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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

ANGUS REID INSTITUTE: Canada and the Culture Wars: In the first of a multi-part series, Canadians weigh in on the nation’s divided discourse


Canadians say we’re changing how we talk to each other, split over whether it’s a good or bad thing

 

It’s a familiar refrain these days: Canadians are having a harder time talking to each other.

A multitude of factors have contributed to what is a perceived increase in polarization between different groups, generations, and political spheres in this country, and alongside this, an increase in often intense conversations with friends, family, and other Canadians.

Within this environment, the Angus Reid Institute has undertaken a wide-ranging study to better understand the perspectives of Canadians on a host of issues – from gender and identity, to race, Indigenous issues and the legacy of colonization, to free speech and precautions taken to ensure the comfort of those who don’t wish to partake in charged debates. These topics have become flashpoints in what has been labelled as the “culture wars”.

Exploring these contentious grounds can help to answer some questions. Are our conversations really changing? Do we have common interests to build upon? Where do the values of Canadians diverge? Over the coming weeks, this six-part series will endeavour to help this conversation along and provide insight for Canadians to better understand each other.

Throughout these studies, ARI will utilize a segmentation, derived from responses across the spectrum of these at-times controversial issues, which sorts Canadians into five broad groups that describe their relation to the cultural conversation ...

CLICK HERE for the first installment of this series

 

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