Canada Should Protect Great Lakes if US Won’t

Canada Should Protect Great Lakes if US Won’t

Toronto, April 26^th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ amongst 1479 Canadian voters, a solid majority (57%) believe that if the United States cuts funding to the protection of the great lakes, that Canada has a responsibility to increase great lakes funding in response. Only (23%) say no, Canada does not have a responsibility to increase funding, with (20%) saying they don’t know.

Respondents most likely to say that Canada has a responsibility to increase great lakes funding includes those aged 34 and younger (61%), the least wealthy (63%) or earning $80,000-$100,000 (63%), living in Ontario (62%) or BC (60%), and supporting the Green Party (70%). Those with a post-graduate (61%) or college/university degree (59%) are also likely to believe Canada has a responsibility to increase great lakes funding should the United States cut the funding for their protection.

Respondents most likely to say that Canada does not have a responsibility to increase great lakes funding includes those aged 45-54 (28%), males (30%), the most wealthy (32%), living in Manitoba/Saskatchewan (29%) or Alberta (29%), and supporting the Conservatives (36%). Those with some college or university (26%) are also likely to believe Canada does not have a responsibility to increase great lakes funding if the United States cuts it.

 

"Canadians clearly place great importance on the health of the great lakes, as a solid majority believe that we have a responsibility to increase our funding to protection if the US cuts theirs, and, given the current political climate in the United States, Canada may be in this situation more often than not in the coming months,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research.

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.