Canadian Identity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Canadian Identity - Essay Example The first step toward solving the problem will be recognizing the identity issue as a national problem. The government and the Canadians should then search for a common solution to the problem. In this paper, I will analyse the issue of Canadian identity from both perspectives. Regionalism is a dominant factor in Canadian social and political framework. As a political ideology, the Canadian regionalism is based on the dominance of one region over the others in national affairs. Regionalism is the main factor that has prevented Canadians from realizing their national identity (Charles 67). Firstly, regionalism has introduced divisions among Canadian citizens. It would be difficult to realize or define a true national identity on a country that is divided between social classes and generation gap. Canadian identity exists and it is responsible for our national prosperity that is based on our regionalism. Canada is divided into six basic regions that are based on geographical and social economic factors in the country. Regionalism is vital for Canadian identity. Regionalism provides a basis for national unity, which is instrumental in defining Canadian identity. ... However, Canada has been experiencing increasing numbers of immigrants from other countries (Charles 67). The existence of people from different cultures has made it impossible to define Canadian culture. Culture is a significant in defining the identity of a country. Thus, Canadians lack a common culture that they can identify themselves with or that associate them with the country. Currently Canada has become the leading country in social diversity. The country is home for people from all over the world including the Americans. As Canadian, we are a multicultural society that is not divided along ethnicity or any racial structures. The intercultural cohesion that exists among Canadians defines them as Canada citizens and people of the modern world (Mathews 98). Lack of a dominant culture or social group in the Canadian society promote national unity and freedom that defines the life of the Canadians and hence their national identity. Canada has a widening generation gap that adds c ontroversy to the issue of the Canadian identity. Since the arrival of the European immigrants, Canadians have been loosening their attachment with their European origin. There has been a continuously increasing variation in societal values across different generations. The association of Canadian citizens with their European countries of origin has been reducing constantly. The first generation of immigrants is completely different from the current generation of Canadian citizens. This trend is increasing constantly resulting into a wide generation gap. This factor is responsible for the lost Canadian identity. For instance how can we define where we are going if we do not acknowledge where we came from. It is a fact that Canadians originated from Europe and