Saturday, June 02, 2007

Interesting First Nations Poll

Fascinating Angus Reid poll on Canadians attitudes towards First Nations. The findings show Canadians don't support illegal blockades as a legitimate tactic, although they do support speeding up land claims and dealing with the issue of native poverty.

Ontario has been the recent hotspot, but it is curious that Ontario residents seem the most tolerate, relative to other regions:
As you may know, Aboriginal protesters have blockaded railway lines in recent weeks, as part of ongoing land claims disputes. Do you think these actions are justified?

Overall- 35% Justified, 56% Unjustified

Ontario- 41% Justified, 52% Justified

Based on party affiliation, Conservative are far less supportive, while NDP supporters are virtually split:
Cons 18% Justified, 78% Unjustified
Liberals 43% Justified, 52% Unjustified
NDP 47% Justified, 45% Unjustified

On speeding up land claims, strong support, with Ontario highest, Alberta lowest:
Overall 68% Agree, 20% Disagree
Ontario 76% Agree, 15% Disagree
Alberta 57% Agree, 30% Disagree

On this question, Liberal voters are more likely to support speeding up land claims:
Liberals 81% Agree, 12% Disagree
NDP 69% Agree, 26% Disagree
Conservatives 58% Agree, 29% Disagree

On the question of penalizing native bands, if federal money is used for blockades, a strong percentage of Canadians show support 67% to 17%. Again, Conservatives have the most rigid view at 85%, Liberals 63%, NDP 67%.

When it comes to doing more to deal with native poverty, Canadians are supportive:
Overall 60% Agree, 28% Disagree
Ontario 67% Agree, 25% Disagree
Alberta 54% Agree, 40% Disagree

A huge gap, based on party affiliation, with the Conservative supporters showing no conception of reality, while the Liberals outpace the NDP slightly:
Liberals 77% Agree, 18% Disagree
NDP 72% Agree, 21% Disagree
Conservatives 43% Agree, 45% Disagree

Andrew Coyne has a relevant column today, which supports the notion that rule of law must be respected.

Overall, Canadians show some sympathy, but draw the line at what is perceived to be "illegal" activity. I find the party affiliation breakdowns particularly fascinating, and IMHO the numbers make the Conservatives look intolerant, lacking any compassion, especially on the poverty question. The numbers support my thesis that the fringes of the Conservative Party are racist and lack basic human empathy. Deal with it.

The provincial breakdowns are surprising in one respect. Ontario has seen most of high-profile problems, yet on almost every question, the people are relatively supportive. I suppose that bodes well moving forward, so long as things remain somewhat calm and constructive.

19 comments:

Karen said...

Ontario has seen most of high-profile problems, yet on almost every question, the people are relatively supportive

Perhaps it is because of all the high-profile cases. By that I mean that we may have more information given to us and a better understanding of what is going on.

Though, if you ever flip to talk radio, you'd never know it, :).

canuckistanian said...

canadians oppose "illegal activity" on behalf of first nations, but what are their views on "illegal activity" on behalf of their gov't??? when the gov't refuses to enter good faith negotiations and refuses to settle land claims where they are unambiguously in abrogation of their treaty obligations (i.e. breaking the law) what recourse do first nations peoples have??? confrontation or negotiation as the senate has indicated. funny how we prefer to blame the victims, when we have nobody to blame but ourselves and our gov't. canada cannot proclaim to be a tolerant country that respects universal human rights until this national disgrace is dealt with. hopefully someday we can proudly proclaim to practice what we preach...someday...

Steve V said...

"Though, if you ever flip to talk radio, you'd never know it, :)."

The odd time I make the mistake of tuning in, I wonder if you have to pass a bitter test to go online. What a reeking sea of negativity and anger, it's depressing.

canuck

A national disgrace indeed. BTW, I doubt very much that Prentice will find any solutions, these people don't have a clue, as evidenced by their partisan approach to the Kelowna Accord.

Karen said...

You know, lately I've been thinking about all of the plans that were scrapped by this government, all in the name of partisanship as you point out Steve.

I wonder what Canada would look like today, had they been implemented. All this wasted time that has only resulted in anger by so many groups.

lance said...

"When it comes to doing more to deal with native poverty, Canadians are supportive: (....)
A huge gap, based on party affiliation, with the Conservative supporters showing no conception of reality, (....)
Conservatives 43% Agree, 45% Disagree
(....)
The numbers support my thesis that the fringes of the Conservative Party are racist and lack basic human empathy."

