Canada’s Emerging Diversity Issues – Nu Leadership Series

Render more service than that for which you are paid and you will soon be paid for more than you render. The law of “Increasing Returns” takes care of this.
Napoleon Hill

Is America the only country in North America dealing with diversity? Does America stand alone in addressing this issue of national concern? No, America is not alone. Canada, our northern neighbor, now struggles to build its multi-cultural civilization.

Canada is viewed as one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the modern era. Forty year ago, only 2 percent of the population (about 300,000 people) was classified as visible minorities; however, in 1981, over 1.1 million people were classified as visible minorities.

Visible minorities, a Canadian term, is the classification for “persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.” By 2017, half of the visible minority population will be comprised of two key groups, South Asian and Chinese. These demographical changes have the country concerned about the future labor force.

The following thoughts represent some Canadian concerns: (a) visible minority population (Blacks, Asians, etc.) currently suffers worse labor conditions than whites and (b) visible minorities may not be numerical minorities in Canada largest cities by 2017.

Canadians must also deal with an ever growing inter-ethnic population spawned by intermarriage and dating. From this narrow investigation, one can see that this current classification of ethnic groups will continue to evolve. Therefore, Canadian leaders must then be ready for this workforce and social challenge.

References:

Pendakur, K. (2005). Visible Minorities in Canada’s Workplace. Received on July 17, 2006, from http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/multi/canada2017/3_e.cfm

Tsui, A. & Gutek, B. (1999). Demographic Differences in Organizations. New York: Lexington Books.

© 2006 by Daryl D. Green