February 25, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada back higher environmental standards for the automobile industry, according to a poll by Léger Marketing for Téléjournal and Le Point. 58 per cent of respondents believe the Canadian government should force automobile manufacturers to replace gas engine with less pollutant machines.

(Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada back higher environmental standards for the automobile industry, according to a poll by Léger Marketing for Téléjournal and Le Point. 58 per cent of respondents believe the Canadian government should force automobile manufacturers to replace gas engine with less pollutant machines.

The Canadian government has discussed stricter voluntary guidelines with the automobile industry—but not a mandatory program or system—so that cars burn 25 per cent less fuel by 2010.

In 1998, several countries agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, a proposed amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement commits nations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Canada is one of 140 nations to have ratified the revised agreement, which came into effect on Feb. 16. 75 per cent of respondents reject a proposal to add a 20-cent tax per litre of gasoline in order to incite people to reduce fuel consumption.

Polling Data

Do you think the Canadian government should force automobile manufacturers to replace gas engines with less pollutant machines?

Yes	58%
No	34%
Not sure	8%

Are you favourable or unfavourable with adding a 20 cent tax per litre of gasoline in order to incite people to reduce fuel consumption?

Favourable	23%
Unfavourable	75%
Not sure	2%

Source: Léger Marketing / Téléjournal / Le Point
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,502 Canadian adults, conducted from Feb. 1 to Feb. 8, 2005. Margin of error is 2.6 per cent.