Centre of Canadian Studies

Content

In an era marked by rapid globalization, digital transformation, and shifting socio-political

landscapes, contemporary Canada faces evolving challenges and opportunities in fostering

stability and belonging while addressing divisions and conflicts (Simpson 2020; Coulthard

2021).

 

Canada has long been seen as a bridge between different cultures, identities, and geopolitical

forces, yet barriers - both historical and contemporary - persist in shaping its national

discourse. The complexities of Indigenous reconciliation efforts, the legacy of residential

schools and land rights disputes (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 2015);

regional disparities between provinces, particularly regarding economic development and

resource distribution (Banting & Thompson 2023); linguistic tensions between English and

French-speaking communities (Sioufi & Bourhis 2018); the outbreak and escalation of global

conflicts, resulting in further divisions and negotiations; the evolving discourses on ethnicity,

cultural diversity and gender equality which resonate in contemporary struggles for resistance

and transformation (Abu-Laban 2023); the effects of migration and multiculturalism that shape

urban and rural communities, raising questions about integration, identity, and policy

responses (Li 2023). Canada's reputation as a welcoming nation for immigrants coexists with

growing debates on border security, asylum policies, and systemic discrimination. Moreover,

digital and physical infrastructures increasingly impact access to services, exacerbating socio-

economic inequalities in an era of rapid technological advancement.

 

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