Growing inequality: Prof sees warning signs in Canada

Canadians have lived in a cohesive society for the past 60 years, but one UBC researcher recognizes the signs that it’s fracturing. UBC Reports sat down with Charles Ungerleider,  a professor in UBC’s Faculty of Education who studies the sociology of education, to discuss how Canada is changing.

Q

What is social cohesion and what does it mean to Canada?

A

A good way to define social cohesion is to ask the question: How much and what kinds of differences can exist in a social group without the group fracturing?  The problem of social cohesion is particularly acute for Canada: its geography is vast; its population is diverse; its political landscape is fragmented; its central institutions are weak; and its closest neighbour is enormously powerful.

Q

How does Canada do in social cohesion?

A

Given the pressures, Canada does quite well.  After the Second World War, Canada adopted policies and practices that have promoted social justice and contributed to social cohesion including human rights legislation, recognition of official languages, the adoption of an official policy of multiculturalism, immigration reform and many other initiatives. By addressing inequalities, Canada became a more cohesive society.

Q

What are the consequences of having an increasingly egalitarian society?

A

On the personal level, the percentage of Canadians in inter-religious unions and the percentage of Canadians who marry people from different ethno-cultural backgrounds has been increasing steadily over time.  On the public level, Canadian election studies from 1993 to 2004 show that immigrant interest and participation in politics exceeds the levels for the Canadian-born population.  These are signs of Canada’s capacity to incorporate difference. But the progress we’ve made is fragile and today I see evidence of growing inequalities between groups.

Q

What warning signs do you see  in Canada?

A

Despite the progress Canada has made, racism, discrimination, and inequality remain relevant issues for Canadians.   I can provide examples in three different contexts.  Since the attack on the World Trade Centre, the ways that some Canadians talk about security seems xenophobic. Since the 1980s, the earnings of successive cohorts of immigrants have declined in relation to the earning of those born in Canada.  In Canada’s three largest cities, there is evidence of significant educational inequalities among ethno-cultural groups in terms of graduation rates and educational pathways.

Q

If the trends and problems continue, what’s the worst case scenario?

A

When there are significant inequalities between groups and members of disadvantaged groups feel that there is nothing they can do to overcome the obstacles they face, they become frustrated and alienated.  This may make them more prone to use deviant and possibly violent means to get what they need.  We don’t want to get to that point.

Q

What can we do  to prevent this?

A

We need to be more vigilant about the differences that already exist, to identify what is at the root of the problem, and act to change the conditions that gave rise to the problem.  For instance, regarding high school graduation rates, we want to know what is impeding the progress of some groups of students.  We need to use our understanding of the impediments to remove those barriers.

As an educator, I’m an optimist. Social policy can and does address inequality in income.  Informed educational policies and practices can improve student success in schools.  We also should show our disapproval of xenophobic speech and support those who are victimized.