Celebrating Canadian Multiculturalism Day!
Every year on June 27, we come together to celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day and honour the diversity that unites us as Canadians.
At the heart of this day is Canada’s Multiculturalism Policy, established in 1971, which upholds the right of all individuals to maintain their cultural heritage and fully participate in Canadian society.
However, as we commemorate this special day, we must acknowledge the historical and ongoing challenges that come with embracing diversity. Systemic racism and inequality remain significant obstacles we must address in our communities as we work toward a more equitable and inclusive society.
Check out our infographics series to see just how much multiculturalism has shaped Canada’s identity.
Immigrants make up 45 per cent of Surrey’s population! Out of the recent immigrants who arrived in BC, between 2016 and 2021, a notable 20 per cent chose to settle in Surrey, totaling 39,910 people. Among these newcomers in Surrey, a significant majority, 63 per cent, fell within the age group of 25 to 54 years. Punjabi is also the mother tongue of nearly 23 per cent of its residents.
With nearly 30 per cent of its population represented by immigrants, BC is Canada’s most ethnically diverse province. While English and French are the official languages of Canada, British Columbia is home to more than 170 other languages spoken by its residents. The most common non-official mother tongue languages spoken in BC are:
- Punjabi at 17.6 per cent
- Mandarin at 14.4 per cent
- Cantonese at 13.6 per cent
- Tagalog at 6.9 per cent
- Spanish at 4.4 per cent
Canada is a welcoming nation with a significant immigrant population of 8.3 million. In 2021, 406,000 people chose Canada as their new home. Over the span of eight years leading up to 2023, Canada has opened its doors to 230,370 refugees. Furthermore, immigration plays a vital role in Canada’s economic growth, accounting for nearly 100 per cent of the country’s labour force expansion.