“Managing the House of Difference”

This paper discussed in great detail of evolution of Canadian identity.  The idea of Canadian identity surfaced for three reasons. Initially, Canada during World War Two put Japanese in prison camps, and German-Canadians with Italian-Canadians were treated poorly in Canada. The author failed to mention how Chinese workers were treated poorly in Canada to build railways. Secondly, it was during post war area that Canada came to conclusion that it needed muscles to build this nation, and could not glamorous only English culture as a primary culture. It decided to recognize French culture that composed five million of Canadian population and another five million Canadians that they were neither French nor English. Lester Pearson wanted to have bilingualism and biculturalism in Canada, at same time; he wanted Canada not to be regarded as colony of England. He introduced the concept of having a national flag. In 1965, it was approved to have a national flag, and kept some key detail of Jack Union flag which was the red ensign. In 1971, Trudeau finalized multiculturalism within framework of bilingualism.

Lastly, there was an issue of not being American so that Canada would not become part of the US. Sadly, Canadians are moving to the US to gain employments particularly in area of arts like famous actor John Candy. Still, there is more work needs to be done to have a true multicultural society. There is also issue of racism, glass ceiling and other cultural barriers which prevents new comers to join mainstream society.