Multiculturalism in Canada Quiz

Check your answers below.

1. Easy Question:

People from over 190 countries immigrate to Canada.

a) True     b) False

2. Easy Question:

After you immigrate, you must learn to cook Canadian food and start listening to Canadian music.

a) True      b) False

3. More Difficult:

Some Canadian laws might affect your family life inside your home.

a) True      b) False

4. More Difficult:

Strong smells (food, perfume) are not welcome in Canadian workplace.

a) True     b) False

5. Difficult:

At work, you will have to play by ‘Canadian rules’ when it comes to punctuality, relationship with co-workers and managements and communication with clients and customers.

a) always      b) rarely     c) sometimes

6. Difficult:

Canada is …

a) a collective  and hierarchical country        b) an individualistic and egalitarian country      c) a collective and egalitarian country

Check your answers below.

IS CANADA REALLY MULTICULTURAL?

Before moving to Canada, people hear a lot about Canada being a multicultural country. It is true that people from  over 190 countries immigrate to Canada. But how is it possible that all these different people live side by side within one country? The answer is ‘We share’. We share English language (French in Quebec) and we share Canadian culture. While at home you can keep the language and the traditions of your first country, at work you will be expected to play by ‘Canadian rules’.

Multiculturalism at Home

In your home, you will be able to cook and eat your cultural food, listen to your country’s music, wear your cultural dress and celebrate your favourite holidays. You’re free to speak your first language and practice your religion. There are certain laws the government will expect you to obey, for example your children cannot be left alone until they turn 12 years of age. Also, most family violence acts are considered crimes in Canada. But other than that, nothing really limits your freedom to practice your culture the way you like it – inside your home. In your neighbourhood and in your community, you can get together to celebrate your holidays as long as none of your actions contradict Canadian laws (an example would be a religious slaughter of the animal which contradicts the Food Safety and Quality Act and is thus illegal.)

Multiculturalism in the Workplace

However, the situation changes as soon as you enter Canadian Workplace. Even though you will find some places that allow you to wear your cultural clothing, most workplaces expect you to dress ‘the Canadian way’. If your cultural food has a strong smell to it, bringing it for lunch to work won’t be a good idea as other co-workers might be offended by the smell. In fact, any strong odors, including perfume, are not welcome and sometimes even prohibited. You will also need to follow the same schedule as everyone else. While some cultures allow tardiness, it is not the case in most Canadian workplaces.  You might be able to get a day off to celebrate your cultural holiday or you might have to spend that day working. These are not government laws but the rules you will be expected to follow in order to keep the job.

In order for so many cultures to co-exist within one country, one set of rules needs to be followed. Just like we need one common language (English or French) to understand each other, we require some common ground for cooperation. And the Canadian culture becomes our common ground. That’s why it is important to learn about the culture of your new country. You will find some rules similar to your first country while others will be very different. At work, you will have to play by ‘Canadian rules’ when it comes to punctuality, relationship with co-workers and managements and communication with clients and customers. Canada is a more egalitarian but a highly individualistic country so you may be surprised by the way co-workers interact with each other and the management. You may be surprised by the management styles or customer service requirements. There are several good books written on the topic of Canadian workplace culture (for example ‘You’re Hired… Now What?’ by Lynda Goldman). It’s a good idea to read them to understand what the rules of the game are.

Multiculturalism is the co-existence of different cultures and it is only possible if we all agree on how to play this game together. You will need to learn new ways of doing things. You will probably go through the five stages of Culture Shock while learning – most immigrants do.

The most successful immigrants are those who find the way to keep their first country’s culture while learning and applying the rules of their new home – Canada.

Read next:

Important Work Skills in Canada

Canadian Work Values in Communication: 10 Mistakes to Avoid

Canadian Culture Iceberg

Canadian Workplace Behaviour

5 Stages of Culture Shock