The federal government should do more to promote awareness of Arab cultures in Canadian schools, according to in-house research conducted for the Privy Council.
Blacklock's Reporter says focus groups in key urban centers with large Arab Canadian populations indicated that greater education about Arab histories and traditions could help reduce stigma.
A report summarizing the research stated that many participants believed Arab Canadians face discrimination in parts of the country and that including more Arab educators in the school system could help address this.
The findings, drawn from discussions with Québec residents of Arab ancestry, were part of pre-election polling commissioned by cabinet aides.
Asked about the government’s current approach, most respondents felt Ottawa was on the right track, citing its efforts to champion multiculturalism and recognize traditional Arabic holidays.
However, some believed more should be done to improve Arab Canadian representation in decision-making roles at all levels of government.
Concerns about societal divisions were also raised, with some participants fearing an increase in discrimination. A few specifically pointed to rising Islamophobia as an issue requiring federal action.
The focus groups were conducted under a $1.6 million contract with Toronto-based polling firm The Strategic Counsel. No other ethnic groups were surveyed.
Arab Canadians make up approximately 649,000 people, according to the 2021 Census.
The term “Arab Canadian” includes individuals of various backgrounds, such as Algerian, Lebanese, Egyptian, Syrian, Palestinian, and Moroccan ancestry.
A 2007 Statistics Canada report noted that the Arab Canadian community is roughly evenly divided between Christian and Muslim religious affiliations.