How friendly are Canadians?
Only two out of five Canadians under the age of 35 can rely on their neighbors if they suddenly fall ill.
A fresh poll from the Angus Reid Institute shows how COVID-19 has affected neighbourhood relations in Canada. Thirty-six per cent of Canadians have recently become less involved with their neighbors, with most believing that the pandemic is to blame. But that's not the only reason.
Why have people become less communicative with their neighbors?
- COVID-19 is to blame, 78% of those surveyed answered.
- People hardly ever leave the house — 43%.
- People have become less friendly — 38%.
- People worry about offending their neighbor — 29%.
- There is no desire to communicate — 23%.
- Ignorance of the language is an obstacle — 10%.
People over 65 were more likely to blame the pandemic — among them 85% cited this option. Young people said they didn't want to socialize: this was the main reason for social isolation for 37% of Canadians aged 18 to 24 and 30% of Canadians aged 25 to 34.
The sense of community with the people who live nearby is highly dependent on age:
- 70% of Canadians over 54 and 50% of Canadians under 35 say they feel part of their neighbourhood;
- 75% of Canadians over age 65 and 40% of Canadians under age 35 believe they can turn to their neighbors for help when they are sick;
- 70% of Canadians over 45 and 50% of Canadians under 35 will find someone in their neighbourhood who will lend them $20 CAD.
Predictably, rural residents are more likely to feel they can trust their neighbors than urban residents. Seventy-six percent of rural residents would turn to their neighbors for help in case of illness — and only 58% of city dwellers.
What creates a sense of community?
- The place where a person lives now. 46% of respondents feel a sense of community with the people who live nearby.
- The place where a person grew up. 45% feel a sense of community with their fellow countrymen.
- Same field of work or similar education. This is the opinion of 41% of those surveyed.
- Nationality, race, and culture unite 28% of Canadians.
- Similar life experiences (belonging to an LGBT or visible minority, disability) are shared by 19% of respondents.
- A love of one sports team unites 18% of Canadians.
- Religion also unites 18% of Canadians.
People over 55 years of age and living in rural areas experience community with people who live nearby more often. When assessing their neighborhood, they are most concerned about safety and access to medical services. People under 35 years of age are more concerned about the availability of housing.
Among people under 35, the percentage of those who feel connected to people of their own nationality or belonging to the same minority is higher than in the other age groups. People of visible minorities are very attached to people of their race or ethnicity, with 53% of them choosing this option, compared to only 29% of indigenous people.
