Three Quarters of Canadians (74%),
GTA Residents (75%) Believe Members of Black Bloc Should Be Charged Under Terrorist Laws

Toronto, ON - The G20 Summit in Toronto saw the largest mass arrests in Canadian history and the courts are in the midst of dealing with all of the cases, but a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global Television and NewsTalk 1010 reveals that three quarters (74%) of Canadians and GTA residents (75%) `agree' that `members of the violent protest gang Black Bloc should be charged under Canada's terrorist laws and not the regular criminal code'. Conversely, one quarter (26%) of Canadians and GTA residents (25%) `disagree' that members of the Black Bloc should be charged under terrorism laws and not the regular criminal code.

Much of the damage caused to property in Toronto during the summit has been blamed on the members of the violent protest-gang called Black Bloc, who were seen with black bandanas hiding their faces and attempting to blend in with the crowd. In light of their tactics to avoid detection and arrest, most (80%) Canadians and GTA residents (82%) `agree' that `it should be illegal to cover your face while participating in a public demonstrations'. Still, two in ten (20%) Canadians and GTA residents (18%) `disagree' that it should be illegal to cover one's face while participating in a public protest.

Toronto Police Services has been criticized by some for its handling of the protestors, who managed to loot stores and fire-bomb police vehicles before police began to disperse the crowds and conduct mass arrests. Video of many of these arrests and the actions of police have been widespread on the news and social media, and some are calling for an investigation into the behaviour of the police. The data reveal that Canadians are split on whether or not there should be a public inquiry into how security forces and police handled themselves during the G-20 Summit in Toronto.

Nearly one half (47%) of Canadians and residents of the GTA (47%) `agree' that `there should be a public inquiry into how security officials and police handled themselves during the G-20 Summit. On the other hand, just over one half (53%) of Canadians and GTA residents (53%) `disagree' that there should be a public inquiry into the actions of security forces and the police.

While the vast majority of those on the streets were peaceful protesters or curious bystanders, a relatively small group of vandals and anarchists turned violent, effectively distracting many from the messages that were trying to be conveyed. A majority (56%) of Canadians and residents of the GTA (61%) `disagree' that `the messages and voices of peaceful protesters were heard despite the violence', while a minority (44%) of Canadians and GTA residents (39%) believe these messages were still heard, despite the violence.

Those who really lost out in the commotion are shop and store owners whose property was vandalized or looted as a result of the violent protests. While the federal government has previously indicated that it will not compensate business owners for any non-insurable damage done to their property by protestors, the poll revealed that the vast majority of Canadians (77%) and most of those living in the GTA (90%) `agree' that `the Federal Government should compensate the City of Toronto and businesses for any damage expenses incurred' as a result of the protests. Just one quarter (23%) of Canadians and only 10% of GTA residents `disagree' that the federal government should help compensate business owners and the City of Toronto for damage expenses.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between June 30 and July 5, 2010, on behalf of Global Television and NewsTalk 1010. For this survey, a sample of 1,859 adults from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online (including 683 residents of the GTA). Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-2.3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Canada been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
John Wright
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
(416) 324-2002
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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