If you’re anything like me, the first question that sprang to your mind when the 2011 National Housing Survey religion results came out was: How’d my city/province rank? Well, in this post I’m going to look at the results by province. I’ll look at some of the major cities in a future post.
Generally speaking, in Canada the further west you go the more godless you get.
Percentages of people who claimed no religious affiliation on the 2011 National Housing Survey, by province
44% of people in the westernmost province, British Columbia, report “no religious affiliation” – the national average is 24% – compared to only 6% in the easternmost province, Newfoundland and Labrador.
There’s a fairly constant trend that as you move eastward the country gets more religious, with only a few exceptions. Quebec and Saskatchewan are both more religious than the trend would suggest, while Nova Scotia is significantly less religious. The national average is pretty much set by Ontario – though Ontario is actually slightly more religious than the national average with only 23% reporting no affiliation. Quebec is the second most populous province and the second most religious – only 12% report no affiliation – but the western provinces more than balance it out.
Here are the percentages of “no religious affiliation” by province:
- British Columbia ― 44%
- Alberta ― 32%
- Saskatchewan ― 24%
- Manitoba ― 26%
- Ontario ― 23%
- Quebec ― 12%
- New Brunswick ― 15%
- Prince Edward Island ― 14%
- Nova Scotia ― 22%
- Newfoundland and Labrador ― 6%
Interestingly, the same east-west trend of increasing irreligiousness applies to the territories, too.
Same as above, by territory
Here are the percentages of people with no religious affiliation in the territories:
- Yukon ― 50%
- Northwest Territories ― 31%
- Nunavut ― 13%
Here’s another interesting fact: Yukon is the most irreligious province or territory in Canada… and it is ALMOST 50% nones. ALMOST. Seriously. If only 15 people who claimed a religious affiliation had claimed none instead, it would be exactly 50-50. Is that not a good enough example of why it’s so important for nonbelievers to fill out the goddam National Housing Survey? I rest my case.
Anyway, isn’t that freaking amazing? There’s actually a territory in Canada that is almost 50% religion-free. That’s not to slight BC, which is pretty damn close at 44%. Well done, westerners! Way to kick ass, BC! Nicely done Alberta and Manitoba (I promise I’ll never call you “the forgotten province” again!) as well, for beating the national average! Saskatchewan, you mucked up the east-west trend, but you did beat the national average – barely – so I suppose kudos are still in order. Nova Scotia, I’m going to give you props, too, for being the most irreligious province in the east – by far.
As for Newfoundland and Labrador: shape the fuck up. You, too, Quebec. Shame! Honte!
You may be wondering why I’m not also picking on PEI, too. Well, here’s why. Here are the percentages of people who specifically label themselves “atheist” across the provinces and territories:
Percentages of atheists on the 2011 National Housing Survey, by province
Same as above, by territory
Yeah. That’s why PEI gets a pass. Despite having a quarter of the population of Newfoundland and Labrador, over 150 more Prince Edward Islanders are out atheists. No other province or territory even comes close to PEI in terms of the percentage of people who are out atheists. Well done, PEI!