Climate change – whether it’s happening and what it’s caused by – is a polarizing issue in Manitoba. While two-thirds of Manitobans agree climate change is real and it’s caused by human activity, one third are either skeptical or reject the idea that the climate is actually changing.
There are clear and deep demographic divisions on this issue, based on age, education, political affiliation and area of residence. Younger adults, Winnipeggers and those with higher levels of education are much more likely to say climate change is already occurring and humans are primarily responsible. Older Manitobans, those who live outside of Winnipeg and those with lower levels of education are much more likely to be skeptical or reject the idea that the climate is changing due to human activity. Similarly, Manitobans who support the NDP are almost unanimous in their belief in human-caused climate change, while Progressive Conservative supporter are much more likely to feel climate change is not occurring or might be caused by something other that humans.
Manitobans generally feel the Manitoba government is doing only a fair or poor job tackling climate change. Only 15 per cent feel the province is doing a good or excellent job. Here again, Winnipeggers and those with higher levels of income are most likely to say the province is doing a poor job addressing a warming climate.
Manitobans are strongly on side with additional homeowner rebates for energy-efficient appliances, furnaces and other green home improvements. Ninety per cent of Manitobans support this climate change policy option, and nearly one-half strongly support it. There is also a fair amount of support for additional electric vehicle rebates. However, Manitobans are divided on the idea of an extra levy on pickup trucks and other large gas-burning vehicles. Manitobans are also divided on a carbon tax hike, which 58 per cent of Manitobans oppose.
About the Probe Research Omnibus
For more than two decades, Probe Research has undertaken quarterly omnibus surveys of random and representative samples of Manitoba adults. These scientific telephone surveys have provided strategic and proprietary insights to hundreds of public, private and not-for-profit clients on a range of social, cultural and public policy topics. The Probe Research Omnibus Survey is the province’s largest and most trusted general population survey.
Disclosure Statement
Probe Research is a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC) and confirms that this research fully complies with all CRIC Standards including the CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards and Disclosure Requirements. Learn more at: https://www.canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/standards/por/
Methodology
Probe Research surveyed a random and representative sampling of 1,000 adults residing in Manitoba between March 8 and 20, 2023.
With a sample of 1,000, one can say with 95 per cent certainty that the results are within ± 3.1 percentage points of what they would have been if the entire adult population of Manitoba had been surveyed. The margin of error is higher within each of the survey’s population sub-groups.
The sample consists of 444 Manitobans randomly recruited via live-agent operator; 277 Manitobans randomly recruited via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and 279 members of Probe Research's online panel. All respondents completed the survey on an online platform.
Modified random digit dialing, including both landline and wireless numbers, ensured all Manitoba adults had an equal opportunity to participate in this Probe Research survey.
Minor statistical weighting has been applied to this sample to ensure that age and gender characteristics properly reflect known attributes of the province’s population. All data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical analysis software.