43% is the 'fringe'? Perhaps Conservatives look at it somewhat differently? Perhaps they think that given the opportunities that Canada allows the individual , "doing more to deal with native poverty" isn't the answer. Maybe 43& of Conservative supporters think empowering the individual vs. INAC is the way to go.

Cheers,
lance

lance said...

knb said, "You know, lately I've been thinking about all of the plans that were scrapped by this government, all in the name of partisanship (...)"

Cause you know, in 18 months, the whole outlook of a country can be changed in a minority gov't.

Cheers,
lance

Karen said...

Lance, I'm not sure I follow your comment. Are you suggesting that it hasn't changed?

Olaf said...

Steve,

The numbers support my thesis that the fringes of the Conservative Party are racist and lack basic human empathy.

Wouldn't the numbers, then, also support a thesis claiming that one out of every five Liberals are racist and lack basic human empathy?

Steve V said...

olaf

No, people have different opinions. It's really a simple equation. Do you believe racism exists in our society? Answer yes. Which party do you think those people would support? Answer, obvious.

lance said...

knb said: "Are you suggesting that it hasn't changed?"

That's exactly what I'm suggesting. Aside from a big list of who-cares, as Sandy listed, there isn't much different in Canada today compared to the Summer of 2005.

We elected conservatives, got liberals. Sigh.

Cheers,
lance

lance said...

So Steve, if according to you, "racists" are attracted to the CPC, that makes the CPC racist . . . yes?

As opposed to, say, anti-Isreali, muslim extremists?

Cheers,
lance

Steve V said...

Thanks for proving my point with that comment Lance.

Steve V said...

I don't mean to be flippant. I don't think the Conservative Party is racist, but there is no question that those that are racist lean Conservative. Conservatives also don't generally support "social welfare", so that contributes to the findings, but it also speaks to the idea of empathy in my mind.

lance said...

Not so fast Steve.

I was just wondering if they ever did a poll about muslim extremists and found that they tended to vote Liberal if that would make the Liberal party terrorists.

Just curious, you know.

Cheers,
lance

lance said...

... realizing of course, that not wanting the gov't to do _more_ regarding native poverty has little to nothing to do with racism.

But that hasn't got anything to do with your assertions so I'm ignoring it.

Cheers,
lance

Karen said...

Lance, if that blog is your source and confirmation you are more deluded than I thought.

This country has changed dramatically, not the least of which, is the level of anger apparent at every corner.

Big issues, well yes obviously, things like abiding by Kyoto and Kelowna have had an impact. The government is being sued by environmental groups here at home and I'm sure you are rolling your eyes right now. Did you know that we're also being sued by groups in Germany? Did you know that most of Europe is in disbelief at our climate stance? Did you know that China now has a difficult time working with Canada...relations are strained?

I have no doubt you know all these things and think them unimportant. You'd be wrong my friend. You cannot be a player in this world if your reputation is questioned.

We went from respected, to dumped on, in a short 16 months. If you are proud of that, go south young man, their rep is worse than ours...barely.

Steve V said...

On foreign policy, the minority situation hasn't stopped the Conservatives in the least.

lance said...

knb, You're right, I was rolling my eyes.

Kyoto is nothing. It wasn't anything in 2005 and it's just a bit more in 2007. Not even Mr. Suzuki claims we can make the original Kyoto targets.

Canada is being sued . . . and in other news. I notice you don't mention _why_ we're being sued. Funny that.

Europe is in disbelief, again, in other news.

'Anger in all corners' you said. Yeah. It's so obvious, I must have missed it. Face it, knb. People are not rising in the streets, they aren't demanding the _MINORITY_ fall. The people are smart, the polls reflect it. Status quo.

It ain't the best for any partisan, myself included, but it ain't Russia either.

Cheers,
lance

lance said...

Steve, so what you're saying is that given the minority gov't, no decision has been enough to outrage the other three parties enough to topple the gov't. . .is that it?

To me, that goes by two things: good governance and smart politics.

The ball is and always has been in the court of the opposition, it's up to them to work together to win, not the responsibility of the CPC to provide them the opportunity.

For heavens sake, the Liberals couldn't even get the NDP to commit to a time limit in Afghanistan! The NDP!

Maybe because it was a trap for the NDP and they we're smarter than the Liberals? Just who is the 'enemy'?

Cheers,
lance