Modern Democracy: Official Opposition

Canadian Charter Dept: But what is understood by multiculturalism? "Multiculturalism" can describe ethnic diversity, or designate a policy concerning integration of immigrants. Evidence tends to show that Quebecers reject the Canadian policy of multiculturalism in two domains: defining the rules of secularism in a modern democracy, and integration of immigrants. Multiculturalism as a policy is only one of several possible ways of approaching these issues in a democracy. Various Western democracies have created their own model of secularism and integration, some multicultural, some not e.g. the U.S. and France , according to Montreal Gazette. But Quebec's position has yet to be fully defined in that domain. Two proposals are debated: the "la cit ouverte" defended by the Liberals with Bill 94, which limits religious exceptions "reasonable accommodation" allowed in public service; and classical la cit as defended by the official opposition and do Quebecers embrace D multiculturalism? Jack Jedwab, head of the Association for Canadian studies "Beaudoin playing semantics in rejecting multiculturalism," Opinion, Feb. 18 claims that they do. He argues that "the term multiculturalism is viewed positively by the majority of Quebecers" because a survey in June 2010 showed 73 per cent reacted favourably to the word. He therefore contests my analysis of the recent vote on the kirpan at the National Assembly "Kirpan issue opens Quebec multiculturalism debate," Gazette, Feb. 11 in which I pointed out that Quebec governments have consistently rejected the policy of multiculturalism and argued that a majority reject its principles. Secularism is at the heart of multiculturalism debates in the 21st century. Here, Quebecers seem more favourable to policies inspired by the French model of la cit . Most Quebecers disagree with the religious "reasonable accommodation" model the Supreme Court of Canada has elaborated. The decision allowing kirpans in Quebec schools was based on Article 27 of the 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights in which "the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians" is entrenched. Polls showed 85 per cent of Quebecers rejected that decision. As reported in the news.
@t western democracies, montreal gazette