Multiculturalism Redefined? (#179) « Quebec Culture Blog

While I think the writer is over-stating the change in Trudeau’s language (many of the points are stating more explicitly what has been implicit, just as Minister Kenney’s reboot was re-emphasising the integration objective of multiculturalism), nevertheless worth reflecting upon.

And his recognition of the close similarity between multiculturalism and interculturalism is something that more need to acknowledge, as the issue is more what kind of multiculturalism and what kind of interculturalism we believe is most effective:

At first glance, Trudeau’s socio-cultural contractualism, or renewed multiculturalism, or inter-multiculturalism (whatever name you wish to attach to it) does keep the principal traits of multiculturalism as we have known it (which is Canada will let you live your life in peace, and with time you will integrate into society at your rhythm and in your own way, but you may also receive a gentle nudge from time-to-time to encourage you to continue in that process – this is an oversimplistic definition, but it’s tough to otherwise sum it up in one sentence).

However, J.Trudeau seems to be opening the way to “pre-established” integration conditions, aligned with the norms of the environment in which a person lives in Canada.  He is giving immigrants obligations towards these norms and towards groups of people around them which already form the core of society, and towards those with whom newcomers have to live.  It is these last two phrases which conform more to concepts and ideologies of Québec’s interculturalism (those at least which are more apt to be practiced in Québec).   Let me be clear that I am not at all saying that this redefinition is anywhere near elements contained in the deposed proposal for a Québec Charter of Values (which was debated during the winter of 2013/2014).  Even on this point, Québec was not ready or comfortable, as a society, to adopt such a charter in the name of interculturalism (we all saw how the proposal imploded on itself during public debates on the issue).   Justin Trudeau seems to be taking another path, but one which still could hold potential to bridge the publicly perceived distances between multiculturalism and interculturalism.

Kenney’s changes in fact did bring the two closer together.

Multiculturalism Redefined? (#179) « Quebec Culture Blog.