For immediate distribution – November 25, 2014
NEWS RELEASE
Quebec must establish a clear policy on diversity and interculturalism
Montreal – To encourage dialogue and mutual understanding among citizens from diverse backgrounds, Quebec should adopt an official policy on interculturalism, say François Rocher and Bob White in a new IRPP Study. At present, interculturalism is reflected in certain government programs but has no legal status.
“The government should formulate a policy statement, or even a law, to clarify its objectives with respect to diversity and interculturalism and present ways they can be applied. This general framework should broaden the current scope of interculturalism so it encompasses more than immigration and religious pluralism issues.”
Rocher and White observe that cities are particularly fertile ground for the intercultural approach. They suggest that Quebec look to the experience in Europe, where programs such as the Intercultural Cities Network (sponsored by the Council of Europe) have encouraged dialogue and the sharing of good practices among cities with large migrant-background populations.
They recommend that the Quebec government recognize the important role municipal governments play in the process of immigrant integration, by supporting the creation of a network of intercultural cities and encouraging greater coordination among governments.
As they show, from a public policy perspective there are a number of similarities between Canada’s multiculturalism and Quebec’s interculturalism. On the ground, both seek to reduce racism and discrimination and to promote equitable participation and inclusion.
L’interculturalisme québécois dans le contexte du multiculturalisme canadien, by François Rocher and Bob W. White, can be downloaded from the Institute’s website, at irpp.org.
Media Contact: Shirley Cardenas tel. 514-594-6877 scardenas@irpp.org