark Pitman, Toronto, 1987.

Environics Institute for Survey Research. Focus Canada 2010 .

–––. Focus Canada 2011 .

Fleras, Augie, and Jean Leonard Elliott. Multiculturalism in Canada: The Challenge of Diversity . Nelson Canada, Scarborough, 1992.

Global Affairs Canada. Evaluation of the Office of Religious Freedom – Final Report , May 2016.

–––. “ Reinvigorating Canada's human rights agenda .” News release, Ottawa, 17 May 2016.

Government of British Columbia. Frequently Asked Questions – Why does the B.C. government honour multicultural champions?

–––. Multiculturalism Week 2017 .

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Granatstein, J. L. Who Killed Canadian History? Harper Collins, 1998.

Griffith, Andrew. Multiculturalism in Canada: Evidence and Anecdote . Ottawa, Anar Press, 2015.

Gwyn, Richard. Nationalism Without Walls: The Unbearable Lightness of Being Canadian . McClelland and Stewart, Toronto, 1995.

Hiebert, Daniel. What's So Special about Canada? Understanding the Resilience of Immigration and Multiculturalism . Washington, D.C., Migration Policy Institute, 2016.

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Kay, Jonathan. “Explaining the Modern Backlash against Multiculturalism.” Policy Options , Vol. 19, May 1998, pp. 30–34.

Kymlicka, Will. Finding Our Way: Rethinking Ethnocultural Relations in Canada. Oxford University Press, Don Mills, 1998.

–––. “ Canadian Multiculturalism in Historical and Comparative Perspective: Is Canada Unique? ” Constitutional Forum , Vol. 13, No. 1, Spring 2003, pp. 1–8.

Labelle, Micheline. “ The challenge of diversity in Canada and Quebec .” Policy Options , 1 March 2005.

Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration of Ontario. “ Multicultural Community Capacity Grant Program .” Backgrounder, 27 June 2017.

Office of the Premier of Ontario. “ Ontario Establishing an Anti-Racism Directorate .” News release, 16 February 2016.

Office of the Prime Minister of Canada. “ Prime Minister delivers formal Komagata Maru apology in House of Commons ,”news release, 18 May 2016.

Parkin, Andrew, and Matthew Mendelsohn. A New Canada: An Identity Shaped by Diversity . Centre for Research and Information on Canada, Montréal, October 2003.

Parks Canada. “ The Komagata Maru Incident of 1914 .” Backgrounder.

–––. Politique québécoise en matière d'immigration, de participation et d'inclusion [available in French only].

–––. Publications du Conseil des relations interculturelles [available in French only].

Quebec. Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General. “ Neutralité religieuse de l'État – Adoption du projet de loi n o 62 .” News release, 18 October 2017 [available in French only].

Quell, Carsten, et al. Diversity in Canada: Regions and Communities . Centre for Research and Information on Canada, Montréal, October 2005.

Reid, Angus, and Shachi Kurl. “ Canada's celebrated multiculturalism could be at stake if the different religions and traditions cannot withstand the secularism driving elements of public policy .” Policy Options , 4 December 2017.

Reitz, Jeffrey G., and Raymond Breton. The Illusion of Difference: Realities of Ethnicity in Canada and the United States . C.D. Howe Institute, Toronto, 1994.

Renaud, Viviane, and Jane Badets. “Ethnic Diversity in the 1990s.” Canadian Social Trends , Autumn 1993, pp. 17–22.

Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. “Book Four: The Cultural Contribution of Other Ethnic Groups.” In Report of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism . Queen's Printer, Ottawa, 1970.

Soroka, Stuart, and Sarah Roberton. A literature review of Public Opinion Research on Canadian attitudes towards multiculturalism and immigration, 2006–2009 . Citizenship and Immigration Canada, March 2010.

Statistics Canada. Ethnic Diversity Survey: Portrait of a multicultural society , September 2003.

–––. The Evolving Linguistic Portrait, 2006 Census: Findings , 2007.

–––. Immigration in Canada: A Portrait of the Foreign-born Population, 2006 Census: Findings , 2007.

