Listening to Canadians on
the Canadian-American Relationship
Executive Summary
This report is based on results from Communication Canada's Listening to Canadians survey of winter 2003 and a mirror study conducted in the United States at the same time. The key findings are as follows:
Canadians are divided on the state of current relations between the governments of Canada and the United States. Roughly one-third of Canadians feel the relationship is good, another third say neither good nor bad, while a final third say it is poor. However, a majority of Canadians feel the relationship has been worsening over the past two years. American opinion stands in stark contrast. A majority of Americans feel the relationship is good and that it has remained essentially unchanged over the past two years.
Canadians are more able to point out important issues facing the North American relationship. Not surprisingly, with the war pending at the time of the survey, most Canadians believed that the Iraq issue was the most important. Conversely, nearly one in two Americans were unaware of any major issues challenging the relationship between the two governments.
A strong majority of Canadians say they are aware of trade disputes pending between Canada and the United States, with 88% of these pointing to the current lumber dispute. Moreover, when it comes to trade, a majority of Canadians also feel that the United States has been unfair in its dealings with Canada. Nevertheless, they are confident in the Government of Canada's ability to resolve any present or future problems in the relationship, including those related to trade. A strong majority of Americans are unaware of any trade disputes. Of those who are aware, a majority are unable to specify any particular dispute.
Regarding support for greater co-operation on a series of bilateral issues, a majority of Canadians are in favour of closer ties on border security, increased trade, and common environmental policies and defence. They are less supportive of greater co-operation on issues such as immigration, economic and foreign policies as well as the possibility of a common currency, as these may be perceived as limiting Canadian sovereignty.
Americans are significantly more supportive of greater ties with Canada on all issues measured, the exception being a common currency. They are most interested in co-operation on border security, which they believe will make North America safer and protect their economy. Furthermore, Americans are confident that Canada can be relied upon to help protect the homeland security of the United States. This sentiment is especially true for Americans living along the Canadian border.
http://www.communication.gc.ca/survey_sondage/14-15/can-am/can-am2003q4_02_e.html
the Canadian-American Relationship
Executive Summary
This report is based on results from Communication Canada's Listening to Canadians survey of winter 2003 and a mirror study conducted in the United States at the same time. The key findings are as follows:
Canadians are divided on the state of current relations between the governments of Canada and the United States. Roughly one-third of Canadians feel the relationship is good, another third say neither good nor bad, while a final third say it is poor. However, a majority of Canadians feel the relationship has been worsening over the past two years. American opinion stands in stark contrast. A majority of Americans feel the relationship is good and that it has remained essentially unchanged over the past two years.
Canadians are more able to point out important issues facing the North American relationship. Not surprisingly, with the war pending at the time of the survey, most Canadians believed that the Iraq issue was the most important. Conversely, nearly one in two Americans were unaware of any major issues challenging the relationship between the two governments.
A strong majority of Canadians say they are aware of trade disputes pending between Canada and the United States, with 88% of these pointing to the current lumber dispute. Moreover, when it comes to trade, a majority of Canadians also feel that the United States has been unfair in its dealings with Canada. Nevertheless, they are confident in the Government of Canada's ability to resolve any present or future problems in the relationship, including those related to trade. A strong majority of Americans are unaware of any trade disputes. Of those who are aware, a majority are unable to specify any particular dispute.
Regarding support for greater co-operation on a series of bilateral issues, a majority of Canadians are in favour of closer ties on border security, increased trade, and common environmental policies and defence. They are less supportive of greater co-operation on issues such as immigration, economic and foreign policies as well as the possibility of a common currency, as these may be perceived as limiting Canadian sovereignty.
Americans are significantly more supportive of greater ties with Canada on all issues measured, the exception being a common currency. They are most interested in co-operation on border security, which they believe will make North America safer and protect their economy. Furthermore, Americans are confident that Canada can be relied upon to help protect the homeland security of the United States. This sentiment is especially true for Americans living along the Canadian border.
http://www.communication.gc.ca/survey_sondage/14-15/can-am/can-am2003q4_02_e.html