A recent poll conducted by Leger reveals that a majority of Canadians believe the country is making good progress on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The survey, which included 1,580 respondents and took place from June 20 to 22, aimed to gauge public sentiment ten years after the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report. Jack Jedwab, president and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies, emphasized that understanding Canadians’ perceptions of reconciliation is crucial for evaluating their feelings about the nation itself. However, given the online nature of the survey, its results should be interpreted cautiously, especially since only 47 respondents identified as Indigenous, limiting the representation of Indigenous perspectives.
The survey found that 55% of respondents feel Canada is progressing positively in its reconciliation efforts. However, attitudes toward progress differ significantly across age groups; only 40% of those aged 18 to 24 believe in progress, compared to 67% of individuals aged 65 and older. This unexpected result surprises Jedwab, who acknowledges ongoing issues in the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples. Despite these unresolved matters, the poll results appear to indicate some foundation on which to build further efforts toward reconciliation and understanding among Canadians.
Trust among Canadians is another significant aspect examined in the survey, revealing a generally high level of trust. Approximately 77% of respondents aged 18 to 24 expressed trust in others, while trust was notably lower among those aged 35 to 44, at 52%. Non-Indigenous respondents showed about 60% trust in Indigenous Peoples, with the highest trust levels reported in Nova Scotia and Ontario. Conversely, Saskatchewan, P.E.I., and Manitoba exhibited significantly lower trust levels. These findings highlight regional variations in attitudes toward Indigenous Peoples, further complicating the reconciliation narrative.
Pride in Canada’s history plays a crucial role in shaping opinions regarding reconciliation efforts. Among respondents who take pride in Canadian history, 68% feel the country is advancing in reconciliation, while only 39.3% of those lacking such pride share that view. The results suggest a strong correlation between pride in history and age, with 36% of younger respondents feeling proud, compared to 78% of older individuals. Francophone youth displayed more pride (59%) than their Anglophone peers (35%), a finding that surprised Jedwab given the province’s ongoing separatist discussions.
The small number of Indigenous respondents means the survey’s findings regarding their perspectives must be approached with caution. Jedwab stresses the need for more comprehensive research to better understand Indigenous opinions about Canada’s past and the current state of reconciliation. There is a pressing need to explore the diversity of Indigenous experiences and perspectives to draw meaningful conclusions about their relationship with Canada and the reconciliation process.
In light of these findings, the polling industry acknowledges that online surveys, like the one conducted by Leger, cannot provide a margin of error due to the non-random sampling nature. This limitation underscores the necessity for ongoing research to enhance understanding of reconciliation’s trajectory and the sentiments of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. As Canada navigates its enduring relationship with Indigenous Peoples, the insights gleaned from such surveys remain vital for promoting dialogue and fostering reconciliation efforts throughout the nation.
