Geoff Russ and Michael Bonner: Multiculturalism has divided us
Inside Policy Talks4 Syys 2025

Geoff Russ and Michael Bonner: Multiculturalism has divided us

Multiculturalism has been a policy and a political ideal for over 50 years in Canada. It’s shaped our immigration system, institutions, and the way Canadians see themselves.

Yet its meaning has shifted dramatically since then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau introduced it. It began as a national unity strategy. But for many, it’s become a slogan about diversity for its own sake. That’s left us divided about what it means to be Canadian.

The stakes are high. Immigration, national identity, and multiculturalism affect social cohesion, political stability, and our capacity to share a common civic culture. These aren’t just matters for an academic debate. They’re at the heart of Canada’s future.

To dig into this, Geoff Russ and Michael Bonner join Inside Policy Talks. Russ is a journalist whose recent writing for the Macdonald-Laurier Institute examines how Canadian history, symbols, and traditions shape who we are today. Bonner is a historian, former Ontario government policy director, and the author of In Defense of Civilization. He’s recently written for MLI on multiculturalism's origins, evolution, and current challenges.

On the podcast, Bonner tells Peter Copeland, director of domestic policy at MLI, that Canada needs to focus on unity, and that spending more energy focusing on the differences among the people who live in the country is “not what the present moment calls for.” Russ adds that while he believes in welcoming people from around the world, he cautions against importing social and cultural values, as these risk disrupting Canadian values and democratic institutions.

“If you look at the way that democracy has gone since the end of the cold war, democracy is proving to be very much a cultural feature,” says Russ.

Jaksot(116)

A principled path forward for free speech in Canada: Aaron Wudrick and Ryan Alford

A principled path forward for free speech in Canada: Aaron Wudrick and Ryan Alford

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode you'll hear Aaron Wudrick in conversation with Ryan Alford on the fraying foundations for f...

17 Marras 202329min

Hybrid warfare and critical undersea infrastructure: Balkan Devlen, Alexander Dalziel and Henri Vanhanen

Hybrid warfare and critical undersea infrastructure: Balkan Devlen, Alexander Dalziel and Henri Vanhanen

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode you'll hear Balkan Devlen in conversation with Alexander Dalziel, and Henri Vanhanen on how...

10 Marras 202337min

Dirty Money, Financial Crime in Canada: Christian Leuprecht in conversation with Aaron Wudrick / MLI

Dirty Money, Financial Crime in Canada: Christian Leuprecht in conversation with Aaron Wudrick / MLI

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode you'll hear Aaron Wudrick in conversation with Christian Leuprecht on his and Jamie Ferrill...

26 Loka 202321min

Antisemitism and terrorism from Tehran to Hamas - Jonathan Berkshire Miller and Kaveh Shahrooz

Antisemitism and terrorism from Tehran to Hamas - Jonathan Berkshire Miller and Kaveh Shahrooz

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. In this episode you'll hear Jonathan Berkshire Miller in conversation with Kaveh Shahrooz on Hamas' attack...

19 Loka 202317min

The 'new Ottawa consensus' and our broken economy - Aaron Wudrick and Jon Hartley

The 'new Ottawa consensus' and our broken economy - Aaron Wudrick and Jon Hartley

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode you'll hear Aaron Wudrick in conversation with Jon Hartley about his recent article for The...

5 Loka 202321min

Romanian Energy Minister, Sebastian Burduja, talks energy security with Jonathan Berkshire Miller

Romanian Energy Minister, Sebastian Burduja, talks energy security with Jonathan Berkshire Miller

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode you'll hear Jonathan Berkshire Miller in conversation with Romanian Energy Minister, Sebast...

21 Syys 202311min

Does the foreign-interference inquiry have the right tools?

Does the foreign-interference inquiry have the right tools?

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.In this episode you'll hear Balkan Devlen in conversation with Jonathan Berkshire Miller and Charles Burton...

12 Syys 202330min

Canada's Prime Ministers and the making of foreign policy - Aaron Wudrick and Patrice Dutil

Canada's Prime Ministers and the making of foreign policy - Aaron Wudrick and Patrice Dutil

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, the premier video podcast of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. In this episode you'll hear Aaron Wudrick in conversation with Patrice Dutil about his new book, Statesman...

31 Heinä 202326min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
viisupodi
rss-podme-livebox
rss-asiastudio
otetaan-yhdet
the-ulkopolitist
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
linda-maria
rss-kalevi-sorsa-saation-podcast
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-kuka-mina-olen
rss-tekkipodi