The Unseen Cost of Racism: How Canada’s Silence Fuels Its Persistence
Canada’s Complicated Truth
Canada has long been viewed globally as a progressive, inclusive society—one that celebrates diversity and embraces multiculturalism. This narrative, deeply embedded in the national psyche, has been reinforced by governmental policies, public diplomacy, and the country's diversity of culture, religion, and ethnicity. But beneath this idealized image lies a reality that many Canadians are reluctant to confront. Systemic racism persists in ways that are deeply ingrained in institutions, policies, and daily interactions, and this reality is all too often dismissed or minimized by those in power.
In 2016, nearly 1 in 5 Canadians identified as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group (Statistics Canada, 2016). Despite this, racialized communities—particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC)—continue to face significant barriers to economic, social, and political equality. Systemic racism in Canada isn't confined to one sector or one community; rather, it is a systemic issue that affects every level of society, from education to healthcare, employment, and the criminal justice system.
The Psychology of Systemic Racism
One of the core reasons systemic racism persists is the psychological phenomenon of unconscious bias. As humans, we are wired to categorize information in an attempt to simplify our interactions with the world. This innate tendency, which can be useful in some contexts, also contributes to racial stereotypes and discriminatory practices, particularly when biases operate outside of conscious awareness.
Research on implicit bias has shown that even well-intentioned people harbor subconscious prejudices. Studies, such as those conducted by Greenwald and Banaji (1995), have demonstrated that many individuals—especially those with little direct interaction with racial minorities—are influenced by stereotypes. These biases often influence hiring decisions, law enforcement practices, and even interactions between students and teachers in classrooms.
The role of institutionalized racism cannot be understated. It is not just individual attitudes but deeply ingrained practices and policies that contribute to unequal treatment. Many laws, regulations, and systems that affect Canadians—both past and present—were developed without considering the voices or needs of Indigenous peoples and racial minorities. The continued existence of such systems maintains the cycle of inequity.
The Education Gap: A Disservice to All
Education is one of the most significant battlegrounds in the fight against systemic racism. Canada's education system is far from immune to the biases that permeate other aspects of society. Indigenous children, for instance, continue to face substandard educational outcomes, with graduation rates that lag far behind their non-Indigenous peers. According to the Assembly of First Nations (2019), only 50% of First Nations students graduate from high school, compared to 83% of non-Indigenous students in Canada.
This educational gap leads to a cycle of economic disadvantage, where individuals who are not given the same opportunities for educational success are unable to enter higher-paying jobs or develop career opportunities. The lack of educational resources in Indigenous communities, combined with cultural insensitivity within mainstream schooling systems, further compounds these issues.
Racism and the Criminal Justice System: A Vicious Cycle
The overrepresentation of racial minorities within the Canadian criminal justice system is another glaring example of systemic racism. Indigenous peoples, who represent approximately 5% of Canada's population, account for 30% of individuals in federal prisons (Correctional Investigator, 2020). Similarly, Black Canadians are incarcerated at a rate that far exceeds their proportion of the population. Black men are two times more likely than white men to be arrested (Canadian Civil Liberties Association, 2019).
The roots of this overrepresentation are multifaceted, but they often lie in discriminatory policing practices, racial profiling, and a legal system that does not consider the historical or social circumstances that lead to crime within marginalized communities. Carding—a practice where police stop individuals, primarily people of colour, without reasonable suspicion—has been a pervasive issue, especially in urban areas like Toronto. Black Canadians are three times more likely to be stopped and questioned by police compared to their white counterparts, a phenomenon that has been widely criticized as a form of racial profiling (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2017).
Moreover, the prison system’s approach to rehabilitation is ineffective in addressing the underlying social issues that contribute to the over-incarceration of racial minorities. Many Indigenous and Black Canadians in prison suffer from historical trauma, poverty, intergenerational marginalization, and mental health issues that are not adequately addressed by the current penal system. As a result, the cycle of incarceration continues, and systemic inequalities are perpetuated.
