Race Relations in Canada 2019 Survey

Background

Canada is a ethnically and racially diverse society, with more than four in ten of the country’s population either first or second generation in the country. In comparative terms, Canada is among the most welcoming of countries when it comes to acceptance of such diversity. The latest Gallup World poll puts Canada at the top of 140 countries in citizens rating their community as a good place for individuals for ethnic and racial minorities.  And in historical terms, race relations in Canada are by far the most positive in the country’s history, a far cry from previous eras which included explicit discrimination against those who were not white Protestant establishment, be it Irish, Chinese, Jewish, South Asian, Black, and of course the land’s Indigenous Peoples.

But in 2019, racism and discrimination against those who look different remains an underlying reality in Canada. People with racialized identities and backgrounds face ongoing challenges, both at a personal level and at an institutional level.

What is the current state of race relations in Canada?  The answer is by no means a single story. Some see a positive story of dramatic changes from previous generations, the expanding inclusion of Canadians from different races in all walks of life, employment equity policies, and the establishment of anti-racism offices in governments. Others see a negative story of persistent systemic racism that continues to oppress the lives and opportunities of racialized individuals and communities. Both realities exist, and perspectives are based on personal experience, anecdote, media reporting and political agendas. What is missing is empirically-based credible evidence, that can serve as indicators of the current situation and how progress is or is not being made over time. This includes measures of the collective beliefs, attitudes and experiences of Canadians both racialized and other.

Race Relations in Canada Survey 2019

The Environics Institute, in partnership with the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, recently published a new national survey to measure Canadians' attitudes and experiences as they relate to race relations and discrimination in this country.

Final Report - ENGLISH

Final Report - FRENCH

Executive Summary - ENGLISH

Executive Summary - FRENCH

Data Tables

Media Coverage

• Opinion: Are Canadians ready to confront racism?
• Study looks at prevalence of racism in Canada
• Racism not a big problem? Activist says survey shows Canadians 'in denial'
• New survey explores race relations in Canada
• Race relations in Canada
• 'It's a constant battle': 20% of Canadians say they experience racism, survey reveals
• 'We all should be pained by it': Survey points to realities of racial discrimination in Canada
• 'It's a call to action': Survey shows Sask. and Man. take dimmer view of race relations than other Canadians
• Manitoba and Saskatchewan more likely to see race relations as worsening: survey
• Racism at work is common — but experts say employers aren’t tackling it
• 'You become immune to it'. 1 in 5 Canadians say they experience racism, survey finds
• Racism is real in Canada
• A new survey reveals 5/10 black or Indigenous Canadians feel they're regularly treated unfairly.
• Majority of Canadians who are Black or Indigenous have experienced racism: survey
• Race Relations on BC Today
• Low unemployment rates in Quebec mask systemic discrimination, experts say