A new survey by the University of Toronto found that 81% of Ontarians favour new trade deals, including a revised North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The poll conducted by the Mowat Centre at the University of Toronto found that despite difficult NAFTA renegotiations and increasing protectionist talk in the U.S., