MACLEAN’S/CBC 2001 YEAR END QUESTIONNAIRE  2(8406)

 

STANDARD SCREENS

 

GENERAL

 

1.                  In your opinion, what is the most important issue facing Canada today that is the one that you are most concerned about?  (TRACKING Q1 8337)

 

2.                  Are you more or less optimistic about the future than you were a decade ago? That is, are you much more optimistic, a little more optimistic, a little more pessimistic, much more pessimistic, or have your feelings not changed much over the last 10 years?  TRACKING Q2 8337)

 

3.                  In the last 10 years would you say that your personal financial situation has gotten much worse, somewhat worse, stayed about the same, gotten somewhat better, or gotten much better?  (TRACKING Q3 8337)

 

4.                  Compared with a few years ago, are you personally a lot more confident, a bit more confident, no more nor less confident, a bit less confident, or a lot less confident in your ability to look after your economic interests on your own?

TRACKING Q4 8337)

 

5.                  Who of the following would you look to most to look after your economic interests? 

 

§         Yourself

§         Government

§         Business

§         Unions

§         Don’t know/not sure (VOLUNTEERED)

 

 

ECONOMY

 

6.       If you were given the opportunity to become a citizen of the US and live and work there would you?  (TRACKING Q5 8267)

 

7.                  Would you say the economy is heading into a period of improvement, into a recession, or is it going to stay the same? 

 

8.       BLANK

 

9.       How concerned are you that you or someone in your household might become unemployed or laid off in the near future? Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?

 

10.              There has been considerable discussion lately about Canada and the United States going into a recession. If we were to go into a recession, how much of this do you think is due to the terrorist attacks of September 11th and their aftermath – a lot, something, not too much or nothing at all?

 

11.              A number of businesses have announced a layoff of employees because of a falling demand for their goods or services. When businesses layoff staff do you see this as the prudent and necessary thing for businesses to do or do you see this as an irresponsible and short sighted thing for a business to do?

 

12.              The Federal Government has become very concerned about a possible slow down of the economy and has urged Canadians to consume and spend more as a way of stimulating the economy. Overall how appropriate do you feel it is for the Federal Government to give this advice? Is it very appropriate, somewhat appropriate, not too appropriate, or not at all appropriate?

 

13.              Overall, do you think Canada would benefit or lose out from having a common currency with the United States? Would Canada greatly benefit, somewhat benefit, somewhat lose out, greatly lose out, or would it have no impact either way?  (SOME WORDING CHANGES Q24 8267)

 

14      If the economy were to go into a recession which of the following points of view best reflects your idea of how the federal and provincial governments should respond. The first is … (READ AND ROTATE LIST) 

 

§         Governments should increase spending to stimulate the economy in an effort to create jobs

§         Governments should not try to create jobs, but instead spend more on social programs and retraining programs to ensure they are available to assist those who lose their jobs

§         Governments can’t make any difference anyway and should just let market forces run their course

§         Don’t know/refused

 

 

CANADA/US

 

 

15.              In the last few years do you think that Canadians have become significantly more like Americans, somewhat more like Americans, that there has been no change, that we have become somewhat less like Americans, or significantly less like Americans?  (WORDING CHANGES Q6 8267)

 

16.              How would you describe our relations with the United States? Are we like family to each other, the best of friends, friends but not especially close, (or) cordial but distant with each other, or openly hostile and unfriendly?

 

17.              Recent polls have found that many Canadians say they feel a lot closer to the people of the United States following the September 11 attacks. I’d like to read you some possible reasons, and have you tell me, which one you personally feel best explains this closer feeling. Is it because … (READ AND ROTATE LIST)

§         We are facing a common threat.

§         We share a common set of values and beliefs.

§         Canada and the US are tied together economically.

§         (DOES NOT APPLY TO ME) (volunteered)

 

TERRORISM AND THE AFTERMATH

 

Now I’d like to ask you some questions about the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11 and the events following this attack.

 

18.              Overall, do you feel that the attacks in New York and Washington was an attack on the United States alone or an attack on western democratic societies, including Canada?

 

19.              There has been some discussion about the causes of the terrorist attacks and the possible grievances that some in the Middle East feel toward the Western World. Do you think there is any basis for any feeling of grievance against the West or that there is no basis for these feelings?