–––. Aboriginal Peoples in Canada in 2006: Inuit, Métis and First Nations, 2006 Census: Findings , 2007.

–––. Canada's Ethnocultural Mosaic, 2006 Census: Findings , 2008.

–––. Linguistic Characteristics of Canadians , 2012.

–––. Immigrant languages in Canada , 2012.

–––. Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: First Nations People, Métis and Inuit , 2013.

–––. Immigration and Ethnocultural Diversity in Canada , 2013.

–––. “ Immigration and ethnocultural diversity: Key results from the 2016 Census .” The Daily , 25 October 2017.

–––. “ An increasingly diverse linguistic profile: Corrected data from the 2016 Census .” The Daily , 17 August 2017.

–––. “ Ethnic and cultural origins of Canadians: Portrait of a rich heritage .” Census in Brief , 25 October 2017.

Wilson, Seymour V. “The Evolving Policy of Multiculturalism in Canada.” State of the Art Review of Research on Canada's Multicultural Society . Multiculturalism and Citizenship Canada, 1992.

† Library of Parliament Background Papers provide in-depth studies of policy issues. They feature historical background, current information and references, and many anticipate the emergence of the issues they examine. They are prepared by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, which carries out research for and provides information and analysis to parliamentarians and Senate and House of Commons committees and parliamentary associations in an objective, impartial manner. [ Return to text ]

* This paper was published as a Library of Parliament Current Issue Review in January 1994 and has been updated regularly since then. It became a Background Paper in 2009. Marc Leman, formerly of the Library of Parliament, contributed to earlier versions of this paper. [ Return to text ]

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Cultural Diversity in the Digital Age: A Pillar for Sustainable Development

About the author, marie-julie desrochers.

Marie-Julie Desrochers is Secretary General of the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity ( IFCCD ) and Executive Director of the Canadian Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions ( CDCE ). She is also a member of the steering group of the #culture2030goal campaign.

20 May 2024

T he preamble of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions , adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 20 October 2005, includes the following statement: “[C]ultural diversity creates a rich and varied world, which increases the range of choices and nurtures human capacities and values, and therefore is a mainspring for sustainable development for communities, peoples and nations”.

As we prepare to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Convention, now ratified by 153 Parties , it is essential to recall the intrinsic links between cultural diversity, sustainable development and cultural rights. It is also necessary to seize this opportunity to rethink these links in a context radically different from the one in which the Convention was born, as artists and their professional entourages now operate in a highly digital environment, a dimension not explicitly referenced in the text.

Amplifying our diversity through technology is possible. The 2005 Convention could be a key step in achieving this objective if States firmly commit to updating their implementation efforts to reflect recent digital advances.

Addressing the digital divide to promote better cultural governance

One cannot discuss the challenges brought by digital technology to the diversity of our cultural expressions without first recalling the essential reality of the digital divide, a complex phenomenon that underlies many inequalities among nations as well as within them. Not limited to the question of access to the Internet or computer hardware, the digital divide notably also refers to inequalities in digital skills.

Although the risks are more pronounced where the digital divide is greater, technological developments challenge governance capacities in cultural matters in every country. For both governments and civil society, it is essential to develop and strengthen the skills needed to maximize the benefits of these advances while maintaining the ability to anticipate the challenges they bring.

Two important issues affecting the protection and promotion of cultural diversity deserve our attention: the question of discoverability of local and national content, and the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI).

Discoverability: a lever for fighting homogenization

A handful of digital platforms operating in multiple countries now control public access to a massive amount of content. One might think that easy access to millions of works and productions facilitates more diverse consumption than ever before. This is not the case. Take, for example, a recent report published by the European Audiovisual Observatory, which shows the opposite effect. It reveals that on streaming platforms in Europe, American content is consistently overconsumed, accounting for 61.2 per cent of total viewing time, while the consumption of works from regions other than the United States and Europe only occupies 8.3 per cent of viewing time.

