MULTICULTURAL AND ETHNIC-ATTITUDES IN CANADA - AN OVERVIEW OF THE 1991 NATIONAL SURVEY

A national survey of multicultural and ethnic attitudes was carried out in June 1991, with a representative sample of 2500 respondents, and oversamples in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver (total N = 3325). Scales were developed to assess attitudes towards various aspects of multiculturalism (Multicultural Ideology, Perceived Consequences of Multiculturalism, and Multicultural Programme Attitudes), towards various ethnic and immigrant groups, and to assess Tolerance and Canadianism. In the total sample, attitudes toward multiculturalism were moderately positive, and tolerance moderately high; there was also a relatively high sense of attachment and commitment to Canada. Attitudes towards ethnic and immigrant groups were variable, with groups of European origin more positively evaluated than those of non-European origin. Variations in these attitudes by region of residence, and ethnic origin revealed significant differences to this general pattern: those of French origin Living in Quebec tended to be less supportive than those of British and Other origins living outside Quebec. Overall, it was concluded that despite some signs of ethnocentrism, there are good prospects for achieving a diverse and tolerant society in Canada.