Very few respondents believe CSIS Director Richard Fadden should leave his post on account of his revelations.

Canadians have reacted with interest to the allegations made by Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Director Richard Fadden, and believe that the names of the politicians who are supposedly under the influence of foreign governments should be revealed, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In an interview broadcast last month, Fadden claimed that the agency believes that at least two provincial cabinet ministers and several British Columbia municipal politicians “are under at least the general influence of a foreign government.”

On Jul. 5, Fadden appeared before the House of Commons standing committee on public safety, and said that he will name the politicians to the federal government at a later date.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,009 Canadian adults, two-thirds of respondents (67%) think the names of the ministers and politicians Fadden has referred to should be revealed to the public.

In March, Fadden stated during a speech to police chiefs and security experts that China is aggressively and surreptitiously recruiting future political prospects, and has funded university clubs that are managed by people operating out of embassies or consulates.

Three-in-four Canadians (73%) say it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that some politicians in Canada are under the influence of the Chinese government.

Fadden told MPs that he will not offer his resignation. Three-in-five respondents (59%) believe Fadden should not leave his post on account of his statements.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 6 to July 7, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,009 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.