Association for Canadian Studies: Younger Canadians more supportive of multiculturalism
Background: This survey, commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies and the Mosaic Institute, was conducted by Leger Marketing from March 17-18, 2012. Leger polled 1,522 Canadians via web panel; a comparable telephone survey would have a margin of error of 2.9%, 19 times out of 20.
Key Findings:
- When asked if “Canada’s model of multiculturalism should be exported to other countries to help address their ethnic, religious or linguistic conflicts,” 82% of Canadians aged 18-24 strongly agreed. By age group, support was then highest among those 25-34 (68%), 55-64 (57%), 35-44 and 45-54 (60%), and lowest among those 65+ (57%).
- Agreement with the statement was higher among Allophones (70%) than Anglophones (64%) or Francophones (58%).
- Almost three quarters (74%) of Canadians aged 18-24 had a positive opinion of Canadian Multicultural Policy. By comparison, support ranged from 61% for those aged 25-34 or 35-44, to 47% among those aged 65 or older.
- The younger age group were also more likely to have a “very positive” opinion of multiculturalism policy: 34% felt very positively, followed by those 25-34 (18%). Only 8% of those aged 65+ felt very positively.
- Less than half (48%) of Francophones had a positive opinion, compared to 60% of Anglophones and 67% of Allophones.
- Younger Canadians are also more likely to feel that Canadians of different backgrounds can establish close relationships with each other (see chart below).
It’s easy for Canadians from different racial, religious and cultural communities to establish close relationships with each other
- Over two thirds (69%) of Canadians aged 18-24 agree that “newcomers to Canada accept people of different cultures, races and religious traditions,” followed by those 25-34 (55%), 35-44 and 45-54 (50%), those 55-64 (46%) and those 65+ (42%).
- Once again, Allophones are more likely to agree with this statement (62% agreement) compared to Anglophones (51%) and Francophones (42%).
- Older Canadians are more likely than younger age groups to be “concerned with the tensions that arise from historic conflicts that originate outside of Canada.” Eighty-six percent (86%) of those 65 or older agree that they are concerned, followed by those aged 55-64 (76%). Younger age groups are less concerned: 67% of those 18-24 are concerned, followed by 66% of those 45-54, 64% of those 35-44, and 56% of those 25-34.
- Anglophones are more likely to feel concerned (71%), compared to 68% of Allophones and 66% of Francophones.
New citizens share their experiences and opinions of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s new citizenship test and potential test questions
Background: When the new Citizenship and Immmigration Canada (CIC) citizenship test was introduced in March 2010, a decision was taken to monitor test results to assess the validity of the questions and determine the effectiveness of the test. As a result of assessment, a pool of 120 new questions was developed which CICwanted to assess prior to adding them to the actual pool of questions used for the citizenship test. In late 2011, CIC contracted Ipsos Reid to conduct qualitative research among citizenship applicants who passed the new citizenship test. A total of eight focus groups were conducted in Toronto and Montreal, between November 28th and December 1st, 2011. Participants were instructed to write a mock citizenship test consisting of 30 questions. Once the initial testing session was completed, participants were queried as to their general impressions of the proposed citizenship questions.
Key Findings [Note 1]
- Despite receiving the Discover Canada study guide well in advance of receiving the notification of citizenship exam date, respondents indicated that more often than not, true exam preparation begins in earnest when the notification of the actual citizenship exam date is received.
- Most agreed that the Discover Canada study guide is essential study material when preparing for the citizenship test. Many described it as very rich reference material. Based on focus group feedback it seems citizenship applicants also rely on various practice exams available to them via the Internet.
- Generally speaking, participants relied on ‘trusted sites,’ i.e. provincial government or other publicly funded web sites for practice exam scenarios – and have little concern about the accuracy of the information presented in these practice exams.
- Participants felt that the nature as well as the number of questions on any given subject area should be aligned with the relative importance this information is assigned in the Discover Canada study guide; applicants often disregarded information that figures less prominently in the guide (call out boxes, information in the margins).
- The relative mix of question areas by broad subject matter was deemed appropriate in all sessions. That said, questions which focused on Canada’s system of government or democratic process were seen as more appropriate for the citizenship exam than were those based in history or requiring memorization – many questioned the likelihood that they would retain this information beyond exam day.
- There was general agreement that history-related questions should focus on the historical relevance or significance of the event or the individual to Canada’s development rather than function simply as an exercise in memorization of specific dates and names. There was also interest in having history questions that are based on more recent Canadian historical events and facts.
- Questions lacking in specificity, those presenting extraneous and or unnecessary information, as well as those focusing on information that was deemed not to be sufficiently prominent in the guide were seen as problematic. Participants also felt that some questions seemed to be designed to confuse, with answer categories that used similar words, for example.
Gallup poll places Canada as third most popular destination for those interested in emigrating
Background: This Gallup poll surveyed 452,199 adults in 151 countries between 2009 and 2011. Full methodological information is available.
Key Findings:
- Of people globally who are interested in permanently leaving their country (640 million people, or 13% of the world’s adults), 42 million (4% of those interested in leaving) would like to move to Canada.
- This makes Canada the third destination of choice for those interested in emigrating. The United States was the most popular (23% of potential migrants would like to move there), followed by the United Kingdom (7%). France and Saudi Arabia were the next most popular destinations (5%), followed by Australia (4%) (see chart below).
