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A Public Opinion Perspective on Regulation
Tables & ChartsViews on Amount of RegulationDo you think there is too much, too little or about the right amount of government regulation of business and industry? Deregulation & the Public InterestIn your opinion, if private enterprise and business were less regulated by government, do you think companies would work less in the people's best interests or more in the people's best interests? Strict or Flexible Enforcement?Given the current economic recession, some people say that we must be more flexible in enforcing environmental regulations on industries so that they have a chance to recover economically. Other people say that no matter what the current state of the economy, there must be strict environmental regulation of industry as part of a structural change in the way companies do business. Which one of these two points of view are you most in agreement with? Emission RegulationCarbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels could be causing changes to our climate. Some people say that governments should bring in strict regulations on both companies and individuals to limit carbon dioxide emissions. Other people say that companies and individuals should be told of this possible danger and given the chance to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions on a voluntary basis. Which of these points of view is closest to your own? Regulating Financial InstitutionsPlease tell me if you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements... Financial Institutions are special businesses that need to be run and regulated in an especially prudent manner Packaging RegulationSome people say that governments need to impose tougher regulations on the packaging industry, including banning certain types of environmentally harmful packaging, or making them very expensive in order to discourage their use. Other people say there is no need for new packaging legislation since the packaging industry has already voluntarily made a lot of progress in reducing harmful packaging and has committed itself to further targets. Which of these points of view is closest to your own? Protecting the EnvironmentI am going to read a series of statements. For each one please tell me if you agree strongly, agree somewhat, disagree somewhat or disagree strongly: there is not enough government regulation to protect the environment from toxic materials, such as chemical wastes, used in industry. Telecommunications SectorAs you may be aware, the telecommunications industry is regulated mainly by the federal government. Some people say that if there is competition in telephone service, there will be no need for government regulation since quality of service, prices and profits will be controlled by the marketplace. Others say that even with competition, government regulation will be needed to control quality of services, prices and profits. Which of these two points of view best reflects your own? Need for the CRTCAs you may know, the CRTC is an agency that regulates broadcasting and telephone services on behalf of the Canadian government. On balance, do you think that there is a great deal of need, some need, not very much need, or no need at all for the CRTC in Canada today? Electricity SectorI am going to read you a list of proposals related to energy policy in Canada. Please tell me whether you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose each of the following. How about...? De-regulation of the electricity marketplace in Canada? Regulation and Business OversightGovernments have gone too far in allowing companies to operate with minimal regulation and oversight. Value Change (III)
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Support for Removing Internal Trade Barriers |
I am going to read a list of some things that provincial governments sometimes do. For each, please tell me whether you think provincial governments should do it or not. If you have no opinion about the issue, just say so. In your opinion, should provincial governments give preferential treatment to farmers from their own province by requiring large grocery stores to buy certain products only from these farmers (37%), or should all Canadian farmers have equal access to all grocery stores in Canada (53%)? (DK: 9%) |
In your opinion, should provincial governments give preferential treatment to companies from their own province by making some government contracts open only to these companies (35%), or should all government contracts be open to all Canadian companies (53%)? (DK: 12%) |
Provincial governments sometimes go to businesses in other provinces and offer them incentives, such as tax breaks, to move to their own province. In your opinion, do you think provincial governments should continue to do this (34%), or do you think such practices are unjustified (48%)? (DK: 18%) |
In your opinion, should provincial governments sometimes require workers in certain industries to have special certification from the provincial government, thereby restricting the access of workers from other provinces to those industries (27%), or should Canadian workers face no such restrictions anywhere in the country (61%)? (DK: 12%) |
In your opinion, should provincial governments require Canadians moving from another province to live in the province a certain length of time, say three months, before they can get access to certain services from the provincial government (22%), or should all Canadians have access to services regardless of how long they've lived in the province (70%)? (DK: 9%) |
Thinking about all the issues we have just discussed, do you strongly support (27%), somewhat support (41%), somewhat oppose (12%), or strongly oppose (6%) reducing economic barriers between the Canadian provinces? (DK: 14%) |
Thinking about how governments make decisions, which of the following do you think would be best for Canada? Is it: (a) the federal government should have the final say on some things, the provincial governments on others, and they should both stay out of each other's way; or (b) both levels of government should work most things out together?
