Poll: ROBBINS comments on Vancouver Sun, Innovative Research, Dominion 'Vimy' poll

Vancouver Sun, Dominion Institute, Innovative Research,

I am not certain when the recent Vimy poll was conducted, however if it were closer to the date of the ceremony (Easter Monday), than the poll would not likely accurately depict bona fide Canadian knowledge of events, and links to such things as Afghanistan etc. would be more appropriately characterized as spin.

If this poll was conducted at a time when there is little coverage of events, I would doubt that you would get 15% of respondents who could have identified "Vimy" as the correct choice (instead of the 41% in the poll), particularly when there are no choices offered and the respondent must actually know the name, as in your poll.

I also note that the Dominion Institute has a significant number of contributors who I would determine to be Liberals, or Liberal oriented type persons. I say this, because the poll appears more to want to raise the issue of Afghanistan under the pretense of discussing Vimy, in the midst of an anticipated general federal election.

The reporter for the Vancouver Sun writes "The poll (Innovative) indicated that 56 per cent believe that social programs such as Medicare are a defining part of Canada's national identity-as opposed to 29 per cent who believe our military history fulfills that role. The findings suggest that Prime Minister Stephen Harper faces an uphill battle in convincing the public the mission in Afghanistan, or increasing military spending, are the paths to rebuilding "Canada's influence and reputation on the world stage".

Frankly, I find it appalling that anyone would even attempt to come to that conclusion based on the information provided. I am stunned that polling firms such as Ipsos Reid would be party to this. I am not surprised that the Vancouver Sun would print this front page, the paper has gone downhill fast since Conrad Black sold it to the Asper family.

Perhaps this poll could be considered some 'entertainment' information in support of the Vimy Ridge celebrations, but to pass this off as some type of 'education' is a very big stretch.