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Unhappy multiculturalism seems to refer to the feeling of being forced to respect and accept others. Sara Ahmed effectively unpacks this rhetoric around a multiethnic society as a source of unhappiness in The Promise of Happiness, where she describes how happiness is used as a colonial tool. Ahmed critiques how the utilitarian mission to create an ‘English’ happiness—rooted in colonial histories—serves to justify the assimilation of marginalized groups. This utilitarian logic of ‘civilizing’ others so they, too, can partake in this happiness disguises assimilation and discrimination under the guise of benevolence.
In Quebec, we live within a framework of interculturalism. Initially, this policy was designed to distinguish Quebec from Canada’s model of multiculturalism and to promote Quebec’s distinct culture. However, by privileging one dominant culture, others are often forced to assimilate or fit in. A clear example of this is the treatment of Indigenous communities living in Quebec. Many of these communities, often English-speaking, face significant barriers due to Quebec’s language policies—such as Law 96, which affects CEGEPs and universities—because they are seen as speaking the ‘wrong’ colonizer’s language. This creates an implicit hierarchy of cultures and languages, with Quebec's happiness and identity positioned as more important than those of linguistic minorities.