Tuesday, July 20, 2004

SPOTLIGHT: Sense of belonging

We’re proud of our country

The vast majority of Canadians – even people in Quebec – feel a deep sense of belonging to their country, a new study has found.

This feeling of attachment is stronger than the emotional links Canadians feel for their home provinces, and even for their local communities.

About 85% of 25,000 people surveyed in 2003 described their sense of belonging to Canada as "very strong" or "somewhat strong."

Only 13% described their feelings as "somewhat weak" or "very weak."

The majority of respondents also said they felt a very strong or somewhat strong sense of belonging to their province and their local community. However, such views were less prevalent than they were at the national level.

Quebeckers attached to Canada

These views about the nation were less prevalent in Quebec than elsewhere. Still, three-quarters (74%) of Quebeckers described their sense of belonging to the country as either very strong or somewhat strong.

Outside Quebec, differences from province to province in feelings of belonging were modest. About 87% of people in British Columbia described their sense of belonging to Canada as very strong or somewhat strong, which was the lowest proportion. The highest proportion, 95%, was in Prince Edward Island.

Just over three-quarters (78%) of Canadians described their sense of belonging to their province in such strong terms. Asked about their attachment, 82% of Quebeckers said they felt a strong or very strong sense of belonging to Quebec.

French-speaking Quebeckers had an attachment to their province that was comparable to that expressed by individuals in most other provinces.

With respect to the sense of community belonging, 68% of Canadians said they felt strong attachments to their local municipality, well below the proportion claiming strong national ties.

Not surprisingly, feelings of community belonging were more prevalent among individuals who had lived in their area for longer periods of time.

Rural areas and smaller towns

Those in rural areas and smaller towns were more likely than those in large cities to describe their sense of community belonging as somewhat strong or very strong.

This study was designed to further understanding by shedding light on the many ways in which Canadians engage in civic and social life.

Such “social capital” has attracted the interest of researchers and policy-makers. Many of them wish to develop a better understanding of how social networks and norms of trust and reciprocity may contribute positively to individual and social outcomes.

Preliminary findings of a new report show a positive relationship between the various dimensions of this “social capital” and the satisfaction people derive in their lives.

You can read the report 2003 General Social Survey on Social Engagement, Cycle 17: An Overview of Findings on our website.

For more information, contact Grant Schellenberg (613-951-9580), Demography Division.

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© 2004, Statistics Canada.