British Columbians more likely to vote to keep our media Canadian
March 7, 2008Survey has strong message for Vancouver Quadra candidates
Vancouver – Residents of British Columbia are more likely than other Canadians to vote for a federal candidate who rejects permitting foreign corporations to own and control Canadian media and telecom companies, according to a Harris-Decima survey released today.
Sixty-seven percent of British Columbians are more likely to vote for a candidate who opposes increased foreign ownership, more than the national result of 62%.
"This should send a powerful message to candidates seeking to become the new MP for Vancouver Quadra. There’s no political upside for any candidate to support the sell-off of our media," said Wendy Sol, Administrative Vice-President for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.
ACTRA, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, and Friends of Canadian Broadcasting released the survey results today at a Vancouver Quadra candidates’ debate the three organizations are sponsoring.
Most voters in B.C. (67% vs. 66% nationally) believe broadcasting and communications are too important to our national security and cultural sovereignty to allow foreign control of Canadian companies in this sector. The survey also found that six in ten British Columbians (vs. 54% nationally) strongly agree that it is important that the Canadian government work to maintain and build a culture and identity distinct from the United States.
"Protecting Canada’s cultural sovereignty is a priority for voters, especially in B.C. where the film and television industry has been hard hit. Most Canadians want action from Ottawa to build a culture and identity that is distinct from the United States. We need more Canada on TV and at the movies," said Stephen Waddell, ACTRA National Executive Director.
The issue of foreign ownership and control of Canadian media is in play right now. The federal government has established a panel to review limits to the share a foreign corporation can own of Canadian media and telecommunication companies after intense industry pressure to dilute the foreign ownership restrictions.
"Powerful lobbyists for the cable industry are at work right now, trying to persuade the federal government to allow Americans to buy them out. If they succeed, there’s nothing to stop foreign companies from taking control of Canadian media and telecommunications too. And if we lose control of our media, we’ll lose control of our culture," said Ian Morrison, spokesperson for the broadcast watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
The data were gathered between November 15th and November 25th 2007 through Harris/Decima’s weekly teleVox, the company’s national omnibus survey. Results are based on a sample of 2,052 Canadians, and the corresponding margin of error is +/- 2.2%, 19 times out of 20. BC results are based on a sample of 250 British Columbians, and the corresponding margin of error is +/- 6.2%.
For information:
Wendy Sol, CEP 204-791-2409 cell
Susan Ponting, ACTRA: 416-644 1519
Jim Thompson, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting: 613-447-9592
Sixty-seven percent of British Columbians are more likely to vote for a candidate who opposes increased foreign ownership, more than the national result of 62%.
"This should send a powerful message to candidates seeking to become the new MP for Vancouver Quadra. There’s no political upside for any candidate to support the sell-off of our media," said Wendy Sol, Administrative Vice-President for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.
ACTRA, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, and Friends of Canadian Broadcasting released the survey results today at a Vancouver Quadra candidates’ debate the three organizations are sponsoring.
Most voters in B.C. (67% vs. 66% nationally) believe broadcasting and communications are too important to our national security and cultural sovereignty to allow foreign control of Canadian companies in this sector. The survey also found that six in ten British Columbians (vs. 54% nationally) strongly agree that it is important that the Canadian government work to maintain and build a culture and identity distinct from the United States.
"Protecting Canada’s cultural sovereignty is a priority for voters, especially in B.C. where the film and television industry has been hard hit. Most Canadians want action from Ottawa to build a culture and identity that is distinct from the United States. We need more Canada on TV and at the movies," said Stephen Waddell, ACTRA National Executive Director.
The issue of foreign ownership and control of Canadian media is in play right now. The federal government has established a panel to review limits to the share a foreign corporation can own of Canadian media and telecommunication companies after intense industry pressure to dilute the foreign ownership restrictions.
"Powerful lobbyists for the cable industry are at work right now, trying to persuade the federal government to allow Americans to buy them out. If they succeed, there’s nothing to stop foreign companies from taking control of Canadian media and telecommunications too. And if we lose control of our media, we’ll lose control of our culture," said Ian Morrison, spokesperson for the broadcast watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
The data were gathered between November 15th and November 25th 2007 through Harris/Decima’s weekly teleVox, the company’s national omnibus survey. Results are based on a sample of 2,052 Canadians, and the corresponding margin of error is +/- 2.2%, 19 times out of 20. BC results are based on a sample of 250 British Columbians, and the corresponding margin of error is +/- 6.2%.
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For information:
Wendy Sol, CEP 204-791-2409 cell
Susan Ponting, ACTRA: 416-644 1519
Jim Thompson, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting: 613-447-9592
