Even Split on
Approval of Bill C-51 Among Canadians
Most want to see it amended, not repealed
In a random sampling
of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1345 Canadian voters, the
population is exactly split in their view of the government’s anti-terror
legislation known as Bill C-51; one third approve of the bill (34%), one third
disapprove (32%) and one third don’t offer an opinion (34%).
Approval of Bill
C-51 is characteristic of the oldest (41%), males (36%) rather than females
(31%), among the wealthy ($80K to $100K - 39%), in Quebec (49%), among
Conservatives (43%), Francophones (42%) and those who didn’t finish college
(39%).
Most want to see Bill C-51 amended, not
repealed
When offered three
options (generally aligned with the policy of the three leading parties) the
largest groups says Bill C-51 should be amended (29%) rather than repealed
(17%) or left the way it is (19%). In addition, one third don’t share an
opinion on this, no doubt being unfamiliar with the bill and its contents.
Support for
repealing the bill is common to the youngest (27%), those in lower to mid
income groups ($20K to $40K - 20%), in he Prairies (26%) and among Nee
Democrats (21%).
Support for amending
the bill is characteristic of Boomers (55 to 64 - 35%), mid income groups ($60K
to $80K - 38%), not among Quebeckers (25%), but among New Democrats (37%).
Support for leaving
the bill as it stands now is common to the oldest (24%), the wealthiest (23%),
in the Prairies (27%) and among Conservatives (32%).
“It appears the doomsayers
who say Bill C-51 will be the downfall of this government’s popular support
aren’t looking deep enough. The public is as likely to be fine with Bill C-51
as they are to have problems or not care. And the largest group wants to amend
the bill, not repeal it" 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.
