The importance of our ancestral connections: The relationship between attachment to ethnic origin (s) and attachment to Canada

Nearly two-thirds of Canadians—64 per cent—say they are attached to their ethnic origins or ancestry, including 28 per cent who describe themselves as very attached. Attachment is relatively widespread across the country, reaching 67 per cent in both Quebec and Atlantic Canada, 66 per cent in British Columbia and 65 per cent in Ontario. Quebecers and British Columbians are the most likely to say they are very attached to their ancestry, at 33 and 32 per cent respectively.

At the same time, national attachment remains considerably stronger. Eighty-two per cent of Canadians say they are attached to Canada, including 50 per cent who are very attached. Regional differences are nevertheless significant. Attachment to Canada reaches 92 per cent in Atlantic Canada, compared with 73 per cent in Quebec. Only 33 per cent of Quebecers say they are very attached to Canada, compared with 63 per cent in Atlantic Canada, 58 per cent in Alberta and 55 per cent in British Columbia.

One of the most important findings concerns generational change. Canadians aged 18 to 24 are the age group most likely to say they are very attached to their ethnic origins, at 36 per cent. Yet 85 per cent of this same age group say they are attached to Canada. The youngest Canadians therefore appear comfortable holding both identities simultaneously. Their attachment to ancestry does not translate into rejection of the country.

There is, however, a major age divide in the intensity of Canadian attachment. Only 40 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 24 say they are very attached to Canada, compared with 62 per cent of those aged 55 to 64 and 69 per cent of those aged 65 and older. Younger Canadians are not necessarily detached from Canada, but their attachment is more likely to be qualified as “somewhat” rather than “very” strong.