Participants at the 7th Congress of the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity at SACD (Société des auteurs et compositeurs dramatiques) headquarters, Paris, 3 June 2023. © FICDC/IFCCD – Orélie Brûlet

Between human curation and algorithmic recommendation, the “discoveries” made by various audiences on streaming platforms are heavily influenced by the tools developed by the companies operating the platforms, primarily to meet economic objectives.

This is where the concept of discoverability comes into play. The term is defined in a report published in 2020 as part of a joint mission led by France and the Province of Québec, Canada: “The discoverability of content in the digital environment refers both to its availability online and its ability to be spotted among a vast array of other content, particularly by someone who was not specifically searching for it.”

Achieving true discoverability of local and national content on digital platforms is essential to meeting the goals of cultural diversity. To achieve this, a variety of factors need to be in place, including the digital skills of cultural actors and the development of technological innovations. But above all, it will require raising awareness among the companies operating these platforms, which can only occur through the implementation of bold legislative frameworks like those we currently see emerging in some countries, such as Canada, as well as within intergovernmental organizations such as the European Union.

Generative artificial intelligence: legislating and building partnerships for responsible use

Over the past year, lightning-fast advances in generative artificial intelligence systems have brought about a major paradigm shift in the cultural sector. The definition of a work of art or the very idea of human originality has been called into question as these systems, which produce new content (text, sound, image or video), are developed from protected works used without transparency, consent or compensation, contradicting the principles of protection and promotion of cultural rights and the diversity of cultural expressions.

Legislative frameworks must quickly be put in place to reverse this trend. In addition to imposing the transparency necessary to allow creators to consent to the use of their works, and to be remunerated for this use, it is essential to recognize the human aspect of creation by refusing to grant new rights to productions generated solely by machines. It is also necessary to strengthen the protection of performing artists against the proliferation of deepfakes.

Generative AI could enhance the diversity of cultural expressions. Promising projects are already emerging, including ones aimed at revitalizing minority or endangered languages. witsarut/Adobe Stock

A responsible development of generative AI could enhance the diversity of cultural expressions. Promising projects are already emerging, including ones aimed at revitalizing minority or endangered languages. Of note are projects such as Masakhane , a grassroots movement working on building language technology for African languages, or First Language AI Reality , developed by Indigenous researchers in Canada in collaboration with Mila , an AI research centre.

These inspiring initiatives highlight the importance of building bridges between research communities and civil society to promote the emergence of AI for the benefit of all.

A Convention propelled into the future

In June 2025, a group of independent experts appointed by the Parties to the 2005 UNESCO Convention will present recommendations aimed at protecting the diversity of our cultural expressions in the digital environment. The International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity , with the support of its Canadian member, will contribute by organizing a day of conferences , underscoring the crucial role played by civil society in these matters.

The work conducted under the Convention by the Reflection Group on the diversity of cultural expressions in the digital environment, and the actions that will follow, are vital for cultural diversity, as well as for our collective future. Cultural rights and States' abilities to preserve their cultural sovereignty are essential for healthy democracies and true sustainable development. Specifically, as advocated by the #culture2030goal collective, it is necessary to fully integrate culture as a pillar of sustainable development by 2030 and beyond, starting with the development of a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) specific to the cultural dimension of development.

More broadly, the key role that the cultural sector can and must play in this context should be more systematically promoted and recognized in all United Nations forums. In this regard, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), and Summit of the Future , during which the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact will be adopted, are opportunities that should be seized to further these objectives.

The UN Chronicle  is not an official record. It is privileged to host senior United Nations officials as well as distinguished contributors from outside the United Nations system whose views are not necessarily those of the United Nations. Similarly, the boundaries and names shown, and the designations used, in maps or articles do not necessarily imply endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. 

Pollinators, such as bees, serve critical functions in safeguarding our ecosystems by enhancing soil health and guaranteeing working fauna-flora interactions. Photo provided courtesy of author.

“Bee Engaged with Youth” to Safeguard Bees and Other Pollinators

As we celebrate World Bee Day on 20 May, let us remember how crucial it is to prioritize efforts to protect bees and other pollinators. FAO is committed to supporting youth, who have a key role to play in fostering the transformative changes and future initiatives and activities needed to save our bees and other pollinators.

