Canadians are not satisfied with the findings and recommendations of former governor general David Johnston in his role as special rapporteur on foreign interference, according to a new poll.
Johnston released his first report on Tuesday in which he shut down calls for a public inquiry into the matter.
The new poll by Leger commissioned by the National Post suggests that many Canadians are not persuaded by Johnston’s report or his reasoning.
According to the poll of 1,531 Canadians conducted online from May 26 to May 29, only 27% of respondents said they believe Johnston’s report was “rigorous impartial work” or contained “foreign policy expertise.”
33% said they don’t agree that the former governor general’s report was grounded in sufficient expertise or impartiality, while 40% said they are either not sure or do not know.
50% said they do not think that Johnston’s report will “change anything” in the way the government handles foreign interference in the next election, while 25% said they think it will and 25% said they are unsure.
The poll also reveals that Canadians are concerned about China’s influence and activities in Canada, and that they have low trust in the federal government’s handling of the issue.
69% said they are concerned about China’s interference in elections, while 16% said they are not concerned and 15% said they are unsure. 47% said the Trudeau government has handled the issue either poorly or very poorly, while 24% said it has handled it well and 29% said they are unsure.
The poll also shows that Canadians have more trust in Elections Canada than in the federal government when it comes to ensuring fair and secure elections.
69% trust Elections Canada a lot or somewhat, while 18% trust it not very much or not at all and 13% are unsure. 51% trust the federal government a lot or somewhat, while 40% trust it not very much or not at all and nine% are unsure.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
On Wednesday, after the House of Commons voted through a non-binding motion for Johnston to step down from his role and for the government to initiate a public inquiry, the former governor general rebuked parliament and refused to abdicate his position.
