Quebecers, Canadians split on proposed Charter of Values

For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 1 of 13
Quebecers, Canadians split on proposed
Charter of Values
Two-thirds Quebecers support a proposed ban on religion clothing symbols
at work, more than half of the rest of Canadians oppose it
[Toronto – September 12, 2013] – The Quebec
government’s proposed Charter of Quebec Values
– which includes measures such as prohibiting
public employees from wearing religious clothing
and symbols at work – has considerable support in
Quebec, but meets with solid disapproval in the
rest of Canada.
While Quebecers recognize relations with visible
minorities will suffer because of this initiative, most
public support for the Charter in Quebec appears
to be driven by anxiety about multiculturalism,
concern that Quebec culture needs protection and
a belief that this initiative will bring a renewed
sense of identity to Quebec society.
These are the results emerging from a
comprehensive national survey of public opinion
th
th
conducted September 6 through 10 2013, the
day the Quebec government released details of
the Charter. In the first of three releases, this
summary covers issues associated with the
Charter in general and the religious symbols
prohibition specifically. Future summaries will
cover the Angus Reid Global survey’s examination
of related issues such as “reasonable
accommodation” and aspects of cultural
intolerance in Quebec and across the country.
KEY FINDINGS
 Two-thirds of Quebecers (65%) express
overall support for a Charter of Quebec
Values, with the largest group (35%)
offering strong support.
 Other Canadians, meanwhile, are
opposed to a Charter of Quebec Values
by a margin exceeding two-to-one (44%
to 20% support), with a full third
outside Quebec unsure what they think
about this proposal.
Full topline results are at the end of this release.
From September 6th to 10th, 2013, Angus Reid Global
conducted an online survey among 2,025 randomly selected
Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists.
1,011 were surveyed within Quebec and 1,014 across the
rest of Canada. Both samples were weighted by
demographic characteristics and voting behaviour, and
overall regional weights were applied to adjust for the
intentional over-sampling within Quebec. The margin of
error – which measures sampling variability – is +/- 3%.
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 2 of 13
OVERALL SUPPORT FOR THE CHARTER OF QUEBEC VALUES
Two-thirds of Quebecers (65%) express overall support for a Charter of Quebec Values, with the largest
group (35%) offering strong support.
Support is particularly robust among the following quarters within Quebec: outside Montreal, those over
35, years of age, and PQ and CAQ supporters.
Other Canadians, meanwhile, are opposed to a Charter of Quebec Values by a margin exceeding two-toone (44% to 20% support), with a full third outside Quebec unsure what they think about this proposal
TWO SOLITUDES
The national public opinion climate portrays “two solitudes” on many of the issues surrounding the debate
over the Quebec Charter of Values, most notably regarding many of the specific elements of the Marois
government’s desire to secularize the public service. While the divergence of views is striking, there is
also evidence of some common ground between Quebec and the rest of Canada.
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WORKPLACE
Asked for their views on “a law in Quebec that prohibits people who are public employees from wearing
religious clothing or symbols while at work”, two-thirds (68%) of Quebecers express general support for
such a broad prohibition (fully 46% indicate strong support). Canadians living outside Quebec oppose the
proposal by a margin of 53% to 37% (33%, the plurality, strongly oppose).
Within Quebec, support is stronger outside the Montreal area, though not by a large margin (73% versus
63% in the Metro area). Support is more tepid among young Quebecers: just over half voiced support,
one-third strongly; whereas amongst Quebecers over the age of 35, support is about 75%, with half
voicing strong support.
University-educated Quebecers are also less enthusiastic about the plan, though a majority still indicated
support. The support base of the ruling Parti Quebecois is well on-side: 85% of PQ supporters surveyed
said they are in favour of the prohibition, 62% strongly. Supporters of the Coalition Avenir Quebec also
voiced strong support (80%). Among Quebec Liberals, views were closer to split (52% support versus
43% oppose).
In the rest of Canada, Albertans seem less cold to the proposed law, with 44% of Alberta respondents
supporting it, versus 49% opposing. In Ontario, 50% oppose and 40% support the proposed legislation. In
other English-speaking regions, opposition is in the 60% range. As in Quebec, younger people in the rest
of Canada are more opposed to the proposal, as are the university-educated. Interestingly, looking by
federal party preference, Conservative supporters are quite split on the proposed law (47% support
versus 47% oppose) whereas most Liberals and NDP supporters in the rest of Canada are opposed.
SPECIFIC SYMBOLS
The survey took a closer look at views on prohibiting specific types of religious symbols/clothing in the
public sector workplace. In this case, survey respondents were asked “to think about your own province”
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 3 of 13
so those in the rest of Canada are reflecting on their own milieu. There is a wide divergence of opinion
between Quebec and the rest of Canada on the acceptability of public employees wearing religionidentifying clothing or symbols at work.
Both Quebecers and other Canadians are united in opposition to the following being worn at work by
public employees:


