(CPOD) Apr. 14, 2003 – A boycott of Canadian products in the United States depends on how informed buyers are, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 33 per cent of respondents believe Canada—which refused to participate in the U.S.-led campaign against Saddam Hussein’s regime—is a member of the “coalition of the willing.”
(CPOD) Apr. 14, 2003 – A boycott of Canadian products in the United States depends on how informed buyers are, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 33 per cent of respondents believe Canada—which refused to participate in the U.S.-led campaign against Saddam Hussein’s regime—is a member of the “coalition of the willing.”
Canada’s concurrence in the conflict is a deciding factor over an alleged boycott. 26 per cent of respondents say they avoid Canadian products, while 17 per cent say they actually try to buy more. When informed that Canada is not supporting the war, elusion jumps to 40 per cent, and consumption drops to eight per cent.
A meeting between U.S. president George W. Bush and Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien, originally scheduled for May 2003, has been cancelled due to the Iraqi conflict. The two countries are each other’s biggest trading partners, and share the largest border in the world.
Polling Data
Is Canada a member of the “coalition of the willing”?
Yes | 48% |
No | 33% |
Don’t know | 19% |
Are you avoiding Canadian products, or buying more?
Avoiding Canadian products | 26% |
Buying more | 17% |
Now that you know that Canada is not a coalition member, would you avoid Canadian products or buy more?
Avoid Canadian products | 40% |
Buy more | 8% |
Source: Ipsos-Reid / CTV / The Globe and Mail
Methodology: Interviews to 1,000 American adults, conducted from Apr. 2 to Apr. 4, 2003. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
