ABSTRACT
Immigration is one of the hallmarks of Canadian society.1 In 1971, the Canadian government introduced a multiculturalism policy to reflect the increasing diversity of society. This policy promotes the preservation of and respect for immigrant groups’ cultural identities as a national value that enriches society. As a result, immigrants are encouraged to maintain their linguistic and ethnic heritage instead of assimilating into the dominant culture. The Multiculturalism Act (1988) highlights the need to support individuals; groups; and social, cultural, or political organizations in preserving and promoting their heritage.2 Since then, Canadian multiculturalism has been implemented in a variety of ways, through legislation, social welfare, affirmative action, bilingual education or heritage language instruction, schools’ curricula, funding for ethnic organizations to plan cultural events, and more.