The burka : 90% of Quebecers and 62% in the rest of the country;
The kirpan: 84% in Quebec, 68% in the rest of Canada
For four of the other religious symbols examined, most Quebecers support a prohibition in the public
sector workplace while most other Canadians would oppose such a measure. These include:




The turban: 63% of Quebecers are opposed to public employees wearing a turban at work. 66%
of other Canadians are supportive.
The hijab: 63% of Quebecers are opposed to public employees wearing a hijab at work. 65% of
other Canadians are supportive.
The kippa: 55% are opposed to kippas in the workplace in Quebec. Across the rest of the
country, 76% support a public employee’s right to wear one.
A nun’s habit: Interestingly, given Quebec’s Catholic heritage, a full majority (59%) of Quebecers
also expressed opposition to the wearing of a nun’s habit by public employees at work. Threequarters (74%) of their counterparts in the rest of Canada did not object to this.
There is more acceptance for the wearing of the remaining two symbols examined:


The Star of David: Quebecers are evenly split on this (47% oppose versus 48% support) while
most in the rest of Canada are supportive (78%).
The crucifix: Most Quebecers (63%) also indicated support for allowing this symbol in the public
sector workplace as did the vast majority (83%) of Canadians in other regions.
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN PUBLIC PLACES
Significantly, Quebecers voiced stronger support for banning religious symbols and dress in public places
four years ago than they do today. Angus Reid Global tracked a question put to a Quebec sample in
October 2009. Focusing more on place than type of religious symbol, respondents were asked whether
“symbols of religious belief” (such as turbans and hijabs, and also crucifixes or the star of David) should
be allowed in four different public places, specifically:




School
Work
Public Spaces
Hospitals.
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 4 of 13
A full majority of Quebecers surveyed for this current poll indicated opposition to the wearing of religious
clothing or symbols in schools (66%), work (60%), and hospitals (60%); and were evenly split in the case
of religious symbols being worn in public spaces. However, the 2009 survey found higher opposition, in
the three-quarters range for the three specific locations. This downward shift is significant.
For all four, a full majority of Canadians from outside Quebec indicated these religious symbols should be
allowed in these public venues with roughly one-third disagreeing.
PAYING THE PRICE
Quebecers recognize there is a political cost associated with proceeding with the Charter of Quebec
Values. When asked what kind of impact they think this initiative will have on Quebec’s image in various
places, Quebecers:



anticipate a negative impact in the Middle East (58% negative, 9% positive) and Asia (16%
negative, 25% positive);
are essentially divided on the impact it is likely to have elsewhere in Canada (33% positive, 35%
negative) and in Latin America;
anticipate a net positive impact on Quebec’s image in Europe (41% positive, 15% negative) and
the United States (32% positive, 16% negative), with a plurality opting for a “neutral” impact in
both these cases.
There is also a lot of concern about the impact closer to home on minority relations within the province.
Quebecers were equally likely to agree as disagree (49% agree, 51% disagree) with the statement:
“Instituting a secular Charter of Quebec Values will irreparably damage relationships with religious
minorities in Quebec.”
Other Canadians are even more convinced this will be the case (74% agree).
PROTECTING QUEBEC’S IDENTITY
Quebecers profess some important cultural anxieties and aspirations that drive their support for the
Charter of Quebec Values initiative. The poll included a number of attitudinal statements to further probe
the mindsets behind the views on this issue. Consider the following:

“Creating a Charter of Quebec Values will bring harmony and a renewed sense of identity to
Quebec society.”
Quebecers voice solid agreement (63%) with a key argument in support of the Charter, that it will
usher in a new era of renewed Quebec identity. Other Canadians don’t see this (76% disagree
with the statement).

