A new survey showed people in the Prairies think the issues dividing Canadians the most were climate change and banning assault weapons. The divisive issues caused some Saskatchewanians to reduce their contact with family and friends..The Canada-wide survey conducted by the Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research at the University of Saskatchewan asked 1,011 people about what issues divided them the most. The respondents were contacted between March 7 to 24, 2022..About 75% of respondents said they think society has become more polarized. .The two most divisive issues are the 2021 federal election (73%), and the COVID-19 pandemic (72%)..“There’s been so much amplified rhetoric in the last two years since the beginning of the pandemic, and a lot of the rhetoric has really served to divide folks — whether that division is actually real or it’s just perceived,” said research director Jason Disano in an interview with The Canadian Press..“The respondents’ answers seems to be influenced by their political lean.”.People in the Prairies answers aligned with conservative policies and values, whereas Quebec respondents’ answers were more liberal..“We do see these regional differences, which to a large extent are informed by the political leanings of the residents of those various regions,” said Disano..For example, most in Central Canada did not think a ban on assault weapons was a divisive topic compared to the Prairies..Differences in political beliefs led 40% to reduce time spent with family and friends who disagree with them. In Quebec, people were less likely to reduce contact with family and friends over differing views..“We see a lot of identity politics that’s taking hold in Canada, that has been taking hold in the U.S., particularly in the last five to six years… And we’re seeing sort of that carry over to Canada. And it’s a problem,” said Disano..“Unfortunately, what we’re seeing is politicians that are using that division for political benefit when those leaders should be seeking to unite us and not divide us.” .The two issues that brought Canadians together were international aid (55%), and increasing ethnic diversity (53%)..The survey had a 95% confidence level plus or minus 3%..Chris Oldcorn is a Western Standard Reporter based in Regina.,coldcorn@westernstandard.news,Twitter: @chrisoldcorn,.Parler: @chrisoldcorn
