The Threat of Eco-Terrorism in Canada

Transcription

1 The Crosstabulations Commissioned by the Sun News Network Field Dates: August 10-12, 2012 Methodology The survey was conducted online with 2,099 respondents in English and French using an internet survey platform. A random sample of panelists was invited to participate in the survey from a larger internet representative panel of over 150,000 Canadians. The survey was completed from August 10-12, An over sample of was conducted in British Columbia (n=793) and Ontario (n=502). The data was statistically weighted by age, gender, region, and education level according to census data. Since the online survey was not a random, probability based sample, a margin of error could not be calculated. The margin of error for a survey of 2,099 respondents using a probability sample is +/- 2.2%, 19 times out of 20.

2 One in two Canadians believes there is a high or moderate threat of eco-terrorism on energy infrastructure in Canada. Please refer to the survey as: Sun News - Abacus Data Poll 2,009 Canadians, 18 years of age and older, August 10-12, Ottawa A new survey from Abacus Data commissioned by the Sun News Network finds one in two Canadians (50%) believe that the threat of eco-terrorism on Canadian energy infrastructure is either a high (13%) or moderate (37%). A majority of Canadians surveyed having armed guards at all oil and gas refineries, having armed guards patrol oil and gas pipelines, and having the RCMP and CSIS monitor environmental groups to help reduce the chances of eco-terrorism in Canada. Moreover, 49% of respondents either strongly (15%) or somewhat agreed (35%) that environmental groups are to blame for encouraging illegal behaviour such as blocking the construction of pipelines or violence against construction workers. Twenty-nine percent either strongly (12%) or somewhat disagreed while 22% were unsure. The A recently declassified RCMP intelligence report cites growing radicalism among eco-activists as a threat to energy infrastructure across Canada. When asked how much of a threat are Canadian pipelines, oil refineries, off-shore oil platforms, and other energy facilities under for an attack by radical eco-activists, 13% rated the threat as high, 37% said moderate threat, while 29% said low threat. Five percent of Canadians surveyed believed there was no threat of an attack on energy infrastructure. Older respondents, those who voted Conservative in the last federal election and those in Alberta were more likely to rate the threat as high or moderate. Also of note, respondents who said that there is good reason for them to be personally afraid of terrorist threats were more likely to rate the threat of eco-terrorism as being high or moderate (high 29%, moderate 43%). Preventing Eco-Terrorism We asked Canadians whether they would or certain measures to help reduce the chances of ecoterrorism in Canada. Six in ten Canadians (60%) surveyed said they would having the RCMP and CSIS monitor environmental groups while 20% d such measures. This was the most widely accepted measure in preventing ecoterrorism to Canadian energy infrastructure. Support was highest among Conservative voters (81%), seniors (70%) and Albertans (69%). Opposition to this was highest among British Columbians (28%), younger Canadians (29%), and Liberal Party voters (32%). 2

3 A majority of Canadians also ed having armed guards at all major oil and gas refineries (52%), at all major power plants (53%) and monitoring oil and gas pipelines (55%). Influence of Environmental Groups Finally, respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed that environmental groups are to blame for encouraging illegal behaviour such as blocking the construction of pipelines or violence against construction works. Overall, one in two respondents (49%) agreed with the statement while 29% disagreed. Twenty-two percent were unsure. A large majority of Conservative Party voters (75%) and majorities of Albertans (65%), seniors (60%), and men (54%) agreed that environmental groups are to blame for illegal behaviour against pipeline construction. Attitudes among NDP and Liberal Party ers was more mixed with 45% of Liberals agreeing and 36% of NDP voters agreeing with the statement. Bottom Line Although few Canadians are very concerned about the threat of eco-terrorism, a majority believe the threat to be either high or moderate in Canada. Nonetheless, majorities of respondents measures to prevent attacks on energy infrastructure from occurring including the monitoring environmental groups. What is most interesting about the issue of eco-terrorism is the depth of partisanship that seems to be driving opinion. Conservative Party ers are much more likely to believe there is a threat, are more likely to preventative measure, and are much more likely to blame environmental groups than other party ers. It is clear that the Harper government s framing on issues around energy infrastructure security and radical environmental groups has been successful in dividing the population. While Canadians care about environmental safety around the development and transportation of energy, they also care about security Canada s energy infrastructure and preventing attacks by radical environmental activists. Methodology The survey was conducted online with 2,099 respondents in English and French using an internet survey platform. A random sample of panelists was invited to participate in the survey from a larger internet representative panel of over 150,000 Canadians. The survey was completed from August 10-12, An over sample of was conducted in British Columbia (n=793) and Ontario (n=502). The data was statistically weighted by age, gender, region, and education level according to census data. Since the online survey was not a random, probability based sample, a margin of error could not be calculated. The margin of error for a survey of 2,099 respondents using a probability sample is +/- 2.2%, 19 times out of 20. 3

