This Act sets out Saskatchewan’s multiculturalism policy and gives the minister powers to review, monitor, collect information, report, work with groups, advise government, and do other related activities.
1 MULTICULTURALISM c M-23.01 The Multiculturalism Act being Chapter M‑23.01 of the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 1997 (effective April 28, 1997). NOTE: This consolidation is not official. Amendments have been incorporated for convenience of reference and the original statutes and regulations should be consulted for all purposes of interpretation and application of the law. In order to preserve the integrity of the original statutes and regulations, errors that may have appeared are reproduced in this consolidation. 2 c M-23.01 MULTICULTURALISM Table of Contents 1 Short title 2 Interpretation 3 Purposes 4 Multiculturalism policy 5 Ministerial powers 6 RSS 1978, c S‑31 repealed 7 Coming into force 3 MULTICULTURALISM c M-23.01 CHAPTER M-23.01 An Act to promote and preserve Multiculturalism Short title 1 This Act may be cited as The Multiculturalism Act. Interpretation 2 In this Act: (a) “minister” means the member of the executive council to whom for the time being the administration of this Act is assigned; (b) “multiculturalism policy” means the government policy set out in section 4. 1997, c M‑23.01, s 2. Purposes 3 The following are the purposes of this Act: (a) to recognize that the diversity of Saskatchewan people with respect to race, cultural heritage, religion, ethnicity, ancestry and place of origin is a fundamental characteristic of Saskatchewan society that enriches the lives of all Saskatchewan people; (b) to encourage respect for the multicultural heritage of Saskatchewan; (c) to foster a climate for harmonious relations among people of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds without sacrificing their distinctive cultural and ethnic identities; (d) to encourage the continuation of a multicultural society. 1997, c M‑23.01, s 3. Multiculturalism policy 4 It is the policy of the Government of Saskatchewan to: (a) support the continued development and expression of all cultures within the framework of democratic principles and the laws of Canada; (b) preserve, strengthen and promote Aboriginal cultures and acknowledge their historical and continued contribution to the development of Saskatchewan; (c) preserve, strengthen and promote all cultures and acknowledge the role of ethnic communities in building Saskatchewan and shaping its future; (d) promote the full, free and equal participation of all individuals in Saskatchewan society; (e) act in partnership with community groups and organizations to encourage and enhance co‑operation and understanding among cultures; 4 c M-23.01 MULTICULTURALISM (f) promote the official languages of Canada and recognize the many different languages spoken in Saskatchewan; (g) promote awareness and understanding of the social, cultural and economic benefits of continuing immigration to Saskatchewan; (h) facilitate the settlement of immigrants in Saskatchewan and their adaptation to and integration into Saskatchewan society; (i) promote policies, programs and practices that enhance intercultural understanding and respect for the diversity of Saskatchewan people; (j) generally, administer services and programs of the Government of Saskatchewan in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to a multicultural society. 1997, c M‑23.01, s 4. Ministerial powers 5 To carry out the purposes of this Act, the minister may: (a) review provincial legislation, policies and programs to determine if they reflect the multiculturalism policy; (b) monitor the efforts of departments, agencies and Crown corporations of the Government of Saskatchewan in performing their services and developing programs in accordance with the multiculturalism policy; (c) collect data, conduct research, and request or prepare and publish reports to support the development of multicultural initiatives; (d) work with community groups and organizations to promote multiculturalism throughout Saskatchewan; (e) advise the Government of Saskatchewan on issues, policies and programs respecting multiculturalism; (f) carry out any other activities relating to multiculturalism that the minister or the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers necessary or desirable. 1997, c M‑23.01, s 5. RSS 1978, c S-31 repealed 6 The Saskatchewan Multicultural Act is repealed. 1997, c M‑23.01, s 6. REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN Printed by the authority of THE QUEEN’S PRINTER Copyright©1997