Citizenship, National Identity, and the Search for Stability in Canada

Abstract

When Canada was created it debated if it was best to seek political solidarity by creating a single political identity or was it wiser to build a citizenship that made space for all communities. This article argues there was no attempt to unite Canadians around a single national loyalty but only to join an array of diverse communities whose members might adopt a shared citizenship. Since 1867, Canada has adopted different approaches to creating citizenship to maintain political solidarity. Diversity has been an integral part of that narrative.

Keywords

• canada
• diversity
• citizenship
• nation-building
• george-étienne cartier
• justin trudeau