Latest news with #JackJedwab
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
As separatist talk simmers in Alberta and Quebec, Canadians say breaking up will be hard to do: poll
Article content Against a backdrop of fresh talk of Alberta separation and the constant spectre of Quebec's sovereignty movement, a new national opinion poll found that most Canadians say breaking up will be hard to do. Article content A large majority of respondents nationally said any secession by one province would require negotiation with all provinces and must be supported by a clear majority of voters in the province, and most said separation cannot be a unilateral decision, and it should require approval by the federal House of Commons. Article content Article content Article content A national opinion survey, conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies and provided to Postmedia, was designed to probe Canadians attitudes about the process for separation, rather than their views on separation itself, and what should follow a successful provincial leave referendum. Article content Article content 'The bottom line is that Canadians across the country envision the process as much more complex than a simple majority vote on a referendum question,' said Jack Jedwab, president of the Montreal-based Association for Canadian Studies. Article content Public discussion about Alberta separating from Canada drew more mainstream attention in May, after the federal election returned the Liberal Party to government and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled provincial legislation to make it easier for Albertans to trigger a referendum on the province leaving the rest of Canada. Smith said she would hold such a referendum if a citizen petition called for it. Article content Article content Separatists in Quebec hope the renewed discourse on separation will boost their long-standing desire for independent statehood, which twice went to provincial referendum which failed to support sovereignty, in 1980 and 1995. The Parti Québécois plans another provincial sovereignty referendum in the years ahead. Article content That creates plenty of secessionist talk and debate, but it has been 30 years since Canada has seen an actual separation referendum. Article content 'Many Canadians of voting age and, of course, most immigrants didn't experience the last referendum 30 years ago, but there is a growing consensus that the rest of the country would want a say in the process and secession would not be simple,' said Jedwab. Article content The poll asked 1,537 people across Canada a series of questions on the mechanism of a possible separation. Article content Article content A majority of Canadians said any referendum question regarding provincial separation from Canada must be unambiguous, with 59 per cent of respondents agreeing with that, with only 11 per cent disagreeing, and 30 per cent saying they don't know or declined to answer.
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
As separatist talk simmers in Alberta and Quebec, Canadians say breaking up will be hard to do: poll
Against a backdrop of fresh talk of Alberta separation and the constant spectre of Quebec's sovereignty movement, a new national opinion poll found that most Canadians say breaking up will be hard to do. A large majority of respondents nationally said any secession by one province would require negotiation with all provinces and must be supported by a clear majority of voters in the province, and most said separation cannot be a unilateral decision, and it should require approval by the federal House of Commons. A national opinion survey , conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies and provided to Postmedia, was designed to probe Canadians attitudes about the process for separation, rather than their views on separation itself, and what should follow a successful provincial leave referendum. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'The bottom line is that Canadians across the country envision the process as much more complex than a simple majority vote on a referendum question,' said Jack Jedwab, president of the Montreal-based Association for Canadian Studies. Public discussion about Alberta separating from Canada drew more mainstream attention in May, after the federal election returned the Liberal Party to government and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled provincial legislation to make it easier for Albertans to trigger a referendum on the province leaving the rest of Canada. Smith said she would hold such a referendum if a citizen petition called for it. Separatists in Quebec hope the renewed discourse on separation will boost their long-standing desire for independent statehood, which twice went to provincial referendum which failed to support sovereignty, in 1980 and 1995. The Parti Québécois plans another provincial sovereignty referendum in the years ahead. That creates plenty of secessionist talk and debate, but it has been 30 years since Canada has seen an actual separation referendum. 'Many Canadians of voting age and, of course, most immigrants didn't experience the last referendum 30 years ago, but there is a growing consensus that the rest of the country would want a say in the process and secession would not be simple,' said Jedwab. The poll asked 1,537 people across Canada a series of questions on the mechanism of a possible separation. A majority of Canadians said any referendum question regarding provincial separation from Canada must be unambiguous, with 59 per cent of respondents agreeing with that, with only 11 per cent disagreeing, and 30 per cent saying they don't know or declined to answer. Respondents in Quebec and Alberta showed the strongest support for an unambiguous question, at 71 and 62 per cent, respectively. A clear majority of Canadians, 66 per cent, said there must be a clear majority of voters supporting separation in a separatist referendum for it to be considered — with Quebecers the softest on the issue. The poll showed that 76 per cent in Atlantic Canada, 75 per cent in B.C., 72 per cent in Alberta, 66 per cent in Ontario, and 62 per cent in Manitoba-Saskatchewan agreed that there must be a clear majority of voter support for separation. In Quebec it was 55 per cent, still a majority, with 26 per cent saying it was not necessary, by far the highest in the country. A majority of