 

20.              If the US and its allies do succeed in capturing or killing Osama Bin Laden and his network, do you think that this will end the terrorist threat directed at the US and the West from Islamic fundamentalists?

 

21.              Do you think the United States and its allies will be successful or not at eliminating the threat of terrorism from Islamic fundamentalist groups? That is, will they be able to completely eliminate the threat, somewhat eliminate the threat, or be unable to eliminate the threat of fundamentalist terrorisms?

 

22.              And how long do you think the war against terrorist will last? Will it last for the next few months only, for a year, for two or three years, for four or five years or for six or more years?

 

23.              In thinking about the situation in the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinians, has the Federal Government tended to be more supportive of Israel than the Palestinians, more supportive of the Palestinians than Israel, or has Canada been equally supportive of both sides?

 

24.              In light of the September 11 attack is there any need for Canada to re-evaluate its position regarding Israel and the Palestinians?

 

25.              How likely is it that Canada could become a terrorist target? Do you think it is very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?

 

26.              How satisfied are you with the federal government’s response thus far to the September 11 attacks. Would you say that you have been very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, not too satisfied, or not at all satisfied?

 

27.              And what about the threat of chemical or biological terrorism, how confident are you that the Federal Government has prepared and can handle this threat? Would you say that you are very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident al all?

 

 


There are many ways that the federal government could respond to the threat of terrorism in North America. For each of the following, I’d like you to tell me if you support or oppose each suggestion. You can do this by using a seven-point scale in which seven means that you strongly support this option and one means that you do not support this option at all. The first is … (READ AND ROTATE Q28 TO Q33)

 

28.              Restricting the number of immigrants that come to Canada from Muslim countries.

 

29.              Keeping refugee claimants from any county in secure locations where they will not have contact with Canadian society until after their case has been heard.

 

30.              Harmonizing Canada’s immigration and refugee policy with the United States, by making them the same.

 

31.              HAVING A COMMON SECURITY PERIMETER AROUND NORTH AMERICA THAT WOULD INCLUDE allowing US customs and immigration officials at all entry points into Canada.

 

32.              The introduction of personal identity cards for all Canadian residents that includes a photo and a thump print or some other hard to reproduce form of identification.

 

33.              Putting anybody who comes to Canada without valid ID and claims refugee status on the next plane back to where they arrived from.

 

* END OF ROTATION

 

34.              As you may know, the federal government has recently introduced an anti-terrorism bill that gives the police new powers of detention and investigation, such as phone tapping. Based on what you know of this bill, how do you feel about these measures? Are you very supportive, somewhat supportive, neutral, somewhat opposed or very opposed?

 

35.              Some people have argued that while they support the need for greater police powers in investigating suspected terrorists, they worry that these powers will be abused and that the police will use them in non-terrorist investigations. How likely do you think it is that the police would abuse these new powers and use them against groups other than suspected terrorists? Is this very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?

 

 

THE WAR

 

36.              Overall, do you approve or disapprove of US military action against terrorism? Is that strongly or somewhat?  (Newsweek Poll Question)

 

37.              How worried are you that the war on terrorism will grow into a broader war between the US and its allies on one side and Arabs and Muslims on the other side? Is that something that worries you a great deal, somewhat, not too much, or not at all?  (ABC NEWS/ Washington Post Poll)

 

38.              And how worried are you that the war on terrorism could spark a larger war that might involve the use of nuclear weapons? Is that something that worries you a great deal, somewhat, not too much or not at all?

 

 

And for the following potential types of attacks on the US, I’d like you to tell me how likely you consider each to be, is it very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely? The first is … (READ AND ROTATE Q39 TO Q42)

 

39.              A serious chemical or biological attack, such as smallpox that could kill millions of people.

 

40.              The explosion of a nuclear device in a US city.

 

41.              An attack on a nuclear power station.

 

42.              The hijacking of jetliners for use as weapons.

 

* END OF ROTATION

 

 

Now I’d like to ask you some questions abut Canadian involvement in the response to the terrorist attacks.

 

43.              Do you support or oppose Canadian involvement in the action in Afghanistan, that is do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose Canada’s involvement?

 

44.     Do you think Canadians critical of the war effort should keep their thoughts to themselves at this point in time or should they speak out?

