One year after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer prompted thousands to gather at the Manitoba Legislature for a Black Lives Matter demonstration, Winnipeggers see few improvements in race relations and little progress made by the Winnipeg Police Service on this front.

More than one-half of Winnipeggers say race relations haven’t changed much in the last 12 months, and if they have it’s been for the worse. Indeed, nearly one-quarter feel race relations have deteriorated over the last year.

chart showing views on whether race relations have improved in Winnipeg

Winnipeggers are slightly more encouraged by the work of Winnipeg Police when it comes to making changes due to the Black Lives Matter movement. One in six Winnipeggers feel police have made changes for the better. However, 42 per cent see no changes, and nearly as many Winnipeggers simply do not know.

chart showing the perceived effect of the Black Lives Matter movement on Winnipeg Police

There are very few differences in views on these questions among demographic subgroups, such as age and gender. Younger Winnipeggers are slightly more likely to feel police have made no changes, while older Winnipeggers (those 55+) are slightly more likely to feel police have made changes for the better because of the BLM movement. Parents are also slightly more likely to feel police have made no changes during the past 12 months.

 

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 600 adults residing in Winnipeg between June 2nd and 11th, 2021.

With a sample of 600, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results are within ± 4.9 percentage points of what they would have been if the entire adult population of Winnipeg had been surveyed. The margin of error is higher within each of the survey’s population sub-groups.​

The sample consists of 279 Winnipeg adults randomly recruited via live-agent operator; 169 randomly recruited via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and 152 members of Probe Research's online panel. All respondents completed the survey on an online platform.

Modified random digit dialing, including both landline and wireless numbers, ensured all Winnipeg adults had an equal opportunity to participate in this Probe Research survey.

Minor statistical weighting has been applied to this sample to ensure that age and gender characteristics properly reflect known attributes of the city’s population. All data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical analysis software.​