Digital Innovation—Key to Unlocking Sustainable Development

Digital tools have the potential to accelerate human progress, but those who are not online are most at risk of being left behind.

Mali-New mother, Fatoumata 01/24/2024 ©UNFPA Mali/Amadou Maiga

Thirty Years On, Leaders Need to Recommit to the International Conference on Population and Development Agenda

With the gains from the Cairo conference now in peril, the population and development framework is more relevant than ever. At the end of April 2024, countries will convene to review the progress made on the ICPD agenda during the annual session of the Commission on Population and Development.

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Statement by Minister Khera on World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

From: Canadian Heritage

Today, we proudly celebrate World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, highlighting the world’s rich heritage.

OTTAWA, May 21, 2024

Today, on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we proudly celebrate the rich diversity of our country’s communities. Canada is a mosaic of cultures, traditions and languages, which contribute in unique ways to the vitality of our dynamic society.

This day reminds us of the importance of not just acknowledging diversity but celebrating it! Through our work as a government, we are strengthening bonds between communities, encouraging mutual understanding, and building a more harmonious society.

As Minister of Diversity, Inclusion, and Persons with Disabilities, I am committed to championing the values of inclusivity, respect and intercultural understanding. Our government knows that diversity is not simply a concept but a fundamental part of our country’s identity.

I encourage everyone in Canada to learn more about the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, and to renew their commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming society that celebrates differences.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Laurent de Casanove Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities [email protected] 819-360-0693

Media Relations Canadian Heritage 819-994-9101 1-866-569-6155 [email protected]

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Guest Essay

A Tiny Museum Takes the High Road and Shows the Way Forward

A photograph of the Parthenon museum in Nashville, with its front columns partially obscured by trees.

By Margaret Renkl

Ms. Renkl is a contributing Opinion writer who covers flora, fauna, politics and culture in the American South and reports from Nashville.

When the Nashville Scene held its first annual “You Are So Nashville If” contest in 1989, the winning entry read, “You think our Parthenon is better because the other one fell apart.”

The winners of the news weekly’s long-running contest unfailingly distill the zeitgeist of the city, but I still think about this one every time I pass the Parthenon. It winks at the absurdity of finding an exact, full-size replica of an ancient Athenian temple in a Nashville city park while simultaneously acknowledging the breathtaking grandeur of the building.

By the mid-19th century, Nashville had come to be known as the Athens of the South , a reference to the city’s uncommonly high number of colleges and universities. The real Parthenon was built in the fifth century B.C. as a temple to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. Our Parthenon was built in 1897 as a temporary exhibition space in connection with Tennessee’s centennial celebration.

It is now a museum and still stands in Centennial Park, surrounded by 132 acres of gardens and other public spaces. Like the original Parthenon, Nashville’s Parthenon tells the world something about how the city sees itself, how it hopes to be understood, the truths it values most.

In keeping with that tradition, officials at Nashville’s Parthenon have just announced that the museum will be returning its collection of pre-Columbian artifacts to Mexico. This decision by a tiny local museum offers an illustration of the practical, moral and ethical issues that much larger museums, including New York’s Metropolitan Museum and the British Museum in London, are wrestling with as they consider what to do about the works in their collections that were looted from other cultures.

The 248 pre-Columbian works came to the Parthenon by way of donations from two private collectors during the 1960s and ’70s. The artifacts include tools, musical instruments, ceramic pots, effigies and animal sculptures (including one very charming Mexican hairless dog).

A representative sampling has been on public display since April 18 in an exhibition titled “ Repatriation and Its Impact .” After the show closes on July 14, the entire collection will be delivered to the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico City.

I walked through the exhibition with Bonnie Seymour, an assistant curator who joined the museum staff two years ago. The necessity of addressing the ethical implications of this collection became clear on her very first day in the new job. She recalls pausing at the pre-Columbian antiquities while touring the museum’s art in storage and thinking, “Well, this is not where they should be.”

