Canadian Ethnocultural Council - Conseil Ethnoculturel du Canada

50th Anniversary of Canada’s Multiculturalism Policy

October 8, 2021

Toronto - October 8, 2021: Today marks the 50th Anniversary of Canada’s Multiculturalism Policy. On October 8, 1971, in a statement to the House of Commons, Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, accepting the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, announced Multiculturalism as an official government policy and stated:

“A policy of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework commends itself to the government as the most suitable means of assuring the cultural freedom of Canadians. Such a policy should help to break down discriminatory attitudes and cultural jealousies. National unity if it is to mean anything in the deeply personal sense, must be founded on confidence in one’s own individual identity; out of this can grow respect for that of others and a willingness to share ideas, attitudes and assumptions. A vigorous policy of multiculturalism will help create this initial confidence. It can form the base of a society which is based on fair play for all...” 1

With the official announcement of the Multiculturalism Policy, Canada became the 1st Country in the world to have such a policy. Since its official announcement in 1971, Multiculturalism has been incorporated in our laws, institution, policies, etc., and is celebrated annually on June 27th which was declared by the Government of Canada, as Canadian Multiculturalism Day.

The Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC) is proud to have been part of and continues to partake in the evolution of Multiculturalism which has become a cornerstone of our values and a very fundamental part of our Canadian identity.

“We come from many cultures, speak many languages, and bring with us an abundance of knowledge and wisdom from many parts of the world. We share our common values of hard work, respect for others, and the right of all to partake in our democratic society. It is through the aforementioned values and the elements of understanding, co-operation and working together in our diversity that we have found and continue to find the strength to confront our challenges and attain positive solutions”, said Dominic Campione, President of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC).

“Let us on this 50th Anniversary of Canada’s Multiculturalism Policy, give homage to the vision and foresight of the people and the Government of Canada in instituting multiculturalism and ensure that we as a people and a nation, take the necessary steps to fortify and build upon its evolution in the years to come for the betterment of all”, concludes Dominic Campione, President.

The Canadian Ethnocultural Council is a non-profit, non partisan coalition of national ethnocultural organizations. The CEC works to promote the understanding of the multicultural reality of Canada thereby ensuring equal opportunity and dignity for all Canadians regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, and ancestry, as defined in The Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.

For more information contact: Dominic Campione - Canadian Ethnocultural Council
c/o 2904 Highway 7 West, Unit 102, Vaughan ON, L4K 0K4 Tel.: (905) 761-9100, Ext 202
Email: cec@web.ca or info@campionelaw.ca
Website: www.ethnocultural.ca
Canadian Ethnocultural Council - Conseil Ethnoculturel du Canada

1. Library and Archives Canada, Parliament House of Commons, Debates, 28th, Parliament, 3rd Session, Volume 8 ( October 8, 1971):8545