How is Canada's racial climate? I know its still tense here in the states, but how is it in Canada?

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SteveN

Every country has some racism. Anyone who says Canada does not is pretty much lying to you and themselves.

But the question is if we would consider it "tense" and whether our society tolerates it. To that the answer is no. In most major cities, it is rare to see people that are openly racist, like not hiring someone because they are black, refusing them service because of their ethnic background, etc.

There are occasional racist events, but it is usually triggered by something happening that affects the people in the area.

For example, during the Oka Crisis in Montreal, the First Nations people (Canada's natives) set up roadblocks on the Mercier Bridge, on of the major thoroughfares off the island of Montreal. At the end of the siege, local Lasalle residents were so frustrated and angry that they turned violent with the evacuating First Nations vehicles, pelting them and the people inside with large rocks and bottles.

Over the years there have been cases of vandalism, even firebombs, against Jewish synagogues, cemeteries and schools. From what I saw this was more often from teenagers who are out to get their kicks and upset a community rather than out of true hatred for the race.

I think that the most tension we have in Canada tends to get divided along language lines rather than racial ones. We always seem to have a conflict between the English and the French. Another answerer hinted at that regarding his comments about speaking French out west. This is because in the 1970's, the French separatists came into power in Quebec, and many of the English here saw this as the beginning of the end. They sold their homes and moved out to Ontario, or to Alberta where there was a job boom at the time. There may still be some resentment for some people on feeling that they were essentially forced out by the new French-protectionist laws that were enacted in Quebec at that time.

But now that I've told you all our dirty laundry, let me say that I work in one of the most culturally diverse companies I have ever seen. I have a Tunisian, an Indian, a Portugese, a Fillipino, and a Chinese fellow as some of my friends. And we get kicks out of joking lightheartedly about each other's ethnicity and different customs. I don't think I've seen this anywhere else I have been to.

Randy B

After having visited many areas of the States I'd feel confident in stating that our racial climate is nothing like it is in the US. We have stresses like any multi cultural group of people but certainly nothing on the line of what it is in the US.

freeside49

honestly, in the cities there is not a second thought given to it. It is considered bad taste in personal life and absolutely taboo on business side to be racist. I live in an area of Vancouver which is about 45% visable minority, primarily punjabis from india, vietnamese, chinese and more recently sudan... its not even possible most times to identify where exactly someone is "from" so you just give up and realize we are all humans. Dont forget we dont have the same dynamic as states does with a significant block of "minority" who are not immigrants and feel an injustice. The closest we have to that is a signifcant aboriginal culture (3-5 of population) who want some of that land back and yea if we dont deal with that once and for all we could have a simialr problem with them turining to more radical means and causing a rift of us and them which is the bases of racism??

Not to say there is no racism as we have fringe groups here who would like the country to remain "theirs" but truth be told we are all pretty recent immigrants , country wise, most of us do not have took too far back to see the immigrant .

LAB RAT

In Canada we love everybody. H3LL; we even tolerate Americans. It's a virtual Shangri la. We so full of the ''' milk of human kindness and tolerance ''' that we can barely stand ourselves.

Jake

Canada is nothing like the states

Don S

Having travelled much of the states I can safely say what we would consider as racist in Canada wouldn't even hardly register when compared to the norm down there. I was floored when I walked into a bar and found the barman wearing an "Equal rights for Southern Whites" t-shirt. I also walked into clubs were we got the hair eyeball from the entire club (on base) and until the bartender there announced that's it's OK these white boys are Canadian, then it was fine and we were able to get served and enjoy ourselves.

Shelley

There are still racial issues in parts of Canada

I grew up just outside Halifax Nova Soctia where there is a rich Black community. The events of Africville were still strong in people's minds I went to school with a lot of kids who's parents were forced out of the little community by the city.

There were some people in my own neighbourhood that seemed to blame the African Canadian community for the Drug and violence problems with in the school system. Truth be told I think most of the drugs were brought in my snobby rich white kids.

I remember in grade 7 a class mate of mine looking me square in the face and telling me how much she hated White people. Granted the girl didn't like be from the time we met in grade 1 so really it was just another thing to add to the list.

When I moved back home to Newfoundland there isn't a much racial diversity as other parts of Canada. First day of grade 9 I looked around at the gym full of students and couldn't get over how white the room was. It was boring with everyone looking the same.

In my Juniour high religion took over as the thing that divided people. Second day of class I was asked by a student what my religion was. Most people don't care but just like you have the odd racist there was the odd person who thought their religion was the best. In my mom and dads day and prior it was Irish Catholics Vs English Anglicans. But now there are more Protestant religions which sometimes cause religious tensions with in groups of people.

When I went to University at last full cultural diversity. There are proffs and students from all over the globe. There are some language barriers but I think for the most part everyone gets along. I think it's important in education to experience other cultures.

i think over all the Racial climate in Canada isn't as tense as the US. However you still have an " Us Vs Them" Attitude held by some people

mms's

hate to sound cliche but America is the melting pot where everyone tries to be "American' and Canada is the cultural mosaic where one tries to fit together. I'm Canadian, I don't count myself as a hyphenated person which is very common is the US (african american) even though my parents came in the early 70's.

casey s

Canada is a paradise on Earth we have no racial problems here no crime no poverty and no un-employment.

A little research will show you I am right.

LONG LIVE CANADA, THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH !!

Gypsy

This Canadian doesn't give a sh*t what race, color or creed you are. I. Just. Don't. Care.

old lady

Canada prides itself on being a multicultural society. They have never had racial problems like those in the states, and likely never will.

emery!

There is very very little racism in Canada. The majority of us are either immigrants, children of immigrants, or at least mixed races.

There is not that much racism toward First Nations people, most of the slurs I hear are from First Nations people, toward themselves (my brother in law calls himself an injun all the time.. he is Ojibwa) as a joke.

*I'm not including the east coast in this. There isn't nearly as much diversity there as in the rest of the country, and there is surely racism there.

Brianna's Mommy

Canada is quite different than the states in this matter. Some racism does exist, but I have never heard any racial slurs toward black, asians...basically any of the ethnic groups that have people racist toward them in the US. Unfortunately, in some areas of the country, you will find that we are quite racist toward our First Nations (Indian) people. It really depends upon where you go in the country. I am in Saskatchewan, and I hear racist jokes toward First Nations people all the time. I don't know if I would say that it's "tense". There isn't any gang violence or actual physical attacks, but people do make racial slurs and remarks.

MasterPython

There are a lot fewer non white people in Canada so the naturally there is less racism.

You can be any color in Canada, and you will not raise an eyebrow.

Just don't have the brilliant idea of speaking French out West!

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