Barras, AmelieThomas-McNeill, Kathleen Hazel2024-07-182024-07-182024-04-102024-07-18https://hdl.handle.net/10315/42141Canadian discourses of inclusion and multiculturalism struggle to reckon with the nation's violent history and ongoing injustices, demanding a confrontation with Canada's self-image. While Canada prides itself on being a multicultural forerunner, understanding its ties to settler-colonialism is crucial due to its continued dispossession of Indigenous peoples. The multicultural narrative often overlooks its political complexities, particularly in relation to Quebec's cultural identity, and the interconnectedness between bilingualism and multiculturalism is often ignored. This study examines how culture, nation, secularism, and religion are understood within relevant policies and legal cases, revealing their settler-colonial roots. Analysis shows how interpretations of these documents reinforce social divisions, Indigenous oppression, and a decontextualized Canadian identity. By revealing the settler-colonial roots of Canadian legislation, this research exposes hidden power dynamics and structural injustices within multiculturalism. Correcting this oversight is essential to situate the national narrative within its historical context and to align it with Canada's stated values.Author owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.Canadian studiesPolitical ScienceElectronic Thesis or Dissertation2024-07-18BelongingBilingualismBill 21Canadian Multiculturalism ActCanadian discoursesCanadian historyCanadian politicsCitizenshipColonialismCourt casesCritical discourse analysisCultural homogeneityDiversityEurochristian frameworkEurochristianityGovernmentInclusionIndigenous issuesIndigenous peoplesIndigenous rightsKtunaxa Nation v. British ColumbiaLegislationLegal hermeneuticsMouvement Laïque Québécois v. SaguenayMulticultural policyMulticulturalismMulticulturalism within a bilingual frameworkNational narrativeOfficial Languages ActOntological conflictsPolitical identityPolitical recognitionPolitical theoryPower dynamicsQuebecReconciliationRecognition politicsReligious freedomRoyal Commission on Bilingualism and BiculturalismSecularismSettler-colonialismSettler-colonial violenceSettler-nationalismState neutrality