Canada is both a multicultural and multiethnic country where people from diverse parts of the world have chosen to live. With them these immigrants carry their various backgrounds made of many cultures, ethnic origins, values and beliefs. Multiculturalism is a symbol of peaceful integration in and open-minded society. It is formally defined as "an educational program recognizing past and present cultural diversity in a society in promoting the equality of all cultural traditions"(Teevan and Hewitt, 1995). However with this multinational acceptance emerges the term "minority group". Linked to this term are negative ideologies such as prejudice and discrimination. This paper will discuss both the positive and the negative aspects as well as the strengths and weaknesses of multiculturalism. This paper will ask questions such as the following: Are our children growing up to be well-rounded individuals who accept those around them or is one group of individuals being favored at the expense of another? Are immigrants treated as full-fledged Canadians or will they always be second in line? Also included in this analysis will be a short history of multiculturalism in Canada. The main focus of this paper will be to determine if multiculturalism in Canada encourages Canadian society to flourish or if the government has made an irreversible mistake in its acceptance of "outsiders".
             In a pluralistic society, as is the Canadian, multiculturalism is given the opportunity to diverge into many paths- some more recognized than others. Along with this multinational acceptance emerges the term "minority group". An ethnic minority is defined as "a category of people, distinguished by physical or cultural traits, that is socially disadvantaged"(Macionis, Benoit & Jansson, 1999 p. 209). According to this definition, humans of a darker skin tone are coined not only immigrants but also as members of visible...