Cultural Mosaic vs. Melting Pot

The Breaking Point of Multi-Culturalism - A True Painting For Eternity

Nov 10, 2024

In 1922, American traveler, Victoria Hayward, published a piece detailing the observations of her journey from the Maritimes to British Colombia. Within this piece, Hayward uses the term “mosaic” to examine the characteristics of Canada’s culture. This word would go on to be cemented into Canadian heritage - placing Canada on the progressive side of the spectrum, opposite our American friends south of the border. Oddly enough, the original belief of a mosaic culture, was effectively a conglomerate of British ideologies and cultures - and at its root, racist.

Today’s adaptation is far more inclusive, and progressive at its core - embracing almost all religions, cultures, experiences and walks of life. Today’s cultural mosaic works when the canvas is Canada, elevated by immigration policy and acceptance. If policy weakens and becomes obsolete, the mosaic we pride ourselves in becomes a Jackson Pollock replica.

As referenced in my previous piece, when policies and societies swing to one side of the spectrum, the pendulum typically finds its way swinging back in some way, shape or form. For the past 8-years, Canadian domestic policy has steadily become radically liberal - whether it relates to housing, energy, banking, tax reform, welfare, foreign policy or immigration. The election super cycle has created the perfect storm of potential energy for Canada’s political pendulum.

This is where a view on Canada’s mosaic culture can be held.

As mentioned, cultural mosaics work when the foundation, or canvas, of the mosaic is the national culture that binds global values, traditions and heritage - in this case, Canada. When mass immigration occurs, and immigrants join the gig-economy, there is no cultural exposure - whether that be the employment or insurance benefits Canada is known so well for, or the experiences shared in the workplace amongst other Canadian or immigrant cultures. The gig-economy is an echo-chamber of the immigrated culture.

No better way to describe an ethos than with an an example:

Uber, the crowned champion of the gig-economy, and destroyer of culture and urban character allows for almost anyone with a pulse and an ID to sign-up as a “partner-driver”. Partner-drivers earn on average, $37k per year in Toronto, well below the average income of $57k per year, and below the 25th percentile of earners in Toronto ( for now we will sideline the cost of living discussion). The benefits? The cultural integration? The sharing of life experiences? None. Uber offers partner-drivers in select European countries Partner Protection insurance, protecting against serious illness, injuries and “the demands of parenting” - in Canada, auto insurance. This becomes a challenge when Canadian heritage dissipates.

There can be no cultural mosaic without a canvas acting as the common denominator across origin countries. Canada’s cultural mosaic belief is allowing the country to weaken across other matters that impact citizens and voting (housing, cost of living, taxation, infrastructure/transit, bike lanes, welfare, health care/hospitals, etc.) Unfortunately, this is a discussion most avoid due to the fear of appearing xenophobic - but a discussion that will guide decisions at the polls next year.

To close, here are some interesting stats, all published on StatsCan:

Annual Immigration Population & Non-Permanent Resident Inflow