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Canada is frequently described as a nation of immigrants and a country that celebrates its diversity. This has not always been the case. In the early 20th century many Canadians favoured the idea of anglo-conformity. Real and/or perceived attempts to assimilate French and Aboriginal peoples heightened feelings of alienation within the country. In the later part of the century, immigration played a significant role in the growth of the Canadian population. Since the 1970s, Canadians increasingly came to view their country as a mosaic of cultures where identification with Canada did not require abandoning one’s heritage. Today the vast majority of Canadians agree that immigrants improve society by bringing in new ideas and cultures. Recognizing multiple expressions of culture in a country dominated by the English and French languages influences ongoing debates about identity as we endeavour to come to terms with who we are collectively.

Not many countries encourage internal cultural diversity, preferring to foster singular national attachments rather than the preservation of ancestral and ethnic identities.  Canada stands out as one of the exceptions. If surveys are any indication, Canada’s openness to diversity appears to have borne fruit. With few exceptions, the vast majority of immigrants and their descendants report a strong sense of belonging to Canada and the idea of multiculturalism resonates positively with a majority of Canadians.

But the idea of allowing dual and multiple identities is not without detractors. Critics insist that when cultural differences go unchecked, there is a diminishing of social cohesion—however that is defined. An often heard refrain is that in Canada too much time is spent discussing our differences rather than focusing on what we have in common. Debates about ethnic and national identities too frequently overlook the voices of immigrants. Documenting their stories permits us to better understand their existential journeys. Very often their trajectory is a testimony to something that is quintessentially Canadian—that is the effort to transmit some aspect of their heritage to the next generation. Many immigrants attempt to share their experience with the broader society and in so doing improve comprehension of Canada’s diverse history. The National Film Board has supported several efforts to document the immigrant experience and has helped transmit their stories to a wider Canadian audience.
Immigrants wish to adjust to their new homes but it is unrealistic to expect them to rapidly abandon their heritages and traditions. The process of migration is seen by some as a story of “emotional fracture” while others regard such displacement as a gift. These views are expressed in the NFB film aptly titled Mediterranean Forever. The narrator reminds us that the history of immigration is about emotional rather than geographic distance. Reflecting upon the journey of Calabrian immigrants, it is pointed out that: “with time, immigration became a legacy, a heritage that was passed on from father to son, from mother to daughter, a story told and retold.” The film illustrates the determination of immigrants to improve their and their family’s condition. It reminds us of the importance of sustaining family ties in the choice of a new home.

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