official multiculturalism in Canada

Factual Questions
1

As I understand it, Canada has had an official multiculturalism policy since the early 70s. (And yes, I mean official multiculturalism, specifically, not official French/English bilingualism.) Can anyone tell me what this official multiculturalism – as opposed to lofty notions of diversity and harmony that might be held by people in society at large – actually entails?

In other words, what concrete, real-world manifestations does official multiculturalism have insofar as governmental institutions are concerned? Does it, for instance, merely “allow” people the right to actively maintain their cultural/ethnic identities? Or, does it perhaps go a step further by providing funds to support things like cultural festivals, access to interpreters for recent immigrants, schools that hold classes in neither French nor English, allophone newspapers, etc.? Does official multiculturalism have any direct impact upon educational policy and practices?
BTW, I am posting this in GQ because I’m interested in FACTS about what Canada’s official multiculturalism actually stipulates and provides. I’m not looking for a debate on whether multiculturalism is good or bad or whatever. Also, if anyone can refer me to a good book on the topic, I’d be grateful. Thanks!

2

Some information is available here.

Multiculturalism

Sample Projects - National:
[ul][li]The Canadian Advertising Foundation undertook a series of research projects and produced an information package to encourage and expand the inclusion of Canadians of diverse origins, and especially people of colour, in advertising.[/li][li]The Canadian Bar Association decided to conduct a full inquiry into racism in the legal profession. … It is expected that the recommendations will indicate the steps necessary to ensure that the Canadian legal profession promotes fairness for users in all areas of the justice system; equality of access for members of ethnic communities, including access to law schools, summer student and articling positions, bar admissions courses; and equality in hiring, promotion and appointment processes.[/li][/ul]

Reading through it, I see there are a multitude of other examples, learning the description of which is left as an exercise to the alert reader.