A majority of Manitobans say they did or said something in the past that they now know was racist, finds a new Probe Research survey about racism in Manitoba conducted for the Winnipeg Free Press. 

More than one-half of Manitobans (56%) strongly or somewhat agree that, in hindsight, they did something in the past they now realize was racist. 

graph showing how many Manitobans did something racist in the past

One-quarter of those surveyed (26%) say they have personally experienced racism in some form during the past year. This includes one-half of Indigenous respondents and one-third first-generation immigrant respondents.

graph showing one-quarter of Manitobans directly experienced racism in past year

On a broader level, more than eight-in-ten Manitobans agree the division between Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens is a serious issue in our province, with seven-in-ten agreeing that racism in general is a serious problem. The proportion of Winnipeggers who believe the Indigenous/non-Indigenous divide is a major issue has remained relatively consistent over the past two years.

graph showing eight in ten Manitobans saying divisions among Manitobans is a serious issue

graph showing tracking for question among Winnipeg residents

About the Probe Research Omnibus

For more than two decades, Probe Research Inc. has undertaken quarterly omnibus surveys of random and representative samples of Manitoba adults. These scientific telephone surveys have provided strategic and proprietary insights to hundreds of public, private and not-for-profit clients on a range of social, cultural and public policy topics. The Probe Research Omnibus Survey is the province’s largest and most trusted general population survey.

Disclosure Statement

Probe Research is a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC) and confirms that this research fully complies with all CRIC Standards including the CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards and Disclosure Requirements. Learn more at: https://www.canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/standards/por/

Methodology

Probe Research surveyed a random and representative sampling of 1,000 adults residing in Manitoba between September 8 and 17, 2020.

With a sample of 1,000, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results are within ± 3.1 percentage points of what they would have been if the entire adult population of Manitoba had been surveyed. The margin of error is higher within each of the survey’s population sub-groups.

Modified random digit dialing, including both landline and wireless numbers, ensured all Manitoba adults had an equal opportunity to participate in this Probe Research survey. A CATI-to-web approach was employed whereby a live-voice operator randomly recruited respondents by telephone, inviting them to complete the survey via a secure online questionnaire. In addition, 317 randomly recruited Probe Research panel members were included in this general population adult sampling.

Minor statistical weighting has been applied to this sample based on known age, gender and previous provincial voting patterns of the province’s population. All data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical analysis software.