Think Canadians are tolerant of minorities? A look at the past shows otherwise

We Canadians may like to think of ourselves as tolerant and welcoming of minoritiesbut a recent poll and history points to a less pleasant truth.

A poll released this week suggests instead that most of uswant minorities to do more to 'fit in.'

And a look at the not-so-distant past hints that sentiment may have been lingering for decades.

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The video above was originally broadcast in 1990, when then-Solicitor General Pierre Cadieuxannounced Sikh members of the force would finally be allowed to wear turbans on the job.

It all started when VancouveriteBaltej Singh Dhillonapplied to be an RCMP officer.

Perhaps not surprisingly, in hindsight, the decision sparked a wave of debate about "Canadian values" and what immigrants and minorities should do to fit it.

To add additional context to this story, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act had been enacted just two years prior to the decision, in 1988.

The Act states the government's responsibility to "recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society and acknowledges the freedom of all members of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage."

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Legion upholds ban on hats and headgear

From the archives: Sikhs with turbans banned from Surrey Legion

8 years ago

Duration 3:25

In 1993, a legion in Surrey voted to keep its law banning Sikhs from wearing turbans, in line with a ban on all hats and headgear.

The RCMPdecision was far from the final word on the matter of accommodating Sikhs with turbans.

In 1993, a legion in Surrey voted overwhelmingly to keep its law banning Sikhs from wearing turbans in its establishment, in line with a ban on all hats and headgear.

This decision came after a member of Legion 175 had invited Indian Army veterans to take part in RememberanceDay celebrations.

"When you're in Canada you do as Canadians do," said one man coming out of the meeting where the vote took place.

At the time, the secretary to the B.C. legions called the decision "embarrassing" and promised it would be overturned.

Pritam Singh Jauhalwas one of the mendenied entrance to the Newton Legion in Surreybecause of his turban; hefought and won a high-profile battle to overturn the decision.

Jauhal'sbelief in religious freedom also led him to speakout againstthe Conservative government's ban on Muslim women covering their faces during citizenship ceremonies.

Hedied earlier this yearat 95 years old.Hismemoir,A Soldier Remembers, was published in 2013.