Canada supports a ‘values’ test. But not the values of the far right.

THE CANADA PROJECT How Canadians see our country at 150

The only other opinion as firmly held as the view that prospective immigrants should be subjected to a “Canadian values” test is the idea that governments need to intervene in the housing market. Asked to respond to the statement, “Governments in Canada should do more to make housing more affordable,” 86 per cent of respondents agreed, while 41 per cent “strongly” agreed. So, what about those Muslim immigrants and Syrian refugees we’re supposed to be worked up about? Are Canadians bothered? In a celebrated initiative that has now come to an end, about 40,000 Syrian refugees were resettled in Canada after Justin Trudeau’s Liberals were elected in October 2015. Nevertheless, 57 per cent of respondents said they agreed with the statement, “Canada should continue to accept Syrian refugees.” In a separate survey question, 62 per cent of respondents agreed that “‘Islamophobia’ is a problem in Canada.” For all our boasts about being uniquely environmentally conscious, only 44 per cent of Canadians agree with the statement, “I am personally willing to pay a carbon tax if it helps address climate change.” For all the claims we make about our superior health care, only 45 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement, “I would pay more taxes to shorten wait times in the health care system.” But those responses came in tandem with a fairly dim view of the state of tax fairness in Canada. “The rich in Canada pay enough taxes” is a statement with which a full 75 per cent of respondents disagreed. We’re not upset about official bilingualism: 78 per cent said Canada should stay that way. We’re fairly content that governments are doing enough to protect the environment: 58 per cent of respondents agreed. Still, we do have a rather high opinion of ourselves. Two-thirds of respondents said we’re as nice as the world thinks we are. Maybe so, but this seems certain: if anyone was hoping for some rabble-rousing populist uprising to topple the Liberal party’s federal hegemony in Canada, an anti-immigrant, anti-elite, small-government, anti-tax crusade isn’t going to cut it. MORE FROM THE CANADA PROJECT:

• A new survey explores what makes us Canadian
• A two-four of facts for Canada 150
• What Canadians really think about national security
• Top 5 international events Canadians are proud to have been a part of
• The powerful legacy of Canadian running legend Tom Longboat
• How Céline Dion became cool
• Canada’s favourite hockey teams
• What Canadians think about money