Living in a Multicultural Canada: The Ups, the Downs, and Everything in Between

Canada has woven multiculturalism into its very identity. Since 2000, we immigrants have arrived at an average of roughly 260,000 per year, and from 2021 onward, that number has jumped to nearly 500,000 annually. In the last 25 years alone, almost 7 million immigrants have joined this country.⁉

We come from all corners of the globe🌎, bringing our culture, our food, our religions… and, unfortunately, some of us bring bad habits too😓. Many of us arrive as skilled professionals or students, while others come as refugees, relying on government support to survive. Some arrive academically and linguistically prepared to integrate into society, while others struggle without the proper preparation. We come ready to work hard, but sadly, some experience silent discrimination from the system.

We come to respect and adopt Canada’s organized way of life, yet some attempt to impose their own customs, and that, frankly, pains me😭.

Multiculturalism and ethnic diversity enrich us, teach tolerance, let us explore the world without leaving home, and build empathy. I often hear my teenage daughter chatting in the car with friends from different cultures and marvel at the opportunity I’ve given my children to grow respecting diversity. This is normal for them, this is what they know. It shapes their world.

Living in a multicultural society offers huge advantages:

• 💝Empathy and respect – according to the 2021 Census, Canada hosts over 450 ethnic groups, 200 birthplaces, 100 religions, and roughly 450 different languages.
• 🍽Cuisine – Canada offers flavors from around the globe. Explore Asian supermarkets for vegetables and spices you’ve never seen before, or do a family culinary tour, visiting a restaurant from a different country each month.
• 🎆Festivals – Summer brings Latin, Asian, Hindu, Scottish, Celtic, Italian, and countless other festivals. Facebook Events is a great tool to find local options and immerse yourself in music, crafts, and food.
• 🎭Arts, music, and sports – Like festivals and food, Canada features artists worldwide showcasing music, performances, crafts, theater, film, radio, and even TV channels.
• 💯Religions – Canada hosts roughly 100 religions, and despite some strong convictions, we largely coexist peacefully. Coming from a predominantly Christian country, I often wonder about the faith of people driving an Uber or bus, and that’s the beauty of Canada’s diversity. The 2021 Census shows that over 50% of Canadians identify as Christian, while more than 60% of immigrants are Buddhist, Muslim, or Hindu.
• 📢Languages – Canada’s official languages are English and French. According to the 2021 Census, Spanish ranks as the most commonly spoken non-official language, followed by Mandarin and Punjabi, then Korean, Persian, Cantonese, Hebrew, Hindi, Tagalog, and many many others.
• 📌Access to professionals from your culture – Need a mechanic, barber, accountant, or healthcare professional who speaks your language or shares your background? Canada makes it possible.

And the disadvantages? Yes, they exist.

Canada has always been celebrated for safety and low crime, but recent years show changes. One main factor is the arrival of immigrants unprepared, psychologically or socially, to adapt to Canadian life.

Some bypassed the rigorous processes that most of us went through to gain residency or citizenship. Others refuse to accept their new reality or relinquish deeply ingrained habits. While a big number came with misconceptions about living in Canada and, faced with economic reality or lack of resources, act in ways that harm society, affecting all Canadians, whether by birth or naturalization.

You can see it everywhere: in neighborhoods, parks, streets, and schools.

As an immigrant, my message is simple: let’s be grateful to this country that welcomed us🙏.

Let’s respect the system, set an example for our children, and celebrate, pray, and commute responsibly. Respect ranges from acts so simple as not littering and maintaining personal hygiene to obeying traffic laws, city regulations, and community rules.

Multiculturalism enriches Canada, but only if we participate respectfully.

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Good luck, and may God bless you!💗

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📸Photo by Pexels – Lara Jameson