Commentary
The conception of Canada as a “cultural mosaic” where immigrants are encouraged to keep the cultural identities of their countries of origin has been dominant since the early 1970s, when Pierre Trudeau’s government brought in official multiculturalism. Now, data is showing that Canadians are becoming wary of the mosaic, and are beginning to embrace the more assimilationist “melting pot.”
A recent poll conducted by Leger for the Association of Canadian Studies found that 51 percent of Canadians say immigrants “should give up their customs and traditions and adopt those of the majority.”
This statement found similar levels of support across demographic groups. While 53 percent of white Canadians “somewhat” or “strongly” agreed, so did 46 percent of non-white Canadians. A majority of 52 percent of native-born Canadians agreed, but so did 49 percent of those born outside the country. This means that many immigrants endorse the idea of assimilation, and presumably are attempting to implement it in their own lives by adapting to Canadian customs….