May 19, 2022 | DRAFT REPORT
Provocation Ideas Festival Survey 2022
Democracy and
Civil Discourse Report
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
Table of Contents
Key Findings | 3 |
Democracy & Civil Discourse in Canada | 6 |
Social Media and Civil Discourse | 19 |
Civil Discourse Engagement | 30 |
Appendix: Methodology and Demographics | 34 |
Key Findings
4
Key Findings
1 | Most are satisfied with the way democracy works in Canada, but most also don’t feel the government listens to them In an apparent democratic paradox, sixty-eight percent (68%) report being satisfied with the way democracy works in Canada, but fifty-seven percent (57%) say that they don’t think government listens to people like them. |
2 | Compromise in politics, a core democratic principle, is seen as both necessary for democracy and bad for the public Interestingly, fifty-nine percent (59%) agree that compromise is necessary to make democracy work, but a slim majority (51%) think that compromise results in bad things for the Canadian public. |
3 | Canadians are not sure how far they can trust what government says, but tend to trust municipal governments the most Less that 40% believe that federal and governments usually share information they believe is true. 45% believe municipal government are mostly truthful. While it varies by level, roughly a third believe governments sometimes share information they know is not true. Between 11% and 16% believe governments usually or always share information they know is NOT true. |
4 | Many Canadians say the state of discourse is deteriorating, and social media isn’t helping A plurality (41%) say that discourse in Canada has become less fact-based, and 46% say it has become less respectful. Overall, 42% think that social media is bad for civil discourse in Canada. |
5 | Social media is seen as contributing to the spread of disinformation and half believe that these companies should regulate offensive content A majority (70%) think that disinformation on social media is a big problem. A narrow majority (51%) want social media companies to regulate offensive content but 39% say users should have the right to post what they want. |
What do Canadians have to say?
5
I am not satisfied with democracy in Canada!
(28%)
I don’t think government considers my views. �(57%)
The federal government sometimes shares information it knows is not true!�(33%)
It doesn’t matter what you do – you can’t make a difference in politics! �(36%)
On certain issues, regular Canadians should have the final say!
(69%)
Civil discourse has become less respectful of differing opinions! �(46%)
I want to hear from ordinary Canadian voters! �(54%)
Social media has a negative impact on civil discourse!
(42%)
Too many people are offended by the language others use!
(52%)
NOTE: Actual question wording has been abbreviated due to space restrictions
Democracy & Civil Discourse
in Canada
7
Q
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?�[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Compromise & Expert Opinion: The viewpoint that regular Canadians should have the final say has the highest level of agreement
Agree |
69% |
|
59% |
|
51% |
|
34% |
|
34% |
|
30% |
8
We created four different segments based on responses to a battery of questions about decision-making and compromise.
Segments | Description |
Engaged | These respondents want to be involved in politics and welcome expert input on the process. They believe in compromise. |
Populist | These respondents don’t support compromise and want to leave decisions to regular people without expert intervention. |
Populist w/ Expert Input | These respondents also don’t support compromise, but they support having experts weigh in on the process. |
Deferential | These respondents want to leave the decisions to experts, and believe compromising is necessary to make democracy work. |
Democratic Participation Clusters: One-third (34%) are Engaged, the next largest segment, Deferentials, make up 28% of the sample
Compromise bad
Compromise necessary
9
Defining the Democratic Participation Clusters
Q
Based on the respondents’ attitudes to questions about expertise in decision-making and compromise, we have grouped respondents who share similar attitudes into four clusters. The table below shows where each segment stands on the key attitudes used to create the clusters. The table uses total agreement – the higher the agreement, the more people agree with the statement.
