A critical review of multiculturalism and interculturalism as integration frameworks: The case of Canada

Abstract

Pluralist societies face challenges developing diversity-related policies to integrate newcomers and facilitate harmonious relationships between ethnocultural minorities and majorities. The integration policies that governments implement have significant implications for intergroup relations in diverse societies. The current paper (i) discusses the characteristics of two integration policies, multiculturalism and interculturalism; (ii) examines how these integration policies have been studied within the psychological literature; and (iii) explores the policy implications of these concepts for intergroup relations research and psychosocial adaptation of immigrants. In addressing the above points, we have paid specific attention to multiculturalism in Canada and interculturalism in Europe and in Quebec, the French speaking region of Canada, which highlight the developing role pluralist integration strategies are playing in the social and policy debates surrounding integration, inclusion, and social cohesion.