In the 1970s, under the leadership of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Canada formally adopted a policy to promote multiculturalism, and it has been a key part of Canadian identity ever since. Canada has one of the highest per capita immigration rates among developed countries. In 2018 alone, Canada welcomed more than 310,000 immigrants to the country. 57% of these immigrants arrived as skilled workers. The others were refugees or joined families already living in Canada. In total, 22.3% of the Canadian population identify as a visible minority, and 13.6% was born abroad.

Canada is also known for its “mosaic” approach to multiculturalism, where people of all cultures live in harmony while preserving their cultural heritage and religious practices. In Canada, there are more than 30 ethnic communities with more than 100,000 people, and 11 of them have a million or more people. This contrasts with “melting pot” cultures, where immigrants are expected to blend in and assimilate to the norms of their new country. Canada's urban centers, like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, are particularly diverse and home to many ethnic neighborhoods. In Toronto, regularly called "the most multicultural city in the world,” more than half of the population identifies as a visible minority.