Feelings of Fraternity in Canada: An Empirical Exploration of Regional Differences

Abstract

How are feelings of fraternity distributed within nation-states? This paper deals with the status dimension of ethnic stratification in Canada, and specifically with the way comfort levels with a whole range of ethno-national group labels vary between Canadian regions. Previous research found that the Canadian population gives the highest status evaluations to those of British origin, with evaluations following a downward gradient through various European origins, with the lowest evaluations being reserved for “non-whites.” This article presents further analyses of data from the 1991 Canadian Multiculturalism and Citizenship attitude survey (N=3,325). Detailed breakdowns of comfort levels are presented for Canada's main regions, and special attention paid to patterns evident in Canada's three largest cities, namely Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. The lowest comfort levels with most group labels are displayed in Quebec, and the highest levels are displayed in British Columbia. Since the latter province was the setting of much anti-Asian agitation in earlier decades, and has been a major destination for Asian immigration to Canada in recent decades, this regional difference is an interesting aspect of the current Canadian scene. These findings are set against the backdrop of other research on regional differences in Canada.