[Ethnic relations and identity-based tensions in a multicultural context]

Since the beginning of the 80s, Montréal's population of non French--and non English-speaking inhabitants has increased rapidly, especially in schools (estimates show that by the year 2000, this segment will represent about 50% of students). In addition, this population of diverse origins is composed of only a minority of Europeans; Caribbeans and Orientals make up the vast majority of immigrants that have settled in Montréal over the last decade. How does this unique mix of cultural backgrounds impact on the perception that these youth from multiethnic neighbourhoods have of their own culture and social relations? This is the basic issue that the authors have attempted to solve in the course of their research. The authors focused particularly on the identity-based tensions that stem from interaction between youth and the strategies they develop to overcome these tensions.