Strong majority continue to disapprove of Khadr deal, 4/10 say it will impact their future vote

In the seventh wave of the Campaign Research Poll, a national online public opinion survey conducted among a sample of 1770 Canadian voters, 6 in 10 disapprove of the deal the federal government made with Omar Khadr (60%), while one fifth approve of this settlement (21%). Another one fifth have no opinion (19%). These results are very similar to those noted in April when the deal was announced (approve - 20%, disapprove - 60%). Disapproval is especially characteristic of the oldest (74%), in Ontario outside the GTA (64%), among the vast majority of Conservative votes (83%) and to those in mid income groups ($40K to $60K - 65%).

4 IN 10 SAY KHADR DEAL WILL AFFECT THEIR VOTE IN 2019

In total, just more than 4 in 10 say the Khadr deal will affect their vote in the next federal election (44%), and one fifth say it will affect it “a great deal” (21%). Among Conservatives, as many as 4-in-10 say this deal will affect their vote a great deal (44%), while, among Liberals, just less than a tenth say it will drive their vote (7%). NDP supporters are twice as likely to say their vote will be affected (18%). Among the minority who approve of the settlement, one quarter say their vote will be affected and one tenth say their vote will be affected a great deal (10%). Among those who disapprove, 6-in -10 say their vote will be affected (60%), 3 in 10 “a great deal” (31%).

“The majority still oppose the deal the federal government made with Khadr, and many say the decision will affect their vote in 2019. To date, however, we don’t see a material decline in Liberal voting intentions. It will be interesting to see if the opposition parties continue to hammer away on this issue, or will it fall away from the public conscious.” said Eli Yufest, CEO of Campaign Research. Eli may be reached at eyufest@campaignresearch.ca or at (647) 931 4025, ext. 109

METHODOLOGY

This online poll was conducted between September 8 and 11, 2017 among a panel of 1770 Canadian voters. A probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3%, 19 out of 20 times.