Three-quarters of Canadians believe the country has made some progress in reducing racism over the last few generations, according to a poll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute (ARI). .While the majority of Canadians said progress has been made, 28% describe it as significant, according to the poll. .The ARI said one-fifth of Canadians think the country is going backwards and racial discrimination is worse than it was generations ago. This includes a higher proportion of indigenous (30%) and non-white (28%) Canadians, compared to those who do not identify this way (19%). .For two-fifths, it said they admit to facing discrimination in Canada some times (28%) if not often (10%). These proportions rise to half among indigenous people and 78% among non-whites, with whites being less likely to say they have endured this experience. .More than half of Canadians said being white is a source of privilege in Canada. For this reason, many are supportive of affirmative action programs designed to increase representation in employment. .This includes majority support for assisting non-white people (55%), indigenous people (56%), women (59%), and those with disabilities (61%). Three-tenths want no one to receive this type of assistance. .ARI found cultural appropriation is a source of contention in Canada. For example, it said 42% believe it is unacceptable to wear a Halloween costume that represents another race or ethnicity other than one’s own. .Non-white people were asked what they prefer to be referred to as. Two-fifths said visible minority is fine, 16% want a hyphenated version of their race, and 6% prefer the broader terms BIPOC (black indigenous people of colour) or racialized person. .One-third said they hate all of this terminology. .Records published in July show racism is allegedly common in the Canadian public service. .READ MORE: Racism allegedly commonplace in Canadian public service.One black manager reported a co-worker teased her about her race when she entered her office. .“In her hand, she had a stuffed animal, a monkey,” said Canadian Patent Office Deputy Director Kethlande Pierre. .The poll was conducted online from July 26 to 31 among a representative randomized sample of 3,016 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. It has a margin of error of +/- 1.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