With artworks collected before the ethical standards followed by today’s collectors existed, the question of where antiquities belong is often charged. “Each case of repatriation is different,” Ms. Seymour takes care to point out.

When a work’s provenance isn’t clear, or when documentation of its legal purchase is missing, or when it is beloved by museum visitors, or when the decision is politically fraught, or when the work has cultural significance far beyond the place of origin, or when the museum has been prevented by local law from repatriating the work — all of these circumstances, and others, can make what might seem like a straightforward question far more complicated.

For quite a few of these reasons, the British Museum is grappling with the question of what to do about a group of friezes and life-size statues, long referred to as the Elgin Marbles, that were removed from the Athenian Parthenon in the late 18th and early 19th centuries at the behest of Thomas Bruce, the seventh Earl of Elgin. Athens was part of the Ottoman Empire at the time, and the earl served as Britain’s ambassador to it. By then, the ancient Parthenon had been severely damaged by wars.

As Rebecca Mead wrote in a detailed piece for The New Yorker , the ambassador helped himself to the Parthenon Sculptures, as they are now called, with the tacit permission of Turkish authorities. In 1816, he sold the sculptures to the British Museum. Soon after Greece gained its independence, it started asking for the Parthenon Sculptures to be returned. It’s been asking ever since.

The question of repatriating the pre-Columbian artifacts, by contrast, was much easier for officials at Nashville’s Parthenon to decide. Many of the antiquities were known to have been excavated without the permission of Mexican officials. They were unrelated to the museum’s actual mission. They were not on display and had no sentimental value to Nashvillians. The museum’s ethical obligation to these artworks made by the people of another culture, and to the people whose history they emerged from, was clear and uncomplicated by political exigencies.

The Parthenon’s director, Lauren Bufferd, and the Metro Parks and Recreation director, Monique Horton Odom, immediately supported Ms. Seymour’s instinctive reaction: These artifacts do not belong here. They belong to the people of Mexico, whose history they share and can help to illuminate.

But first Ms. Seymour had to research the provenance of each piece. An appropriate museum in Mexico had to agree to accept the donation. The Mexican consulate in Atlanta had to be consulted. Procedural roadblocks required the help of metropolitan Nashville’s legal counsel to resolve. The Metropolitan Council, Nashville’s legislative body, had to pass an ordinance permitting the Parthenon to de-accession the pre-Columbian collection and allow the repatriation to proceed. The story unfolded in a way that should make every Nashvillian proud.

The bilingual exhibition itself is far more than a final display of artifacts that will soon be going home. It is also a crash course in the complexities of de-accessioning artifacts and repatriating them with the cultures that created them.

Colorful graphics explain the historical context of art “collection” in earlier eras, recent examples of repatriation undertaken by other museums and the role of replicas in replacing original works for use in education programs.

The exhibition also includes artworks by José Vera González , a Nashville-based artist from the region where these works were excavated. His multimedia creations visually and viscerally illustrate the links between contemporary artists and their own cultural history. The exhibition occupies one small gallery, but it conveys an entire world.

Nashville’s Parthenon was restored and rebuilt as a permanent structure during the early 20th century. Restored again in the 1990s, it now houses a glorious gold-clad statue of Athena that stands 42 feet tall, a full-size replica of the statue that was once the centerpiece of the Athenian Parthenon. The original Athena, carved by the sculptor Phidias, is lost to history. Ours was constructed by a Nashville sculptor, Alan LeQuire . Like the figures in the building’s pediments, many of which are now lost or damaged in the Greek original, Mr. LeQuire’s Athena was fashioned after painstaking research. The closest you can come to seeing the ancient Athenian Parthenon untouched by time is to come to Nashville.

It’s not true that our Parthenon is better because the other one fell apart, of course, but it is a powerful if unlikely argument for returning artworks to the cultures that created them. There are many ways to learn about the creativity of earlier cultures that do not include theft or economic coercion.

In returning its entire pre-Columbian collection to Mexico, the curatorial team at Nashville’s Parthenon, with the help of a huge number of other people in Nashville’s government, has quietly demonstrated an undeniable truth: If something isn’t truly yours, you need to give it back.

