August 31, 2022 – Common Ground, a research project at the University of Alberta, today released the results of a survey conducted in partnership with Pollara Strategic Insights about the Freedom Convoy occupations that occurred earlier this year.
The survey of adult Albertans found that:
- The majority (61%) of Albertans opposed the objectives of Freedom Convoy.
- Even more (67%) Albertans opposed the methods used by the convoy protestors. Only a third of Albertans (33%) supported the methods the convoy used, such as occupying Ottawa and blocking the border.
- While Freedom Convoy protesters made loud displays with their protests, they were a disproportionately vocal minority. Only one-in-five showed support for the convoy, by speaking out (20%), participating in a protest in solidarity (4%), flying a flag (4%), or donating money (2%).
Support for the convoy is split among demographic and ideological lines:
- There is a stark partisan divide. A majority of United Conservative Party (UCP) supporters supported the objectives of the convoy (56%), compared to just 14% of Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) supporters.
- Support for the convoy’s objectives was lowest in Edmonton (30%) and highest in both Red Deer (53%) and areas outside the Calgary-Edmonton corridor (53%).
- Older Albertans were more likely to oppose the convoy’s objectives. 70% of Albertans aged 65 and up opposed the convoy’s goals, compared to 59% of those under 65.
These are selected results from an online survey of 2,224 Albertans conducted from April 8 to May 9, 2022 by Pollara Strategic Insights in partnership with Common Ground at the University of Alberta. All results are weighted by age, gender, ethnicity, and region.
For more findings from our survey, see the full research brief.
