Global Courant
A new national survey of the experiences of black Canadians and other racial groups found that many people from these communities see workplaces as the “epicenters” of racial discrimination and unfairness.
The study, titled Black Canadian National Survey research project (BCNS), was conducted by York University’s Institute for Social Research (ISR) in collaboration with the Canadian Race Relations Foundation to examine the social, political and economic ties between races and ethnicities.
Lorne Foster, a York professor and principal investigator on the final report, said this project brings black people’s lived experiences to the forefront.
“I believe that in many studies, the black community has been silenced or removed from many conversations,” Foster told CTVNews.ca Thursday, adding that when statistical researchers use the term “visible minority,” they are referring to many different groups in Canada, without discerning the nuances of each.
“These data and the situations that came to light show that a lack of morale is much more prevalent in the black community,” he said. “Race increases the feelings of discrimination and deprivation that these racialized groups have.”
According to the final report, 47 percent of Black people surveyed believe they have been treated unfairly by an employer in the past year when hiring, paying or being promoted. That’s three times higher than white Canadians at 15 percent.
The data collection for the report consisted of two surveys, a national web survey that received more than 5,000 responses, and a national web survey of the black community.
The final report also includes responses from a wiki poll – a dynamic tool used to gauge people’s views on policies and services – which received 10,199 votes.
“People think of this as just another study out there. But this is a base of disaggregated race data to determine exactly what’s going on in society,” said the lead researcher, calling the findings “groundbreaking.”
SYSTEMATIC RACISM AND PROFILING
The BCNS report looked at experiences in various sectors, such as the criminal justice system, healthcare, education and social services.
Some of the report’s findings include 90 percent of Black Canadians surveyed and 82 percent of Indigenous people view racism in the criminal justice system as a serious problem.
“There really are some deep trust gaps between the black community and the police across Canada,” Foster said.
The data shows that an average of 22 percent of black people, both men and women, report being wrongfully stopped by police across Canada in the past 12 months.
That’s more than any other group, as other racialized Canadians and Indigenous peoples make up an average of 10 percent, while only five percent of white Canadians reported being wrongfully stopped by police, according to the report.
In terms of the education sector, 73 percent of black Canadians and 53 percent of other racialized people said racism is a serious or very serious problem within the education system, while 36 percent of white Canadians agreed with the statement.
Foster said this disaggregated data and race analysis could hold the key to addressing systemic issues.
“I truly believe the only way you can address structural vulnerability and systemic racism is to be armed with this relevant data,” Foster said.
However, more studies and data collection need to be done before conclusions can be drawn.
“It’s like when you go to the doctor,” he said. “You wouldn’t suggest that someone has a problem or disease based on one test.”
“We raised potential issues that need to be addressed further.”
TACKLING RACISM ACROSS CANADA
Surprisingly, Foster said many people think negative experiences impacting black communities are a “big city problem.”
However, the report shows that there are major differences across the country.
In Atlantic regions, 40 percent of black men said they were unfairly held back, and 41 percent said the same in BC
In Quebec and Ontario it was 31 and 30 percent respectively.
“This could create a new national narrative if people realize this,” he said.
Foster wants counties to collect data to improve the quality of life of their residents. He says he has been working with the Ontario government on good race data collection to dismantle racism and is currently working on something similar with the Nova Scotia government.
“This is a snowball effect that should force decision makers and power brokers. At least now people are listening at the political level,” he said.
The BCNS survey was co-sponsored by the Multicultural History Association of Ontario with funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
