NEWS RELEASE

Aboriginal/Non-Aboriginal Relations in Winnipeg,

September 2014

WINNIPEG IS A DIVIDED CITY, CITIZENS SAY

Majority of Winnipeg Residents (75%) Acknowledge Divide Between
Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Citizens Is A Serious Problem
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Winnipeg Throughout its history, Winnipeg has been divided geographically by rivers
and rail lines. But a new Winnipeg Free Press/CTV Winnipeg survey conducted by Probe
Research Inc. shows that most Winnipeggers believe there is a deep racial gulf
between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal citizens and this this is indeed a serious
problem for the city.
The survey of 602 Winnipeg adults, conducted between September 18th and October
1st, shows that three-quarters of Winnipeg adults agree that the division between
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal citizens is a serious issue in our city. This includes 49
percent who strongly agree that this racial division is a major problem for Winnipeg and
an additional 26 percent who moderately agree that this is a serious issue.
One-quarter of those surveyed, on the other hand, do not think that the Aboriginal/nonAboriginal divide is a serious problem in Winnipeg (24%, including 9% who strongly
disagree and 15% who moderately disagree). One percent were unsure or did not
respond.

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Perceptions of a Divided City

7. I am now going to read you some statements. For each one, I would like you to tell me if you strongly agree, moderately agree,
moderately disagree or strongly disagree: The division between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal citizens is a serious issue in our city.
(n=9,999)

100%

75%
Moderately

80%

Strongly
26%
60%
24%

40%
49%

15%

20%

9%
0%
Agree

Disagree

Base: Winnipeg adults aged 18 years and older.

The proportion of those who agree that the gap between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal citizens is a serious problem was fairly consistent across all demographic subgroups. This includes among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents, with 74 percent of
Aboriginal respondents agreeing that the divide is a serious issue facing the city and 75
percent of non-Aboriginal respondents agreeing with the statement.
Some of the other key differences included:

Those with higher levels of education were more likely to agree that this issue is a
problem for Winnipeg (77% among university and college graduates, versus 68%
among those with a high school diploma or less).

Younger adults aged 18-34 years were more likely to disagree that this racial
divide is a problem (33%, versus 21% among those 35-54 years and 19% among
those aged 55 years and over). It should be noted, however, that even among
older citizens, most acknowledge there is a serious divide.

Supporters of the provincial Progressive Conservative party were more likely to

disagree that racial divisions within the city are a serious problem (32%, versus
19% among NDP supporters and 16% among Liberal supporters) although
again, most of these PC supporters view the city as being racially divided.

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VIEWS REGARDING ABORIGINAL/NON-ABORIGINAL RELATIONS

-- September 2014 -How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement: The division between
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal citizens is a serious issue in our city?
Total
Northwest
Northeast
Southeast
Southwest
Core
Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Area
(n=602)
(n=129)
(n=112)
(n=108)
(n=126)
(n=126)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
Agree
75
81
75
76
72
71
Disagree
24
15
25
22
27
29
Gender
Age
Men
Women
18-34
35-54
55+
(Base)
(n=288)
(n=314)
(n=176)
(n=230)
(n=167)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
Agree
72
78
67
77
79
Disagree
27
21
33
21
19
Education
Income
HS or
Some
Post-Sec.
<$30K
$30K$60K$100K+
Less
Post-Sec.
Grad
$59K
$99K
(Base) (n=145)
(n=129)
(n=319)
(n=91)*
(n=106) (n=174)
(n=130)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
Agree
68
78
77
75
75
75
74
Disagree
30
21
22
25
24
24
24
Provincial Party Preference
Home Ownership
Aboriginal Status
NDP
PC
Liberal
Own
Rent
Yes
No
(Base) (n=173)
(n=160)
(n=94)*
(n=467)
(n=119) (n=40)*
(n=552)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
Agree
80
67
84
77
66
74
75
Disagree
19
32
16
21
32
26
24
*Caution: Small Base
Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding

Page 3

This province-wide survey was designed and conducted by Probe Research Inc. via telephone
interviews conducted between September 18th and October 1st, 2014 among a random and
representative sampling of 602 Manitoba adults. With a sample of 602, one can say with 95 percent
certainty that the results are within +/- 4.0 percentage points of what they would have been if the
entire adult population of Winnipeg had been interviewed. The margin-of-error is higher within each
of the surveys population sub-groups. Modified random-digit dialing was used to ensure that all
Winnipeg adults would have an equal opportunity to participate in this Probe Research survey. Minor
statistical weighting has been applied to this sample to ensure that the age and gender balance
correspond with the city as a whole.

For more information on this survey, please contact:

Scott MacKay,
President,
Probe Research Inc.
Suite 850-125 Garry Street,
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3P2
Tel.: (204) 926-6567
Cell: (204) 955-9777
Fax: (204) 926-6566
E-mail: scott@probe-research.com
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