Economic Impacts: The Hidden Costs of Racism
Racism in Canada has far-reaching economic consequences, some of which are rarely discussed. Research by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (2017) estimates that systemic racism costs the Canadian economy more than $30 billion annually. This is not only due to lost productivity from underemployment or unemployment in marginalized communities, but also because the economic potential of these communities is systematically stunted by lack of opportunity, discrimination in hiring, and barriers to educational advancement.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2019) highlights that racialized individuals are more likely to experience lower wages, underemployment, and job insecurity compared to their white counterparts. In fact, Black and Indigenous workers earn significantly less than white workers, even when controlling for factors such as education and experience. In 2016, Indigenous workers earned approximately 22% less than their non-Indigenous counterparts, while Black Canadians earned 13% less (Canadian Labour Congress, 2017).
This income disparity is not just an economic issue; it is a social one. When entire communities are denied access to high-paying jobs, their ability to contribute to and benefit from the economic growth of the nation is severely restricted. If Canada is to reach its full economic potential, addressing these racial disparities must be a priority.
What Needs to Change: Moving Beyond Diversity Programs
While diversity and inclusion programs have gained traction in recent years, they often fall short of creating lasting systemic change. These programs typically focus on increasing the representation of marginalized groups in leadership positions and improving hiring practices. However, they rarely address the deeper structural issues that perpetuate inequality.
To truly address systemic racism, Canada must implement comprehensive reforms that challenge the very structures that uphold racial inequalities. These reforms should include:
Educational Reform: A complete overhaul of the education system is needed, particularly in relation to Indigenous and racialized communities. This should include culturally responsive teaching practices, better access to quality education in marginalized communities, and support for students from diverse backgrounds.
Justice System Overhaul: There is a need for substantial changes in how racial minorities are treated within the justice system. Policing practices should be reformed to eliminate racial profiling and ensure accountability for misconduct. Additionally, greater investment in community-based policing and restorative justice approaches can help address the root causes of crime in marginalized communities.
Economic Empowerment: A concerted effort is needed to reduce the racial wealth gap in Canada. This includes implementing policies that promote wealth-building opportunities for racialized communities, such as access to capital, homeownership, and career development programs.
Government Accountability: Finally, the Canadian government must be held accountable for addressing systemic racism. This includes transparent reporting on racial disparities across all sectors and taking steps to address them through legislation, policy, and budgetary allocations.
Conclusion
Systemic racism remains a deeply entrenched problem in Canada, despite the country’s reputation for tolerance and inclusivity. The persistence of these inequalities is driven by unconscious bias, historical and institutional legacies, and a failure to acknowledge and confront the issue head-on. If Canada is to move beyond its idealized image and live up to its true potential, it must acknowledge these uncomfortable truths and take meaningful action. Only through comprehensive reforms in education, the criminal justice system, the economy, and government policies can we hope to break the cycle of systemic racism and build a truly inclusive society.
References
Assembly of First Nations. (2019). Education and Indigenous youth: Closing the gap. https://www.afn.ca
Canadian Civil Liberties Association. (2019). Discrimination in Canada's criminal justice system: A report. https://ccla.org
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. (2019). The economic cost of racial inequality in Canada. https://www.policyalternatives.ca
Canadian Labour Congress. (2017). The state of racial inequality in Canada. https://www.canadianlabour.ca
Correctional Investigator. (2020). Annual report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator. https://www.oci-bec.gc.ca
Centre for International Governance Innovation. (2017). The cost of racial inequality in Canada. https://www.cigionline.org
Greenwald, A. G., & Banaji, M. R. (1995). Implicit social cognition: Attitudes, self-esteem, and stereotypes. Psychological Review, 102(1), 4-27.
Ontario Human Rights Commission. (2017). Carding in Ontario: A public inquiry. https://www.ohrc.on.ca
Statistics Canada. (2016). The diversity of Canada’s population. https://www.statcan.gc.ca