Let’s talk frankly about multiculturalism – The Vancouver Sun

March 1, 2007

Let's talk frankly about multiculturalism: Clarkson: Canadians also should embrace more differences among minorities, she says
Vancouver Sun
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Page: A4
Section: News
Byline: Douglas Todd
Source: Vancouver Sun

Canadians should have more frank discussions about multiculturalism and embrace more differences among minority groups, says former Canadian governor-general Adrienne Clarkson.

The recent "silly" controversy that erupted after a young Muslim girl was ejected from a Quebec soccer tournament for wearing a headscarf is among "little blips" on the road to a country that welcomes respectful disagreement, Clarkson said in advance of her LaFontaine-Baldwin lecture in Vancouver Friday.

However, Clarkson suggested Wednesday in a telephone interview from Ontario, there must be limits to Canadian tolerance.

The country's first Chinese-Canadian governor-general does not support establishment in Canada of Muslim or Jewish religious courts, or the legalization of polygamy, which is practised by Mormon fundamentalists in B.C. and in the countries of origin of many Muslim immigrants.

Clarkson, 68, favours Canada's secular laws prevailing to outlaw polygamous practices or attempts by some traditionalist Muslim and Jewish groups to have their religious courts sanctioned to handle disputes over such things as divorce.

"Our legal system works perfectly well, and it's what people living in our secular society have to obey," she said.

All Canadians, whether established or new, have to respect Canadian law, Canadian democracy and the Canadian Charter of Rights. We go with what we have developed."

Clarkson's lecture, at 7 p.m. Friday at Vancouver's Fairmont Hotel, the eighth in an annual series, is titled The Society of Difference. It will be introduced by her husband, philosopher John Ralston Saul.

Named for Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine and Robert Baldwin, politicians in pre-Confederation Canada, the symposium is a joint effort of Saul, The Institute for Canadian Citizenship, and the Dominion Institute.

"Its purpose is to create an annual venue to stimulate debate about the historical antecedents and future shape of our democracy and honour two of Canada's great political reformers," its website says.

Clarkson, a former journalist, and Saul, will take part in a public symposium on multiculturalism at 9:15 a.m. Saturday at the main Vancouver Public Library.

The promotional material for Friday's lecture by Clarkson, who stepped down in 2005 after six years as governor-general asks: "Is it necessary to prepare for a future in which contrasting values and expectations could clash?"

Asked what kinds of clashes she envisions, Clarkson mentioned possible disputes like those in France, where debate rages over whether public school students should be allowed to wear large Christian crosses, Muslim headscarves or Jewish Stars of David.

"I don't see any apocalypse or anything. I just see that people will not agree with each other. And that's where we have to have the dialogue we haven't had up until now."

To date, most Canadians have had agreeable discussions about multiculturalism, she said. "But we've got to talk to people who think we're the problem, and we think they're the problem. That's how we've got to have a dialogue."

Clarkson said she established the Institute for Canadian Citizenship as her governor-general's legacy to encourage vibrant dialogue and help all people in Canada avoid retreating to ethnic enclaves. Today at 1 p.m. at Vancouver's Italian Cultural Centre, she will talk about how she expects everyone to become engaged citizens.

At the same time, Clarkson welcomes disagreement among Canada's diverse peoples. "I don't look at differences as a clash. It's much better to have as many differences as possible, rather than just one or two."

Clarkson, author of the biography, Heart Matters, does not believe issues such as polygamy will become hugely divisive in Canada.

"It is not a big deal. It's up to the law-enforcement people whether they're going to dig into that or not. I mean, really, is it a big problem? Is your daughter threatened by being in a multiple marriage? I mean, come on."