growing up in canada turns deadly... blurring the canadian identity

Growing up in one of the most multicultural cities in the world, we are used to sharing classrooms, working in offices, and going on with our daily lives with individuals from all over the world. It is second nature for Torontians and we don't think twice about it. However, unlike the melting pot society in the U.S., we take pride in the fact that people from all over the world can move to our great country, become Canadian citizens, and at the same time maintain the culture, heritage and religious practices from their native countries. But, by living in the same environment, we are exposed to the same external influences such as peer pressures, North American popular culture, and media. So should immigrant parents force these native practices on their children who are growing up and who are being educated in our multicultural society?

When children from immigrant families attend Candadian public schools, I believe parents should expect their children to be affected by these external influences and make friends from all over the world, from various religions, but who watch same TV shows, read the same books, etc... So naturally, parents should expect their children to start to develop their own unique identity that may differ from what is expected of from their native countries.

Which brings me to the sad story of 16 year old Aqsa Parvez. The Mississauga teenager was murdered by her own father when she rebelled against her family's religious practices, such as wearing the hijab. She payed the highest price for wanting to have her own identity. Aqsa's case is an extreme example to make the point, but it definitely spurs some interesting and thought provoking questions about what it means to be Canadian.

Is the Canadian identity about having the freedom to choose, who and what you want to be? There is definitely a blur when finding a balance between maintaining your family ethinc heritage, culture and religious practices, and growing up with multicultural and North American influences.

(on a side note, I find it unsettling that social conservative nut case Jason Kenney is the man in charge of Canadian idenity and multiculturalism at the cabinet table)