Canadians should never be lulled into believing that this country is an inclusive utopia, says newly minted Secretary of State for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney.

Everyone should be “on guard” against the ugliness of racism, said the Calgary Conservative MP, responding to a Sun Media-Leger Marketing poll that found 47% of Canadians admit that they harbour racist sentiments. The poll also found that 92% of Canadians had witnessed bigotry in action.

“These numbers remind us that even a society as tolerant as Canada will always have challenges in this regard,” he said.

There is little that government can do to stop racism, said Kenney, adding he is reviewing federal anti-racism programs for effectiveness. [Link]