加拿大多元文化须彻底改革

 

 

 

让我们简要回顾一下加拿大多元文化政策的概念及初衷：

Let us recap on the concepts of multiculturalism and examine its original intentions:

《多元文化法》旨在让所有公民自由地信奉自己的宗教和保持其文化特征免而遭受迫害之忧。其目的自然是建立一个“开放式环境”，促进所有加拿大人分享彼此的文化。

The Multiculturalism Act was created to allow citizens to practice their religions and keep their identities without the fear of persecution. Of course, it is meant to be practiced in an “open environment” and cultures are to be shared with other Canadians. 

 

长久以来，加拿大多元文化政策项目一直止步不前。政府在对相关政策进行正式检讨后，只是在1996年12月向社区领袖公布了一份名为《多元文化政策：新项目设计及与利益相关者商榷》的草案文件。1997年4月15日，多元文化国务部长宣布了联邦政府的“新多元文化政策项目”。从那以后，政府就再也没有针对该项目做出重大改革。

For too long, the multiculturalism program was comatose. The government's official review of the policy resulted in a draft document titled "Multiculturalism: Renewed Program Design. Public Document for Discussion with Stakeholders" that was released to community leaders in December 1996. On April 15, 1997, the Secretary of state for multiculturalism unveiled the federal government's "renewed Multiculturalism Program". Since then, nothing of significance was ever initiated on this subject.

“新多元文化政策项目”理应聚焦打击种族歧视；鼓励所有加拿大人充分积极地融入社会生活；以及帮助公共机构打破壁垒和支持社区参与公共决策以应对多元文化挑战等。

The “renewed Multiculturalism Program” was supposed to focus on such areas as fighting racism; encouraging the full and active participation of all Canadians; and helping public institutions respond to cultural diversity by breaking down barriers and supporting the involvement of communities in public decision-making." 

1997年以来，加拿大的移民格局已经出现明显变化，多元文化也随之发生改变。许多新移民都希望保留自己的传统习俗和宗教习俗，即使其传统和习俗会使其他公民的权利受到侵犯。此外，许多新移民也更加乐于利用加拿大《权利与自由宪章》这一保护伞去挑战那些因为权利受到侵犯而感到不满的人士。目前，加拿大《多元文化法》必须确定新方向和进行彻底改革，才能有望打消许多公民的恐惧和焦虑情绪。

Since 1997, Canada’s immigration pattern has shifted significantly and diversity has changed accordingly. Many of the newcomers want to retain their customs and religious practices even if they infringe on the rights of other fellow citizens. New immigrants are also more willing to challenge the discontent of those who are infringed upon, using the Charter of Rights and Freedom Act as their protective shield. At present, Canada’s Multiculturalism Act needs new directions and an overhaul to allay the fears and anxieties of many of its citizens.

 

任何相关改革计划都必须从检讨多元文化政策项目及审视加拿大《权利与自由宪章》及《加拿大公民法》中制约或妨碍多元文化发展的条款开始。

Any changes must start with a review of the Multiculturalism program, in conjunction with the Charter of Rights and Freedom Act and the Canadian Citizenship Act to examine their contents that are interacting or interfering with multiculturalism. 

在涉及《加拿大权利与自由宪章》的情况下，政府应该发挥更加积极的作用，提供更多资源去帮助那些因为其他人依据宪章享受宗教自由而导致自身权利受到侵犯的公民。在确定公民权利是否受到侵犯时，当局不应该以政治正确作为判断依据或威慑因素。在任何问题得以解决之前，确保将其公诸于众并进行公开讨论至关重要！

In the case of the Charter of Rights and Freedom Act, the government should take on a more active role and provide resources to help those citizens whose rights are infringed upon by the others’ religious or freedom practices allowed under the Act. Political correctness should not be a factor or deterrent in identifying infringements of citizens’ rights. Before any problem can be dealt with, it is paramount that they can be identified and discussed in public!

双重国籍制削弱了新移民融入加拿大社会生活的热情，政府应该重新审视允许公民持有双重国籍的政策。如果当局能够延长和修改加拿大入籍居住要求，以遏止在加拿大和原籍国之间频繁往返的“太空人”，也可以带来很大助益。此类政策修订将有助于移民加速融入主流社会，并降低“纸上加拿大公民”的总数。

Dual citizenship weakens the integration of new immigrants into Canada’s social fabric. The policy for allowing dual citizenship should be revisited. It would also be helpful if the residence requirements in Canada can be lengthened and modified to deter the “astronauts” from traveling back and forth between Canada and their country of origin. Such revised policy will serve to accelerate integration into main stream society and decrease the total number of “Canadians of Convenience”.

此外，在政府发放文化活动补贴时，亦必须通过保障措施和相关要求确保此类活动的广告能覆盖更广范围，从而能够触及所有族裔群体。与此同时，政府还必须鼓励活动组织者尽可能多地与其他族裔群体分享自己的文化活动。

Before government grants are handed out for cultural events, there must be safeguards and requirements to ensure a much boarder range of advertising on such events across the entire spectrum of ethnic populations. The event organizers must be encouraged to share their cultural activities with as many others outside of their own group as possible.

加拿大的多元人口正在不断发生变化，其多元文化政策也必须随之跟进。政府不能再对加拿大多元文化的现状听之任之。

Canada’s cultural diversity is changing and its Multiculturalism Policies must be synchronized. It cannot be left to run and stay on its current course any more.