Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadians becoming more divided: survey

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Apr, 2022 09:53 AM
  • Canadians becoming more divided: survey

REGINA - A new survey suggests Canadians are becoming more divided, with some saying issues have led them to reduce contact with friends or family.

The national phone survey by the Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research at the University of Saskatchewan was done between March 7 and March 24. It asked 1,011 people about the issues that divide them the most.

About three out of every four respondents said they believe society has become more polarized.

The majority said the COVID-19 pandemic (72 per cent) and the 2021 federal election (73 per cent) were the two most divisive issues over the past year.

About 40 per cent of those surveyed said they have reduced contact with friends or family over an argument about the pandemic or politics.

"There's been so much amplified rhetoric in the last two years since the beginning of the pandemic, and a lot of the rhetoric has really served to divide folks — whether that division is actually real or it's just perceived," research director Jason Disano told The Canadian Press in a phone interview from Saskatoon.

Disano said the respondents' answers seems to be influenced by their political lean.

For example, in the Prairie provinces, respondents answered in ways that align with conservative policies, Disano said.

The survey suggested people on the Prairies were more likely than in any other region to believe that the issues of fighting climate change and banning assault weapons were dividing Canadians. In Central Canada, however, respondents didn't think a ban on weapons was a divisive topic.

"We see a lot of identity politics that's taking hold in Canada, that has been taking hold in the U.S., particularly in the last five to six years," Disano said. "And we're seeing sort of that carryover to Canada. And it's a problem."

Respondents in Quebec were more likely than those in other regions to believe society has become less polarized. Disano attributed that result to more moderate or liberal views.

Quebec residents who participated in the survey also said they were less likely than people in Western Canada, including British Columbia, to have reduced contact with a friend or family member because of differing views.

"We do see these regional differences, which to a large extent are informed by the political leanings of the residents of those various regions," Disano said.

"Unfortunately, what we're seeing is politicians that are using that division for political benefit when those leaders should be seeking to unite us and not divide us."

When it comes to uniting Canadians, the respondents said provisions of international aid (55 per cent) and increasing ethnic diversity (53 per cent) were issues that brought them together.

The survey was reliable to within plus or minus three per cent, with a 95 per cent confidence level.

MORE National ARTICLES

Emergency powers end but questions linger

Emergency powers end but questions linger
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday the extraordinary, time-limited powers would be pulled back now that the immediate crisis is over. They were brought in last week to respond to protests and blockades against COVID-19 restrictions and the Liberal government.

Emergency powers end but questions linger

Attempted robbery in Richmond involves snatching of a senior's purse

Attempted robbery in Richmond involves snatching of a senior's purse
One of the occupants of the SUV tried pulling her inside the vehicle and stealing her purse. The suspect or suspects then fled in this vehicle after their attempt was unsuccessful.

Attempted robbery in Richmond involves snatching of a senior's purse

A look at the Omicron subvariant BA.2

A look at the Omicron subvariant BA.2
BA.2 was detected in Canada as early as December, according to Health Canada data, but a report last week from the B.C. COVID-19 modelling group suggests the newer Omicron strain could be spreading faster in parts of the country than the current dominant version, BA.1.

A look at the Omicron subvariant BA.2

Alberta budget set to rebound on high oil prices

Alberta budget set to rebound on high oil prices
 It's budget day in Alberta, and Premier Jason Kenney says there will be a massive infusion of money for the health-care system. Kenney says the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a system that has too few hospital beds, labs and intensive care spaces.

Alberta budget set to rebound on high oil prices

Trudeau condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine

Trudeau condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine
Trudeau said he would be meeting Thursday with G7 partners and would work quickly with NATO and Canada's allies "to collectively respond to these reckless and dangerous acts, including by imposing significant sanctions in addition to those already announced."

Trudeau condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine

Ottawa approves made-in-Canada COVID vaccine

Ottawa approves made-in-Canada COVID vaccine
Health Canada says its effectiveness and safety in those under 18 and over 64 have "not yet been established." Clinical trials suggested the vaccine was 71 per cent effective in protecting against COVID-19 one week after the second dose. The dosing schedule is 21 days apart.

Ottawa approves made-in-Canada COVID vaccine