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Public Consultations on Canada’s Democratic Institutions and Practices:
20070820
4.3. Survey Findings
4.3.1. Public Opinion
Self-reported knowledge of the Senate is low with a mean score of 3.5 on
the 7 point scale. Those who report knowing almost nothing (score of 1)
outnumber 2.5:1 those who report knowing a lot (score of 7). Those scoring 1-3
total 52% as compared to 32% scoring 5-7. No aspect of the democratic system
elicits as low a level of self-reported knowledge. Low knowledge is especially
strong among Quebecers, the young, and First Nations/Métis/Inuit, as shown in
Appendix table 14.
Respondents across Canada prioritize the Senate’s role in providing
scrutiny, as shown in table 4.3.1a and Appendix tables 16a and b. Opinion
across the country is substantively homogeneous though some small,
statistically significant differences distinguish the priorities of some provinces
and segments over others. In the case of the role of the Senate in protecting
minority rights, Quebecers, Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans, and youth
place more emphasis than average while residents of B.C. and especially
Saskatchewan place less emphasis.
By overwhelming margins, Canadians favour election of Senators as
opposed to their appointment, as shown in table 4.3.1b. On this specific issue,
there appears to be no difference of opinion across provinces and segments, as
shown in Appendix table 17b.
By a strong margin, Canadians are favourable to parity of representation by
regions, as shown in table 4.3.1c and Appendix tables 18a and b. Support for
parity by province is slimmer. Support for regional parity is weaker than average
in Quebec and stronger than average in the territories, Saskatchewan and
Manitoba, and in all Atlantic provinces but PEI.
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