Environmental regulations or standards have economic, social, and health impacts. Some people say that Canada should set environmental standards that are comparable to those of our major trading partners so that Canada is not at a competitive disadvantage. Others think that we should be less concerned about what is done in other countries and establish our own standards that protect the health and safety of Canadians and their environment. Which view is closer to your own?
There has been some discussion lately about Canada making some of its social and economic policies more similar to those of the US. Some people say this is a good idea because it would remove barriers to trade and create closer economic ties between the two countries. Other people say it is a bad idea because it would mean a loss of Canadian independence. Do you think Canada should or should not make its policies more like American policies in each of the following policy areas?
Do you think it would be a very good, somewhat good, not very good, or not at all a good idea for Canada to use the U.S. dollar as its currency?
October 2002: Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree with each of the following statements: a) Canadians and Americans basically have the same values.
Q1. Do you agree that there should be free trade between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico?
Q2. As you may know, the federal government is preparing for freer trade negotiations
between Canada, the United States and Mexico that would eliminate tariffs and significantly
reduce trade barriers on goods and services flowing between the three countries. Generally
speaking, would you support entering into a three-way trade agreement with the United
States and Mexico? (Decima) As you may know, Canada, the US, and Mexico have entered
into a three-way free trade agreement. Generally speaking do you...
.
Q3. As you may know, Canada has decided to join free trade negotiations that have
started between the United States and Mexico. Do you agree that there should be free
trade between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico? (slight change in wording after agreement
completed) (Environics). How do you feel about Canada being in NAFTA - that is, the
North American Free Trade Agreement - with the United States and Mexico
Currently, Canada and the United States enjoy free trade for goods and services, but not for labour. Do you strongly favour, favour, oppose or strongly oppose the two countries adopting free trade for labour, meaning that workers could move freely between the two countries in search of employment?
Some people say that Canada and the United States should adopt a common border security policy and follow the same set of rules when deciding who can or cannot enter either country. Which of the following statements is closest to your view?
(a) A common border-security policy is a good idea because it will increase the security of both countries; or
(b) A common border-security policy is a bad idea because Canada will have to give the United States [the United States will have to give Canada] some say in our border-security policy.
Treatment A:
Sometimes Canadian companies violate the environmental or labour laws of other countries
when working abroad. Which of the two following statements more closely reflects your
own view: the Canadian government should withhold government contracts from Canadian
corporations that violate laws in other countries; or it is none of the Canadian government's
business what Canadian companies do in other countries.
Treatment B:
Sometimes Canadian companies violate Canadian values when working abroad. Which of
the two following statements more closely reflects your own view: Canadian citizens
who boycott or protest against these companies are doing the right thing; or, we should
stay out of the internal affairs of other countries and let local governments decide
how to deal with Canadian companies working in their countries.
If A UNITED NATIONS AGENCY rules that a law passed by the Canadian government goes against one of the United Nations conventions that Canada has signed, who should have the final say? Is it...
If THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION rules that a law passed by the Canadian government
goes against one of the United Nations conventions that Canada has signed, who should
have the final say? Is it...
A. Do you think that we need more international cooperation on each of the following issues?
B. For each of the following areas of policy, please indicate whether it should be decided by the Canadian government or whether it should be decided jointly by governments working together at international meetings?
C. For each of the following areas of policy, please tell me whether it should be decided by the Canadian government or whether it should be decided by international institutions?
As you may know, the laws governing financial institutions have recently been changed to allow one type of financial institution to own other types. Please tell me whether you think that this change will be a very good, good, bad or very bad thing for consumers?
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