Total Agree | Engaged | Populist | Populist w/ Expert Input | Deferential |
Most of the compromising that goes on in politics turns out to be bad for the public | 34% | 83% | 86% | 25% |
Compromise and bargaining among politicians are necessary to make democracy work | 95% | 37% | 21% | 57% |
I’m not interested in expert opinions because listening to experts has created a lot of problems for this country | 33% | 91% | 30% | 5% |
I find politics so complicated that I’d rather rely on experts to decide key issues | 19% | 48% | 28% | 48% |
Politics is so boring to me that I’d rather leave it to other people | 14% | 56% | 25% | 37% |
On certain issues, I like hearing expert opinion, but on others I think regular Canadians should have the final say | 91% | 54% | 95% | 31% |
Democratic Participation Clusters
10
Q
Generally speaking, how satisfied are you with the way democracy works in Canada?�[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Democracy in Canada: 68% are satisfied with the way democracy works; Indigenous people and non-voters are more likely to dissatisfied
Segmentation�Those who say ‘Dissatisfied’
Income
Region
Group Membership
Gender
Age
28% Dissatisfied
68% Satisfied
+40%
Net satisfied
Democracy Engagement
*Net satisfied = (total satisfied) – (total dissatisfied)
11
| Engaged | Populist | Populist w/ Expert Input | Deferential |
Satisfied (Very + Somewhat) | 79% | 54% | 55% | 72% |
Unsatisfied (Very + Somewhat) | 19% | 42% | 42% | 18% |
NET Satisfied (Satisfied – Unsatisfied) | 60% | 12% | 13% | 54% |
Don’t know | 2% | 4% | 3% | 10% |
Q
Generally speaking, how satisfied are you with the way democracy works in Canada? BY Democratic Participation Segments �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Democracy in Canada BY Democratic Participation: Engaged Canadians are the most satisfied with how democracy works in Canada
Democratic Participation Clusters
12
Q
When government makes decisions, to what degree, if at all, do you think it considers the views of people like you? �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Government Decisions: Most (57%) feel that the government does not consider their views much when making decisions
Segmentation�Those who say ‘Not very much/not at all’
Income
Region
Group Membership
Gender
Democracy Engagement
Age
57%
13
Q
When government makes decisions, to what degree, if at all, do you think it considers the views of people like you? BY Democratic Participation Segments �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Government Decisions BY Democratic Participation: Populists w/ Expert Input feel that the government considers their views the least
| Engaged | Populist | Populist w/ Expert Input | Deferential |
Great deal + Fair amount | 45% | 40% | 25% | 43% |
Not very much + Not at all | 53% | 60% | 74% | 48% |
NET | -8% | -20% | -49% | -5% |
Don’t know | 1% | 0% | 1% | 9% |
Democratic Participation Clusters
14
Q
Which statement best represents your view of the political process in Canada? �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Political Process: A plurality feel that they can’t make a difference in politics; higher among non-voters & those who earn less than $40k/year
Segmentation�Those who say ‘Doesn’t matter’
Income
Region
Group Membership
Gender
Democracy Engagement
Age
15
| Engaged | Populist | Populist w/ Expert Input | Deferential |
The best way to make a difference is to work within the existing political system | 44% | 21% | 22% | 28% |
The best way to make a difference is to get involved with political or protest movements outside the traditional political system | 23% | 25% | 22% | 23% |
It doesn’t matter what you do, you can’t really make a difference in politics | 28% | 44% | 49% | 31% |
Don’t know | 5% | 10% | 6% | 18% |
Q
Which statement best represents your view of the political process in Canada? BY Democratic Participation Segments �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Political Process BY Democratic Participation: Half (49%) of Populists w/Expert Input feel like they can’t make a difference in politics
Democratic Participation Clusters
16
Q
In the past 12 months, how often have you___________. �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Democracy Personal Engagement: 3-in-5 (63%) have discussed politics with someone who has opposing views at least a few times
17
Q
When it comes to discussions about political issues in Canada, who are you most interested in hearing from? And who would be your second choice? And who would be your third choice? �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Discussion of Political Issues: Over half (54%) are most interested in hearing the opinions of ordinary voters
Total |
54% |
41% |
35% |
34% |
31% |
29% |
13% |
4% |
25% |
18
Q
