Ethnocultural diversity and multiculturalism in Canada

Abstract

Canada is a country with the longest tradition of institutional multiculturalism in the world. The paper analyzes the contemporary ethno-cultural diversity of the population of Canada. Immigration has given specific feature of this country, and each new wave of immigration has contributed to its ethnic and cultural diversity. The basis of today's Canada's racial and ethnic diversity makes groups that are dif­ferent in their characteristics: whites of European origin (mainly British and French origin), so-called visible minorities and indigenous peoples. Canada has traditionally been considered a country where multiculturalism has achieved the best results in the integration of immigrants. Despite the undoubtedly great results, there is a discrepancy between the official policy of integration and social exclusion of new immigrants, especially visible minorities, from the economic sphere and general from public life. Prejudice and discrimination are still the reality for some minority groups, as well as a lower living standard of visible minorities, new immigrants and indigenous peoples. Although there is no serious alternative to multiculturalism in the Canadian society, the controversy about its real effects and objectives, attitude toward the French Canadians and indigenous people, the growing fear of Islamic extremism, and the sense of vulnerability of European values, leave room for different opinions.