The terms 'ethnic' and 'ethnic group' are contentious among scholars. It is not easy to arrive at an accurate definition for these terms. Some scholars believe that members of 'ethnic groups' share a set of common characteristics; including, but not limited to, racial heritage, language, country of origin, and religion. Not all members of any one 'ethnic group,' however, share all of these characteristics, and yet they are still considered as members of that particular social group. In previous Canadian immigration policy, the term 'ethnic' is often used to refer to individuals with racial and cultural features distinct from the mainstream social, cultural, and/or linguistic group.