A Multicultural Policy in Canada and the US - Essay Example

The French were the first Europeans to settle in what later became the Canadian province of Quebec and to appease the population after their humiliating defeat by the British in the 1700s; they were granted certain rights, including the retention of their religion, judicial and educational systems. These rights were maintained when Canada moved from colonial to independent democracy in 1867. While there are pockets of French heritage settlements in the rest of Canada, most are in Quebec province, where they constitute most of the population. Unfortunately, the classical French educational system, with its close ties to the Roman Catholic church and lack of business orientation, was ill-equipped to prepare students for business management positions so that in the industrial revolution, most were relegated to low-skill work serving Anglophone managers imported from the rest of Canada and had few prospects for advancement.

Naturally, this situation created resentment, which was expressed in forming a political party dedicated to separating from the rest of Canada and a more militant group (the FLQ). When this group escalated their activities from blowing up mailboxes and other symbols of alleged Anglophone authority to the kidnap of a British diplomat and the murder of a Quebec cabinet minister, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau stepped in with the army to prevent an armed insurrection. However, the people of Quebec were allowed to vote twice in referendums to express their desire to separate or remain within Canada, with the pledge that the majority wish would be respected. If the separation were chosen, there would be no military action, and negotiations would commence for an equitable division of the country’s assets and liabilities. While in both cases, the majority voted to remain in Canada, one was very close. Although a staunch federalist, Trudeau recognized that changes would have to be made, especially in education, to promote the mobility of those of French heritage and lessen the possibility of ethnic conflict due to socioeconomic classes being based on ethnicities.