B.C. residents least interested in separating from Canada, poll finds
British Columbians are less interested in seceding from Canada than residents of any other province, according to a new survey.
But the Research Co. poll, released on Canada Day, still found 19 per cent of B.C. residents either "strongly" or "moderately" agree their province would be better off as its own country.
- READ MORE: View the full poll results here
By comparison, 33 per cent of Albertans and 32 per cent of Quebecers surveyed professed some level of support for outright sovereignty.
"Expressed support for separation has diminished in Alberta over the past six months, but remains the highest in Canada," pollster Mario Canseco said in a news release.
"In Quebec, with a provincial election looming, support for sovereignty has risen slightly."
A full 67 per cent of British Columbians said they either "strongly" or "moderately" disagree with the idea of secession. The remaining 15 per cent said they weren't sure.
Nationally, 26 per cent of those polled expressed support for separation and 63 per cent were opposed.
Research Co. also asked respondents their opinion on their province joining the U.S. as a 51st state. Albertans expressed the least support, with just 14 per cent either "strongly" or "moderately" in favour of becoming Americans – a 25 per cent decrease since December.
British Columbians were a close second, with only 15 per cent interested in joining the U.S.
Just over half (51 per cent) of Canadians said their province would be better off with a different premier running the show, and the same proportion thought their prospects would improve with a different prime minister in Ottawa.
Research Co.'s survey was conducted online from June 18 to 20 among 1,000 adults in Canada, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The data was statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.