Apart from their polite nature, Canadians share many common values. According to an article by Simon Fraser University, one of them is the uneasiness during confrontations.
“Generally speaking, Canadians tend to feel uncomfortable in situations where another person is acting aggressively or rudely,” an excerpt from the piece reads.
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Another trait mentioned in the article is the prioritization and respect for personal space. It noted how Canadians typically maintain an arm's-length distance between people and respect each other’s privacy.
Casual conversations between strangers are often light and less serious, primarily revolving around mundane topics like the weather. The article noted that people often avoid discussing sensitive issues, such as money and politics.
Canada’s reputation as a polite nation also has its unsavory side. In July, University of Ottawa researcher Dr. Karine Coen-Sanchez published a paper that highlighted the “polite racism” that’s been plaguing the country’s workforce.
Dr. Coen-Sanchez particularly highlighted how employees who are people of color, such as second-generation Haitians and Jamaican Canadians, experience systemic barriers in hiring, promotion, and daily interactions with colleagues.
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Dr. Coen-Sanchez defines polite racism as a “distinctly Canadian form of racial exclusion.” She notes that it’s the kind of discrimination that “hides behind civility, bureaucratic neutrality, and institutional politeness.”
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“It is the art of saying no with a smile. It sounds like, ‘You’re not the right fit.’ It looks like praise without promotion. It’s the feedback that never mentions race — and yet race determines who gets in, who moves up, and who belongs,” she noted.
Dr. Coen-Sanchez also stated that while many institutions publicly pride themselves on promoting equity, they “privately center whiteness as the measure of professionalism.” In her words, diversity is a “symbolic” celebration, but being white is what “defines competence and belonging.”
Ultimately, Dr. Coen-Sanchez calls for a genuine approach to equity, not one that is performative or a PR stunt. She urges “learning the language of racism” as it truly functions, focusing on both implicit bias and polite racism.
