Poll: Canadians Want to See Party Leaders Debate Environment Issues

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Sept. 19 , 2008 - With the environment, and specifically climate change, emerging as a top campaign issue, Canadians want to see their political leaders take part in a televised environmental debate.

The CBC will broadcast an environmental debate on October 8.

When asked whether party leaders should participate in a debate on the environment, 71 per cent of Canadians
expressed agreement, according to a Nanos poll. The support cuts across party lines, with a majority of respondents from all parties stating that they “support” or “somewhat support” party leaders’ participation in such a debate.

“Each political leader has acknowledged that climate change is an urgent issue and a top priority,” said Marlo Raynolds, Pembina Institute. “This debate gives them an opportunity to show that they’re serious about making the environment a priority. Clearly, Canadians expect no less.”

Earlier this year, a group of eleven major environmental organizations published Tomorrow Today: How Canada can Make a World of Difference
a summary of the most important actions the federal government needs to take to set a course for environmental sustainability.

“Solving our most urgent environmental challenges demands the personal attention of party leaders, and we literally have no time left to lose,” said Julie Gelfand, Nature Canada. “That’s why we’re calling on all party leaders to thoroughly debate how best to protect Canada’s environment.”

An Ekos poll released September 7 found that nearly two-thirds of Canadians see global warming as the most important issue facing the country in the medium- to long-term.

“Canadians are calling for environmental leadership from all political parties,” said Graham Saul, Climate Action Network-Réseau Action Climat. “This debate gives leaders the chance to show voters their commitment to a cleaner, greener Canada before election day.”

The survey of 1,203 Canadians was conducted from September 15–17, 2008. More polling details can be downloaded from http://pubs.pembina.org/reports/debate-pollresults-nanos.pdf.

To find out more about Tomorrow Today and the organizations behind it, see http://www.tomorrowtodaycanada.ca/.

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