Why is Canada referred to as a cultural mosaic?

Answer 1

Canada is considered a "mosaic" because it does not force new immigrants to assimilate into Canadian society, encouraging them to keep their culture. This is in contrast to the USA which follows a "melting pot" where newcomers feel forced to assimilate and become Americans.

Answer 2

Because a major part of Canadian culture is that of accepting and celebrating everyone elses culture. Multiculturalism is very important in Canada and everyone is free to practice and express their own culture, religion.. and language. Toronto is the most diverse city on the planet and has more nationalities living in it than there are countries in the world today. Visible minorities are not not minorities, they make up more than %50 of Canadas population. Also, nearly %100 of Canadian population growth is that of Immigration. Birth/Death rates have been nearly par for many years.

Answer 3

Canadians value the ethnic contribution of each of their immigrants and the native peoples. Like a mosaic where the final picture is made up of different colored/shaped/textured tiles, each contributing a bit of detail, the overall ethnic mosaic is made up of the differences of its components.

The alternate terms like "melting pot" would indicate the loss of individual identity in a uniform mixture. Like mixing and melting all the colours in a box of crayons, the result would be uninteresting.