Calgary has always been known for its “Western” culture and identity, but is this who we really are? As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada due to immigration do we deserve our traditional Western identity? Should we appear to be a more multi-cultural city similar to that of Vancouver or Toronto?
With the 5th largest immigration population in the country at 20 per cent, we most definitely deserve a more modern, multi-cultural identity and view as a city. Our immigration population deserves this as do the rest of us who do not connect with the cowboy style. I understand our Western roots and the importance of the Calgary Stampede and such, but are we really that old-fashioned is where everything depends on this. A recent report by the Calgary Herald declares us the “Horse Capital of the World.” While that is a mouthful, only a select few can understand why it is we posses this newfound title. The new immigrant population sure doesn’t care whether or not we have lots of horses and cows, but whether we are an acceptable place to live.
I, personally, believe we as a city deserve and need an update of our identity and what we appear to be across Canada. Multi-culturalism is the way of our future and we need to accept that, as does the city. Our Western roots will be part of our city forever, but they should not be the city forever.