Canadians support refugee resettlement by slim margin

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Canadians support refugee resettlement by slim margin

Support highest among youngest, in Atlantic Canada

TORONTO December 8th, 2015 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1369 Canadian voters, just less than half support the government’s plan to resettle thousands of refugees over the next few months in Canada (48%), while just fewer than this oppose this plan (44%). Less than one tenth have no opinion (8%),

Support is highest among the youngest (55%), mid income groups (57%), in Atlantic Canada (57%), but not in the prairies (31%) or Alberta (35%), nor among Conservatives (19%). Support is high among Liberals especially (68%) and also among New Democrats (59%) and the best educated (post grad - 60%).

 “Canadians are welcoming people, but the controversy that has arisen over the timing of the refugee arrivals, and the security screening they will go through, has had the effect of eroding some of that welcome,” 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.