Author
Keith G. Banting from Queen's University compared Canada's
multicultural policy which was implemented in 1971 by former Liberal
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau with European nations. The author
claims in European nations multiculturalism has become a source of
conflict between newcomers and native born people about who has the
right to use welfare state programs. As a result, those individuals
would cast their votes for parties that support welfare state
programs. Now, those individuals shifted their voting belief for
conservative party which has more cautious policy toward immigrants.1
In addition, the author focuses on concept of progressive dilemma
that newcomers are not integrating in main stream society, and remain
in their own group.2
However, Canadians are experiencing immigration in a different rate
than their European counterpart. It appears that Canada is not
experiencing progressive dilemma.3
The aim of this paper is same as author's quest to understand impact
of progressive dilemma in Canada as Mr. Banting touches three areas
of multiculturalism and welfare state programs in Canada. This paper
is exploring different approaches to the welfare state in Canada
compare to other Western nations,4
supporting evidence on the relationship between diversity and public
support for redistribution in Canada,5
and discussing Canadian policy regime, its implication for a
progressive's dilemma in Canada.6
This
portion of the paper is exploring different approaches to the welfare
state in Canada compare to other Western nations. There is a public
support for the welfare state programs.7
These welfare state programs are institutionalized in Canada and
created a set of mind frames for people that these institutions are
part of their social, economic and political well being.8
It would be a very difficult task to provide alternative way of
thinking about these institutions which are providing social
programs.9
The author begins to argue that in European nations adopted
multicultural policy to accommodate newcomers in their new
countries.10
This multicultural policy has triggered a tension between those
native born and the newcomers about degree of using social programs.11
The finger of blame can be pointed to natural instinct of human
self-interest,12
it is a primary natural instinct in human not want to share limited
resources with others, it makes human less altruistic.13
To make the matter worst, these newcomers would form their own groups
and never explore the outside world because each group trust in their
own group.14
The alternative policy to multiculturalism is policy of melting pot.
Robert Putnam argues that melting pot is a good policy. It allows
different ethnic groups to have social interaction with one another
and trust each other.15
It is eroding social identity. These newcomers are becoming
self-sufficient and do not rely on government for handouts.16
However, there was one problem that people may gain employment by
engaging in illegal activities.17
T.H. Marshall provides alternative idea with regard to bonding people
together. It is nationalism.18
Once again there was no consensus among intellectual how to create
cultural glue. The idea of nationalism has a negative history, and
it may be fused as a force to discriminate against monitory groups.19
Paul Pierson argues for establishment of a new institution in order
to improve the level of maturity of welfare states.20
These institutions would not provide a blanket welfare state
programs, but these institutions would be established by receiving
feedback from constituencies, and responding to their needs.21
There are two weakness and one strength with regard to the above
strategy. One, the above policy may not receive warm welcome from
public.22
Two, it may become a source of attention for one ethnic group compare
to other ethnic groups.23
There was one strength point for Mr. Pierson's vision that the
blanket program would create unification among all constituencies.24
Miriam Smith suggests that “instead of treating diversity as an
independent variable that affects the welfare state, we can invert
the question to ask how the welfare state shapes diversity.”25
This
portion of the paper is supporting evidence on the relationship
between diversity and public support for redistribution in Canada.
