A majority of Conservative & Bloc voters, alongside a plurality of Liberal & NDP voters, are more likely to see a threat than an overblown situation.
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to resist calls for an independent public inquiry into China’s election interference, a majority of Canadians see that interference as a threat.
According to an Angus Reid poll of 1,622 Canadians, 53% agreed China’s election interference is “a serious threat to Canadian democracy.”
By contrast, 23% agreed it is “a situation that is being overblown by media and politicians.”
And 24% said “not sure/can’t say.”
The Liberals have a serious political problem here.
As some of their own MPs – alongside the Prime Minister – are seeking to downplay the issue, they are offside with a significant number of their own supporters.
Unsurprisingly, 77% of Conservatives China’s interference as a serious threat, while just 13% think it’s being overblown.
60% of Bloc voters also see a serious threat, while 22% think it is overblown.
But even a plurality of Liberals see a threat, and outnumber those who see it as overblown.
43% of Liberal supporters see China’s interference as a threat, while 32% see it as overblown.
39% of NDP supporters see a threat, while 28% see it as overblown.
This means a plurality of Liberal voters – and a majority of Canadians overall – will expect the issue to be taken seriously. If Trudeau continues to show an aversion to a real investigation, he won’t just be offside with his political opponents, he’ll be offside with many who consider themselves his allies.
Spencer Fernando
