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The Threat of Eco-Terrorism in Canada

Posted by David Coletto on Aug 20, 2012 in Politics & Public Affairs | 0 comments

One in two Canadians believes there is a high or moderate threat of eco-terrorism on energy infrastructure in Canada.

A new survey from Abacus Data commissioned by the Sun News Network finds one in two Canadians (50%) believe that the threat of eco-terrorism on Canadian energy
infrastructure is either a high (13%) or moderate (37%).

A majority of Canadians surveyed support having armed guards at all oil and gas refineries, having armed guards patrol oil and gas pipelines, and having the RCMP and CSIS
monitor environmental groups to help reduce the chances of eco-terrorism in Canada. Moreover, 49% of respondents either strongly (15%) or somewhat agreed (35%) that
environmental groups are to blame for encouraging illegal behaviour such as blocking the construction of pipelines or violence against construction workers. Twenty-nine
percent either strongly (12%) or somewhat disagreed while 22% were unsure.

The Threat of Eco-Terrorism in CanadaA recently declassified RCMP intelligence report cites growing radicalism among eco-activists as a threat to energy infrastructure

across Canada. When asked how much of a threat are Canadian pipelines, oil refineries, off-shore oil platforms,
and other energy facilities under for an attack by radical eco-activists, 13% rated the threat as high, 37% said moderate threat, while 29% said low threat. Five percent of
Canadians surveyed believed there was no threat of an attack on energy infrastructure.Older respondents, those who voted Conservative in the last federal election and those in
Alberta were more likely to rate the threat as high or moderate. Also of note, respondents who said that there is good reason for them to be personally afraid of terrorist threats
were more likely to rate the threat of eco-terrorism as being high or moderate (high 29%, moderate 43%).Preventing Eco-Terrorism

We asked Canadians whether they would support or oppose certain measures to help reduce the chances of eco-terrorism in Canada. Six in ten Canadians (60%) surveyed said
they would support having the RCMP and CSIS monitor environmental groups while 20% opposed such measures. This was the most widely accepted measure in preventing
eco-terrorism to Canadian energy infrastructure. Support was highest among Conservative voters (81%), seniors (70%) and Albertans (69%). Opposition to this was highest
among British Columbians (28%), younger Canadians (29%), and Liberal Party voters (32%). A majority of Canadians also supported having armed guards at all major oil and
gas refineries (52%), at all major power plants (53%) and monitoring oil and gas pipelines (55%).

Influence of Environmental Groups

Finally, respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed that environmental groups are to blame for encouraging illegal behaviour such as blocking the construction of
pipelines or violence against construction works. Overall, one in two respondents (49%) agreed with the statement while 29% disagreed. Twenty-two percent were unsure. A
large majority of Conservative Party voters (75%) and majorities of Albertans (65%), seniors (60%), and men (54%) agreed that environmental groups are to blame for illegal
behaviour against pipeline construction. Attitudes among NDP and Liberal Party supporters was more mixed with 45% of Liberals agreeing and 36% of NDP voters agreeing
with the statement.

Bottom Line

Although few Canadians are very concerned about the threat of eco-terrorism, a majority believe the threat to be either high or moderate in Canada. Nonetheless, majorities of
respondents support measures to prevent attacks on energy infrastructure from occurring including the monitoring environmental groups. What is most interesting about the
issue of eco-terrorism is the depth of partisanship that seems to be driving opinion.

Conservative Party supporters are much more likely to believe there is a threat, are more likely to support preventative measure, and are much more likely to blame
environmental groups than other party supporters. It is clear that the Harper governments framing on issues around energy infrastructure security and radical environmental
groups has been successful in dividing the population. While Canadians care about environmental safety around the development and transportation of energy, they also care
about security Canadas energy infrastructure and preventing attacks by radical environmental activists.

Download detailed tables

Methodology

The survey was conducted online with 2,099 respondents in English and French using an internet survey platform. A random sample of panelists was invited to participate in the
survey from a larger internet representative panel of over 150,000 Canadians.

The survey was completed from August 10-12, 2012. An over sample of was conducted in British Columbia (n=793) and Ontario (n=502).

The data was statistically weighted by age, gender, region, and education level according to census data. Since the online survey was not a random, probability based sample, a
margin of error could not be calculated.

The margin of error for a survey of 2,099 respondents using a probability sample is +/- 2.2%, 19 times out of 20.

Influencers represent Canadians who consume a lot of news and are influential among their peers, family, and friends. They share information,
make their opinions known, and influence others. They help move public opinion by being filters between the media, elites, and other Canadians.

Abacus Datas The Influencers is based on The Strength of Personality Scale developed by the Allensbach Survey Center in Germany identifies a group of the most active
opinion leaders called, the influentials.

Weve replicated this scale in our survey by asking respondents a series of 10 questionnaire items that are statistically weighted according to their correlations with the scale
(Noelle-Nuemann, 1985).

Influentials are opinion leaders who are active communicators on issues that span multiple subject areas. In the Abacus Data version of the measure, Influencers are also
identified by their media consumption habits. By testing respondents self-perceived levels of personal influence we can identify this group within the Canadian population. As
tested by the Allensbach Institut the Strength of Personality Scale is shown to validly reflect a measure of real communication flow and level of influence across samples
(Weimann,1991).

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