In this case the blurring of ethnic differences is largely accomplished through intermarriage. It posits that immigrants take on the behaviour and values of the host society, but at the same time retain certain aspects of their own cultural heritage. Historically, Anglo-conformity has been the primary model of assimilation for Canada. Large-scale immigration to Canada during the postwar years, however, and the country's unusual position of having two founding charter groups, the British and the French, provided the impetus for the eventual recognition of ethnic diversity in Canada. In 1971 the Canadian government officially announced a policy of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework.
Multiculturalism is Canada's version of cultural pluralism.
It reflects the idea that 'the survival of ethnic groups as separate groups is socially useful and desirable' and 'as in the melting pot, there is a blending of groups and each affects the other. The maintenance of many cultures, for example, is not possible or feasible. Immigrants bring their cultural heritage with them to the new land, but many forces impinge upon their lives, making at least some change inevitable. However, the programs announced has as much to do with removing barriers to full participation in Canadian society and with inter-cultural activity, and, therefore, assimilation, as they did with the preservation of ethnic heritages.