This book investigates the complex interplay between ethnic identity, demographic shifts, and systemic social inequalities within the Canadian national framework. Leo Driedger, a prominent sociologist, utilizes historical data and demographic analysis to evaluate how multiculturalism functions as both a policy and a social reality. The text argues that while Canada promotes a mosaic of identities, persistent disparities in power, class, and socio-economic status continue to shape the experiences of various ethnic groups across the country.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the sociological dimensions of Canadian diversity. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a comprehensive overview of the structural challenges inherent in a multi-ethnic society.