Surveying Canadian attitudes towards trade issues and the SPP

Environics Research Group was commissioned by the Council of Canadians to conduct a national poll on attitudes towards trade and the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. Between April 7 and 10, 2008, a total of 1,007 respondents were interviewed, resulting in a margin of error of +/-3.09 per cent 19 times out of 20.

The following statements were issued, after which respondents were asked if they strongly agreed, somewhat agreed, somewhat disagreed, or strongly disagreed. Finally, respondents were asked to answer yes or no as to whether the Security and Prosperity Partnership should be debated and submitted to a vote in the House of Commons.

Statement 1: Canada should maintain the ability to set its own independent environmental, health and safety standards, even if this might reduce cross-border trade opportunities with the United States.

Strongly agree – 53%
Somewhat agree – 34%
TOTAL AGREE – 87%
Somewhat disagree – 6%
Strongly disagree – 3%
TOTAL DISAGREE – 9%

Statement 2: Canada should establish an energy policy that provides reliable supplies of oil, gas and electricity at stable prices and protects the environment, even if this means placing restrictions on exports and foreign ownership of Canadian supplies.

Strongly agree – 55%
Somewhat agree – 34%
TOTAL AGREE – 89%
Somewhat disagree – 5%
Strongly disagree – 3%
TOTAL DISAGREE – 8%

Statement 3: Canada should adopt a comprehensive national water policy that recognizes clean drinking water as a basic human right and also bans the bulk export of fresh water.

Strongly agree – 63%
Somewhat agree – 25%
TOTAL AGREE – 88%
Somewhat disagree – 5%
Strongly disagree – 4%
TOTAL DISAGREE – 9%

Statement 4: For the sake of improving cross-border flows of trade, Canada should harmonize its security policies with the United States, even if it requires us to share increasing amounts of personal information with U.S. authorities.

Strongly agree – 16%
Somewhat agree – 31%
TOTAL AGREE – 47%
Somewhat disagree – 21%
Strongly disagree – 27%
TOTAL DISAGREE – 48%

Final Question: In 2005, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico agreed to harmonize policies in a wide range of areas under a post-NAFTA agreement called the Security and Prosperity Partnership, or SPP. The policies that would be harmonized under the SPP could affect such things as consumer health and safety, environmental regulations, water management, energy exports and border security. Do you agree or disagree that this Security and Prosperity Partnership should be debated and submitted to a vote in the House of Commons?

Agree – 86%
Disagree – 9%

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