Multiculturalism: what did Canada do differently from other countries?

[Souriquois]

Originally Posted by silverkris

Assimilation and Integration is a 2-way street. The host country also has to be welcoming of immigrants as well.

Well, for some European countries - some immigrants aren't allowed to assimilate, or become citizens. For example, Germany makes it very difficult for most of its Turkish residents (some of whom have been in Germany for 2-3 generations) to obtain citizenship.

France also takes its secularism to the extent, interpreting it to target their Muslim communities where they ban headscarves wearing in several cases.

If you're made to feel marginalized - how would you be able to really partake and fully participate in society?

Yes, these laws are ridiculous. Secularism means freedom of religion not freedom from religion.

Stephen Harper, if reelected, would have been the biggest national security threat to this country, with his barbaric cultural practices snitch line and bans of niqabs in the public service even though nobody has ever worn one... and only two women made the oath of citizenship wearing one.

A question that has to be asked. Why are Muslim women always the victims of Islamophobia when most Muslim extremists are men?

This makes Islamophobia a feminist issue, not of "feminists" who use it as a justification to attack Muslims. They attack women for what they're wearing.

[Annuvin]

Originally Posted by R. Crusoe

No matter one is Canadian of Asian descent, European descent, Middle Eastern descent or African descent, etc we are all one great Canadian family.

That is the American ideal of the "melting pot". In America, you are an American first, and your ethnic/cultural heritage comes second. In Canada, you are identified by your cultural heritage and/or ethnicity first, and as a Canadian second. Remember that foolish census the Liberals sent out in the early 90's that did not have "Canadian" as a choice for nationality?

Regardless of the semantics, multiculturalism seems to have been more successful in the New World than it ever was in Europe. Those who think otherwise should read about that the problems they had in über-liberal Denmark when a group of Muslims wanted to build a Mosque in Copenhagen.