During the past year, the Manitoba Legislature and other public spaces have been occupied by protesters. A new Probe Research survey for the Winnipeg Free Press and CTV Winnipeg suggests Winnipeggers are split on how best to handle these long-term protests.
Overall, only seven per cent of those surveyed think protesters should be allowed to occupy public spaces indefinitely. More than one-third, meanwhile, think these occupation camps should only be allowed to last for a set period of time.
One-quarter of those surveyed take a more hardline stance – they say protesters who set up camps should be evicted immediately. Three in ten, meanwhile, say the length of time protest camps should be allowed depends on the circumstances of the situation.
Men and older Winnipeggers generally have less tolerance for protest camps. Those over the age of 55 are more likely to think occupation camps should be removed immediately or allowed only for a finite period of time. Younger adults, on the other hand, are more likely to believe these types of protests should be allowed to carry on indefinitely.
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 600 adults residing in Winnipeg between September 8 and 18, 2022. With a sample of 600, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results are within ± 4.0 percentage points of what they would have been if the entire adult population of Winnipeg had been surveyed. The margin of error is higher within each of the survey’s population sub-groups.
The sample consists of 236 Winnipeggers randomly recruited via live-agent operator, 208 Winnipeggers randomly recruited via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and 156 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 Winnipeg 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 city’s population. All data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical analysis software.