4 For more information about the survey, please contact David Coletto, CEO at or Influencers represent Canadians who consume a lot of news and are influential among their peers, family, and friends. They share information, make their opinions known, and influence others. They help move public opinion by being filters between the media, elites, and other Canadians. Abacus Data s is based on The Strength of Personality Scale developed by the Allensbach Survey Center in Germany identifies a group of the most active opinion leaders called, the influentials. We ve replicated this scale in our survey by asking respondents a series of 10 questionnaire items that are statistically weighted according to their correlations with the scale (Noelle-Nuemann, 1985). Influentials are opinion leaders who are active communicators on issues that span multiple subject areas. In the Abacus Data version of the measure, Influencers are also identified by their media consumption habits. By testing respondents self-perceived levels of personal influence we can identify this group within the Canadian population. As tested by the Allensbach Institut the Strength of Personality Scale is shown to validly reflect a measure of real communication flow and level of influence across samples (Weimann,1991). 4

5 A recently declassified RCMP intelligence report cites growing radicalism among eco-activists as a threat to energy infrastructure across Canada. Province/Region Gender Age group Education level Union household Community type Which party did you vote for in the last federal election in May 2011? Which of the following statements come closest to your view? Overall, how much of a threat are Canadian pipelines, oil refineries, off-shore oil platforms, and other energy facilities under for an attack by radical eco-activists? High treat Moderate threat Low threat No threat at all Unsure Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Weighted Unweighted Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Central Alberta British Columbia Male Female to to to and over No High School High School College or some university Bachelor's Degree Post-Graduate Work or Higher Yes No Urban Suburban Rural Conservative Party Liberal Party New Democratic Party Green Party Bloc Quebecois Another Party Can't Remember or did not vote There is little reason for There is good reason for Influencers Not influencers

6 Province/Region Gender Age group Education level Union household Community type Which party did you vote for in the last federal election in May 2011? Which of the following statements come closest to your view? Having armed guards at all major oil and gas refineries (Do you or the following measures to help reduce the chances of eco-terrorism in Canada?) Neither Unsure Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Weighted Unweighted Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Central Alberta British Columbia Male Female to to to and over No High School High School College or some university Bachelor's Degree Post-Graduate Work or Higher Yes No Urban Suburban Rural Conservative Party Liberal Party New Democratic Party Green Party Bloc Quebecois Another Party Can't Remember or did not vote There is little reason for There is good reason for Influencers Not influencers

7 Province/Region Gender Age group Education level Union household Community type Which party did you vote for in the last federal election in May 2011? Which of the following statements come closest to your view? Having armed guards regularly monitor oil and gas pipelines (Do you or the following measures to help reduce the chances of eco-terrorism in Canada?) Neither Unsure Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Weighted Unweighted Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Central Alberta British Columbia Male Female to to to and over No High School High School College or some university Bachelor's Degree Post-Graduate Work or Higher Yes No Urban Suburban Rural Conservative Party Liberal Party New Democratic Party Green Party Bloc Quebecois Another Party Can't Remember or did not vote There is little reason for There is good reason for Influencers Not influencers

8 Province/Region Gender Age group Education level Union household Community type Which party did you vote for in the last federal election in May 2011? Which of the following statements come closest to your view? Having the RCMP and CSIS monitor environmental groups (Do you or the following measures to help reduce the chances of eco-terrorism in Canada?) Neither Unsure Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Weighted Unweighted Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Central Alberta British Columbia Male Female to to to and over No High School High School College or some university Bachelor's Degree Post-Graduate Work or Higher Yes No Urban Suburban Rural Conservative Party Liberal Party New Democratic Party Green Party Bloc Quebecois Another Party Can't Remember or did not vote There is little reason for There is good reason for Influencers Not influencers

9 Province/Region Gender Age group Education level Union household Community type Which party did you vote for in the last federal election in May 2011? Which of the following statements come closest to your view? Having armed guards at all major power plants (Do you or the following measures to help reduce the chances of eco-terrorism in Canada?) Neither Unsure Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Weighted Unweighted Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Central Alberta British Columbia Male Female to to to and over No High School High School College or some university Bachelor's Degree Post-Graduate Work or Higher Yes No Urban Suburban Rural Conservative Party Liberal Party New Democratic Party Green Party Bloc Quebecois Another Party Can't Remember or did not vote There is little reason for There is good reason for Influencers Not influencers

10 Province/Region Gender Age group Education level Union household Community type Which party did you vote for in the last federal election in May 2011? Which of the following statements come closest to your view? Do you agree or disagree that environmental groups are to blame for encouraging illegal behaviour such as blocking the construction of pipelines or violence against construction workers? agree agree disagree disagree Unsure Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Weighted Unweighted Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Central Alberta British Columbia Male Female to to to and over No High School High School College or some university Bachelor's Degree Post-Graduate Work or Higher Yes No Urban Suburban Rural Conservative Party Liberal Party New Democratic Party Green Party Bloc Quebecois Another Party Can't Remember or did not vote There is little reason for There is good reason for Influencers Not influencers

11 Abacus Data Offers Full-Service, Strategic Research, Solutions Custom quantitative studies Online, telephone, in-person Custom qualitative studies Focus groups, one-on-one interviews Omnibus surveys (National, Provincial, and Canada-USA) Social media research Syndicated studies Data management Strategy development Dr. David Coletto Chief Executive David Coletto leads Abacus Data s team of research consultants and strategists. He earned a PhD from the University of Calgary and has over seven years experience working in the marketing research industry. David also leads Abacus Data s Canadian Millennials Research Practice. Alex Monk Director of Research and Alex leads Abacus Data s educational marketing, management consulting, and community panel practices. He earned his BA (honours) in Political Science and Economics from Carleton University. Alex is also a CMA Candidate with the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario

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