The Ethno-Racial Socioeconomic Hierarchy in Canada: Theory and Analysis of the New Vertical Mosaic

Abstract

Since Porter's The Vertical Mosaic (1965) showing ethno-racial subordination, ethno-racial socioeconomic stratification has been an abiding interest in Canada. Here, I first describe the two major models of socio-economic status attainment as they developed in Canada, and the ideologies and forms of ethno-racial discrimination that accompany each. Then, Canadian Census data are inspected to ascertain the ethno-racial socioeconomic hierarchy since 1921. A vertical mosaic assuredly exists in Canada today, but the socioeconomic hierarchy it defines is almost opposite to the one Porter outlined. Policy implications are taken up.