 

45.              For the following options regarding Canada’s potential role in the fighting in Afghanistan, I’d like to know which one you personally most support … (READ AND ROTATE LIST) that Canadian forces should be involved in any fighting that takes place in Afghanistan; that Canadian forces should provide support services for those fighting, but not fight; that Canadian forces should only be used in a peacekeeping role once the fighting is over; or that Canadian forces should play no role at all in Afghanistan.

 

46.              In thinking about the Canadian Forces, what do you see as currently their main purpose … (ACCEPT ONE CHOICE ONLY) is it as a force capable of making a contribution to providing defense and attack in different parts of the world, a force to protect Canadians and Canadian interest within our borders only, or as a peacekeeping force when required in different parts of the world?

 

47.              And what do you think in general the main purpose should be … (ACCEPT ONE CHOICE ONLY) should it be a force capable of making a contribution to providing defense and attack in different parts of the world, a force to protect Canadians and Canadian interests within our borders only, or should it be a peacekeeping force when required in different parts of the world.

 

In the fight against terrorism, the US has said that it might also consider using additional military force above and beyond that which has been used already. In general, would you support or oppose … (READ AND ROTATE Q48 AND 49) Is that (strongly or somewhat)?

 

48.              Using military force against suspected terrorist targets in other Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq.

 

49.              Conducting government authorized assassinations of political figures known to support terrorist groups in the Middle East.

 

50.              As a result of the terrorist attacks and the US led response have you changed plans or experienced any of the following lately? The first is … (READ AND ROTATE LIST)

 

Yes             No

 

a.     Cancelled or postponed a trip by air

b.     Had trouble sleeping

c.     Felt a stronger need for religious beliefs

d.     Felt a stronger need to go to a place of worship

e.     Been more appreciative of your family life

f.       Taken more interest in news reports

g.     Been less interested in sex

h.     Deferred buying a major item

i.        Had less interest in material wealth and possessions

j.       Been less driven to succeed at work

k.      Sought advice from a health care professional or a counselor

l.        Sought advice or read about how to protect yourself in the event of a terrorist attack.

 

51.              As a result of the terrorist attacks have your views on Muslims and the Islamic religion, changed for the worse, remained unchanged, or changed for the better?

 

 

Now I’d like to read you a number of statements that various people have made and have you tell me if you agree or disagree with each one. You can do this by telling me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree? The first is ... (READ AND ROTATE Q52 TO Q57)

 

52.              We should substantially increase the amount of money we spend on our armed forces.

 

53.              I am prepared to give up some of my freedoms in order to combat terrorism more effectively.

 

54.              Canada should be prepared to give up some of its sovereignty in order to combat terrorism.

 

55.              We don’t need to spend much money on armed forced since we have the United States next door.

 

56.              I would prefer that the United States and its allies bring Osama bin Laden and his key aids to trail rather than just try to kill them.

 

57.              The attack on Afghanistan is not a war on terrorism, it is an attack on the Islamic people and on Islamic culture.

 

 

GLOBALISATION

 

There has been some discussion lately about the potential costs and benefits of globalization and increased world trade.

 

58.              As you may know government leaders from the industrialized world are meeting in Alberta in August to discuss world trade issues. Anti-globalization protesters have threatened to disrupt these meetings and there is a likelihood that violent confrontations between police and protesters could take place. Given this situation, should the meetings go ahead as scheduled or should they be cancelled?

 

59.              If the meeting of trade ministers in Alberta were to go ahead and there are demonstrations and confrontations between police and protesters, what level of force should be used to control demonstrations? Should police use all the force necessary to control demonstrators even if this could potentially lead to a loss of life or should the police not use the level of force required to control the demonstrators, even if this means the meetings are disrupted and cannot take place?

 

60.              Where a violent confrontation between police and anti globalization protestors does take place, do you tend to blame the police more or the protestors?

 

61.     As you may know the Winter Olympics are due to begin in Salt Lake City early in the New Year. From your own point of view should these Olympic Games continue as planned or be postponed?

 

 

Now I have a few final questions for statistical purposes …

 

61.              Age

62.              Household income

63.              Education

64.              Gender

 

Thank you for answering our questions. This survey is being undertaken by Maclean’s Magazine and the CBC, if one of these organizations wanted to contact you and talk to you further about some issues, would you be agreeable to this?

 

IF “YES

 

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