respondents in every region agreed that a province separating from Canada would require negotiations with all provinces — even respondents in Quebec, although they were the softest on the issue. Nationally, 62 per cent of respondents agreed that negotiation was necessary for provincial separation, with 19 per cent saying it wasn't needed and another 19 per cent saying they didn't know or declined to answer. The age of respondents impacted how strongly that feeling was, with the youngest cohort of 18 to 34 year olds showing a low of 56 per cent agreement, the middle cohort of 35 to 54 year olds rising to 61 per cent agreement, and the oldest cohort, those 55 years old and above, being the strongest in agreement at 67 per cent. The regional breakdown on the need for negotiations was lowest in the two provinces most active with separatist ambition — Alberta at 52 per cent and Quebec at 57. The highest support for the need for negotiation was in Atlantic Canada (67 per cent), followed by Ontario (66), B.C. (65), and Manitoba-Saskatchewan (61). Most Canadians said that even after a favourable provincial vote for separation, a province cannot unilaterally leave Canada, the poll found, although there is a lot of uncertainty about the issue. Canadians will want agreement on the question Nationally, 42 per cent said a province cannot make its own decision to separate from Canada while 22 per cent said such a decision by a province was enough. A large number, 36 per cent, said they didn't know or didn't answer the question. Only respondents in B.C. delivered a majority response dismissing unilateral departure — barely — at 51 per cent. Other regions followed: Ontario (46 per cent), Atlantic Canada (44), Alberta (43), Manitoba-Saskatchewan (42), and Quebec (31). Quebec was the only region with more people embracing unilateral separation than dismissing the idea: 32 per cent said it was OK, while 37 per cent said they weren't sure or didn't answer. While a majority of those in British Columbia, Atlantic Canada, and Ontario said a referendum question on separation should require the approval of the federal House of Commons, most Quebecers and Albertans disagreed. In Alberta, 43 per cent said a referendum question should not require a federal parliamentary vote, while 35 per cent agreed it should. That's even stronger than in Quebec, where 36 per cent said it should not require a federal approval, with 34 per cent saying it should. Those in B.C. showed the strongest support for federal input, at 60 per cent, followed by Atlantic Canada at 58 per cent, and Ontario at 55 per cent. In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, pooled together in the poll, 43 per cent agreed there should be parliamentary approval, with 21 per cent saying it shouldn't be required and 36 per cent saying they didn't know or declined to answer. 'Canadians will want agreement on the question and will seemingly not be inclined to allow an outcome that involves a breakup to be established as set out solely by a province that wishes to separate,' said Jedwab. 'Without previous discussion around the process and the desired outcome, the risk is that results will not secure required recognition.' The public opinion survey was conducted online with 1,537 respondents in Canada from May 16 to 18. As a non-probability sample in a panel survey, traditional margins of error do not apply. • Email: ahumphreys@ | Twitter: AD_Humphreys Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
National Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- National Post
As separatist talk simmers in Alberta and Quebec, Canadians say breaking up will be hard to do: poll
Against a backdrop of fresh talk of Alberta separation and the constant spectre of Quebec's sovereignty movement, a new national opinion poll found that most Canadians say breaking up will be hard to do. Article content A large majority of respondents nationally said any secession by one province would require negotiation with all provinces and must be supported by a clear majority of voters in the province, and most said separation cannot be a unilateral decision, and it should require approval by the federal House of Commons. Article content Article content Article content A national opinion survey, conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies and provided to Postmedia, was designed to probe Canadians attitudes about the process for separation, rather than their views on separation itself, and what should follow a successful provincial leave referendum. Article content Article content 'The bottom line is that Canadians across the country envision the process as much more complex than a simple majority vote on a referendum question,' said Jack Jedwab, president of the Montreal-based Association for Canadian Studies. Article content Public discussion about Alberta separating from Canada drew more mainstream attention in May, after the federal election returned the Liberal Party to government and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled provincial legislation to make it easier for Albertans to trigger a referendum on the province leaving the rest of Canada. Smith said she would hold such a referendum if a citizen petition called for it. Article content Article content Separatists in Quebec hope the renewed discourse on separation will boost their long-standing desire for independent statehood, which twice went to provincial referendum which failed to support sovereignty, in 1980 and 1995. The Parti Québécois plans another provincial sovereignty referendum in the years ahead. Article content That creates plenty of secessionist talk and debate, but it has been 30 years since Canada has seen an actual separation referendum. Article content 'Many Canadians of voting age and, of course, most immigrants didn't experience the last referendum 30 years ago, but there is a growing consensus that the rest of the country would want a say in the process and secession would not be simple,' said Jedwab. Article content The poll asked 1,537 people across Canada a series of questions on the mechanism of a possible separation. Article content Article content A majority of Canadians said any referendum question regarding provincial separation from Canada must be unambiguous, with 59 per cent of respondents agreeing with that, with only 11 per cent disagreeing, and 30 per cent saying they don't know or declined to answer.