Margaret Renkl , a contributing Opinion writer, is the author of the books “ The Comfort of Crows : A Backyard Year,” “ Graceland, at Last ” and “ Late Migrations .”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

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Multiculturalism
Last Edited March 20, 2020. Canada's federal multiculturalism policy was adopted in 1971 by Pierre Trudeau 's Liberal government. An unexpected by-product of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (1963-69), multiculturalism was intended as a policy solution to manage both rising francophone nationalism, particularly in ...
Multiculturalism in Canada & Its Cultural Diversity
This perspective is an explicit policy of multiculturalism in Canada, which is explained more in detail in essay writing service that provides do my homework and assignment help in Canada. Cultural diversity varies greatly from one region of the country to another. Canada has two official languages: French and English. Most provinces are ...
How did multiculturalism become so central to Canada's identity?
Over five decades, multiculturalism has evolved from a feel-good ideal to official policy to a national article of faith and a defining part of Canada's national identity. The surfacing of anti ...
Full article: Canadian Multiculturalism, Identity, and Reconciliation
In so many ways, it's the air we breathe.-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, "Diversity is Canada's Strength"This statement from Cana... It's easy, in a country like Canada, to take diversity for granted. ... Ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity are core components of Canadian multiculturalism and often play a part in how Canadians ...
PDF From Mosaic to Harmony: Multicultural Canada in the 21st Century
Canada's approach to inter-ethnic relations is based on the principles of equality, respect for diversity, and human rights. In practice, however, nurturing ethno-cultural diversity remains a work in progress subject to the constant evolution of social realities. Since its inception in 1971, multiculturalism policy has evolved in terms of focus,
Ethnic, Linguistic, and Multicultural Diversity of Canada
Against this background, Canada stands out as an important exception. It contains very high levels of diversity—indeed, it is a statistical outlier among western democracies in its level of ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity (Laczko 1994).Moreover, Canada has actively embraced the politics of multiculturalism and minority rights, giving public recognition and accommodation to its ...
PDF CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN CANADA: The Social Construction of Racial Differences
RESEARCH PAPER: CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN CANADA: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF RACIAL DIFFERENCES. 6 Research and Statistics Division. In total, for the 28-year period from 1968 to 1995, Canada admitted 4.4 million immigrants, of which 39.5 percent came from Asia, 5.1 percent from Africa, and 7.1 from the Caribbean.
PDF Canadian Multiculturalism
coherent set of ideas and ideals pertaining to the celebration of Canada' s cultural diversity. At the policy level, multiculturalism refers to the management of diversity through formal initiatives in the federal, provincial, territorial an d municipal domains. This study focuses on an analysis of Canadian multiculturalism both as a sociological
Canadian Multiculturalism: A Work in Progress
The concept of Canada as a "mosaic" rather than a "melting pot" had been posited early on in author John Murray Gibbon's award-winning book Canadian Mosaic: The Making of a Northern Nation, published in 1938. Gibbon imagined various cultures holding on to their identities while contributing to the country's progress.
Canada
Canada - Multiculturalism, Indigenous Peoples, Arctic: In 1951 the Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters, and Sciences issued a report (what became known as the Massey Report) warning that Canadian culture had become invisible, nearly indistinguishable from that of the neighbouring United States, owing to years of "American invasion by film, radio, and periodical."
Lest We Forget: Politics of Multiculturalism in Canada Revisited during
Ideologically, multiculturalism consists of a relatively coherent set of ideas and ideals pertaining to the celebration of Canada's cultural diversity. At the policy level, multiculturalism refers to the management of diversity through formal initiatives in the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal domains (Brosseau and Dewing, 2018: 1).
Multiculturalism and Canada
Multiculturalism was a term introduced to Canada in the 60s as an alternative to biculturalism in attempt to create a more inclusive culture, rather than continuing to distinguish English and French culture as two separate, opposing entities. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau committed Canada to the principle of multiculturalism in 1971 by ...
2. Cultural Diversity in Canada
