By almost any measure, Canada is a successful society. A member of the G8 group of nations, it routinely ranks among the five top-ranked countries in the UNDP’s annual Human Development Report. And yet Canada is also one of the world’s most socially diverse societies, made up of indigenous peoples, a historic French-speaking minority and generations of immigrants and refugees. Today, over 20% of Canada’s 35 million people are foreign born, originating for the most part in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
Although challenges persist — notably in respect to the status and well-being of indigenous people — over the last 60 years respect for diversity has evolved into a core national value and a source of shared civic identity.
Canadian Governor General David Johnston’s Address
May 2017
The Rt. Hon. David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, spoke of Canada’s pluralism story during his address at the Centre’s…
Chief Justice of Canada Delivers Pluralism Lecture
May 2015
Read the Annual Pluralism Lecture delivered by the Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada, on the interface between…