Vancouver Sun
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Despite a polarizing election, Canadians don't want a two-party system, poll suggests
While the recent federal election turned into a tight race between the Liberals and Conservatives that left other parties trailing far behind, a new poll suggests most Canadians don't want the country end up with a two-party system. The poll of over 1,600 Canadians, conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies between May 1 and 3, suggests only 21 per cent of Canadians think the country would be better off with a system where two parties dominate the political landscape. Forty-nine per cent say a two-party system would not be good for Canada, while 30 per cent say they don't know. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The poll, which was conducted online and can't be assigned a margin of error, suggests that people in Ontario and Alberta are the most open to a two-party system, with 23 per cent of people in those provinces saying it would be a good thing. Twenty-two per cent of people in British Columbia and 20 per cent of respondents in Quebec say they think Canada would be better off under such a system. At 30 per cent, Conservative respondents were the most likely to think Canada would be better off with a two-party system, compared to 17 per cent of Liberals and 14 per cent of NDP supporters. Jack Jedwab, president of the Association for Canadian Studies, said the election focused on two parties — the Liberals and the Conservatives — which received over 80 per cent of the vote. 'Now that the … dust is settled on the election, it seems that Canadians are comfortable with not having a system that is as polarized politically as the one that this election seemed to give rise to,' Jedwab said. 'Canadians are still, in terms of our political culture, different from the United States in terms of being more welcoming, or more receptive is a better word, to multiple options in their electoral system.' While recounts in some ridings are still underway, the Liberals inched another seat closer to a majority government on Saturday when a judicial recount declared their candidate the winner in the Quebec riding of Terrebonne by a margin of just one vote. It brought the Liberals to 170 seats in the House of Commons, two shy of the 172 needed for a majority government. The Conservatives hold 143 seats, the Bloc has 22 and the NDP has seven. The poll suggests that 44 per cent of Canadians are happy with the election results, while 40 per cent are not. The poll also suggests many Canadians don't want to see another election any time soon. Only 39 per cent of respondents say they'd like to see another federal election in the next two years, while 44 per cent say they don't. Alberta respondents are the most likely to want another election soon, at 50 per cent, compared to 39 per cent of people in B.C., 38 per cent of Ontarians and 33 per cent of Quebecers. Of the respondents who want another federal election within two years, 70 per cent are Conservatives, 23 per cent are NDP supporters and 15 per cent are Liberals. Jedwab said it comes as no surprise many Conservatives want another election as soon as possible. He said there was a 'roller-coaster ride of expectations' before the election and the party may want an election sooner to build on perceived momentum. Jedwab said if the Liberals are able to stay in power long-term, despite being in a minority government situation, that likely would encourage Conservatives to reflect on whether they want Pierre Poilievre to lead them into another election in four years. 'If the polls are any indication and the Liberals' standing continues to stay where it is or changes in a better direction, the likelihood of an election in the next two years is very, very low, which has a bearing on, I think, what the Conservatives' strategy will be going forward,' Jedwab said. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Despite a polarizing election, Canadians don't want a two-party system, poll suggests
Article content Forty-nine per cent say a two-party system would not be good for Canada, while 30 per cent say they don't know. The poll, which was conducted online and can't be assigned a margin of error, suggests that people in Ontario and Alberta are the most open to a two-party system, with 23 per cent of people in those provinces saying it would be a good thing. Twenty-two per cent of people in British Columbia and 20 per cent of respondents in Quebec say they think Canada would be better off under such a system. At 30 per cent, Conservative respondents were the most likely to think Canada would be better off with a two-party system, compared to 17 per cent of Liberals and 14 per cent of NDP supporters. Jack Jedwab, president of the Association for Canadian Studies, said the election focused on two parties — the Liberals and the Conservatives — which received over 80 per cent of the vote.