“Quebec culture needs protection.”
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 5 of 13
There is very strong support for this cultural protection argument among Quebecers (86%). Other
Canadians tend to disagree (60% disagree with the statement, though 40% agree).

“Minorities need to do more to fit in with the mainstream in my province”.
Quebecers are almost unanimous in agreement (86%) – and this is very much shared ground
with their counterparts in other parts of Canada (71% of non-Quebecers also agreed with this
statement).
OVERALL SUPPORT FOR THE CHARTER OF QUEBEC VALUES
Two-thirds of Quebecers (65%) express overall support for a Charter of Quebec Values, with the largest
group (35%) offering strong support.
Support is particularly robust among the following quarters within Quebec: outside Montreal, those over
35, years of age, and PQ and CAQ supporters.
Other Canadians, meanwhile, are opposed to a Charter of Quebec Values by a margin exceeding two-toone (44% to 20% support), with a full third outside Quebec unsure what they think about this proposal.
Angus Reid Global is a public affairs practice headed by Dr. Angus Reid: an industry visionary who has
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Media contacts:
Andrew Grenville, Chief Research Officer: 416.640.3993/[email protected]
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CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 6 of 13
Quebec: Would you support or oppose a law in Quebec that prohibits people who are
public employees from wearing religious clothing or symbols while at work?
Total
Language
Spoken At
Home
Area
Age
Education
Quebec
Montreal
Other
PQ
French
Other
1834
3554
55+
<=HS
College
/Post
Sec
Univ+
Support
69%
63%
73%
75%
31%
56%
72%
76%
72%
72%
58%
Oppose
26%
31%
22%
21%
58%
33%
24%
22%
22%
24%
37%
Don't know
5%
6%
5%
4%
11%
11%
4%
2%
6%
4%
5%
Rest of Canada: Would you support or oppose a law in Quebec that prohibits people who
are public employees from wearing religious clothing or symbols while at work?
Total
Support
Oppose
Don't know
Region
Age
Education
ROC
BC
AB
SK/MN
ON
Atlantic
1834
3554
55+
<=HS
College/Post
Sec
Univ+
37%
31%
44%
27%
40%
30%
24%
42%
43%
37%
41%
32%
53%
56%
49%
65%
50%
63%
61%
50%
50%
51%
49%
64%
10%
14%
7%
8%
10%
7%
15%
8%
7%
12%
10%
4%
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 7 of 13
Level of support or opposition to public employees in your own province visibly wearing
the following types of religious symbols or clothing while at work:
Quebec
Support
Rest of Canada
Oppose
Support
Oppose
Turban
34%
63%
66%
31%
Hijab
34%
63%
65%
31%
Nun's habit
38%
59%
74%
21%
Burka
7%
90%
34%
62%
Kippa
42%
55%
76%
20%
Kirpan
13%
84%
28%
68%
Star of David
47%
48%
78%
19%
Crucifix
63%
34%
83%
14%
Do you think that these symbols of religious belief should be allowed in the following
places?
Quebec 2009
Quebec 2013
Rest of Canada 2013
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
School
19%
76%
24%
66%
56%
32%
Work
19%
74%
29%
60%
52%
34%
