ABSTRACT
Canada has evolved around a considerable array of concepts, often contradictory, that are intended to accommodate the diverse origins of its people. These concepts have developed as conquest and various sources of immigrants forced the sharing of the country by factions and regional parties along language and ethnic lines. Multinationalism is an appropriate description of the movements for autonomy in Canada. The chapter argues that understanding the demographic roots and evolution of Canada is fundamental to comprehending the particular brand of nationalism portrayed by Canada. A basic theme of Canada has been how to maintain the fragile relationship, politically, socially, economically, and culturally. As a federal state, Canada is confronting various movements, major and minor, that have the potential to divide the country. These movements are generally along regional lines with culture forming one axis of disharmony. Demographic realities will catch up with some of the notions and force a re-assessment of nationalism in Canada.
