The essence of Multiculturalism is the desire to thrive as individuals in the way of one's own choosing in a society of others who want to do the same. All migrants share this desire. Multiculturalism is intended to preserve the cultural freedom of all individuals and provide recognition of the contributions of diverse ethnic groups. Canada's embracing of Multiculturalism was a pivotal change in government policy and this essay touches upon that and compares with Periyar's vision of an equal and equitable society.