Public spaces
35%
59%
43%
47%
70%
19%
Hospitals
25%
70%
29%
60%
58%
29%
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 8 of 13
Quebec: If Quebec is to institute a Charter of Quebec Values, what impact do you think
it would have on Quebec’s image in the following places:
Very positive
Somewhat
positive
Neutral
Somewhat
Negative
Very Negative
Within Canada
12%
21%
31%
26%
10%
The United States
10%
21%
53%
11%
5%
Europe
14%
27%
44%
10%
5%
The Middle East
3%
6%
33%
36%
22%
Asia
5%
11%
59%
17%
8%
Latin America
7%
15%
58%
14%
6%
Rest of Canada: If Quebec is to institute a Charter of Quebec Values, what impact do
you think it would have on Quebec’s image in the following places:
Very positive
Somewhat
positive
Neutral
Somewhat
Negative
Very Negative
Within Canada
3%
12%
30%
35%
10%
The United States
3%
19%
45%
22%
12%
Europe
3%
12%
44%
27%
14%
The Middle East
1%
4%
24%
25%
45%
Asia
1%
4%
42%
34%
18%
Latin America
1%
6%
50%
29%
14%
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 9 of 13
Quebec: Instituting a secular Charter of Quebec Values will irreparably damage
relationships with religious minorities in Quebec
Total
Language
Spoken At Home
Area
Age
Education
Quebec
Montreal
Other
PQ
French
Other
18-34
35-54
55+
<=HS
College/
Post
Sec
Univ+
Agree strongly
17%
20%
14%
12%
48%
19%
16%
15%
17%
14%
20%
Agree moderately
32%
31%
33%
33%
29%
36%
31%
31%
30%
36%
32%
35%
36%
34%
37%
20%
35%
37%
33%
34%
36%
34%
16%
13%
18%
18%
3%
10%
16%
20%
19%
15%
13%
Disagree
moderately
Disagree strongly
Rest of Canada: Instituting a secular Charter of Quebec Values will irreparably damage
relationships with religious minorities in Quebec
Total
ROC
Region
BC
AB
Age
SK/M
N
ON
Atlantic
18-34
35-54
Education
55+
<=HS
College/
Post Sec
Univ+
Agree strongly
30%
34%
30%
29%
28%
36%
33%
25%
34%
29%
28%
35%
Agree moderately
44%
37%
47%
51%
45%
42%
45%
47%
40%
47%
45%
37%
22%
25%
19%
19%
23%
22%
17%
24%
24%
22%
22%
23%
4%
4%
4%
1%
5%
1%
5%
4%
2%
3%
4%
5%
Disagree
moderately
Disagree strongly
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 10 of 13
Quebec: Creating a Charter of Quebec Values will bring harmony and a renewed sense of
identity to Quebec society.
Total
Language
Spoken At Home
Area
Age
Education
Quebec
Montreal
Other
PQ
French
Other
18-34
35-54
55+
<=HS
College
/Post
Sec
Univ+
Agree strongly
25%
24%
27%
29%
5%
21%
25%
30%
31%
25%
15%
Agree moderately
38%
36%
39%
41%
16%
38%
38%
37%
39%
38%
34%
19%
19%
19%
18%
26%
23%
21%
13%
15%
22%
23%
18%
21%
16%
12%
54%
19%
16%
20%
15%
16%
27%
Disagree
moderately
Disagree strongly
Rest of Canada: Creating a Charter of Quebec Values will bring harmony and a renewed
sense of identity to Quebec society.
Total
Region
Atlantic
18-34
35-54
55+
<=HS
College
/Post
Sec
Univ+
4%
1%
4%
4%
2%
3%
4%
2%
6%
24%
15%
19%
24%
19%
23%
20%
16%
36%
52%
41%
48%
48%
43%
36%
42%
43%
42%
35%
42%
30%
37%
30%
29%
43%
31%
33%
39%
BC
AB
Agree strongly
3%
2%
4%
Agree moderately
21%
18%
25%
42%
42%
34%
38%
Disagree strongly
Education
ON
ROC
Disagree
moderately
Age
SK/MN