There is a wide spread sentiment in Canada about immigrants that they
are contributing to vibrant economy of Canada.26
These newcomers are not contributing to deviant behavior in Canada.27
Interest, in Canada there is less tension between ethnic diversity
and support for social programs.28
The author claims that Canadians are supportive for newcomers to use
welfare system,29
and Canadians are more critical about the welfare system itself for
redistributing the wealth among Canadians.30
Rothstein argues that there is a high degree of trust in government
and support for health care and pension plans.31
Interestingly, Canadians are nationalist, but Canadians are unlike
Europeans, Canadians welcome newcomers.32
Therefore, Canada has been immune from anti-welfare sentiment. It
means that Canada avoided progressive dilemma.33
This
portion of the paper is discussing Canadian policy regime, its
implication for a progressive's dilemma in Canada. The Canadian
immigration policy is a point system which is allowing skilled
workers come to Canada and not to rely on welfare system.34
In case of refugee claimants, the immigration office would issue
temporary work permit for them so that they can find jobs and support
themselves.35
In 1993, it came to light that 14% of sponsorship agreements were
using the welfare system.36
The sponsors did not fulfill their promise to take care of their
families. It cost taxpayers $700 million each year.37
Since, Canada has federal system which is managing affair of
immigration and did not have jurisdiction in provincial area.38
The federal government could not enforce immigration laws against
individuals who did not support their families. Consequently, the
family class admission dropped from 51% to 30%.39
Despite, the above situation, immigrants are less likely to rely on
income transfers which is a primary reason for native born Canadians
to welcome immigrants.40
Recent, newcomers to Canada are more educated than previous wave of
immigrants,41
and they enter the workforce at much low income level.42
These immigrants are underemployed.43
Consequently, these newcomers need social assistance to support
themselves.44
Canada
has a different experience than European nations with regard to
integration policy. Canada does support multicultural welfare state,
and it does not experience progressive dilemma.45
The European nations are disappointed about the outcome of the
multiculturalism. It is contributing to social segregation, learning
new language very slowly, and lack of enthusiasm for economic
integration,46
and when welfare state is added in the equation of multiculturalism,
it creates welfare dependency.47
However, Canada does not share same experience as European nations
do. Canadians knew that multicultural policy is not static. It needs
to change and adopt itself to current time. This policy moved from
monoethnic organizations to multiethnic ones.48
The
author argues that Canadian system is more compassionate toward
newcomers compare to other European nations to receive welfare.
Immigrants who obtained permanent residency, they have access to
social programs.49
The system allows immigrants to have access to social programs
because of employment-focus nature of immigration policy.50
Canada's social program is providing lower benefit and short benefit
duration.51
There is less on income transfer like unemployment benefits and
family benefits.52
However, “A
careful comparison of Australian and Canadian programs indicates that
Australia relies more heavily on residency requirements largely
because its core social programs are means-tested”53
In
conclusion, author Keith G. Banting from Queen's University compared
Canada's multicultural policy which was implemented in 1971 by former
Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau with European nations. The
author brilliantly dissected his thesis in three key areas. He
explores different approaches to the welfare state in Canada compare
to other Western nations, supporting evidence on the relationship
between diversity and public support for redistribution in Canada,
and discussing Canadian policy regime, its implication for a
progressive's dilemma in Canada. The author compares Canada's
multicultural policy with European nations. Mr. Banting's research
indicates that newcomers are welcome to Canada because native born
Canadians welcome them. Most importantly, the welfare state is not a
source of conflict between newcomers and native born Canadians
because newcomers are not relying on welfare state programs. The
success story behind Canada's multiculturalism is that this policy
moved from monoethnic organizations to multiethnic ones. There is one
more reason for European model to be failure compare to Canada that
in Europe the key point to be eligible to receive welfare, it
requires residency. In Canada, it is easy to receive welfare as long
as a person obtains a permanent residency. As a result, ethnic
individuals are integrating in the main stream society at faster pace
than European nations, and it creates national solidarity among
different ethnic groups. Consequently, Canada does not face
progressive dilemma. Obviously, the European nations to change their
models to Canadian version in order to have a unified nation.
1Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 799
2Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 797
3Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 803
4Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 799
5Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 799
6Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 799
7Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 800
8Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 800
9Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 800
10Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 800
11Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 800
12Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 800
13Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 800
14Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 800
15Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 801
16Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 801
17Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 801
18Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 801
19Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 802
20Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 802
21Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 802
22Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 802
23Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 802
24Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 802
25Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 802
26Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 803
27Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 803
28Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 804
29Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 804
30Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 804
31Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 804
32Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 804
33Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 805
34Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 806
35Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 806
36Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 807
37Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 807
38Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 807
39Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 807
40Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 808
41Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 808
42Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 808
43Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 808
44Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 808
45Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 809
46Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 809
47Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 809
48Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 810
49Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 810
50Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 811
51Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 812
52Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 812
53Banting,
Hurdle . “Is there a Progressive's Dilemma in Canada? Immigration,
Multiculturalism and the Welfare State.” Presidential Address
to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal June 2
2010: 812
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