Prairie provinces split on Ottawa's use of Emergencies Act: Nanos Research poll
A Canada-wide Nanos Research poll found nearly 52 per cent of respondents in the Prairies supported Ottawa’s move to invoke the Emergencies Act following the Freedom Convoy to Parliament Hill.
Forty-four per cent said they were opposed or somewhat opposed.
The poll, commissioned by CTV News, surveyed 1,025 Canadians between Nov. 27 and 29, following a public inquiry on the Emergencies Act’s use.
Trevor Harrison, a sociology professor and political expert at the University of Lethbridge, says those results are a clear indication of the distaste Western Canada has for the prime minister.
“What you see in the Alberta results, particularly the Prairie results, is really a partisan thing – that is, we just don’t like Liberals,” he said.
“It would be interesting, had there been a Conservative government in office in Ottawa, would the reaction be the same?”
Two-thirds of Canadians overall supported the use of the act, with 48 per cent completely supporting and 18 per cent somewhat supporting its use.
Support was highest in Atlantic Canada, where 74.6 per cent indicated they support or somewhat support the decision. This was followed by Quebec, where 73.4 per cent said they at least somewhat support the use of the act.
About 30 per cent of Canadians were opposed to its use in some form.
Nanos also asked survey respondents whether they believed Canada would be prepared for another protest similar to the "Freedom Convoy." Of the respondents, 45 per cent said Canada is not prepared or somewhat not prepared, while 50 per cent said Canada would be at least somewhat prepared.
An organizer for the "Freedom Convoy" says there are plans for a "Freedom Convoy 2.0" protest in Ottawa in February 2023.
Solicitor General and Justice Minister Tyler Shandro says Alberta did not need the act to clear protesters from the Coutts border blockade, which cost the economy $44 million per day.
A cache of weapons was seized by the RCMP and several protesters were charged for conspiracy to murder Mounties.
Shandro says law enforcement can always learn from past events, to better prepare for future ones.
“We want an opportunity for law enforcement to be able to protect the rights of Canadians,” he said.
“We want them to do it in a safe way and a way for them to come home safely to their families at the end of the day.”
Poll results have a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
The results were statistically checked and weighted by age and gender using the latest Census information and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Canada.
Individuals were called using random-digit dialling with a maximum of five callbacks.
To see the poll, you can visit Nanos' website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.