Closer Canada-US Relations Spark CAN-CON Support - surveyMay 19, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa - Voters want to promote and strengthen Canadian culture and identity to balance closer economic ties with the United States, according to a new opinion survey about Canadian culture and Canada/U.S. relations released this morning by the media watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.  The Ipsos-Reid national survey found that 9 in 10 Canadians agree that "as Canada's economic ties with the United States increase, it's becoming more important to strengthen Canadian culture and identity". "Our relationship with the United States often causes heated debate and we expect Canada/US relations to be the focus of discussion in the forthcoming election campaign. But, our political leaders should understand that a stronger culture and identity is an important condition for deeper integration with the US for most Canadians," said Friends spokesperson Ian Morrison. A wide majority of Canadians want their federal government to build a Canadian cultural identity distinct from the United States. However, the survey reveals that the views of Conservative Party supporters diverge from those of supporters of the Liberals, NDP and BQ. For example:
"If Prime Minister Martin hopes to retain and grow Liberal support, he will need to assure Canadians that his program to increase economic ties with the United States is coupled with a solid plan to bolster Canadian culture," said Morrison. Sharply different results emerge along political and regional lines suggesting the Liberal Party must choose carefully how to sell Canadians on closers ties with the US. The survey reveals a consistent trend throughout the data, particularly results associated with culture and identity, Canadian content and related issues, which shows that women, Atlantic Canadians, Quebecers and current Liberal, NDP and Bloc supporters are generally more concerned with these issues, attribute higher importance to them and are more supportive of government action in these areas. Current Conservative supporters, men and Albertans tend to be consistently less so. The survey reveals that Canadians approach their growing partnership with the United States from a position of confidence and pride, although Conservative Party supporters are less enthusiastic.
Canadians continue to believe that Canadian programs on radio and television are important to maintain and build our culture and identity, according to the Ipsos-Reid survey.
Ipsos-Reid conducted the survey for Friends of Canadian Broadcasting May 4 - 9, 2004 among a representative, random sample of 1,100 adult Canadians. National results are accurate to within +/-3%, 95% of the time. The margin of error will be larger for other sub-groupings of the survey population. FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting is a Canada-wide, non-partisan media watchdog group supported by 60,000 households whose mission is to defend and enhance the quality and quantity of Canadian programming in Canada's audio-visual system. The complete Ipsos-Reid report is available here. -30- For information: Jim Thompson Related DocumentsMay 19, 2004 - Opinion Poll: Broadcasting Issues, Canada/US Relations and Canadian Public OpinionIpsos-Reid pre-election poll commissioned by FRIENDS shows Canadian voters support strengthening Canadian content to preserve Canadian culture and balance closer integration with the United States. |
Feb 1, 2012 — Hamilton residents want their own CBC stationA substantial majority of Hamilton area residents would like CBC to establish a local radio station to cover community affairs, and support the Conservative's pre-election pledge to maintain or increase CBC funding. Jan 31, 2012 — London residents want their own CBC stationA wide majority of London residents would like CBC to establish a local radio station to cover community affairs and most hope their MP would champion the new station or not oppose it. Jan 31, 2012 — Kamloops area residents want their own CBC stationA substantial majority of Kamloops area residents would like CBC to establish a local radio station to cover community affairs and three-quarters hope their MP would champion a new station or not oppose it. Jan 19, 2012 — Waterloo region residents want their own CBC stationA new opinion survey shows a substantial majority (68%) of Waterloo region residents would like CBC to establish a local radio station to cover community affairs and most (73%) hope their MP would champion the new station or not oppose it. Nov 29, 2011 — Le gouvernement conservateur perdrait sa nouvelle crédibilité en matière culturelle si Radio-Canada subissait des coupuresLe parti Conservateur a réussi à s'attirer la confiance des citoyens en ce qui a trait à la culture canadienne et à la Société Radio-Canada, mais cette confiance pourrait rapidement se volatiliser si la SRC devait faire face aux compressions à son allocation parlementaire dont les rumeurs abondent. Nov 29, 2011 — Poll: New Conservative traction on culture and CBC could slip with budget cutsNew survey finds the Conservative Party is gaining the trust of voters when it comes to Canadian culture and the CBC, but that trust could quickly evaporate if forecast cuts to the national public broadcaster’s parliamentary allocation come to pass. Oct 27, 2011 — PM’s appointees responsible for CBC’s disclosure woesFRIENDS says the current debate about the CBC's access to information practices lays bare a broader accountability issue. Sep 26, 2011 — CBC funding comes under Conservative fire despite election promiseDespite an election promise to maintain or increase funding to the CBC, cutting or even eliminating the budget of the national public broadcaster seems to be rising up the agenda of the Harper government. |
About Us | News Room | Resource Centre | Media Monitor | Dalton Camp Award | Get Involved | Blog | Donate Now | Home
Privacy & Policies | © copyright 1996-2012 Friends of Canadian Broadcasting | Box 200/238 131 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1R8, 866-833-1282
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting is an independent watchdog for Canadian programming & is not affiliated with any broadcaster or political party.
FRIENDS offsets greenhouse gas emissions for all operations and is carbon-neutral.
