Why Multiculturalism works.

It is with some dismay recently that I have been hearing from those close to me that part of the problem with Canadian society is that Muslims aren't integrating enough. They must, the theory goes, adopt our values. They came to Canada, so they must be Canadian, or damn the lot of them. What seems to have spurred a fair bit of this recent anger is the recently foiled terrorist plot in the Toronto area. Note to those sure that this proves the Muslim=terrorist theory, let me simply point out that you're known by the company you keep.

There are a number of problems with this hypothesis, among them the assumption that you can force someone to integrate who doesn't want to, and that even if you do force integration that the end result is "a citizen like everyone else." I never can follow why applying a number of stereotypes to a group, and then ostracizing them is supposed to produce integrated citizens. One might want to query the gay community about that.

In any case, this sort of thing goes hand in hand with the thesis that multiculturalism is destroying the idea of a Canadian identity, and that immigrants aren't learning to be Canadian. One might wonder if the news that at least two Muslims were essential in exposing the plot will be repeated as often as that hoary old myth. Both, outraged by the idea of terrorism on Canadian soil, infiltrated the group and their information led to the arrest of the others. In fact, because they felt integrated, because they were loyal and wanted to give something back, they were central to foiling the plot.

"He really felt, as a loyal Muslim Canadian, like he owed Canada something, to give back to it," said a close friend and former business associate who, for security reasons, can't be named. "And it's not surprising to see that he did that for the cause of Canada."

It's always easier to go with the stereotype of course; why waste time learning when ignorance is instantaneous? Not to mention that the idea of defining terrorists as primarily Muslim is highly selective. Terrorists are known by their deeds, not their skin colour. No matter how you spin it, as a righteous jihad, or a crusade for freedom, killing civilans is wrong.