The Anti-Terrorism Act and Security Measures in Canada: Public Views, Impacts and Travel Experiences

Appendix B

Table 1: Awareness & Concern

1. How concerned are you personally about terrorism in Canada?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Concerned 981 58% 221 57% 748 58% NS
Not concerned 718 42% 167 43% 545 42%  
DK / NA 4 0% 2 1% 2 0%  
  1702 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

2. Some people say that terrorism represents a major threat to the safety of Canada and that we need to take drastic steps to combat it. Other people say that the threat of terrorism is Canada is being exaggerated and that we need to be careful not to overreact to it. Which one of these views is closet to your own?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Major threat 591 35% 141 36% 443 34% NS
Exaggerated 1068 63% 239 61% 819 63%  
DK / NA 44 3% 10 3% 33 3%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

3. In general, how informed do you feel you are about what the Canadian government is doing to combat terrorism?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Informed 847 50% 200 51% 641 49% NS
Not informed 852 50% 188 48% 652 50%  
DK / NA 4 0% 2 1% 2 0%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

4. Do you approve or disapprove of the Canadian government's performance in taking steps to combat terrorism?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Approve 994 58% 220 56% 766 59% NS
Disapprove 519 30% 122 31% 393 30%  
DK / NA 190 11% 48 12% 136 11%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

5. What are the main reasons why you answered approve of government performance?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Lax immigration/too easy to cross border 55 6% 14 6% 41 5% NS
Don't know what gov't is doing/too secretive 57 6% 11 5% 46 6% NS
Spending too much money/tax payers money 9 1% 3 1% 6 1% ~
Terrorism not a threat/exaggerated 64 6% 15 7% 49 9% NS
Gov't talks but does not act 4 0% 1 0% 3 0% ~
Need harsher punishment/criminals or terrorists hiding in Canada 11 1% 3 1% 7 1% ~
Not enough being done 52 5% 11 5% 41 5% NS
Doing too much/drastic/unfair treatment of innocent people 18 2% 5 2% 13 2% NS
Gov't does not know what it's doing/unprepared 3 0% 0 0% 3 0% ~
Issues w/ US (various negative) 32 3% 5 2% 27 4% NS
Don't think Canada is a target 5 1% 1 0% 4 1% ~
Violation of civil rights/freedoms 11 1% 1 0% 10 1% ~
Canadian gov't too laid back/lax 13 1% 5 2% 8 1% NS
Don't have strong enough military 8 1% 1 0% 7 1% ~
Fairness/Justice 78 8% 16 7% 61 8% ~
Should be doing something, but not as much as US 78 8% 16 7% 61 8% NS
To be safe/safety (general) 67 7% 20 9% 47 6% NS
Terrorism is threat in Canada, have to be prepared 111 11% 20 9% 90 12% NS
Gov't doing good job/what needs to be done 266 27% 49 22% 216 28% NS
Somebody has to do something to protect Canada 40 4% 6 3% 33 4% NS
It's what I heard (media various positive) 13 1% 4 2% 9 1% ~
Issues w/ US (various pos.) 28 3% 7 3% 21 3% NS
Good to do something/proactive/keep control 54 5% 11 5% 42 5% NS
Canada is liked/non-violent/peacekeeper/democratic 27 3% 7 3% 19 2% NS
Proximity to US/necessary to take further measures 9 2% 2 0% 8 1% ~
Other 49 5% 15 7% 34 3% NS
DK / NA 101 10% 29 13% 70 9% NS

5. What are the main reasons why you answered disapprove of government performance?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Lax immigration/too easy to cross border 97 19% 21 17% 75 19% NS
We don't know what gov't is doing/too secretive 71 14% 13 11% 58 15% NS
Spending too much money/tax payers money 10 2% 1 1% 9 2% ~
Terrorism not a threat/exaggerated 33 6% 7 6% 26 7% NS
Gov't talks but does not act 18 3% 2 2% 16 4% ~
Need harsher punishment/criminals or terrorists hiding in Canada 34 7% 5 4% 29 7% NS
Not enough being done 117 23% 22 18% 95 24% NS
Doing too much/drastic/unfair treatment of innocent people 29 6% 8 7% 21 5% NS
Gov't does not know what it's doing/unprepared 27 5% 8 7% 17 4% NS
Issues w/ US (various negative) 38 7% 11 9% 27 7% NS
Don't think Canada is a target 7 1% 0 0% 7 2% ~
Violation of civil rights/freedoms 32 6% 5 4% 27 7% NS
Canadian gov't too laid back/lax 24 5% 5 4% 19 5% NS
Don't have strong enough military 7 1% 3 2% 4 1% ~
Should be doing something, but not as much as US 2 0% 0 0% 2 1% ~
Terrorism is threat in Canada, have to be prepared 5 1% 1 1% 4 1% ~
Gov't doing good job/what needs to be done 1 0% 1 1% 0 0% ~
Somebody has to do something to protect Canada 1 0% 0 0% 1 0% ~
Issues w/ US (various pos.) 5 1% 1 1% 4 1% ~
Good to do something/proactive/keep control 3 1% 1 1% 2 1% ~
Canada is liked/non-violent/peacekeeper/democratic 6 1% 1 1% 95 1% ~
Proximity to US/necessary to take further measures 2 0% 0 0% 2 1% ~
Other 29 6% 9 7% 20 5% NS
DK / NA 40 8% 16 13% 23 6% **

