Geographies of Discrimination: Variations in Perceived Discomfort and Discrimination in Canada's Gateway Cities

Abstract

Discomfort and discrimination experienced by racial minorities is of growing concern. Perceived racial discrimination and discomfort raise questions about social cohesion in pluralist democracies such as Canada and the United States, particularly in immigrant gateway cities that are increasingly heterogeneous. Little research has examined metropolitan variations in perceived discomfort or discrimination despite their distinct social, economic, and housing characteristics and varied histories of inter-group relations. Using the Ethnic Diversity Survey, a population survey that provides detailed information about individuals' experiences of racial discrimination and discomfort, we describe the frequency of racial discomfort and discrimination reported by Canadian-and foreignborn ethnic and racial minority groups living in major gateway cities. Using logistic regression, we investigate how social and demographic characteristics such as ethnoracial identity and behaviours such as involvement in ethnic organisations influence experiences of discrimination and discomfort in Montréal, Toronto, and

Neighbourhood context and abuse among immigrant and non-immigrant women in Canada: findings from the Maternity Experiences Survey

“…Those residing in neighbourhoods with high concentrations of immigrants might face less social isolation and discrimination (Hou and Wu 2009; Ray and Preston 2009). According to the spatial assimilation model (Alba et al 2000), upon arrival immigrants seek out neighbourhoods with a high concentration of immigrants; these serve as social and economic enclaves.…”

“…2009;Ray and Preston 2009). These high immigrant concentration neighbourhoods have been associated with less discrimination (Hunt et al 2007) and can provide social support through social networks, informal social institutions, vernacular information, familiar cultural practices and trust (Hou and Wu 2009).…”

Experiences of discrimination and discomfort: A comparison of metropolitan and non‐metropolitan locations

“…This article reports findings from a larger study of geographies of discrimination and discomfort in Canada that has used the EDS to explore exclusion at multiple geographical scales. A comparison of the experiences of individual visible minority groups in MTV revealed different patterns of discrimination and discomfort across the three large metropolitan areas, as well as important variations in the relative significance of a number of determinants of discrimination (Ray and Preston, 2009). Here, we examine the exclusion of racial and ethnic minorities across the country.…”

“…Social context and the nature of interactions also influence perceptions of well‐being (Townshend, 2001). Specifically, people are more likely to report discrimination in situations where they do not trust other people to treat them fairly (Dion, 2002; Ray and Preston, 2009). On the other hand, evidence suggests that positive interactions with people outside one's own ethno‐racial group promote trust, while negative social interactions are likely to reduce it (Hou and Wu, 2009).…”

“…On the other hand, evidence suggests that positive interactions with people outside one's own ethno‐racial group promote trust, while negative social interactions are likely to reduce it (Hou and Wu, 2009). 5 In Canada's gateway cities, individuals whose social networks are dominated by people from the same ethno‐racial group also report less trust than those with more diverse social contacts (Ray and Preston, 2009). Magee, Fong and Wilkes (2007) indicate that people whose networks are comprised of co‐ethnics are more likely to hear about and report incidents of discrimination.…”