Muslims the Target of Most Racial Bias

| Filed under: National, Social Issues

Muslims the Target of Most Racial Bias

4-in -10 adults are biased against one or more groups

TORONTO December 8th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1304 Canadian adults, 4-in-10 express some level of bias, or unfavourable feelings, against identifiable racial groups (41%), and the one group most like to be a target is Muslims (28% unfavourable feelings, 54% favourable feelings). After Muslims, the group most likely to suffer bias is First Nations people (16% unfavourable feelings, 71% favourable). After First Nations people, come South Asians (11% unfavourable), Asians (10% unfavourable), Jewish people (9% unfavourable) and, finally, Blacks (8% unfavourable).

Muslims excite the most animosity in Quebec (48% unfavourable) and among Conservatives (40% unfavourable).

First Nations people suffer bias mostly in the prairies (25% unfavourable) and Alberta (27% unfavourable feelings), and among Conservatives (30% unfavourable).

South Asians are most likely to suffer bias in Atlantic Canada (17%) and among Conservatives (17%).

Asians suffer bias in Atlantic Canada (16%) and among Conservatives (14%).

Jews are the victims of unfavourable sentiments primarily in Quebec (21%).

Blacks are the targets of bias more so in Atlantic Canada (12%) than elsewhere.

Overall, 4-in10 Canadian adults have unfavourable feelings about one of the groups mentioned (41%), and this is most common in Quebec (57%) and among Conservatives (57%).

“It is clear from these findings that respondents in Quebec are the most likely to hold unfavorable feelings towards Jewish and Muslim people. It is also clear that out of the three main political parties, the Conservatives, are the most likely to hold unfavorable feelings towards at least one group," said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.