The delicate mosaic: A national examination of inter-group relations in Canada

Abstract

The ethnic diversity which has long characterized Canada calls for a clear reading of Canadian intergroup attitudes. Yet surprisingly, such data has historically been conspicuous by its absence. The author attempts to contribute to the overcoming of this void by presenting extensive data on intergroup attitudes, obtained through a late 1975 national survey. With respect to French-English relations, only about one-half of the country endorses bilingualism, while Francophones and Anglophones differ dramatically in their perception of French power in Canadian affairs. Canadians are found to exhibit considerable anti-Indian and anti-Semitic sentiments, and further to be wary of other groupings such as Blacks, Orientals, and East Indians, especially where the possibility of intermarriage exists. The author concludes with a brief discussion of the meaning of these findings in the light of the two major government intergroup policies of bilingualism and multiculturalism.