The findings of a recently released CBC News Poll conducted by Environics Research Group on Discrimination revealed some interesting data on how Canadians engage with people from other than their own ethnic background.
Survey Statements
To what extent are you comfortable or uncomfortable with the following statements regarding immigration and multiculturalism?
Using the scale 5 very comfortable – 1 very uncomfortable.
Someone with a different ethnic background:
- as your next door neighbour
- as your boss
- as the spouse of your best friend
- as your choice of political candidate
- as married to your child/brother/sister
- as being with you in a romantic relationship [abbreviated]
~75% of respondents agree Canada is a welcoming place for all ethnicities.
~On the other hand, 73% agreed immigrants should make their best efforts to assimilate.
~56% believe their country is better off because it has so many distinct cultures
~Respondents who were in the visible minority group as well as born outside Canada expressed higher comfort levels across` the statements tested.
~55% of respondents agree immigrants are very important in building a stable Canadian economic future, while 30% agree [erroneously] that immigrants take away jobs from Canadians.
~Respondents residing in Quebec as well as the Prairies expressed somewhat less favourable opinions on immigration and ethnic diversity.
~Overall, those aged 18-29 expressed more positive views on multiculturalism compared to older demographics. (From findings of CBC News Poll on Discrimination – November 2014)
I am left wondering, if perhaps our attitudes towards those who ethnically differ from ourselves, is less about discrimination and more tied to our individual comfort level. It’s only reasonable to assume that our comfort level would tend to increase with the growing number of opportunities we afford ourselves to meet individual members from differing ethnic backgrounds. If we are to be, as we truly pride ourselves to be, multicultural, shouldn’t we take advantage of the numerous opportunities which present themselves to meet our neighbours and stretch our comfort zones?
Nancy Wales CSJ