Strong (and partisan) support in Canada for accepting more refugees

[pampango]

Canadians divided along partisan lines over support for refugees in Europe

Canadians are strongly supportive of doing more to aid refugees in Europe, according to a new poll, which suggests support is drawn along partisan lines.

When asked whether the migrant crisis was Europe’s problem alone or whether Canada had a role to play, 70 per cent of respondents to an Angus Reid Institute poll said Canada should “step up.”

Fifty-four per cent of respondents said the government should take in more refugees, 63 per cent said individuals and community groups should sponsor more refugees, and 76 per cent said Canada should send professionals, such as doctors or soldiers, to help the migrants. Twenty-three per cent said the country should do nothing.

The Angus Reid Institute survey split clearly on partisan lines. For example, when asked about how they view the crisis, 37 per cent of respondents who supported the Conservative party said the migrants’ claims were “bogus” and they sought to jump the immigration queue. Only 14 per cent of Liberals and 15 per cent of NDP supporters agreed. Respondents to the poll who said they would vote Conservative were also less likely than supporters of other parties to agree to any of the options of how Canada could help the migrants.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadians-support-to-aid-refugees-in-europe-divided-along-partisan-lines/article26226231/

I guess we will see how the Conservative government reacts to the popular will - probably not well, as usual.