Protecting Multiculturalism: Muslims, Security, and Integration in Canada by John S. McCoy (review)

This book explores the fate of multiculturalism in Canada in light of the security and integration discourse surrounding mainly Muslim immigrants to the country. It therefore addresses a very significant and topical subject in contemporary Canadian society. It offers a broader context of a global anti-Islamic social movement and a crisis of multiculturalism, typified in recent years by the terrorist activities of right-wing white extremist Anders Brevik in Norway. McCoy then discusses whether Canada is an exception to this global movement. He also focuses on what he describes as 'xenoracism', prejudice against foreigners, particularly Muslims. He then assesses the state of multiculturalism in Canada in light of this. The book ends with an assessment of the security discourse in Canada and its relationship to both multiculturalism and xenoracism.

McCoy acknowledges that Canada has not been immune to the global growth of Islamophobia, especially after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. However, it was really during the Harper Conservative government (2006–15) that there was a real spike in anti-Muslim feeling in the country. This was primarily due to the government focusing on what they perceived was the lack of integration on the part of Muslim immigrants to Canada. Things came to a head in 2015 with the issue of whether the niqab could be worn by Muslim women to Canadian citizenship ceremonies. McCoy, while accepting that there have been attacks on multiculturalism in Canada, is broadly optimistic that it is in relatively good shape, and there is general support for it among the population. He cites important works to support this assertion, though I was surprised at the omission of my book: The Search for a New National Identity: The Rise of Multiculturalism in Canada and Australia, 1890s–1970s (2016) from his list of sources. He makes the point that multiculturalism is one of the things that draws migrants to Canada in the first place and adds to them seeing themselves as Canadians first and foremost.

On the security discourse front, McCoy points out that Canada has not been spared when it comes to Islamic extremist terrorist attacks. He makes the significant point however that moves, particularly during the Harper Conservative government, to counter perceived threats from al-Qaeda and so called Islamic State, have led to Muslims in Canada being disproportionately targeted as a part of counter-terrorism measures. This has actually led to a growing feeling of marginalisation and alienation on the part of many Muslim Canadians.

This book addresses an important subject and is based on excellent research. I especially liked the fact that the author does not hide his own personal views towards the subject, quite the opposite. And it is nice to see optimism expressed about a subject that usually results in considerable pessimism. I wholeheartedly recommend the book to readers, both expert and general.