2. Cultural Diversity in Canada. Canada's demographic composition is ethnically heterogeneous, in the sense that its citizens have come from many countries of origin and cultural backgrounds. One customary way to depict cultural diversity in Canada is describe it in terms of the population size of those not belonging to the two charter groups.
Diversity in Canada: an overview
Diversity has played an important role in Canada's formative history. Canada boasts one of the highest percentage of foreign-born citizens than any other G8 country. In 2021, Canada welcomed a record number of immigrants since 1913, with over 401,000 newcomers entering the country. In opening its doors to immigration, Canada has created a ...
Research on multiculturalism in Canada
1. Introduction. Diversity has always been a hallmark of the population and society of Canada (Lower, 1964).Canada was a culturally diverse region prior to the arrival of European settlers, with 50 distinct Aboriginal cultures and more than a dozen distinct language groups in the Aboriginal population (Burnet, 1981; see note 1).With respect to immigration, Canada ranks fifth in the world in ...
PDF Cultural Diversity in Canada
8. Cultural diversity is viewed as an asset in Canada, and manifests itself in the acceptance of difference, in compromise, in peaceful resolution of conflict, and in openness to the different practices and values of others. Diversity of cultural expression promotes creativity and new ways of approaching issues and problems.
PDF Challenges in Canadian Cultural Discourses: Multiculturalism vis-à-vis
Canadian population and culture, and in turn poses challenges to implementing policies that reflect the needs and wants of an unrepresented population. Furthermore, identity is being formulated as a distinction between the dominant Western culture and all other backgrounds. Indeed, the discussion of cultural discourse(s) in Canada is necessary.
Canada
Canada - Multiculturalism, Diversity, Inclusivity: Because Canada is so diverse historically and ethnically, there is no single national culture; the melting-pot ideal of the neighbouring United States is translated in Canada as something of a stew, with distinctive flavours from the hundreds of influences that make up the larger Canadian culture. Although French and English share official ...
Multiculturalism in Canada
Help St. John's grow as a welcoming community for newcomers. Established in 2015 and hosted by the City of St. John's, the St. John's LIP is co-chaired with the Association for New Canadians and is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. There are currently more than 60 LIP's across Canada, including seven in Atlantic ...
Adapting to cultural differences in Canada as an international ...
Canada is known for its cultural diversity and, as an international student, classroom interactions may be your first experience with people from very different backgrounds and cultures. Many international students experience some degree of culture shock in their first few months in Canada. Even though most Canadians are warm and welcoming to ...
Cultural Diversity In Canada
Cultural Diversity In Canada. 3.Multiculturalism is an ethnic diversity, where in a community contains multiple cultures. As of today, Canada recognizes the potential of all Canadians, the belief of all citizens are equal, keeping their identities and showing acceptances. Showing acceptances in Canadians is from taking pride in their ancestry ...
Canadian Multiculturalism
1948: Canada adhered to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which applies to all human beings, regardless of sex, race, religion, culture or ideology.: 1960: Parliament passed the Canadian Bill of Rights, which prohibits discrimination for reasons of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion or sex.: 1967: Racial discrimination provisions that had existed in Canadian immigration ...
Cultural Diversity in the Digital Age: A Pillar for Sustainable
Cultural rights and States' abilities to preserve their cultural sovereignty are essential for healthy democracies and true sustainable development. Specifically, as advocated by the # ...
Statement by Minister Khera on World Day for Cultural Diversity for
Today, on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we proudly celebrate the rich diversity of our country's communities. Canada is a mosaic of cultures, traditions and languages, which contribute in unique ways to the vitality of our dynamic society.
How Cultural Diversity Benefits Us
Cultural diversity broadly refers to the cultural variety and differences that exist in the world, a society, or an institution. More specifically, it can refer to the inclusion of diverse people in a group or organisation. The World Day aims to deepen our understanding of intercultural values and to promote the four goals of the UNESCO ...
A Tiny Museum Takes the High Road and Shows the Way Forward
Ms. Renkl is a contributing Opinion writer who covers flora, fauna, politics and culture in the American South and reports from Nashville. When the Nashville Scene held its first annual "You Are ...