Different levels of government often share important information with the public. Thinking about each of the different levels of government, how truthful do you feel that information is? �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Truthful Information: Municipal government is believed to have the most truthful information, while the federal government has the least
Social Media and Civil Discourse
20
Q
Over the last several years would you say the tone and nature of civil discourse in this country has…�[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Fact Based: 2-in-5 (41%) say that civil discourse has become less fact based; higher among older respondents (47%)
Segmentation�Those who say ‘Less fact based’
Income
Region
Group Membership
Gender
Democracy Engagement
Age
21
Q
Over the last several years would you say the tone and nature of civil discourse in this country has…�[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Respecting Opinions: Nearly half (46%) of those polled believe that civil discourse has become less respectful of differing opinions
Segmentation�Those who say ‘Less respectful’
Income
Region
Group Membership
Gender
Democracy Engagement
Age
22
Q
How often do you use any type of social media platform?�[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Social Media Usage: Nealy half (45%) use any type of social media platform multiple times a day; Facebook most popular for finding info
And which social media platform do you use the most when you are looking for information about political issues and events?�[Asked of all respondents who use social media platforms, n=1,075]
23
Q
In what way, if at all, do you think social media impacts civil discourse in Canada? �[Asked of all respondents who use social media platforms, n=1,200]
Social Media Impact: Two-in-five (42%) of Canadians think that social media negatively impacts civil discourse
21% Positive
-21%
Net Positive
42% Negative
Segmentation�Those who say ‘Negatively’
Income
Region
Group Membership
Gender
Democracy Engagement
Age
*Net positive= (total positive) – (total negative)
24
Q
In what way, if at all, do you think social media impacts civil discourse in Canada? BY Democratic Participation Segments �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Social Media Impact BY Democratic Participation: Engaged Canadians feel most strongly that social media negatively impacts civil discourse
| Engaged | Populist | Populist w/ Expert Input | Deferential |
Positive (Very + Somewhat) | 19% | 32% | 23% | 16% |
Total Negative (Very + Somewhat) | 53% | 34% | 38% | 36% |
NET Positive (Positive – Negative) | -34% | -2% | -15% | -21% |
Don’t know | 4% | 7% | 10% | 15% |
Democratic Participation Clusters
25
Social Media Impact: TikTok and Instagram users are most likely to say they think social media impacts civil discourse positively
Most Used Social Media
Frequency of Social Media Use
Q
In what way, if at all, do you think social media impacts civil discourse in Canada? �[Asked of all respondents who use social media platforms, n=1,200]
21% |
|
27% |
22% |
18% |
13% |
3% |
|
60% |
25% |
21% |
17% |
45% |
29% |
6% |
1% |
Total Positive
* Note: Small ‘n’ size (n<60) for ‘Reddit’ and ‘TikTok’. Approach results with caution.
26
Q
Thinking about the content posted on social media, which comes closer to your own point-of-view? �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Content on Social Media: Over half (51%) believe that social media companies have a responsibility to remove offensive content
Segmentation�Those who say ‘Users have the right to say and post any content ’
Income
Region
Group Membership
Gender
Democracy Engagement
Age
27
Q
Thinking about the content posted on social media, which comes closer to your own point-of-view? BY Democratic Participation Segments �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Content on Social Media BY Democratic Participation: Half of Populists w/Expert Input feel social media users can post any content they wish
| Engaged | Populist | Populist w/ Expert Input | Deferential |
Social media companies have a responsibility to identify and remove offensive content from their platforms | 61% | 42% | 42% | 50% |
Social media users have the right to say and post any content they wish, so long as they don’t break any laws | 36% | 45% | 49% | 30% |
Don’t know | 3% | 12% | 9% | 20% |
Democratic Participation Clusters
28
Content on Social Media: Frequent social media users are more likely to say they have the right to say and post anything they wish
Most Used Social Media
Frequency of Social Media Use
Q
Thinking about the content posted on social media, which comes closer to your own point-of-view? �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
* Note: Small ‘n’ size (n<60) for ‘Reddit’ and ‘TikTok’. Approach results with caution.
