Renowned Canadian multiculturalism specialist Ruben Nelson will be hosting a discussion on Canada and multiculturalism Oct. 14.
Hosted by Cochrane Ideas, a current events discussion group, the event begins at 7 p.m. at the King Solomon Lodge, located at 120 Centre Ave. in Cochrane.
Nelson’s premise is that the time has arrived for Canada to revisit and revise the Canadian Multiculturalism Policy of 1971 – which he helped create.
“The world of 1971 is no longer with us,” said Nelson. “We (Canadians) don’t have a robust and accurate understanding of what culture is.”
The Canmore resident has a lifetime of experience helping to create, shape, consult and advise public policy at various levels of government. In addition to his work helping to create the 1971 act, he has been an adviser to Canadian and European senior public servants and is the current executive director of Foresight Canada, a group of professional strategic foresight specialists.
He said that historically, Canada (unlike the U.S.) has never had to deal with large numbers of immigration before. Unlike many other countries, Canada has largely had control over its borders and has (due to the northern element) sought to bring immigration.
He said that the current act fails to prepare a growing influx of legal immigrants, refugees and survival migrants for life in Canada.
He asserts while Canada is not a melting pot (like the U.S.), Canada does have its limits. He added that Canadians are “not prepared to honestly talk about the culture shock experienced by those coming to Canada.”
While historically Canada has been touted as a country welcoming of the preservation of culture and heritage, Nelson said this has historically been in the context of dress and food.
Canada has not been clear about some of the practices or values brought over by immigrants and migrants and there has to be a clear definition of boundaries.
“When part of a culture is (female mutilation) or not educating women or owning women (as property), we in Canada need to draw the line,” he explained.
While Nelson agrees on some levels with Conservative MP Kellie Leitch that we need to better define what is tolerated as far as cultural acceptance, he does not agree with her proposal to vet immigrants in order to “defend Canadian values”.
“She says it’s their fault and I say it’s our fault…we invite them here with promises we can’t keep.”
Nelson will discuss the factors that put Canada in a unique position, including history, the French-English dynamic and the global pressures that all amount to a case for a need for change on a federal policy level.
