SES Research - Public Policy Form Poll - Canadians And Democracy

By comparison, 31% of respondents said such work is the responsibility of politicians. The rest of the people surveyed expressed uncertainty or said neither choice accurately expressed their view. The poll took five forms of political activism and examined how often people have engaged in them. Just over half of Canadians said they have signed a petition in the past. A little more than a third of them said they have attended a town hall meeting. Fewer still reported having written a letter to an elected official. In fact, two activities most often associated with political awareness, taking part in a demonstration and registering with a political party, drew the fewest participants. Among poll respondents, 22% said they have joined a demonstration and 21% said they had become members of a political party. Research also indicates that that one of four Canadians (24%) have never engaged in any of the five political activities identified in the poll. "The fact that one of four Canadians is fully disengaged from traditional forms of participation means that there is definitely room for new innovative ideas," said SES President Nik Nanos."Democratic renewal could be a huge political opportunity for our leaders and parties." Polling August 4th to August 8th, 2005 random telephone survey of 1,000 Canadians, MoE ± 3.1%, 19 times out of 20). Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding. Political Participation (N=1,000, Margin or Error ± 3.1%, 19 times out of 20). Question: Outside of elections, have you ever taken part in any of the follow activities? Yes Signed a petition - 57% Attended a town hall meeting - 38% Wrote a letter to an elected official - 32% Joined a demonstration - 22% Joined a political party - 21% Profile of Canadian Political Number of political activities Canadians engage in. One activity - 22% Two activities - 26% Three activities - 18% Four activities - 8% Five activities - 2% No activities - 24% Views on Democracy (N=1,000, MoE ± 3.1%, 19 times out of 20). I am going to read you two statements regarding how much citizens should get involved in public policy debates and I would like you to tell me which statement comes closer to your view. Citizens should have a more direct say in influencing public policy and should have more opportunity to shape government decisions - 61% Between elections, it is the responsibility of the elected official to use their best judgment and make policy decisions on behalf of citizens - 31% Neither - 4% Unsure - 5% http://www.canadawebpages.com/pc-editorial.asp?Key=1734&editorType=news&editorPrimeKeyword=poll

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