How Canada Became So Multicultural

 

Walk through any Canadian city today - whether it’s Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, or Winnipeg - and you’ll hear multiple languages, smell foods from around the world, and see people of all backgrounds sharing space. Canada is often hailed as one of the most multicultural countries on Earth. But how did we get here?

Canada’s multiculturalism didn’t happen overnight. It is the result of centuries of migration, evolving immigration laws, shifting societal values, and a deliberate commitment to building an inclusive national identity. Here’s how Canada became a country where diversity isn’t just tolerated - it’s celebrated.

A Country of Immigrants from the Beginning

Before we talk about multiculturalism, it’s important to recognize that Canada is Indigenous land first and foremost. Long before European settlers arrived, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples lived, traded, and governed on this land.

When European colonization began in the 16th century, primarily with the French and British, Canada’s multicultural roots began to take shape, but it wasn't always peaceful. The fur trade brought French voyageurs, British settlers, and Métis communities into contact, while waves of settlers began arriving from Ireland, Scotland, and Germany.

But for much of our early history, Canada was selective about who could settle here - most often favouring white Europeans.

The Waves of Immigration

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw large numbers of immigrants arriving from Ukraine, Poland, China, Italy, and other countries, many of whom came to build the railways or farm the prairies. These newcomers were often met with discrimination, but they planted the seeds of cultural diversity across the country.

Yet Canada’s immigration system remained racist for decades. The Chinese Head Tax, Komagata Maru incident, and the exclusion of Black and Jewish refugees during the World Wars are painful reminders of a time when Canada prided itself on being a "white man's country."

That started to shift in the post-World War II era. Canada needed workers, and attitudes toward immigration slowly began to liberalize. In 1962, racial criteria were removed from immigration laws, opening the door to applicants based on skills and education rather than race or nationality.

The Birth of Official Multiculturalism

The real turning point came in 1971, when Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (father of Justin Trudeau) declared multiculturalism an official government policy. Canada became the first country in the world to do so. The policy recognized that people could keep their cultural traditions and languages while still being full participants in Canadian society.

This was formalized in the Canadian Multiculturalism Act of 1988, which committed the government to promoting cultural understanding and equality.

At the same time, immigration from Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East increased significantly, especially after Canada introduced a points-based immigration system in 1967. This system prioritized education, work experience, and language skills, regardless of an applicant’s country of origin.

The result was a steadily diversifying population, particularly in urban centres. Today, over one in five Canadians is foreign-born, and major cities like Toronto and Vancouver are among the most diverse in the world.

Canada’s multiculturalism isn’t just about demographics. It’s visible in everyday life. We celebrate Lunar New Year and Diwali. We enjoy shawarma, pho, butter chicken, sushi, and perogies as part of our daily cuisine. Schools teach students about multiple world religions. Public institutions offer services in many languages.

A Work in Progress

Canada’s multicultural identity isn’t perfect. It’s constantly evolving, shaped by new arrivals, new ideas, and new realities. What makes Canada stand out isn’t just that people from around the world live here. it’s that the country invites them to be a part of Canada, while still embracing their own cultural identities.

Multiculturalism is more than policy. It’s a promise - a belief that diversity is not a problem to be solved, but a strength to be nurtured.