Insights
Free trade wasn’t just Mulroney’s key achievement – it is one of the most dramatic public opinion turnarounds in Canada’s history
Over time, more and more Canadians have reached the conclusion that we can have more trade with the Americans without becoming more like them.
The mood was bleak in 2023, but fret not - we’ve been here before
Canadians will find some way to get through this with their penchants for tolerance, equality and inclusion intact
Canada is sorry – a lot. We shouldn’t apologize for that
Time will tell whether a national willingness to apologize for the past is merely a cultural quirk, or a resource we can draw on to create a better future.
'Notwithstanding' support for the Charter of Rights, there's work to do
A significant number of Canadians are unsure as to whether governments or the courts should have the final say in Charter cases
One issue on which Canadians aren't polarized — the U.S.
Before we conclude that our politics is more polarized than ever, let’s remember it is possible to overcome even long-standing divisions and find common ground
The good and bad news from a public opinion researcher
Solid support for refugees has developed over the years. On fossil fuels, Alberta’s divisions can’t be ignored. And young Canadians are in bad shape.
The CPC needs to get back to bilingualism
To make real gains in French-speaking areas of the country, it is the party’s personality that will count
Canadians aren’t just adapting to diversity – there are data to show we’re embracing it
The Canadian identity is not weakening – it is shifting
The differences between Canada and the U.S. remain significant
A new survey from the Environics Institute confirms Canadian Conservatives have bigger differences with U.S. Republicans than Canadian Liberals
Surveys show Canadian are less polarized and angry than Americans
The gap today between Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. is about twice as wide as that in Canada between Conservatives and Liberals
Are Canadians finally at peace with their Constitution?
A reflection on the eve of the 40th anniversary of patriation and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
We’re witnessing the continuing cultural divergence of Canada and the United States
The centre of gravity in each of our cultures is in a radically different place, and each is moving along a different trajectory
50 years of multiculturalism
Michael Adams, president of the Environics Institute, says most Canadians view multiculturalism as an important symbol of what we aspire to as a society
Private sponsorship is much more than a feel-good project
As we mark World Refugee Day, it is important to recognize that many Canadians have stepped up to sponsor refugees, and many more are keen to do so.
Can Canada engage in a significant constitutional change that leaves us more united?
We need to go beyond the observation that the monarchy seems outdated, and prepare ourselves for the hard work of finding something that works better for us.
Changing social norms is the key to addressing racism
Social norms exert a powerful influence on how people interact with others, and deserve greater attention in addressing systemic racism
COVID-19 changed everything, except Canada’s values of inclusiveness
While populists around the world have used the pandemic’s many upheavals to sow fears against newcomers, Canada might never have been more sure of its broadly welcoming spirit than now