Canadian Multiculturalism and Diversity

Canada is one of the most ethnically diverse countries globally, and this diversity continues to grow each year. The country’s experience with diversity is often viewed as successful. However, it faces challenges such as systemic racism, discrimination, imported conflicts, and issues faced by newcomers in finding jobs, housing, and social services. As time passes, circumstances evolve. Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in public concern about immigration levels. Additionally, attitudes towards diversity are influenced by factors like economic downturns, especially during a recession, shifts in news sources due to social media, and foreign political situations, particularly in the United States.

This research aims to be the definitive study of the current state of Canada’s multicultural society, from the perspectives of Canadians and those with diverse ethnic, cultural, and immigration backgrounds. Research will consist of a large, diverse sample of the Canadian population, stratified by ethnicity, race, generation in Canada, and standard demographics (age, gender, income, etc.). This sample composition is the essential feature that makes it possible to address the content themes at a national level but (more importantly) across groups to identify commonalities and differences.

There is a considerable body of social research on various aspects of this topic, conducted by the Environics Institute, other think tanks, government agencies, and academics. This body of work is valuable in addressing separately many specific issues, such as attitudes to immigration, experiences of discrimination and racism, and barriers to economic and social integration. What is missing is a comprehensive perspective that spans the range of themes and that reflects the nuances in perspectives and experiences across the population’s diversity.

The research builds on previous research conducted by the Environics Institute (and others), but will broaden it by integrating a full range of relevant themes into one survey using an expanded sample to cover perspectives across important segments of the population.

1. How do Canadians view the country’s current ethnic/cultural composition and how it is changing?
2. What are Canadians' own experiences, in terms of their own background/identity and how they interact with others?
3. To what extent do first- and second-generation immigrations feel included fully or on equal terms in Canadian society and the economy?
4. How does the character of Canadian and Quebec nationalism accommodate different ethnicities and identities?
5. What can we learn from a comparison of perspectives between first- and /second- generation Canadians and non-immigrants in terms of how they view each other’s place in Canada?

The research would consist of a national survey of Canadians (covering the 10 provinces), conducted online with a large representative sample (~6,500) that provides effective coverage of the population across ethnic-racial groups and generations in Canada, as well as across regions and key demographic groups. A sample of this magnitude is an essential innovation that will make it possible to uncover the story from a diversity of perspectives, including those from the country’s largest racialized groups. The survey will be conducted in early 2026, with results published soon thereafter. This survey will be the definitive study providing a groundbreaking picture of Canada’s multicultural society.

• Environics Institute (external link) 

The content of the research will build on previous studies conducted by the Institute and others. It will include both established survey measures and new ones to address emerging and overlooked issues. The study will also provide data to follow up on Statistics Canada’s landmark Ethnic Diversity Survey (external link) , conducted over 20 years ago, examining the economic and social inclusion of Canadians from different backgrounds.

This project is currently in progress. Following a brainstorming and scoping meeting to develop the scope, themes, and topics to be covered by the survey, and discuss the sample design, the Environics team has developed the questionnaire and shared drafts for discussion. Technical design of the survey and fieldword strategy development are ongoing.

Canadian identity; citizenship; nationalism; multiculturalism; diversity