[2] In other words, the Government of Canada would recognize and respect its society including its diversity in languages, customs, religions, and so on.
[6] The preamble of the act declares that, WHEREAS the Constitution of Canada provides that every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination and that everyone has the freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, peaceful assembly and association and guarantees those rights and freedoms equally to male and female persons ...The multiculturalism policy allows citizens to practice their religions and keep their identities without the fear of official persecution.
Canadian law, as a result, reflects many of these rights and belief as they guaranteed to all men and women.
The "Canadian multiculturalism advisory committee" is established in Section 7, and the Minister is charged with the annual composition of a report on the operation of the act.
The act also:[8] Section 3 (1) of the act states:[9] It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Government of Canada to (a) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society and acknowledges the freedom of all members of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage (b) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity and that it provides an invaluable resource in the shaping of Canada’s future (c) promote the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society and assist them in the elimination of any barrier to that participation (d) recognize the existence of communities whose members share a common origin and their historic contribution to Canadian society, and enhance their development (e) ensure that all individuals receive equal treatment and equal protection under the law, while respecting and valuing their diversity (f) encourage and assist the social, cultural, economic and political institutions of Canada to be both respectful and inclusive of Canada’s multicultural character (g) promote the understanding and creativity that arise from the interaction between individuals and communities of different origins (h) foster the recognition and appreciation of the diverse cultures of Canadian society and promote the reflection and the evolving expressions of those cultures (i) preserve and enhance the use of languages other than English and French, while strengthening the status and use of the official languages of Canada; and