6. Do you think that the measures that Canada has taken to combat terrorism has gone…?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Go too far 124 7% 28 7% 95 7% NS
Don't go far enough 611 36% 137 35% 468 36%  
Are about right 843 50% 196 50% 641 49%  
DK / NA 125 7% 29 7% 91 7%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

7. As far as you know, what specific actions has the Canadian gov't taken in the last few years to combat terrorism?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Anti-terrorism Act/Bill C-36 24 1% 4 1% 20 2% ~
Passed new laws - unspecified 35 2% 10 3% 24 2% NS
Increased security measures borders/airports 899 53% 159 41% 737 57% ***
Increased screening immigrants/refugees entering Canada 206 12% 35 9% 171 13% *
Increase screening individuals wanting to visit Canada 87 5% 13 3% 74 6% NS
Increase funding for intelligence collection 24 1% 7 2% 17 1% NS
More police 21 1% 6 2% 15 1% NS
More powers for CSIS 37 2% 4 1% 32 2% ~
Working with U.S. 93 5% 17 4% 74 6% NS
Working with other countries 34 2% 7 2% 27 2% NS
Racial profiling/targeting people unfairly 24 1% 10 3% 14 1% *
Maher Arar case 7 0% 6 2% 1 0% ~
More government security 10 1% 5 1% 5 0% NS
Increased awareness/dissemination of information 19 1% 5 1% 14 1% NS
Increased security measures 41 2% 16 4% 24 2% *
Peacekeeping/sent troops to Middle East 40 2% 10 3% 30 2% NS
Heighten police activity/arrests 35 2% 7 2% 27 2% NS
Update/improve training/military 20 1% 1 0% 19 1% ~
Changes to passports/Visas/IDs 100 6% 21 5% 79 6% NS
Increased surveillance/investigations 22 1% 4 1% 18 1% ~
Increased efforts to find/stop terrorists 12 1% 4 1% 8 1% NS
Forced committee/task force 10 1% 0 0% 10 1% ~
Deported people 10 1% 4 1% 6 0% ~
None 161 9% 53 14% 107 8% **
Other 336 20% 80 21% 253 20% NS
DK / NA 343 20% 85 22% 247 19% NS
  1703            

8. Are you aware of any laws passed by the gov't of Canada specifically to deal with terrorism? If yes, which laws? (asked of all those who did not mention Anti-Terrorism Act or Bill C-36 in Q.7)
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
No, not aware of any laws 1084 65% 250 65% 825 65% NS
Yes, aware of law but unable to name it 234 14% 55 14% 177 14% NS
Yes, ATA 19 1% 6 2% 13 1% NS
Yes. Bill C-36 3 0% 3 1% 0 0% ~
Yes, other 57 3% 13 3% 44 3% NS
DK / NA 297 17% 61 16% 223 17% NS
  1679   386   1275    

9. Have you ever heard of Anti-Terrorism Act (formerly known as Bill C-36)?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Yes 698 42% 149 40% 542 43% NS
No 946 57% 224 59% 712 56%  
DK / NA 13 1% 4 1% 8 1%  
  1657 100% 377 100% 1262 100%  

10a. As far as you know, what does the Anti-Terrorism Act consist of? Are you aware of any specific provisions in it? (asked of all who were aware of the Anti-Terrorism Act in Q.7, 8 or 9)
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Power to arrest/detain…w/o due process 92 12% 25 15% 67 12% NS
Diminish rights of citizen/undemocratic 24 3% 6 4% 18 3% NS
Power to inspect/restrict bank accounts and assets 8 1% 1 1% 7 1% ~
Increased security/tighten immigration security 42 6% 7 4% 35 6% NS
Heighten search/surveillance/investigative powers 28 4% 2 1% 26 5% ~
Fight terrorism/protecting people 14 2% 1 1% 13 2% ~
Increased security measures (general) 7 1% 1 1% 6 1% ~
More power to police 5 1% 2 1% 3 1% ~
None 7 1% 2 1% 5 1% ~
Other 47 6% 14 9% 32 6% NS
DK / NA 523 70% 112 69% 405 70% NS
  744   162   575    

