The Canada of the future is going to be defined and redefined by all Canadians sitting down and objectively engaging in the discussion process of mapping out a new Canada. It is in this climate that the African perspective and input becomes relevant and vital to a positive and fruitful determination of the future for Canada. The Council of Black Organization is pleased to be part of this process and to present our input on behalf of our 22 member organizations.
As African Canadians, our hopes in Canada's future rests largely upon multi-cultural and egalitarian principles. We want a Canada in which we feel we are fully participating members and in which we feel comfortable as citizens. While, Canadian society has always been technically, culturally and linguistically diverse, with immigration and globalization, we feel Canada's ethnic diversity will only increase. Believe also, that while stronger ethnic groups will tend to stratify our society, a multi-cultural and egalitarian framework will tend to unify our society. Multi-culturalism to us has always meant the policy of encouraging retention of group heritages while promoting the full participation of each groups in the development of Canadian society. Multiculturalism is a thread that runs through virtually all of Canadian society. In order for Canadians to fully participate in Canadian society everyone must feel that they truly have equal opportunities in all areas of participation. Such cultural pluralism implies mutual respect among diverse ethnic groups and equality of all groups in the society. By equality, we mean equality of opportunity in education, employment and access to services as well as equal treatment before the law. However, equality, be it enshrined in the constitution, espoused by the Law, or entertained by the police, remains an elusive pursuit for too many African-Canadians. Equality implies that Canadians share. While it is quaint and interesting to share in another culture's song and dance, it's quite another to share the means within a system which guarantees equal opportunities. The means which guarantee our equal opportunity are shared political and economic power. We believe that Canada must move in a direction of political and economic power sharing with all of its ethnic groups. Let's now briefly examine the history of African Canadians because we believe our history offers a unique perspective on the forces that threaten to divide Canadians. From this perspective we can thereby offer solutions.
The African-Canadian heritage comes from a very long and rich history in Canada. The only others who were here before us are the Aboriginals, the French and the English. We go back to the 1600's and not always as slaves. So strong and vital is our Canadian linkage, that in addition to providing Canada with our physical, spiritual, academic and economic energies, Africans have defended this great country with our lives for almost 200 years. During the 1812 American conflict, Empire Loyalists, including the African Militia saved Canada from foreign occupation. Some years later, the Black Militia of Vancouver were the only armed forces in Canada. The first Victoria Cross awarded to a Canadian service person was awarded to an African sailor from the Maritimes. Africans have fought and died for Canada in every battle in which Canada has been involved. We have even been slaves here. When land settlements were given out in Nova Scotia in the 18th Century, Africans were discriminated against and robbed of their entitlements by the Government. Even appeals to England fell on deaf ears. But even now, as we move into the 21st Century, our plight has changed very little, for we have traded the metal chains of slavery for the mental chains of progress and accomplishment. Even though we are quite different from any other ethnic group because of our colour and physical characteristics, yet we are the invisible people. We are the last to be hired, and the first to be fired. We are conspicuously absent from mainstream Canadian society, the media, science and technology, management and the decision making processes. We are still stereotyped negatively and portrayed as non-contributors and takers. However, in spite of all of these, we still continue to make enormous contributions to Canadian society. It was an African man who gave us the modern traffic light, and it was another African man who gave us our blood transfusion system, but ironically, he died for want of a transfusion. However, in spite of all these hindrances, Africans have learned to survive, for we are great survivors, and this has especially equipped us with some very special and unique strengths, skill, talents and insights to help us enrich cultural mosaic and fabric of Canada. Assets, which when put to work on the behalf of Canada, will make for a richer, freer, fairer and more equitable Canada. African Canadians have recognized the value of unity. Only by coming together have we been able to cope effectively with the injustices of this history. Only by coming together have we been able to make advances. Only by coming together do we see a more prosperous future. Similarly, divisive forces in Canada represent an injustice to its citizens. Canada is made up of diverse ethnic and interest groups but it is only through the unity of these groups that problems which threaten the existence of Canada as a nation be resolved. Our experience and struggle to attain unity can serve as a basis for bring these various groups together.
Canada must be congratulated for being the first nation in the world to enact a “Canadian Multiculturalism Act” (Bill C-93) which became law on July 21, 1988. So as a country we have taken a step in the right direction. It is commendable too, that Canada has followed the enactment of this act with a Multiculturalism and Citizenship department, promotion of race relations and heritage languages and the redress of wrongs done to Japanese Canadians during World War Two. We would like to see Canada continue with these initiatives and to strengthen them. We would also like Canada to recognize the important contributions that Africans have made in this country and to compensate African Canadians for wrongs done during African slavery and emancipation.
