According to a recent poll, nearly half of Canadians are against the use of university protest encampments. The survey, conducted by the Angus Reid Institute, found that 47% of Canadians disapprove of these encampments, while 37% support them and 16% are unsure.
The use of protest encampments on university campuses has been a contentious issue in recent years, with some viewing them as a necessary form of activism and others seeing them as disruptive and unnecessary. This poll sheds light on the opinions of Canadians on this matter.
The survey also revealed that there are significant differences in opinion based on age and political affiliation. Those aged 18-34 were more likely to support the use of protest encampments, with 47% in favor and 33% against. On the other hand, those aged 55 and older were more likely to disapprove, with 56% against and 28% in favor.
In terms of political affiliation, those who identified as Liberal were more likely to support the use of protest encampments, with 49% in favor and 33% against. Meanwhile, those who identified as Conservative were more likely to disapprove, with 60% against and 25% in favor.
The poll also asked Canadians about their views on the effectiveness of protest encampments. 44% of respondents believed that these encampments are not an effective way to bring about change, while 36% believed they are effective and 20% were unsure.
The issue of protest encampments has been in the spotlight recently, with several high-profile cases in Canada. In 2018, students at the University of Toronto set up an encampment to protest the university’s investments in fossil fuels. More recently, students at the University of British Columbia set up an encampment to protest the university’s handling of sexual assault cases.
The Angus Reid Institute poll was conducted online from March 26-29, 2021, among a representative randomized sample of 1,503 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The margin of error for the total sample is +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
The results of this poll highlight the divided opinions among Canadians on the use of protest encampments on university campuses. As this issue continues to be debated, it is clear that there is no clear consensus on the effectiveness and appropriateness of these encampments.
