The Globe and Mail and CTV commissioned a poll through the Strategic Council on demographic data and visible minorities/immigrants. Dated April 14/08.
Some of the findings:
Question: Is accepting new immigrants of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds a defining and enriching part of our Canadian identity?
- 30% agreed that “Accommodating so many new Canadians of such diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds means we have less in common as Canadians and that this weakens our sense of national identity”
- 61% agreed that “Having all this diversity is actually a defining and enriching part of our Canadian identity and strengthen our sense of national identity”.
Question: Do Canadians feel new immigrants hold on to their customs and traditions for too long?
- 45% agreed that “New Canadians hold on to their customs and traditions for too long when they come to Canada”.
- 47% agreed that “New Canadians integrate into Canadian life at a natural and acceptable pace”.
& other findings:
- 28% strongly agree that Canadians make too many accommodations to visible minorities in Canada
- 22% strongly disagree that Canadians make too many accommodations to visible minorities in Canada
See more at the Strategic Council website.