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CANADIAN INplA TWOS� � May ft, 1976
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Continufrtl from las-t i s*t�o ] Tjiese are! excerpts from J a summary of a national survey jof, aktitiides toward multicultural-ism} ethnic groups and immigrant* ion i|n Canada joy Professors J. w. Berry., R. Kal*n and D. M. Taykjr*
In] general respondents appea^ edt9 heat least tolerant of "othfr ethnic groups] v and there was jfo evidence of 1 extreme ethnic; prejudice; however* respondents dfd ^ave clear preferences; Thoy reacted v#ry ^positively to the two charter groups in comparison jo other ethnic j groups. Of the nonfcharter > groups. Nor&v European groups were evaluated rtvlajtively favourably (e .gi, Qcrfrnans . ^Belgians, Dutc|i, Sjcaijdin^ to ttte
$Ou<h and East European groups (?.gh Greeki; Italians, Polejs. .;. Jugoslavs);'. Vvho were � in, tufa, riitejd more ; favourably thain several otherfgroups (e.g., Eakt Indians, Blacks. Spaniardky . Portuguese), j:: I ,
;'� 1 "Gjeprgr&phlc difforenc.eA.. , l^esppridehts i in Quebec were ^�generally' :\t^V|'e'a$t positive jjn their evaluation of non-chartfctr glro^psv In ^addition, certajn giroups such ] as the Germanjsv ilkriinia"^ wefre
rfcfeji relatively more favourably \ .ijr the Pra'tries and British Goliimbia than in other region^. a]ndiCahadiahjin4ia were rat^d relatively lessjfavourably in those : twoiregions, j;;, , {
Attitudes toward multicultural!" . a$m|-' inv'the;: total-, sample. Knowledge of the multicultural-dim! policy y^as not widespread; , .aj'n.dj most people perceived governmentvs current policy, jto f^jv^ur ^'perntissiv^^ rather than :" � f su ppbrtive \' int eg ration. ,
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Despite this low level! off toowle4ge and the inaccurate perception of the policy, multicultural attitudes were generally positive. With respect to -multi-, , cultural ideology, respondents were on the whole slightly in favour,of cultural diversity} in Canada. The perceiived consequences of multiculturalism were also slightly, positive. Although program attitudes were greeted; with general acceptance, there was, evidence of greater acceptance for some programs (e.g., --community centres'r land ''folk festivals0) than for others (e;g., "radio and television shows in languages other; than English or French*' and *'teaching, in regular school programs, of j the languages of the major cultural groups who have settled) in Canada7*); indeed, respondents showed:slight rejection of the jlast two r programs. Fin all ly, behavioural intentions were less : favourable, than attitudes, this contrast in support between !the ideology and the behavioural intentions may be understood in terms pf the abstract through to concrete dimension which was presented above. It may well be that Canadians think that the idea of multiculturalism is good, that some of the programs are fun .but that they, do not want to ;get involved Overall, however, the climate >' for multiculturalism! is fairlv positive; the ideological base is supportive, and there [are some specific programmes wfyich appear i to be, generally highly acceptable. Detracting from this conclusion is the existence; of some programs which, \ if promoted, may be rejected, and the notable li^ck of acceptance
Multiculturalism and ethnic attitudes
when personal commitment is involved. The issue of "race". The
question whether there is racism an Canada is often raised in the context of immigration and multt-culturalism. The present survey clearly shpws that Canadians reject explicit racism. Several questions involving "race" were asked, in two of the attitude domains. A majority of respondents rejected the idea that it would be wrong to have coloured people as foremen and leaders over whites, or that the "purity of the Canadian race** would be affected byj further immigration. , A substant1 al majority also found coloured immigrants acceptable. A skeptical or even cynical interpretation of these findings would^ have it that the racial tolerance s lown was due to the explicit ani blunt form of the questions:. The survey format, depending on relatively direct questions, cannot tap the more subtle manitcstations. of racism, But even a Wore straight-forward interpretation o�t^heJ^din^riat: ^rants-a-_sfzabfe^^ of racial tolerance in Canada, warrants caution. Racism may be endorsed by only a nlinority of Canadians. However. |jt may become a problem for the implementation of multiculturalism and immigration policies to the extent that the racist minority becomes vocal and active.
Althoughj explicit racism may not be/characteristic of Canadians, race - , visible physical differences among groups - - is neverthelelss an important dimension, Jn the perception of groups. Canadian - Indians and Chinese weire rated lowestV Race
appeared also as one of *wo basic dimensions In the structure of perceptions of ethnic groups. To argue that Canadians use racial cues in the perception of ethnic groups does not mean, of course, that they are racist in the sense of treating certain races as inferior. OVERALL CLIMATE FOR IMMIGRATION IN CANADA
Given the results from the present study, what is the climate for continued immigratipn , in Canada? Clearly, it is not negative, as a majority of Canadians see primarily positive consequence of immigration and are willing to accept new immigrants. Although there is discrimination against immigrants (in the sense that own group members are preferred over immigrants), there is no outright avoidance. On the issue of 4'race/V a majority shows tolerance.
* besides signs of general tolerance, there are some indications of concern. Greater unemployment is seen as a possible consequence of further immigration. Should economic circumstances decline and concern; for unemployment increase, attitudes 1 toward immigration may well change. While a majority of Canadians show racial tolerance, there is a minority for whom "race* * is an important concern. The admission of an increased number of non-white immigrants may mobilize the racist minority and/or increase its membership. Another sign for concern is the inverse relationship between socio-economic status and attitudes toward. . . immigration. The more negative attitudes
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H3C1V1 429-243t
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TarlochanS Gill, M.A,
445-3555
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toward immigration among 16 status people may be reinforced to the extent that they ] see immigrants as competitors; for scarce jobs. A deterioration i^ the economy may make . $UCh attitudes even more negative Another chilling factor hf ^ otherwise fvourable climate ii the fact that one of the founding groups holds a less favourable attitude than the other. [This, difference in attitudes may rna'ke . it difficult to achieve national consensus concerning immigration.
CANADA
On the basis of the distributor of attitudes examined in - (this study, there appears to be a fairly positive climate for the promojtion of multiculturalism in Canada. Although some specific groups appear to be less acceptable Jhan others (both as immigrants anu as established ethno-cultural groups), and some multicultural programs appear to be iless desirable than others; there is an overall positive orientaiioi: toward multiculturalism, and an overall tolerance in the population as a whole. This general
conclusion, while supported! by the bulk of the data, mustj be qualified by a ; reminder 1that among two segments of {the population (those who are French Canadian and those who ijave lower socio-economic status; there is relatively less supporl for - but certainly not rejection |of -multiculturalism. It is likely that the. existence of a supportive ideological base, and of some popular multicultural progralms, could serve as a vehicle fori the promotion of multiculturalism in Canada. -L
Noordin Jadavy 494-5364
Muhammacl A.Saeed
887-5757
Daman Ma^k B.A., CLU I 889-9877
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