Less
support now for stiffer terrorism legislation
One half of those aware of it disapprove of Bill C51
TORONTO March
14th, 2015 - In
a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1370
Canadian voters, just more than half now agree Canada needs stiffer
anti-terrorism legislation (56%) compared to 7-in-10 who took this position in
November, when the Iraqi mission was in its infancy (70%). Agreement stiffer
legislation is needed is common to the oldest (62%), the wealthy ($80K to $100K
- 62%), in Quebec (72%), among Conservative voters (84%), Bloquistes (76%), the
least educated (74%), mothers of children under 18 (65%), Catholics (72%) and
Evangelicals (82%).
More than two thirds aware of Bill C51
More
than two thirds of Canadian voters are aware of the anti-terrorism Bill C51
(69%), and this is especially common to boomers (55 to 64 - 78%), males (77%),
the very wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 79%), in Alberta (80%), among New
Democrats (74%), the best educated (post grad - 84%), Protestants (76%) and the
non-religious (74%).
One half disapprove of Bill C51
One
half of Canadian voters disapprove of Bill C51 (50%) when they are asked
without being prompted on any of the details of the bill, and just more than a
third approve (38%). One tenth have no view (12%). Disapproval of the bill is
characteristic of the youngest (64%), in Atlantic Canada (60%), the prairies
(58%) and BC (61%), among Liberals (66%) and New Democrats (77%), the best
educated (65%) and the non-religious (70%).
Most disapprove of tracking environmentalists, etc, lack of
parliamentary oversight
When
asked their approval of a number of specific provisions of bill C51, the
majority disapprove of the Bill allowing security services to infiltrate and
track environmentalists, First Nations and pipeline protesters (61%), and the
lack of parliamentary oversight included in the bill (52%). In each of these
cases, about one quarter approve (28% and 27%, respectively), and this is
especially common in Alberta (32% and 34%, respectively) and among federal
Conservatives (56% and 46%, respectively).
Two thirds approve of ‘peace bond’ process
Two
thirds of Canadian voters approve of the ‘peace bond’ provision of the Bill, in
which those who are thought to be potential terrorists can be detained, placed
on the no-fly list and have their passports taken (66%), while one quarter
disapprove (26%). Approval is common to Gen X and seniors (74% each), in Quebec
(79%) among virtually all Conservative voters (90%), Bloquistes (80%), the
least educated (75%), Francophones (81%), mothers of children under 18 (80%),
Catholics and Evangelicals (80% each).
Divided opinion on not needing warrant, judge
There
is an even split in opinion on the fact there is no requirement for a warrant
or a judge’s permission to infiltrate, track or disrupt organizations the
security services see as suspect (47% approve, 45% disapprove). Approval is
highest in Quebec (57%) and among Conservatives (74%).
After considering Bill C51, more approve of it
After
being presented with a number of provisions of Bill C51, voters were asked once
again if they approved or disapproved. In this case, approval increases from
one third (38%) to close to half (45%), while disapproval decreases from one
half (50%) to 4-in-10 (42%). Support is strongest in Quebec (57%) and among
Conservatives (82%).
One third each say support bill but change it, or fight it and
change it
When
voters are presented with three options on how to deal with Bill C51, more
prefer the NDP approach (“fight the bill unless changed significantly” - 38%)
over the Liberal Party approach (“support the bill but add parliamentary
oversight” - 34%). Few support the government’s desired approach (“pass bill as
written” - 19%). Those who support the NDP position are most likely to be NDP
partisans (76%), while fewer of those supporting the Liberal approach are
Liberal partisans (45%), and just fewer Liberals adopt the NDP view (37%).
Passing the bill as written is the position of just fewer than half of
Conservative partisans (45%), and just fewer want to see more parliamentary oversight,
like the Liberals (39%). Other groups who want to see Bill C51 adopted as
written include the least educated (23%), moms (26%) and Evangelicals (40%).
"It is clear that, now the
immediate rush of anxiety over the October 22 attacks is over, Canadians are
slightly less likely to see the need to alter the country’s security
protocols. Voters are especially
disturbed at the idea of legitimate activist groups such as environmentalists
and First Nations being labelled and tracked as terrorist suspects, but they
are no more comfortable with the fact parliament has no role in overseeing the
activities of the security services. They see no problem, on the other hand,
with terrorist suspects having their freedom of movement constrained," said Forum
Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum
Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
