Majority of Canadians Opposed to Pro-Palestinian Encampments on Campuses: Poll

While pro-Palestinian encampments have been popping up at university campuses across the country this spring, fewer than one-third of Canadians support the demonstrations, according to a national poll. Forty-eight percent of Canadians polled by Leger this month said they are opposed to the encampments erected in support of Palestine, compared to the 31 percent who support them. Another 21 percent of those surveyed were unsure or had no opinion. Of the 31 percent to express support for encampments, 11 percent were “strong” supporters, the poll found, while 20 percent “somewhat” supported them. Forty-four percent of respondents said the encampments should be dismantled because they could pose a threat to campus and student safety, while 33 percent said they should only be dismantled if protestors voice anti-Semitic views or encourage hate speech. The remaining 23 percent said the campus camps should be “tolerated and accepted as a form of free speech and freedom,” according to the poll....