Three quarters approve of supply management few agree Canada subsidizes softwood industry
In the fourth wave of the Campaign Research Poll, an online omnibus opinion survey conducted among 1,969 adult Canadians, three quarters approve of Canada’s supply management system for dairy and poultry (75%). Just one tenth disapproves of supply management (12%), and a similar proportion has no opinion (13%). Approval of supply management is highest among federal Liberals and New Democrats (79% each) and among those in lower income brackets ($20K to $40K - 81%). Opposition is common to the oldest(18%), males (17%) rather than females (8%), in the prairies (16%) and among federal Conservatives (18%).
More than half approve even when told costs are higher because of supply management Respondents are told costs are higher for dairy and poultry in Canada than in the US because of supply management, and more than half still approve of the system (54%). Disapproval increases, however, from one tenth (12%) to almost three times this (32%) when told of the higher prices involved. Approval is especially characteristic (after price information is explained) among the youngest (63%), among federal Liberals and New Democrats (60%, 61% respectively) and those in lower income groups ($20K to $40K - 58%). Disapproval is common to Quebec (36%) and the Prairies (39%), federal Conservatives (40%) and the least wealthy (37%).
One half disagree Canada subsidizes softwood lumber industry One half of Canadians disagree with the American charge that we unfairly subsidize our softwood lumber industry (48%), while less than one fifth agree we do (17%). As many as one third don’t know (35%). Agreement this industry is subsidized is common to the Prairies (21%) and Alberta (20%), but not, predictably, to BC (14%). Federal Conservatives are more likely to agree with this (23%) than other partisans, as are those in mid income groups ($60K to $80K - 20%). “It is apparent supply management is popular, even when Canadians are reminded they pay more for dairy and poultry than our American neighbours. In addition, they don’t believe we unfairly subsidize our West Coast softwood lumber industry”,” said Eli Yufest, CEO of Campaign Research. Eli may be reached at eyufest@campaignresearch.ca or at (647) 931-4025 ext 109. 100-2 Toronto St., Suite 555, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2B5 p. 647.931.4025 METHODOLOGY This online poll was conducted between May 9 and 13, 2017, among a sample of 1,969 adult Canadians. A probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of plus or minus 2%, 19 times out of 20.
