Most Canadians think political correctness has ‘gone too far’

Canadians may be notoriously polite, but many think we are becoming too sensitive.

Seventy-six per cent of respondents said political correctness has “gone too far,” while 72 per cent said they censor themselves to avoid offending others, according to a survey released Monday by the Angus Reid Institute.

It found people over 55 are most likely to agree with this sentiment, 82 per cent, while almost the same number think it “seems like you can’t say anything” without upsetting someone these days.

When it comes to language, millennials (aged 18 to 34) are the most likely to be impatient with political correctness: 71 per cent say too many people are easily offended.

“We might be inclined to make assumptions that younger Canadians are more politically correct or more sensitive to these issues,” said Shachi Kurl, Angus Reid’s executive director. “In fact, they are the most likely to say people are too easily offended by what others say, and by the language that others use.”

The youngest cohort is also least likely to say people need to be more careful about their language to avoid offending those from different backgrounds. Twenty-nine per cent agreed, compared with 39 per cent of the 55-plus group.

“Here, in Canada, majorities across the political spectrum — whether you’re left, or centrist, or to the right — everyone seems to think that political correctness has gone too far,” she said.

But more than half “hold their tongue” daily to avoid upsetting people around them. Almost 90 per cent of those who self-censor say they do so to be polite.

“It’s just such a typical Canadian finding,” Kurl said.