•Critics of the Liberal government's national strategy to combat racism should also understand the context. •In the Canadian quest for harmony, here are a few milestones and policies to keep in mind: we've had an official bilingual policy since 1969 (Trudeau), a multiculturalism policy since 1971 (Trudeau) and a Multiculturalism Act since 1988 (Mulroney). A Charter of Rights and Freedoms since 1983 (Trudeau), a Canadian Race Relations Foundation since 1988 (Mulroney). We welcomed Vietnamese boat people in 1979-80 (Clark), recognized the Quebecois as a nation in 2006 (Harper) and issued an apology for residential schools in 2008 (Harper). And then we have the Indian Act which pre-dates Confederation and is still in effect today. These are just a few, and none happened without their supporters and their critics.