Since 2021, September 30 has been the National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada. From September 16 to 23, 2024, we surveyed Canadians to understand their attitudes and actions they will be taking on this day.
Some of the key highlights of our survey about Truth and Reconciliation Day include…
- Around a third of Canadians (29%) say that they are personally involved in participating in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. Among First Nations, Inuk, and Métis Canadians, two-thirds (66%) say they are personally involved in participating in this day.
- About half of Canadians (47%) believe the government should do more for reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
- First Nations, Inuk, and Métis Canadians believe there should be a high priority on ensuring access to clean drinking water within communities (89%), improving healthcare for Indigenous Canadians (85%), and educating Canadians about Indigenous Peoples and culture (83%).
- Many First Nations, Inuk, and Métis Canadians expressed that they would like non-Indigenous Canadians to better understand the impacts and experiences around intergenerational trauma, colonialism and systemic racism, current living conditions in Indigenous communities, and the diversity that exists among Indigenous communities and experiences.
- Since the Truth and Reconciliation report was completed nine years ago, half (49%) of First Nations, Inuk, and Métis Canadians believe there has been moderate progress in reconciling with Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. Only 9% feel there has been a lot of progress.
- Over half (54%) of Canadians are concerned about reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. However, there are higher levels of concern about other issues, such as the cost of living (95%), healthcare (95%), and house prices (90%). These societal challenges experienced in Canada may be taking some attention away from Truth and Reconciliation.
- When compared to four or five years ago, 58% of Canadians believe they are now more aware of the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
- When considering their own actions to contribute to Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, about half of Canadians mentioned they frequently or occasionally educate themselves (49%) or have conversations with friends, family, and colleagues on the topic (46%).
Methodology
This web survey was conducted from September 16 to September 23, 2024, with 1,294 Canadians (including 320 who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) aged 18 or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey.
For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size yields a margin of error no greater than ±2.72%, (19 times out of 20) for the Canadian sample.
