SAMPLE

Social 10-1

Unit 1 Essay

The Impact of Globalization

Globalization is the very thing that has made Canada the country it is

today. Without globalization, Canada would remain an isolated country, lacking

the multitude of cultures the country currently shares. It is globalization that has

made Canada fight for the environment, increase trade, and most importantly,

it has made Canada a democratic nation. By all means, globalization has, and

will continue to, benefit Canada, thus, globalization must be fully supported to

allow this great nation to prosper.

First of all, multiculturalism has influenced Canadian identity in a variety of

ways. Hundreds of years ago, Canadian identity was that of the Aboriginal

peoples, but as time progressed, parts of Canadian identity began to change.

According to Statistics Canada, roughly 235 000 immigrants come to Canada

each year since the 1990’s, with a total accumulation of “… more than 17

million immigrants…” (Statistics Canada) since 1867. The idea of democracy,

adapted from the Aboriginal peoples, is part of every Canadian’s identity,

along with freedom. Nevertheless, multiculturalism has made Canadian identity

more open to change and accepting of others. “In 1990, the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police decided to allow Sikh officers to wear dastaar, or turbans, while

on duty” (Perspectives on Globalization; Page 86), signifying the identities of

Canadians are accepting of those of a different culture. Furthermore,

bilingualism is another major factor that shapes the identities of Canadians. Due

to the large number of French settlers, Canada became an official bilingual

country in 1867, when the British North America Act was created. In fact,

“French is the mother tongue of [approximately] 7.3 million Canadians…”

(Wikipedia.org). Multiculturalism has shaped the identity of Canadians, and has

made Canadian identity more understanding and open to change.

Second of all, having a diverse culture has both benefits and challenges.

Canada’s diverse culture makes Canada a beautiful nation. In fact, “in 1971,

Canada was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official

policy” (Government of Canada). Most Canadian citizens are more accepting

of other cultures because they are exposed to diverse people each and every

day; however, there are Canadian citizens who are unwilling to accept the fact

that Canada is diverse, leading to an influx of violence. Day after day, the news

broadcasts either a family welcoming new immigrants to Canada, such as

Syrian refugees, or, the news broadcasts the murder of another Indigenous

women or the shooting of six Islamic men as they prayed at a mosque in

Quebec. A diverse culture brings both benefits and challenges to Canada

because of racial and non-racial views, language barriers, and an increase of

foreign products imported to Canada.

 Third of all, Canada depends on the rest of the world to supply goods.

Without fruit imported from places like California, Canadians would only be able

to enjoy a limited variety of fruit in the summer. In fact, in 2015, China supplied

24.95% of Canada’s electrical equipment and machinery. Also in 2015, Japan

imported 34.56% of Canada’s “motor vehicles, trailers, bicycles, and

motorcycles” (asiapacific.ca). Canada is also dependent on the United States.

More times than not, if the economy takes a turn for the worst in the U.S.,

Canada’s economy will most likely follow, affecting the cost of goods and

services, as well as affecting jobs. Other countries are also dependent on

Canada. In 2015, Canada exported 15.64% of “ores, slag and ash”

(asiapacific.ca) to Japan. In addition, in 2015, Canada exported 17.04% of

wood pulp to China. Canada and other countries around the world are very

interdependent on each other, importing and exporting goods on a regular

basis.

According to CBC News, “… by a factor of almost two-to-one, Canadians

say they would prefer that minorities ‘do more to fit in’ with mainstream Canada,

rather than encourage cultural diversity in which groups keep their own customs

and language” (CBC News). How can this perspective change? More resources

need to be implemented for new immigrants to help them find a job, and learn

English or French, so the rest of society can realize immigrants can be Canadian,

while still maintaining their own culture. These types of resources can be
provided by volunteers and private sponsors. Immigrants need more help to

adjust to life in Canada.

Some opponents of globalization state that “globalization acts to

increase world oil prices” (oilprices.com). Although this is true, Canada has

become a much richer country because of the oil and gas industry, thus,

Canada has been able to further contribute to aid in world crisis’s, such as the

Syrian refugee crisis.

All in all, globalization is beneficial to Canada. Because of multiculturalism,

the identity’s of Canadians have become largely diverse and accepting of

others. Nevertheless, a diverse culture has both its benefits and its drawbacks.

Furthermore, Canada is interdependent with countries around the world.

Immigrants deserve more and better help in order for immigrants to adjust to

Canada and be accepted in Canada. Also, the higher prices of oil has helped

Canada become a richer country, making Canada able to aid in world crisis’s.

The benefits of globalization has been, and will continue to be, noticed, thus, to

allow this great nation to further benefit and prosper, globalization must be

supported. Without globalization, Canada would be lacking in future

technologies. Also, the population of Canada would most likely drop due to the

lack of immigrants, making Canada a less desirable nation for trade. Most of

Canada’s media comes from the United States. Without globalization, Canada

would only be able to enjoy a very small amount of media. Currently,

globalization has gave Canada, namely Alberta, the ability to sell oil to other

countries, and without globalization, the economy of Canada would suffer.

Bibliography

"150 Years of Immigration in Canada." Government of Canada, Statistics

Canada. N.p., 14 July 2016. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
<http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-630-x/11-630-x2016006-eng.htm>.

"Canadian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive Citizenship." Government of Canada,

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Communications Branch. N.p.,
19 Oct. 2012. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
<http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/citizenship.asp>.

"French Language in Canada." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Feb. 2017.

Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language_in_Canada>.

"Home." CIC News. N.p., 08 Mar. 2016. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

<http://www.cicnews.com/2016/03/government-canada-plans-admitting-
record-numbers-immigrants-2016-037396.html>.

"The Pros And Cons Of Globalization." Manufacturing.net. N.p., 17 Dec. 2015.

Web. 23 Feb. 2017. <http://www.manufacturing.net/article/2010/06/pros-and-
cons-globalization>.

Canada, Asia Pacific Foundation of. "Canada's Merchandise Trade with China."
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
<https://www.asiapacific.ca/statistics/trade/bilateral-trade-asia-
product/canadas-merchandise-trade-china>.

Perry-Globa, Pamela. Perspectives on globalization. Don Mills, Ont.: Oxford U

Press, 2007. Print.