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)

Happily ever after? The case for marriage in Canada: Peter Copeland, Andrea Mrozek & Peter Jon Mitchell

Happily ever after? The case for marriage in Canada: Peter Copeland, Andrea Mrozek & Peter Jon Mitchell

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we dive into the ideas and policies shaping Canada's future!In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Program at the Macdonald Lauri...

19 Helmi 202559min

British Columbia's salmon farmers caught in the net: Ken Coates and Brian Kingzett

British Columbia's salmon farmers caught in the net: Ken Coates and Brian Kingzett

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!In this episode, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Ken Coates sits down with Brian Kingzett, Executive Dire...

11 Helmi 202539min

The great tug-of-war over Greenland: Alex Dalziel, Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen, Christian Keldsen, Marisol Maddox, and Jessica Shadian

The great tug-of-war over Greenland: Alex Dalziel, Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen, Christian Keldsen, Marisol Maddox, and Jessica Shadian

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!In this episode, Senior Fellow Alex Dalziel is joined by a panel of experts to examine Greenland's pivotal ...

7 Helmi 202553min

Identity politics and the capture of canadian research funding: Peter Copeland and Dave Snow

Identity politics and the capture of canadian research funding: Peter Copeland and Dave Snow

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!In this episode, Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Program at the Macdonald Laurier In...

5 Helmi 202552min

US-Canada defense and security cooperation in the Trump era: Balkan Devlen, Jamie Tronnes, Richard Shimooka, and Alexander Lanoszka

US-Canada defense and security cooperation in the Trump era: Balkan Devlen, Jamie Tronnes, Richard Shimooka, and Alexander Lanoszka

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!In this episode, a panel of MLI experts discuss the defense and security aspects of the Canada-U.S. relatio...

30 Tammi 202535min

Breaking the cycle: Peter Copeland and Marcell Wilson

Breaking the cycle: Peter Copeland and Marcell Wilson

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the ideas and policies shaping Canada today!Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of Domestic Policy at MLI is joined by Marcell Wilson, founder and head of ...

28 Tammi 202550min

Navigating 2025, foreign policy in the year ahead: Double Trouble with Balkan Devlen and Jonathan Berkshire Miller

Navigating 2025, foreign policy in the year ahead: Double Trouble with Balkan Devlen and Jonathan Berkshire Miller

Welcome to Double Trouble, a special foreign policy focused podcast series within MLI's Inside Policy Talks, to address the growing challenge of the Sino-Russian axis of authoritarianism facing the We...

23 Tammi 202534min

Empowering First Nations' economic growth in Canada: Ken Coates and Kody Penner

Empowering First Nations' economic growth in Canada: Ken Coates and Kody Penner

Welcome to Inside Policy Talks, where we discuss the most pressing policy issues shaping Canada's indigenous economic development!In this episode, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Indigenous Affairs ...

21 Tammi 202531min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
politiikan-puskaradio
viisupodi
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-podme-livebox
rss-asiastudio
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
otetaan-yhdet
the-ulkopolitist
radio-antro
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rss-kalevi-sorsa-saation-podcast
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-kuka-mina-olen
rss-tekkipodi