10b. How tough do you think Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act is? (asked of all who were aware of the Anti-Terrorism Act in Q.7, 8 or 9)
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Tough 401 54% 83 51% 314 55% NS
Not tough 236 32% 59 36% 175 30%  
DK / NA 107 14% 20 12% 86 15%  
  744 100% 162 100% 575 100%  

11. How familiar are you with the Anti-Terrorism Act and its provisions?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Familiar 307 18% 89 23% 216 17% *
Not familiar 1393 82% 300 77% 1077 83%  
DK / NA 3 0% 1 0% 2 0%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

12a. Were you familiar with the fact the Anti-Terrorism Act contained these provisions? (after being provided with a list of the provisions from the ATA)
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Familiar 605 36% 130 33% 471 36% NS
Not familiar 1090 64% 258 66% 819 63%  
DK / NA 8 0% 2 1% 5 0%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

12b.a Do you think the Canadian Anti-Terrorism laws are tough…in relation to the US?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Tougher 70 4% 22 6% 45 3% *
Less tough 1368 80% 292 75% 1067 82%  
About the same 165 10% 48 12% 116 9%  
DK / NA 100 6% 28 7% 67 5%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

12b.b Do you think the Canadian Anti-Terrorism laws are tough…in relation to the UK?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Tougher 72 4% 19 5% 51 4% NS
Less tough 755 44% 170 44% 581 45%  
About the same 460 27% 95 24% 362 28%  
DK / NA 416 24% 106 27% 301 23%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

13a. As far as you know, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, is there any obligation for federal and provincial governments to publish annual reports related to the use of preventative arrests and investigative hearings?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Yes 580 34% 147 38% 427 33% NS
No 825 48% 182 47% 637 49%  
DK / NA 298 17% 61 16% 231 18%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

13b. Are there any safeguards in the Anti-Terrorism Act intended to protect Canadians' rights and freedoms?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Yes 909 53% 185 47% 716 55% *
No 360 21% 98 25% 260 20%  
DK / NA 434 25% 107 27% 319 25%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

14. Is Parliament required to review all aspects of the Act at some point?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Yes 1240 73% 290 74% 937 72% NS
No 163 10% 34 9% 129 10%  
DK / NA 300 18% 66 17% 229 18%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

15. In fact there is a review of the Anti-Terrorism Act underway right now. Were you aware of that?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Yes 196 12% 50 13% 145 11% NS
No 1501 88% 337 86% 1148 89%  
DK / NA 6 0% 3 1% 2 0%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

16. As part of the review process, the Dep. of Justice has established an Internet website for the general public. Were you aware of that?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Yes 80 5% 23 6% 54 4% NS
No 1622 95% 367 94% 1241 96%  
DK / NA 1 0% 0 0% 0 0%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

17. A year ago, in April 2004, the government announced the establishment of the Cross-Cultural Rountable on Security. This is meant to engage Canada's diverse communities and get their input on security matters. Had you heard of this?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Yes 138 8% 34 9% 104 8% NS
No 1561 92% 355 91% 1188 92%  
DK / NA 4 0% 1 0% 3 0%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

18. Would you be interest in getting more information on the Anti-Terrorism Act?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Interested 1123 66% 279 72% 834 64% **
Not interested 577 34% 109 28% 460 36%  
DK / NA 3 0% 2 1% 1 0%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

19. How would you like to receive information on the above issues? (If answered interested to Q.18)
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Internet/Web 403 36% 92 33% 306 37% NS
Household mailing/pamphlet 592 53% 146 52% 442 53% NS
Ads in local/community/ethno-cultural news papers 67 6% 19 7% 46 6% NS
Ads in ethno-cultural magazines 5 0% 3 1% 2 0% ~
Television and radio ads (general/specialty) 149 13% 41 15% 106 13% NS
Newspaper/magazine articles 153 14% 41 15% 111 13% NS
News programs 93 8% 25 9% 66 8% NS
Public meetings 4 0% 1 0% 3 0% ~
Media/report unspecified 5 0% 2 1% 3 0% ~
Through MP/Parliament/government 8 1% 2 1% 6 1% ~
Other 37 3% 9 3% 27 3% NS
DK / NA 10 1% 2 1% 7 1% ~
  1123   279   834