If our vision is to become a reality in fact and not merely in principle, then we feel that priority must be given to settling land claim disputes between the governments and the First Peoples of this nation. For what confidence can we, as African Canadians, place in a government that refuses to recognize and make amends for the injustices done to a people whose historical claim to our land supersedes all other groups? We are confused by and suspicious of a government that will, quite rightly, make apologies and economic reparations to certain ethnic groups for wrongs done in the past, but which refuses to deal justly and fairly with the country's First Peoples. For us to feel secure and at ease in our country, we must see justice done to Canada's natives and to all its distinctive groups of citizens. When this is accomplished, all Canadians will have a country of which they can truly be proud and which will shine as a bright example to all nation s throughout the world.
African Canadians respect the rights of our country's Francophone citizens. They have as much right to maintain their cultural heritage as any other group in the country. We recognize that Quebec is indeed a distinct society, but we recognize, also, that Canada is a country made up of many distinct societies. As such, Quebec should have no special status within Canada now or in the future. If Canada is a multi-cultural society, then French Canadians should be allowed and encouraged to contribute whatever they wish from their culture to the society as a whole, just the same as any other group. No special concessions should be made for Quebec, unless the same concessions are made for all Canadians.
Women account for more than 50% of our population, which makes them the majority, however, they receive minority treatment. Like other minorities they must overcome obstacles, they must overcome exploitation and strive to overcome abuse. We are hesitant to believe in the Anglo-Saxon male dominated political and economic systems that treats a member of the majority less than adequately. How will they treat a small minority? In order to garner the confidence of African Canadians, equitable and fair treatment must be extended to women before we can celebrate Canada's unity.
Government must take a leadership role to make the country truly multicultural and egalitarian. We see the role of government in the future Canada as one of facilitator and catalyst in bringing the various ethnic groups together and in fostering and atmosphere of understanding, respect and harmonious co-existence. As African-Canadians, we feel our government must respect us and support us, as it should every other member of society. How can equality exist where class distinctions are so disparate? Or worst yet can equality really exist when class distinctions are forged by and maintained by institutional bias for Eurocentric ideals? Let's embrace reality. Class distinctions may always exist and preference for ones own class may always exist. However, the government must promote and connote a class-less society in which there is equal opportunity for all. If the government can not accomplish this, then it alienates some groups. These groups must eventually turn to others means to protect their interests. Means such as introversion result in non-participating groups. We do not envision a Canada of various groups competing to further their own interests without regard for the interests of Canada and at the expense of other groups. Government must take a leadership role to make Canada a country.
African Canadians are considered to be among the highest educated people in the world per capita. In Canada, studies show we are the third highest in level of education but the least successful in terms of income. Expect for a very small number, African Canadians have not benefitted much from their education or the educational system, nor have they been included in Canadian society in position commensurate with their educational background. The main reason for this we feel is the lack of opportunity afforded to African Canadians and also the disproportionate numbers of our school children being shunted away from the academic mainstream into less desirable vocations. Recognizing Canada's ethnic diversity, Canadian history education must realign itself along international perspectives to reflect the international nature of its constituents. Further, the educational system must be culturally sensitive. In this way it can understand and meet the needs of its pupils and so better prepare them for their role in our society. This is where government comes into the picture, for they have a responsibility to ensure that all citizens are treated fairly and have equal opportunity and access to these educational opportunities. For it is as people are educated that they become better informed, they make better decisions, they enjoy a better quality of life and living and they participate more equally and confidently in the Canadian society.
In conclusion we believe that Canada is made up of distinct ethnic societies and as such no special concessions should be made to Quebec. If consideration is to be given to any group it should be the First Peoples. We believe that Canada should continue to recognize the ethnic diversity of its constituents through its multiculturalism policy. We also believe that government should encourage and foster the integration and full participation in the Canadian society. Our vision of Canada remains that of a single unified nation, consisting of ethnically diverse groups, but all fully included and participating in the political, economic and educational life of Canada. We see a strong central government providing the leadership to keep us as a nation. Our African Canadian history has taught us the value of unity. We would like to encourage Canada to do the same. The Council of Black Organization is pleased to offer this perspective.