The gap between the right and left can seem impossible to bridge in this increasingly politically polarized world. However, when it comes to one thing that really matters, protecting nature and biodiversity, we’re a lot closer than social media and loudmouth commentators lead you to believe.
A recent public opinion survey measuring attitudes toward the logging industry found more than eight out of 10 Canadians want the federal government to do more to protect forests and wildlife.
And it’s not just tree-hugging urban progressives and lefties. A clear majority of survey respondents who plan to vote Conservative – 74 percent to be exact – share this view.
Conservative voters are less likely to support measures that restrict logging, such as a ban on logging of intact forests (56 percent opposed.) Half of Conservative respondents support increased protection of boreal forests even if it means more logging restrictions, but that’s substantially less than the average of 74 percent across the political spectrum.
Interestingly, 92 percent of Canadians expect the government to be transparent about the environmental impacts of logging, and that number was consistent across political, demographic, and regional boundaries.
EKOS Research Associates Inc. did this survey last October for Nature Canada, an Ottawa-based non-profit. So what to make of the results? Even though the survey asked questions specifically about logging, the responses reveal some important underlying beliefs. They show that a majority of Canadians want a healthy, natural environment. Sure, there are differences across political lines about the path we take to get there.
But the core values are shared. Canadians want leaders to look after our big backyard. Most people realize that clean water, fresh air, and healthy watersheds that support plant and animal biodiversity are not only pretty to look at, they’re essential for quality of life and a resilient economy. Any political leader who uses scare tactics to play the environment against jobs and prosperity should think twice about that shallow, intentional, and divisive strategy.
The survey also says something about what most Canadians want from their leaders – honesty and transparency.
Premier Danielle Smith should look in the mirror and revisit her own small government Conservative values as she erodes one of the basic tools for holding politicians accountable – freedom of information.
Imagine that? Canadians generally want their leaders to look after nature and be honest and open about government decisions about logging, both the good and the bad.
It turns out we’re not as far apart as they want you to think we are.
