Many people regard this deal as an opportunity to grow the national economy through increased exports.
[MONTREAL – Nov. 30, 2009] – Canadians would welcome a bi-lateral commercial pact between Ottawa and New Delhi, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,000 Canadian adults, a majority of respondents (55%) endorse plans to establish a Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement—essentially a free trade pact.
A fifth of Canadians (19%) strongly agree with this proposal.
While 45 per cent of respondents think a trade agreement with India would strengthen the Canadian economy by increasing export activity, three-in-ten Canadians (30%) fear that the national economy would suffer from increased foreign exports.
In general, 41 per cent of Canadians say Ottawa should strengthen its diplomatic and commercial ties with India.
The opinions of Canadians regarding the South Asian country are split—36 per cent of respondents hold a positive view of India, whereas 36 per cent hold a negative opinion.
India vs. Other Nations
India’s favourable ranking in Canada is slightly higher than that of Mexico (34%), Russia (29%), and China (25%), and decidedly better than that of Pakistan (7%).
However, compared to the United Kingdom (80%), France (69%), and the United States (65%), fewer Canadians regard India in a favourable light.
A majority of Canadians want Ottawa to seek greater diplomatic and commercial ties with the European Union (EU) (61%), and the United States (54%). A significant proportion of Canadians also want better relations with China (49%), India (41%), and Latin America and the Caribbean (36%).
Canadians are not so enthusiastic about furthering commercial ties with Russia (28%) or Africa (22%).
Regional Breakdowns
Support for a free trade agreement between Canada and India is strongest in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (71%), followed by Atlantic Canada (60%), British Columbia (58%), and Ontario and Quebec (both at 53%). Alberta holds the smallest proportion of respondents expressing support for a bi-lateral trade pact with India (48%).
Respondents in Quebec (36%) and Ontario (34%) are more inclined than others to say that Canada’s economy could suffer from a trade pact with India because it would see a flood of foreign imports. Such concerns are also expressed by just over a quarter of respondents in Alberta, and Manitoba and Saskatchewan (both at 27%).
British Columbia (47%), Alberta (45%) and Atlantic Canada (41%) are home to the largest proportion of respondents who have an overall positive opinion of India. Conversely, 46 per cent of respondents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have a mostly negative opinion of the South Asian country—more than anywhere else in Canada.
British Columbians (70%) are the keenest respondents in wanting Canada to strengthen its relations with India.
Analysis
While the negotiations towards a free trade agreement linking Canada and India are still in the early stages, the idea is attractive to a majority of Canadians. It is important to note that, while India is definitely not as highly regarded as some traditional allies and partners, it is currently outpacing Mexico—a nation that has well-established commerce ties with Canada—by a few points.
Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)
CONTACT:
Jaideep Mukerji, Vice President, Public Affairs
+514 409 0462
jaideep.mukerji@angus-reid.com
