diversity in Canada
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This Canada Day weekend, in light of recent events, it might be worthwhile to ask what it's like to be part of an ethnic minority in Canada.
The experience may depend hugely on where you came from originally, what you look like, how the media view you and whether your ethnic community has a voice in the political arena. The Diversity in Canada survey, conducted among 3,000 Canadians 15 years of age and over in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver between June and August 2005, took a closer look at how major ethnic groups perceive their treatment by the most powerful institutions of society: police, courts, employers, media and government.
In addition to immigrants' strong attachment to Canada, the poll also shows that they view Canada's respect for legal rights, security and safety, health care, cultural diversity and education system as much better or somewhat better than their birth countries.
But there are several clouds on the horizon.
Underemployment, discrimination and lack of cultural and political representation are immigration flashpoints reflected in the poll. The lack of recognition for foreign-trained professionals has made a cliché out of the Toronto taxi driver with a PhD. Employment is ranked as the most important issue governments should address among immigrants here less than 10 years. Although not a dominant sentiment among visible minority groups, a worrisome 37 per cent say they have personally experienced discrimination. About 50 per cent of visible minorities feel the mainstream media present negative stereotypes of many people from racial or ethnic minorities.
These issues seem all the more poignant in light of a heated argument I got into with a friend about — ironically — the World Cup. Part of the implication in the exchange was that persons who do not have ethnic roots in countries participating in the tournament — i.e., me — should not comment on the sport of football. Sounds like some of the rantings of one Don Cherry — an icon of Canadian xenophobia if there ever was one.
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This Canada Day weekend, in light of recent events, it might be worthwhile to ask what it's like to be part of an ethnic minority in Canada.
The experience may depend hugely on where you came from originally, what you look like, how the media view you and whether your ethnic community has a voice in the political arena. The Diversity in Canada survey, conducted among 3,000 Canadians 15 years of age and over in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver between June and August 2005, took a closer look at how major ethnic groups perceive their treatment by the most powerful institutions of society: police, courts, employers, media and government.
In addition to immigrants' strong attachment to Canada, the poll also shows that they view Canada's respect for legal rights, security and safety, health care, cultural diversity and education system as much better or somewhat better than their birth countries.
But there are several clouds on the horizon.
Underemployment, discrimination and lack of cultural and political representation are immigration flashpoints reflected in the poll. The lack of recognition for foreign-trained professionals has made a cliché out of the Toronto taxi driver with a PhD. Employment is ranked as the most important issue governments should address among immigrants here less than 10 years. Although not a dominant sentiment among visible minority groups, a worrisome 37 per cent say they have personally experienced discrimination. About 50 per cent of visible minorities feel the mainstream media present negative stereotypes of many people from racial or ethnic minorities.
These issues seem all the more poignant in light of a heated argument I got into with a friend about — ironically — the World Cup. Part of the implication in the exchange was that persons who do not have ethnic roots in countries participating in the tournament — i.e., me — should not comment on the sport of football. Sounds like some of the rantings of one Don Cherry — an icon of Canadian xenophobia if there ever was one.
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posted by þΛųL jØŋαŦhΛŋ @ 23:00
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