Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Canadians Reject Harper on Kyoto Accord

June 07, 2006

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada appear disappointed with one of their federal government's environmental policies, according to a poll by Decima Research released by the Canadian Press. 59 per cent of respondents believe Canada should not withdraw from the Kyoto Accord, while 31 per cent prefer implementing a different plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The term global warming refers to an increase of the Earth's average temperature. Some theories say that climate change might be the result of human-generated carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

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 141 nations to have ratified the revised agreement, which came into effect in February 2005.

During his time in opposition, current prime minister and Conservative leader Stephen Harper criticized the inclusion of funds for the "fatally flawed" Kyoto Protocol in the federal budget. Harper took over as head of government in February.

The Conservative government has not pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, but has said it will be impossible to meet the emission reduction targets agreed to by the previous Liberal administration. Harper has said his cabinet will unveil a "Made in Canada" plan for the environment before the end of the year.

Polling Data

The Harper government has indicated that Canada may need to follow a course other than the Kyoto Accord. When it comes to setting and achieving goals for greenhouse gas emissions, which of these views are closer to yours?

Being part of the Kyoto Accord is important
for Canada and we should not withdraw

59%

It doesn't matter if we are part of the Kyoto
Accord as long as we have a plan to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions

31%

Not sure

10%

Source: Decima Research / Canadian Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,002 Canadian adults, conducted from May 25 to May 28, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

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