Canada's mosaic is becoming even more culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse. In the 2006 Census, Canadians self-identified as belonging to more than 200 ethnic groups and listed over 200 languages as their native tongues.

Since 2001, over 80% of immigrants to Canada belonged to a visible minority group. BC has the highest proportion of visible minorities of all the provinces - 24.8% - or over one million of our more than four million inhabitants. 86.8% of BC's visible minorities live in the Lower Mainland.*

Some people believe that it is unnecessary or inappropriate to address issues of culture, race, and identity with young children; however, children's attitudes and opinions about other people and of themselves are formed early.

Newcomer children may have difficulties determining their identities, or how they see themselves. Are they ethnic? Canadian? Or ethnic-Canadian? Which cultural traits and values are most important to them? How do stereotypes and media misrepresentations of their ethnic group affect them? Do they have multiple identities - do they represent themselves differently at school than at home?

With demographics and issues like these, children's programming cannot afford to make only token nods to multiculturalism. We need to integrate representations of diversity and cultural competence in all educational and social programs for children across BC.

* Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census