Working site on citizenship and multiculturalism issues.
2013/07/13 Leave a comment
Understandable, given the context of the times (referendum on Quebec independence). The citizenship study guide at the time, A Look at Canada, was remarkably light on history and steered away from any potential controversy, likely also reflecting some of these sensitivities.
Chretien chose not to scrap oath to Queen at last minute, ex-minister says – The Globe and Mail.
2013/07/13 Leave a comment
Some reflections on the language that expatriates use, sometimes appropriately, sometimes not, identity and belonging.
2013/07/12 Leave a comment
Article by Susan Delacourt on my forthcoming book, Resetting Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
The Harper government vs. the public servants | Toronto Star.
2013/07/12 Leave a comment
Another illustration of the contrast of how accommodation issues are perceived in Quebec compared to the rest of the country, where a more pragmatic and inclusive approach tends to prevail.
Calgary shows tolerance in accommodating Muslim cabbies during Ramadan | National Post.
2013/07/12 Leave a comment
Every now and then, a similar case comes before the courts. Not likely to change under the current government given its ‘fetish’ for all things related to the monarchy.
Prêter serment à la Reine est discriminatoire selon de futurs citoyens | Le Devoir.
Australia, of course, did change its oath and remove the references to the monarchy but kept its traditional flag, reflecting the British connection.
2013/07/09 Leave a comment
An interesting take on multiculturalism and religion by Natalie Brender. One of the ironies of the government’s toying with the term ‘pluralism’ is that its meaning can be interpreted as reflecting deeper multiculturalism, in terms of social values, than integration.
One of the finer balancing acts between recognizing religion as part of identity – it is – while trying to ensure integration messaging for all Canadians.
Is religion a bump in the road for multiculturalism?: Brender | Toronto Star.
2013/07/08 Leave a comment
From the fumble of over-reacting to focus group comments on a woman appearing ‘too Asian’ on the $100 bill, formal apology as Bank of Canada Governor, to committing that similar insensitivity does not happen as UK Governor, progress.
Carney to include women on U.K. bank notes after women purged from Canada’s.
2013/07/05 Leave a comment
Susan Delacourt on multiculturalism, provoked by the decline in funding for multiculturalism projects and events. Like the earlier articles, misses the point that the lack of spending took place both under earlier program rules (developed under the previous Liberal government) and following the launch of Inter-Action in 2010 that reflected the current government’s priorities.
And multiculturalism continues to resonate as the inclusive Canadian ‘brand’ for all of us.
Has multiculturalism hit a bump in the road? | Toronto Star.
2013/07/05 Leave a comment
My ‘teaser’ article outlining some of the main themes of my forthcoming book, “Resetting Citizenship and Multiculturalism,” coming out this fall.
Website registration required.
2013/07/04 Leave a comment
One of Margaret Wente’s better pieces, that puts some of the recent terrorist plots, successful or unsuccessful, in context:
There’ll always be weirdos in the basement – The Globe and Mail.
And a good piece by Lorne Dawson, one of the better analysts of some of the psychology and background of people inclined to such acts:
Were Victoria terrorist bomb suspects really ‘self-radicalized?’ Probably not
Click image for book purchase
Multicultural Meanderings 