"News of the Future: Canada Celebrates 100 Years of Multiculturalism"

By: Richard Chuen-Shiuh Chu

(Originally published in the sixth volume (1997/1998) of Perspectives)

Welcome to the Canadian Information Access (CIA) World Network Site. If you are searching for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, click the USCIA button on the bottom of this site. For an interactive version of this text, click on the CIA-IV button. The following are the items you have chosen, related to Canadian Culture on this date: November 23, 2071:

Canada Celebrates 100 Years of Multiculturalism

CP—In a week long celebration of Canadian diversity, Canadians came out and celebrated what it means to be Canadian.

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Anthony Wang made a speech in the House of Commons, "Canada continues to give a clear identity, and identity that not only we can relate to, but one that the world can relate to. Canada is a nation where tolerance and acceptance are real and distinguishable of a society of worldwide cultures, with Canadian characteristics."

Reform leader George Morton complimented, "Canada is a nation where peoples of various ethnic cultures have come together, willing to make positive and constructive movements to integrating into Canadian society.

In every major Canadian city, culture groups and associations came together to plan the week long festivities. Canadian Citizenship Integration Society president Louise Curtis-Lam remarked, "It’s been a remarkable experience having so many ethnic groups come together to show their colours in Canadian society. It’s something that clearly goes beyond superficial patriotism, but a real compassion for a distinctly Canadian people."

In Vancouver, dozens of culture groups celebrated their Canadian heritage. Canadians of Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese descent celebrated Canada’s involvement in Chinese re-unification, in addition to honouring those who dedicated their lives to the accomplishment of humanitarian efforts in China.

In Hull, Quebec, federalist Quebeckers celebrated along side past separatist forces, celebrating 10 years of Quebec reuinfication, and inclusion into the Canadian Constitution. In addition, Quebeckers helped bring down the statue of French President deGaulle, and erected a statue of Quebec re-unificationist Henri Boudin.

Celebrations not only include entertainment and culinary delights, but also exhibitions and forums on 204 years of rich Canadian heritage. Movie theatres agreed to allot half their screens to showing Canadian films, and the award winning documentary, "Our Native Land: Canadian Mosaic." See local online reports for showings. Celebrations continue until Saturday.

Excerpt from Heritage Minister’s Speech on Multiculturaism

VICTORIA—The following is an excerpt of the speech Federal Heritage Minister Susan Fuijimoto, made outside the B.C. Legislature:

"…In Canada’s relatively short history, we have developed into one of the best nations in the world. We continually prove to the world that our values of acceptance of world cultures have a distinctly positive benefit for all our citizens. The fact that Canadians speak an average of 3 languages has provided Canada with an immense advantage over other nations. Canadians can easily conduct business, and create social and economic networks that directly and indirectly serve to benefit Canada as a whole.

…Multiculturalism has provided the political framework from which these advantages can be a benefit for the nation. Multiculturalism as a policy of integration of world cultures in one nation, while created strong social and cultural fluctuation in its early years, has proven to be abundantly fruitful along with careful immigration, heritage, and education policies.

…Continuing Multiculturalism will continue the rich heritage of cultural integration into Canadian society. We need not declare the need to create one culture, implying one way of thinking, and one way of doing. In our diversity, in our freedom, and in our heritage of social consciousness, we will continue a proud national tradition of acceptance and understanding. By accepting the reality of diversity, we will continue to be a nation where the world can come to think of as a model for the world.

 

UBC Gains Federal Money for Campus Enhancement

CUP—Continuing its promise to update public post-secondary institutions, the federal government has given 200 million dollars for the sole use of infrastructure improvement. UBC president Alexis Gates-Chung, unable to fully control her excitement, said at a press conference, "This is one of the most encouraging signs of government’s continued dedication to maintaining Canada’s worldwide reputation of academic excellence." Her statement follows after a UN report giving Canada, among other achievements, the best education in the world, based on campus infrastructure, academic scores, alumni occupational status, and academic and scientific research and development. Among the projects that are speculated to be completed: restoration of the Main Library; restoration and reconstruction of the Chemistry Building; Construction of a new Commerce Building; renovation of Buchanan A, B, C, D, E, and construction of additional blocks, F, and G. AMS President Robert Yiu suggested, "Hey, maybe we’ll finally get the Subway system that we’ve always wanted," noting the subway ‘plan’ outlined on the maps of the SUB.

Canada Celebrates International Culture Day

In all major centres of Canada, Canadians came out in record numbers yesterday to spend an international holiday for the celebration of international cultures.

In Vancouver, an estimated 2.5 million people came out to celebrate the cultural diversity throughout the city.

Quebec Capitulates

QUEBEC CITY—A new poll re-affirms re-federalist claims that Quebeckers are more willing to negotiate re-entry into the Canadian confederation. 69% of people polled answered yes to the question, "Would you accept a Canadian proposal for re-unification if it meant that Quebec would regain economic stability?" Quebec Employment Minister Jean Rousseau pushed the poll aside saying, "It was nothing more than a federalist ploy to demoralize the sovereignist majority." Canadian Heritage Minister, Julian Black herald it as "A move in the right direction towards fostering an atmosphere for negotiations to begin."

After 25 years of Quebec independence, the economy has never been able to have sufficient growth to maintain the standard of living prior to unilateral separation. While unemployment was 10% prior to separation, it has maintained an average 18% as Canadian companies pulled out, and foreign investment declined due to lack of confidence. Confidence has never been high mainly due to the unwillingness to accept Quebec’s portion of Canada’s debt, despite a ruling by the IMF.

	BC's Premier Bilingual Student Paper