The groundwork for a multicultural Canada was laid early in the country's history. Aboriginal society was multicultural and multilingual. The first French and British explorers who came to Canada in the 16th and 17th centuries interacted with the First Nations to build a unique Canadian heritage.

During the final decades of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th, many eastern and northern Europeans immigrated to Canada in search of land and freedom. During this same period, large numbers of Chinese and South Asians also came to Canada as labourers to work in the mines, on the railroad or in service industries.

Individuals from all over the world have settled in Canada, making it a truly multicultural country. In 1991, over 11 million Canadians (including Aboriginals), or 42 per cent of the Canadian population, reported having a least some ethnic origin other than British or French. Among the larger groups are German, Italian, Ukrainian, Dutch, Polish, Chinese, Indians, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Jewish, Caribbean, Portuguese and Scandinavian.

Community-based organizations and coalitions, as well as institutions play a major role in the promotion of racial equity, cross-cultural understanding and civic spirit. Their efforts are supported by the Government's multiculturalism programs, which provide financial help and advice to ethno-cultural community groups, agencies serving immigrants, immigrant women's groups and race relation’s coalitions, among others, as well as Canadian institutions and, in some cases, individuals.

Services to first-generation Canadians (citizens born elsewhere) providing information about Canada are a large part of many community-based programs. In partnership with the Canadian government, various institutions, including the police, the media, health and social services, unions and municipal governments, also participate in education programs designed to improve race relations and help people adapt to cultural diversity.

While Canada's history contains examples of injustices toward minority groups, Canada's citizens, institutions and governments are actively working toward eliminating discrimination.

To enable all members of Canadian society to exercise fully, and with equity, their citizenship rights, responsibilities and privileges, Canada has developed concrete, forward-looking programs and laws.

In July 1988, the Government of Canada acknowledged and honoured the changing face of the country in groundbreaking legislation, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. The Act states that every citizen, regardless of origin, has an equal chance to participate in all aspects of the country's collective life. The legislation is designed to "encourage and assist the social, cultural, economic and political institutions of Canada to be both respectful and inclusive of Canada's multicultural character".