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 11 of 13
Quebec: Quebec culture needs protection
Total
Language Spoken
At Home
Area
Age
Education
Quebec
Montreal
Other
PQ
French
Other
18-34
35-54
55+
<=HS
College/
Post
Sec
Univ+
Agree strongly
64%
60%
67%
72%
13%
53%
64%
73%
73%
60%
51%
Agree moderately
22%
21%
23%
21%
25%
28%
23%
16%
13%
28%
30%
8%
10%
6%
4%
28%
11%
7%
5%
8%
5%
12%
6%
10%
3%
2%
34%
9%
5%
6%
6%
7%
7%
Disagree
moderately
Disagree strongly
Rest of Canada: Quebec culture needs protection
Total
Region
Age
Education
ROC
BC
AB
SK/MN
ON
Atlantic
18-34
35-54
55+
<=HS
College
/Post
Sec
Univ+
Agree strongly
8%
4%
9%
5%
10%
3%
9%
8%
7%
8%
7%
9%
Agree moderately
32%
31%
28%
30%
34%
27%
38%
33%
25%
29%
34%
33%
40%
40%
41%
40%
39%
46%
44%
35%
43%
42%
39%
37%
20%
25%
22%
25%
17%
23%
10%
24%
26%
21%
20%
20%
Disagree
moderately
Disagree strongly
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 12 of 13
Quebec: Minorities need to do more to fit in with the mainstream in my province
Total
Language
Spoken At Home
Area
Age
Education
Quebec
Montreal
Other
PQ
French
Other
18-34
35-54
55+
<=HS
College
/Post
Sec
Univ
+
Agree strongly
51%
45%
55%
55%
25%
38%
53%
59%
54%
51%
43%
Agree moderately
35%
39%
32%
34%
44%
38%
35%
33%
33%
37%
39%
10%
12%
9%
9%
21%
19%
9%
5%
9%
10%
14%
4%
4%
4%
3%
10%
5%
3%
3%
4%
2%
5%
Disagree
moderately
Disagree strongly
Rest of Canada: Minorities need to do more to fit in with the mainstream in my province
Total
Region
Age
Education
ROC
BC
AB
SK/MN
ON
Atlantic
18-34
35-54
55+
<=HS
College
/Post
Sec
Univ+
Agree strongly
35%
32%
42%
27%
38%
24%
14%
38%
50%
38%
39%
25%
Agree moderately
36%
40%
31%
55%
33%
35%
34%
35%
41%
35%
37%
38%
20%
19%
17%
15%
21%
26%
32%
20%
8%
17%
18%
28%
9%
9%
9%
3%
8%
14%
20%
7%
1%
11%
6%
9%
Disagree
moderately
Disagree strongly
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 13 of 13
Quebec: Overall, based on whatever you have heard or read about it, do you support or
oppose a Charter of Quebec Values?
Total
Language
Spoken At
Home
Area
Age
Education
Quebec
Montreal
Other
PQ
Frenc
h
Other
18-34
35-54
55+
<=HS
College/
Post
Sec
Univ+
Strongly Support
35%
32%
37%
40%
4%
23%
38%
40%
40%
37%
22%
Moderately support
30%
27%
31%
32%
13%
30%
30%
28%
27%
31%
33%
Moderately oppose
11%
12%
10%
10%
16%
13%
9%
12%
10%
10%
16%
Strongly oppose
13%
16%
11%
8%
44%
13%
13%
14%
11%
13%
19%
Don't know
11%
13%
10%
10%
22%
20%
9%
7%
13%
10%
11%
Rest of Canada: Overall, based on whatever you have heard or read about it, do you
support or oppose a Charter of Quebec Values?
Total
Region
Age
Education
ROC
BC
AB
SK/MN
ON
Atlantic
18-34
35-54
55+
<=HS
College
/Post
Sec
Univ+
Strongly Support
4%
3%
5%
0%
5%
3%
3%
6%
2%
3%
4%
4%
Moderately support
16%
13%
20%
7%
17%
13%
11%
17%
19%
16%
16%
15%
Moderately oppose
19%
13%
20%
36%
16%
31%
19%
15%
26%
18%
19%
21%
Strongly oppose
25%
31%
17%
33%
25%
22%
19%
26%
30%
23%
23%
33%
Don't know
36%
41%
39%
24%
37%
31%
49%
37%
23%
40%
37%
27%
CONTACT:
Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]