Top Desired Destinations for Potential Migrants Worldwide: 2009–2011
Ideally, if you had the opportunity, would you like to move permanently to another country, or would you prefer to continue living in this country? To which country would you like to move?
| Country | Millions of adults (projected numbers based on percentages who would like to move) | % of potential migrants who would like to move to these countries |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 150 | 23% |
| United Kingdom | 45 | 7% |
| Canada | 42 | 6% |
| France | 32 | 5% |
| Saudi Arabia | 31 | 5% |
| Australia | 26 | 4% |
| Germany | 26 | 4% |
| Spain | 25 | 4% |
| Italy | 18 | 3% |
| United Arab Emirates | 13 | 2% |
| Japan | 12 | 2% |
| Switzerland | 9 | 1% |
| South Africa | 8 | 1% |
| Russia | 6 | 1% |
| Sweden | 6 | 1% |
Based on rolling averages from surveys in 151 countries between 2009 and 2011.
Projected numbers based on World Bank population estimates.
Projected numbers based on World Bank population estimates.
Conseil supérieur de la langue française study: Speaking French critical for social function in the province
Background: The conseil supérieur de la langue française conducted a study with a representative sample of 6700 Québec residents between January and May 2010, and has now released its results in a report titled Conscience linguistique et usage du français (available in French only). The study was geared toward measuring perceptions of the importance of French and English in various situations, and levels of agreement with the priority accorded to French in public communications.
Key Findings:
- 95% of respondents agreed that everyone residing in Quebec should know how to speak French, and 92% agreed that immigrants establishing themselves in the province should learn French prior to learning English.
- Overall, for societal and social interactions, a strong majority of the population feels that French is more important than English (74% and 78% agree, respectively).
Metro Vancouver Study: Many groups of residents struggle to feel connected and engaged in the community
Background: This study was conducted by Sentis Market Research and commissioned by the Vancouver Foundation. The survey was conducted with 3,841 people in metro Vancouver: 2,806 online surveys and 1,035 telephone interviews were conducted. According to the report, over 80 ethnic groups were represented in the study, and while most interviews were conducted in English, some were conducted in Cantonese, Mandarin or Punjabi.
Key Findings:
- According to the report, “People who have been in Canada for fewer than five years have smaller networks of close friends.” Forty-two percent (42%) “report a network of three or fewer close friends. This compares to those living here six years or longer (32%).” (page 10)
- Thirty-five percent (35%) “of people polled had no close friends outside their ethnic group. People of South Asian descent are significantly more likely than other groups to have at least one close friend from a different ethnic group (89%).” (page 10)
- “Of those who get together in a public space like a community centre or park, there is a large spike among people who have lived in Canada for fewer than five years. For that group, 64% use public spaces to get together, compared to 42% of longer-term Canadians.
- When examined by ethnicity, the highest users of community centres or parks to get together with friends are South Asians at 50%, compared to Chinese at 39%.” (page 12)
- Fifty percent (50%) “of people who have lived in Canada for fewer than five years, and 44% of people who have lived in their neighbourhood for fewer than five years, say it is hard to make new friends.” (page 13)
- “Immigrants who have lived in Canada for under 20 years are somewhat less likely to know their neighbours’ names. And there is a difference among ethnic groups: 68% of Chinese residents report knowing their neighbours’ names compared to 74% of all the people we surveyed.” (page 18)
- While many respondents felt that all ethnic groups would be equally welcomed in their neighbourhood (see below), many respondents declined to answer the question, which the Vancouver Foundation feels may be indicative of discomfort to answer honestly, or a genuine lack of knowledge of the neighbourhood residents’ attitudes. (page 21)
- Among those who do not participate in their community, a portion feel that a language barrier is an obstacle: overall, 9% see it as a major obstacle, and 29% see it as a minor obstacle. “The groups that most often identify language as a major barrier to participation are Chinese (16%) and residents from other Asian backgrounds (15%).” (page 32)
- Sixty-six percent (66%) “of respondents agree that they do not experience discrimination in their day-to-day lives. The most likely to report discrimination are single parents (24%), people of Aboriginal ancestry (27%), and South Asians (28%), the ethnic group with the fastest-growing number of new immigrants.” (page 33)
- “Fully 65% of those surveyed agree that while most people are tolerant of different ethnic groups, most prefer to be with people in the same group as their own.” (page 33)
- “While 28% do not view non-English speakers as disinterested in community participation, almost half (44%) do” (see below). (page 34)
Question: If immigrants or refugees from the following places moved into your neighbourhood, which group do you think would be the most welcomed?
- Europeans: 18%
- Asians: 15%
- South Asians: 5%
- Middle Easterners: 2%
- Africans: 1%
- No group would be welcomed: 2%
- All groups would be equally welcomed: 37%
- Don’t know/Refuse: 20%
Question: And which group would be the least welcomed?
- Europeans: 1%
- Asians: 3%
- South Asians: 8%
- Middle Easterners: 12%
- Africans: 5%
- No group would be welcomed: 32%
- All groups would be equally welcomed: 7%
- Don’t know/Refuse: 32%
Statement: People who live here and do not speak English simply do not try hard enough to be part of the community.
- Strongly agree: 13%
- Agree: 31%
- Neither agree nor disagree: 23%
- Disagree: 23%
- Strongly disagree: 5%
- Don’t know/Refused: 4%
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