51 per cent of Canadians disagree with plan to accept Syrian refugees, poll shows

A new Forum poll suggests just over half of Canadians disagree with Justin Trudeau’s plan to stop bombing Islamic State targets

Thestar.com
Nov. 20, 2015
By Rob Ferguson
A new Forum Research poll suggests just over half of Canadians disagree with Justin Trudeau’s plan to stop bombing Islamic State targets, while a similar number oppose taking refugees from Syria.

CANADA AND ISIS: The poll found 51 per cent of respondents disagreed that Canada should end its bombing missions against ISIS. Another 33 per cent agreed with the move and 15 per cent didn’t know. Pulling out of the year-long combat mission was a key election promise from Trudeau, who has said Canada will send more soldiers to train local militias in the fight.

ON TARGET? The poll was split on whether the bombing of ISIS has been effective, with 41 per cent of respondents saying yes, 37 per cent saying no and 21 per cent unsure. Canadian CF-18 jets have struck nine times in the last week, hitting ISIS positions and supply lines.

REFUGEES: Just over half, or 51 per cent, of those surveyed in the poll said they disapprove of the government’s plan to settle 25,000 Syrian refugees across the country. Another 41 per cent approved and nine per said did not have an opinion.

RISK? Asked if there is a security risk in settling Syrian refugees in Canada, 58 per cent of respondents in the poll said yes, while 26 per cent disagreed and 16 per cent had no opinion. The new Liberal government promised in the recent election to take in 25,000 refugees by year’s end and said screening procedures are in place, as always, to weed out anyone dangerous.

DIRECT THREAT: A majority of Canadians - 67 per cent - told Forum in the poll, conducted just four days after the deadly Paris attacks, that they believe ISIS is a direct threat to Canada. Another 22 per cent disagreed and 12 per cent had no opinion. Men were more likely than women to believe there is a direct threat.

BILL C-51: The previous Conservative government’s controversial anti-terrorism legislation that gives police and spies new power was supported by 41 per cent and opposed by 34 per cent of respondents, with 24 per cent unsure. The Trudeau Liberals supported the bill but pledged to repeal some measures if elected.

METHODOLOGY: The survey of 909 randomly selected Canadian adults was conducted by interactive voice response on Tuesday. Results are considered accurate plus or minus three percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Some data have been statistically weighted by age, region and other variables to ensure the sample reflects the actual population as reflected in census data. Poll results are housed in the data library of the University of Toronto political science department.