BC's Knowledge Network

Vancouver, BC - According to a new Ipsos-Reid survey conducted on behalf of the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, a strong majority of British Columbians say that they want the province's publicly owned educational television service, the Knowledge Network, to remain in public hands.

Almost seven-in-ten (69%) British Columbians say that they oppose, including half (50%) who "strongly oppose," the idea of the "provincial government selling the Knowledge Network to a private broadcaster." Against this is 28% who favour this idea, including 12% who "strongly favour."

These are the findings of an Ipsos-Reid poll conducted between March 2nd and March 8th, 2004, among a representative cross-section of 800 British Columbia adults. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 177 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult British Columbia population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual British Columbia population according to 2001 Census data.

Opposition to selling the Knowledge Network cuts across most demographic and regional lines:

• 66% of men (vs 31% favour) and 71% of women (vs 25% favour) oppose the idea

• Opposition is expressed by 65% of those aged 18-34 years (vs 31% favour), 65% of 35-54 year olds (vs 32% favour) and 74% of those aged 55 years and older (vs 22% favour)

• 66% of residents in the Lower Mainland (vs 31% favour), 69% on the Island (vs 26% favour) and 74% of residents in the balance of the province (vs 23% favour) oppose the idea

• Opposition stands at 78% among those with a total household income of less than $30,000 (vs 18% favour), 71% of $30,000-$60,000 households (vs 28% favour) and 61% of $60,000/more households (vs 36% favour).

• 70% of those with a highschool/less education (vs 24% favour), 71% among those with a post-secondary education (vs 28% favour) and 65% of those with a university degree or higher (vs 31% favour) oppose the idea Opposition also cuts across most partisan lines:

• A full 85% of those who say they would vote/lean toward the provincial NDP if an election were held today say they oppose the idea of selling the Knowledge Network (12% favour) as does 70% who currently support/lean toward the Green Party (vs 28% favour). While opinion is more split among current Liberal supporters, as many oppose (47%) than favour (50%) any plans to sell the Knowledge Network to private interests.

Please open the attached PDF to view the factum and detailed tables.

-30-

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Chris Martyn
Senior Vice-President
Ipsos-Reid Public Affairs
(416) 324-2900