Is multiculturalism dead? No, but it’s had some growing up to do

Yet, the term multiculturalism seems quaint when we think of it now, in the context of all that we have learned about systemic racism and the devastating impacts of colonialism on Indigenous communities.

The concept hearkens back to a time when it seemed all that was needed to ensure racial equity was space for people of all backgrounds to fully and freely hold on to their cultural heritage. As benign as even that sounds, there have been those across the Western world and here at home who have declared the idea dead, and absurdly view such policies as threatening to national identities that are often based on homogeneity.

But multiculturalism isn’t dead, it’s just had to grow up. It isn’t enough to celebrate our differences; communities require active, anti-racism strategies to remove institutional barriers that are hindering access and participation of those who aren’t a part of the non-racialized majority.

Governments are absolutely central in dismantling systemic oppression and promoting inclusion. We deserve nothing less.

While communities await the federal government’s next iteration of a national anti-racism strategy, provincial and municipal governments are moving at different paces, if at all, on this necessary work. Anti-racism efforts can’t slow down and must be better co-ordinated across the country so best practices are shared and emulated.

For instance, Nova Scotia’s government passed anti-racism legislation this spring based on extensive consultations with its residents and which received cross-party support. The Act to Dismantle Racism and Hate recognizes that “systemic hate, inequity and racism is often caused by government and public body policies, practices and procedures that appear neutral but have the effect of disadvantaging marginalized and racialized groups and can be perpetuated by a failure to identify, monitor and correct disparities and inequities.”

While the law is among the strongest legislation of its kind in Canada, racialized elected officials had wanted to see it go even further but compromised on issues like closing the loopholes on street checks in order to see it pass. They’ll keep pushing, as they must.

In Ontario, the province’s Anti-Racism Directorate closed public consultations on its strategic plan last month. It will be insightful to see those results and how the newly re-elected government plans to advance an agenda that speaks to the needs of racialized Ontarians, particularly after we have seen the real impacts of racial disparities on people’s health and livelihoods throughout the pandemic.

At the local level, municipalities are equally instrumental in addressing biased policies and protecting people from hate.

Following last year’s terrorist killing of the Afzaal family in London, Ont., the local government worked with the community to develop “A London for Everyone: An Action Plan to Disrupt Islamophobia.” City council unanimously endorsed the plan this past spring and is now recruiting a Muslim community liaison adviser as it implements other recommendations.

“We challenged the City of London to be a thought leader on Islamophobia,” community leader Nawaz Tahir told me in an interview. “They’ve done it and now is the time to operationalize this plan.”

Back in Ottawa, city councillors will have the opportunity to support the city’s first-ever anti-racism strategy next week. It focuses on seven key areas, including housing, economic development, health, racial equity at work, children and youth, and institutional practices.

This is multiculturalism all grown up and we need more of it, everywhere.