That's a broad question.
Canadian identity has evolved tremendously since the 19th century. In each different era, that identity was linked to either an agricultural or urban society. Of course, it is reflected in demographic, economic and cultural changes. Canadian history shows that a country remains viable provided it changes with the times.
The key question, for all jurisdictions at all levels, is knowing how to adjust to local, regional and global realities. Identity comes into play at every level. I am a resident of the city of Ottawa. Identity is a complex issue.
In the 19th century, the use of one language in schools was promoted, for example, by France and the United States, as a means of strengthening society. Today, people claim that a society's strength lies in its diversity and that this diversity must be encouraged. We are in the process of redefining approaches and rejecting a cookie-cutter approach for communities, an approach that was associated with the 19th and 20th centuries. We are seeking to establish cohesive communities based on diversity, not uniformity. How do we build cohesive communities that benefit from diversity at every level? That is a question for Canada, the United States, France and other world countries. This is the dynamic that is currently at play. The goal for the 21st century is to build diverse, rather than homogeneous, societies. How do we meet this interesting challenge?