Canada is an officially multicultural country, but multiculturalism does not address racism.
The Continuum on Becoming an Anti-Racist Multicultural Institution shows six stages from being a monocultural institution to becoming an anti-racist multicultural institution. Canada appears to be at Stage Three:
3. Symbolic Change: A Multicultural Institution
- Makes official policy pronouncements regarding Multicultural diversity
- Sees itself as “non-racist” institution with open doors to People of Color
- Carries out intentional inclusiveness efforts, recruiting “someone of color” on committees or office staff
- Expanding view of diversity includes other socially oppressed groups
But…
- “Not those who make waves”
- Little or no contextual change in culture, policies, and decision making
- Is still relatively unaware of continuing patterns of privilege, paternalism and control
Restructure! 