29
Q
How big a problem is the use of social media to spread disinformation, information made intentionally to deceive, here in Canada? �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Spread of Disinformation: Seventy-percent (70%) of those polled believe that misinformation is a growing or large problem
Segmentation�Those who say ‘Big Issue’
Income
Region
Group Membership
Gender
Democracy Engagement
Age
70%
Civil Discourse Engagement
31
Q
When talking to others, how often do you do/feel each of the following…�[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Civil Discourse Engagement: 3-in-5 (58%) believe they are successful in fully expressing themselves without using offensive language
32
Q
When talking to others, how often do you do/feel each of the following… BY Democratic Participation Segments �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Civil Discourse Engagement BY Democratic Participation: 55% of Populists try to use unoffensive language whilst expressing themselves
All the time + Often | Engaged | Populist | Populist w/ Expert Input | Deferential |
Feel unfairly judged by others because of the language you use to express yourself | 13% | 26% | 20% | 16% |
Change the way you express yourself when around people who have different racial and ethnic backgrounds than your own | 24% | 37% | 26% | 26% |
Make an effort to use language others won’t find offensive | 66% | 55% | 55% | 54% |
Feel you are successful in fully expressing yourself while using language that is not offensive to others | 65% | 58% | 57% | 52% |
Democratic Participation Clusters
33
Q
Which statement comes closer to your own view—even if neither is exactly right? �[Asked of all respondents, n=1,200]
Offensive Discourse: Half (52%) believe too many people are easily offended by others’ language; highest among Indigenous group (66%)
Segmentation�Those who say ‘Too many easily offended’
Income
Region
Group Membership
Gender
Democracy Engagement
Age
Appendix: Methodology and Demographics
35
Survey Methodology
Method: This online survey was conducted using Lucid, a leading provider of online sample. Each survey is administered to a series of randomly selected samples from the panel and weighted to ensure that the overall sample's composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data to provide results that are intended to approximate a probability sample. Before moving on to the core survey, respondents were screened to ensure they met selection criteria (see slide 5).
Sample Size: n=1391 Canadians, 18 years or older. The results are weighted to n=1200 based on Census data from Statistics Canada.
Field Dates: May 15th to May 18th, 2022
Weighting: Results are weighted by age, gender, and region to ensure that the overall sample’s composition reflects that of the actual population according to Census data; in order to provide results that are intended to approximate a probability sample.
Margin of Error: This is a representative sample. However, since the online survey was not a random probability based sample, a margin of error cannot be calculated. Statements about margins of sampling error or population estimates do not apply to most online panels.
Innovative Research Group (INNOVATIVE) was commissioned by the Provocation Ideas Festival (PIF) to conduct an online survey to identify opinions and attitudes towards on a variety of provocative and important issues.
Note: Graphs may not always total 100% due to rounding values rather than any error in data. �Sums are added before rounding numbers.
36
Gender & Age
Federal Party ID
Demographics
Household Income
Note: “Don’t know” and “Prefer not to say” not shown.
‘Prefer to self-describe’
1%
Education
Vote
High school or less
College
University
Women
Men
Conservative | Liberal | NDP | Bloc Québécois | Green | People's Party | Maverick Party | Something else (Please specify) | None/� Independent |
Wasn’t eligible
Yes
No
Apprenticeship
Commercially Confidential
37
Demographics: Identity & Diversity
Note: “Don’t know” and “Prefer not to say” not shown.
Group Membership
Ethnicity
Commercially Confidential
38
Regional groupings include:
Sample
n=1,200
Demographics: Regional Segmentation
| Total | BC | AB | Prairies | Ontario | Quebec | Atlantic |
Unweighted (n) | 1,391 | 193 | 156 | 99 | 556 | 259 | 128 |
Unweighted (%) | 100% | 13.9% | 11.2% | 7.1% | 40% | 18.6% | 9.2% |
Weighted (n) | 1,200 | 163 | 135 | 78 | 461 | 282 | 82 |
Weighted (%) | 100% | 13.6% | 11.2% | 6.5% | 38.4% | 23.5% | 6.8% |
* In the analysis Alberta and Prairies are grouped together as “Prairies”
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President
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Consultant
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mwood@innovativeresearch.ca
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