In a recent survey, 74 percent of Canadians named multiculturalism “good” or “very good” for the country. Travis D. Smith, reviewing William Gairdner’s The Book of Absolutes, suggests that our long multiculti experiment shouldn’t command our blind devotion. Multiculturalism, Smith writes, may represent a reasonable way forward, but we nevertheless need to assess its shortcomings and pitfalls.

Canadians are fortunate beyond measure. Given that underneath we’re the same creatures that the world has ever seen, the liberty, civility, prosperity and opportunity that we enjoy is astounding. Little wonder that people the world over want to move here, while relatively few seek to flee. An awareness of our good fortune must supplement our appreciation for the enormous effort that goes into making Canada such a pleasant place to live. We should be more grateful and less smug.