Municipalities and Multiculturalism

Book excerpt: The Canadian model of diversity management is considered a success in the international community, yet the methods by which these policies are adopted by local governments have seldom been studied. Municipalities and Multiculturalism explores the role of the municipality in integrating immigrants and managing the ethno-cultural relations of the city. Throughout the study, Kristin R. Good uses original interviews with close to 100 local leaders of eight municipalities in Toronto and Vancouver, two of Canada's most diverse urban and suburban areas. Grounded by Canada's official multiculturalism policies, she develops a typology of responsiveness to immigrants and ethno-cultural minorities and offers an explanation for policy variations among municipalities. Municipalities and Multiculturalism is an important examination of the differing diversity management methods in Canadian cities, and ultimately contributes to debates concerning the roles that municipal governments should play within Canada's political system.