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The Canada West Foundation's Looking West surveys, conducted under Canada West's Building the New West project, are designed to provide valid and reliable data on western Canadian public opinion. The Looking West 2004 survey is the third of the series; previous Looking West surveys were conducted in 2001 and 2003.
Since 2001, the Looking West surveys have analyzed western Canadian attitudes toward federalism. The Looking West 2004 survey continues this tradition, with an additional feature: comparative data for Ontario on the survey questions relating to federalism, regional discontent, and institutional reform. The purpose of this comparison is to provide some context for western concerns: are these concerns unique to the West, or do they exist in other regions of the country? There are many similarities between Ontario and the western provinces, making comparisons between the two regions highly valuable.
Regional Distinctions presents an analysis of the Looking West 2004 federalism data. It should be noted that the survey also collected data in the four western provinces on a wide variety of policy issues, including policy priorities, the economy, the labour market, urban issues, and Canada-US relations. These data will be presented in a second report, to be released in spring 2004.
Key findings include:
Western discontent is lower than in previous years, but the change, where it does exist, has been slight. In most cases, a familiar pattern is seen in the West: Saskatchewan and British Columbia express the highest levels of discontent, Manitoba expresses the lowest levels of discontent, and Alberta takes up the middle position. There are some exceptions to this pattern, but it generally holds true, and has done so since 2001.
Although many commentators argue that British Columbia is distinct or unique in the West, when it comes to attitudes toward the federal government, it is Manitoba rather than BC that stands somewhat apart due to its lower levels of discontent.
Ontario respondents express significantly greater satisfaction with the federal government than do western Canadians. While western Canadians feel that their provinces are getting the short shrift in Canada's federal system, Ontarians are quite content that Ontario is treated well within Canadian federalism.
Both Ontario and western Canadian respondents see western Canada as a distinct region. In addition, both western
Canadians and Ontarians feel the federal government should make an effort to reduce western alienation, but are skeptical about the ability of the Martin government to make significant, lasting reductions in western alienation.
While the majority of western Canadians feel that the rest of Canada does not care about the West, Ontario respondents disagree strongly with this perception.
Ontarians share western Canadians' interest in Senate reform. Ontarians, like western Canadians, feel the
Senate should be equal and elected — and would support reforming the Senate even if it required constitutional change.
In each province, a plurality would like to see increased provincial power in the future.
On many questions, respondents under 30 express lower levels of dissatisfaction with government and lower levels of
regional discontent.
Author: Dr. Loleen Berdahl
Author(s): Dr. Loleen Berdahl
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