Majority of Canadians surveyed say homophobia is as bad as racism
MONTREAL (CP) - Almost 60 per cent of Canadians surveyed indicated they believe being homophobic is as bad as being racist or anti-Semitic, says a new poll.
The Leger Marketing poll found five per cent of respondents indicated they viewed homophobia as worse than racism or anti-Semitism, 58 per cent thought they were comparable, while 24 per cent said homophobia was not as bad. About 14 per cent of respondents said they did not know or refused to answer.
British Columbia, at 65 per cent, had the highest level of respondents who thought being homophobic was as bad as being racist or anti-Semitic.
Alberta, at 47 per cent, had the lowest level.
The question was: Personally, do you think that being homophobic is worse than being racist or anti-Semitic; as bad as being racist or anti-Semitic; or not as bad as being racist or anti-Semitic?
The poll of 1,511 Canadians was conducted April 6-11. When national figures are taken as representative of the country at large, the poll is considered accurate within 2.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
The survey also suggested that Canadians were divided on whether they favoured same-sex marriages. Forty-three per cent of respondents supported the idea, while 47 per cent were opposed.
Fifty-one per cent of Quebecers were in favour of same-sex marriages. At the other end of the scale were Albertans, at 36 per cent.
Leger Marketing also asked respondents if they thought homosexuals should have the same rights as heterosexuals.
Seventy-four per cent said Yes, 20 per cent replied No and six per cent didn't know or refused to answer.
MONTREAL (CP) - Almost 60 per cent of Canadians surveyed indicated they believe being homophobic is as bad as being racist or anti-Semitic, says a new poll.
The Leger Marketing poll found five per cent of respondents indicated they viewed homophobia as worse than racism or anti-Semitism, 58 per cent thought they were comparable, while 24 per cent said homophobia was not as bad. About 14 per cent of respondents said they did not know or refused to answer.
British Columbia, at 65 per cent, had the highest level of respondents who thought being homophobic was as bad as being racist or anti-Semitic.
Alberta, at 47 per cent, had the lowest level.
The question was: Personally, do you think that being homophobic is worse than being racist or anti-Semitic; as bad as being racist or anti-Semitic; or not as bad as being racist or anti-Semitic?
The poll of 1,511 Canadians was conducted April 6-11. When national figures are taken as representative of the country at large, the poll is considered accurate within 2.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
The survey also suggested that Canadians were divided on whether they favoured same-sex marriages. Forty-three per cent of respondents supported the idea, while 47 per cent were opposed.
Fifty-one per cent of Quebecers were in favour of same-sex marriages. At the other end of the scale were Albertans, at 36 per cent.
Leger Marketing also asked respondents if they thought homosexuals should have the same rights as heterosexuals.
Seventy-four per cent said Yes, 20 per cent replied No and six per cent didn't know or refused to answer.