Multiculturalism at the millennium (Canadian policies)

This article reviews the current state of the Canadian discourse about multiculturalism and looks at some issues that may soon become salient. The essay begins with an overview of the origins of policies on multiculturalism, outlines the general shape of research, writing and public discussion on the issue, and then looks in greater detail at four topic areas that might be said to constitute recurring and central sites of contestation: Unity and Diversity: the National Perspective; Symbols or Rights: Minority Perspectives on Multiculturalism; Multiculturalism and Quebec Politics; Theorizing Canadian Pluralism. The essay concludes by raising a series of questions that are likely to have increasing importance: the implications of growing "racial" diversity; internal minority relations; the place of Aboriginal peoples; the possible impact of Quebec separation.