An overview of a national study on citizenship and citizenship education in Canada.
Over 500 participants from diverse age and ethnic/cultural backgrounds completed the anonymous online survey in English. This page presents key findings on Canadian identity and symbols, belonging and pride, shared values, what bonds Canadians, immigration, citizenship education, and important issues in Canada. It also introduces a connected model of social, political and civic, and ecological citizenship, highlights participants’ dreams for Canada’s future, provides context about the study participants, and links to related papers and teaching resources.
Key findings
Canadian symbols
Identified traditional symbols of Canada, such as the maple leaf.
Who can be Canadian
Wrote that anyone born, migrating, or applying for citizenship can be Canadian.
Belonging
Felt at least some belonging to Canada.
Shared values
Identified inclusion, acceptance, diversity, and fair treatment for all.
Racism and xenophobia
Mentioned as a citizenship issue, highlighting the need for a stronger sense of community and social citizenship.
Social citizenship
Emphasized in responses about both Canada and education, including community, empathy, kindness, fair treatment, and support for diversity.
Social citizenship within Canadian citizenship
The model places Canadian citizenship at the centre of three connected dimensions:
Social Citizenship
Social citizenship focuses on the bonds that connect people within a shared community, including interconnection and concern for one another’s welfare (Broom, 2025).
Political and Civic Citizenship
Political and civic citizenship involves membership in a nation-state, with rights and responsibilities, participation in shared governance, and concern for the interests of the wider community (Broom, 2025).
Ecological Citizenship
Ecological citizenship frames environmental responsibility as an ethical commitment expressed through individual and collective action, with concern for global sustainability and future generations (Mudiyanselage & Broom, 2025).
Connecting ideas: care, connection, and community.
Dreams for Canada
As participants look to the future, they present a shared dream for Canada centred on fairness, inclusion, empathy, and consideration for others.
Freedom and Equality
Treating people fairly and respectfully regardless of background.
Inclusivity and Diversity
Having empathy, being accepting, and looking after each other.
Equality and Fairness
Being fair-minded and critical thinkers, and considering others.
These hopes focus on treating others with empathy and kindness and supporting diversity.
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About participants
Regional distribution
Situated in Western and Pacific Canada.
Gender
Female participants, compared with 38% male and 2% other/prefer not to say.
Knowledge
Described themselves as somewhat knowledgeable about citizenship and identity.
Sources of knowledge
Acquired their knowledge from schooling; 21% learned from their families.
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Ideas, Images and Symbols of Canada
29% described multiculturalism and diversity in relation to Canada.
Being Canadian
Characteristics associated with being Canadian included:
Who should be a Canadian?
- 74.2% wrote that anyone who is born, migrates, or applies for citizenship can be a Canadian.
- 51.3% qualified their answers by writing that individuals should accept Canadian values.
- Citizenship was generally viewed as an open category.
Bonding Canadians
Respondents’ answers about what should bond Canadians were grouped into several themes.
20.4% identified valuing diversity and inclusion.
Belonging and Pride
Reasons for belonging included being born or growing in Canada, feeling accepted, feeling connected with values or community, and experiencing a sense of opportunity.
Reasons for pride included Canada striving to be better, being welcoming and inclusive, providing opportunity, protecting rights and freedoms, and offering a high quality of life.
Regional and National Identity
Participants generally felt that individuals can hold various allegiances, including regional and national identities, at the same time.
Shared Canadian Values
Citizenship Issues and Education Responses
Education emphasis: Social citizenship was identified as a response to racism and xenophobia and as part of Truth and Reconciliation education.
Important Issues in Canada Today
In the separate list of important issues in Canada today, social inequality was identified by 50% and racism by 43%. Less than 7% felt that reconsidering Canadian symbols was an important issue.
Immigration
Participants wrote that immigration should be managed well to prevent strain on infrastructure and to select immigrants who commit to Canada.
Challenges identified included racism, access to work, acceptance of international credentials, cost of living, and the need for a stronger sense of community.
Further interpretation: Additional information and interpretation concerning views on current immigration rates will be available in a future paper. A link will be added to the Papers section once the paper is published.
Recommendations and teaching resources
Explore recommendations and classroom resources connected to the study.
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
We thank the survey participants for their time and contributions to this study.