Respect for Prairie Provinces in Canada Sees Improvement, According to New Poll

A new poll conducted by the Environics Institute for Survey Research indicates that fewer residents in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta feel that their provinces are not accorded the respect they deserve within Canada. This year's findings show an uptick in the percentage of those who believe their provinces are respected, climbing to 39% from 32% last year, marking the lowest level of discontent since 2019 when 65% disapproved of the treatment of their provinces.

The survey is part of the Confederation of Tomorrow research series, which investigates Canadian perspectives on issues affecting the federation. Among the Prairie provinces, the sentiment of being disrespected has decreased notably—by seven points in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and by eight points in Alberta. This polling comes at a time of heightened discourse surrounding Alberta's sovereignty, especially with initiatives underway to potentially call for a referendum on the matter.

Political leaders from Alberta and Saskatchewan have expressed their frustrations regarding federal policies since 2015, which they argue have marginalized their provinces. The recent by-election victory of federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre highlighted these feelings, as he criticized the federal government for neglecting the region’s primary industries.

Andrew Parkin, executive director of the Environics Institute, mused that the shift in leadership from Justin Trudeau to Mark Carney might alleviate some regional discontent. He also noted that ongoing national pressures, particularly related to U.S. trade challenges, could unify Canadian sentiments, potentially influencing survey responses.

Charles DeLand, vice-president of research at the Canada West Foundation, emphasized that the concerns in the Prairie provinces are not permanent issues but challenges that can be resolved with a renewed focus on their significance within Canada's Confederation. He advocated for prioritization of infrastructure projects that would enhance trade routes, which would consequently address some of the concerns of the Prairie residents.

The survey further revealed that a substantial 68% of respondents prefer Western provinces to remain a part of Canada, with varying levels of support across provinces. Only a small minority, about 5%, of those surveyed in Western Canada expressed a desire to join the United States, showing little difference by province.

The research was conducted between May 1 and June 16, reaching 5,391 adults. The majority of responses were collected online, with the rest gathered via traditional phone methods. Parkin indicated that the nature of online surveys means there is no margin of error, as they do not aim to achieve random sampling akin to telephone surveys. The study involved collaboration with various research organizations, underscoring its comprehensive approach to measuring public opinion in Canada.