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

A national survey of multicultural and ethnic attitudes was carried ou t in June 1991, with a representative sample of 2500 respondents, and oversamples in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver (total N = 3325). Scale s were developed to assess attitudes towards various aspects of multic ulturalism (Multicultural Ideology, Perceived Consequences of Multicul turalism, and Multicultural Programme Attitudes), towards various ethn ic and immigrant groups, and to assess Tolerance and Canadianism. In t he total sample, attitudes toward multiculturalism were moderately pos itive, and tolerance moderately high; there was also a relatively high sense of attachment and commitment to Canada. Attitudes towards ethni c and immigrant groups were variable, with groups of European origin m ore 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 orig in Living in Quebec tended to be less supportive than those of British and Other origins living outside Quebec. Overall, it was concluded th at despite some signs of ethnocentrism, there are good prospects for a chieving a diverse and tolerant society in Canada.