Ethnicity and citizenship attitudes in Canada: Analyses of a 1991 national survey

The purpose of this article was to examine the citizenship attitudes of Canadians, specifically as these attitudes may vary by ethnic origin. Citizenship attitudes were operationalized in terms of having a Canadian (as opposed to a provincial or ethnic) identity and having a positive attachment to Canada. Results from a national survey with 3325 respondents conducted in 1991 by Angus Reid for Multiculturalism and Citizenship Canada were analyzed. Preference for a particular type of self‐identity (Canadian, British‐Canadian, French‐Canadian, Provincial, Other Ethnic‐Canadian, Other National) was assessed, as well as the rated strength of each of these identities. A scale measuring Canadianism, that is defined as an attachment to Canada was also used. Results showed that citizenship attitudes in Canada outside Québec are remarkably positive, with very few differences among respondents from various ethnic origins. In Québec, a distinctive pattern of attitudes reflecting Québec nationalism was found.