Identity, Faith. Learning and Interfaith Relations in Canada Presentation for

1. Identity, Faith. Learning and Interfaith Relations in Canada Presentation for Interfaith and Belonging Canadian Race Relations Foundation JACK JEDWAB ASSOCIATION FOR CANADIAN STUDIES October 16, 2012

2. Methodology Conducted by the firm Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, was done via web panel with 1522 respondents between March 17 and March 19, 2012. Across the country an equivalent phone survey would have a margin of error of 2.9 points 19 times out of 20)

3. Attachment to religion lowest across identities-increases amongst 65 plus

4. Importance of religion and belief in God is lowest amongst youth

5. Francophones least likely to believe that a high power governs

6. Canadians can practice freely but rights of women may be affected

7. Yes to Religious Pluralism, But…

8. Francophones least likely to believe that religion can resolve personal problems

9. It is leaders and not religious people that lack trust

10. Those who believe that God exists are most likely to trust religious leaders

11. Those who consider religion as important in their lives are far more inclined to affirmGod’s existence (see table below) and far more likely to agree that good deeds will be rewarded

12. Young Canadians least likely to trust religious leaders

13. Those who want to learn more about other religions more likely to agree that religion unifies

14. Those who want to learn more about other religions more positive about Muslims

15. Those who want to learn more about other religions more positive about Jews

16. Those who want to learn more about other religions more positive about MC Policy

17. Those who want to learn more about other religions more trusting of Muslims

18. Those who want to learn more about other religions more trusting of Jews

19. Those supporting interfaith dialogue more likely to agree that religion unifies

20. Muslims less trusted than other groups

21. As observed below, some 43% of Canadians strongly agree that they have heard negative comments about Muslims over the past year compared with 31% in the case of Aboriginals and 25% in the case of Jews.

22. People least likely to agree that discrimination towards black people not their fault

23. Most Canadians possess negative view of relations between Muslims and non-Muslims

24. Young people more optimistic around relations between Muslims and non-Muslims

25. Those who were the most likely to have heard negative comments about Muslims were the most likely to hold negative opinions about them. But those with moderate exposure to such comments held negative views to the same degree as those who heard very little negative remarks about Muslims.

26. Negative comments about Muslims have been heard to roughly equal degrees across the age spectrum

27. When comparing the provinces, it is British Columbians that are least likely to report that they heard negative comments about Muslims with residents of Saskatchewan most likely to have heard them.

28. Quebecers most negative about relations between Jews and non-Jews

29. Young Canadians somewhat less likely to be positive about relations between Jews and non-Jews

30. In the case of Jews, those who were more exposed to negative comments were more likely to hold negative opinions about the group

31. In the case of Jews, it is the youngest cohort that is somewhat more exposed to negative remarks.

32. Manitobans were least likely to hear negative remarks about Jews which was most common in Quebec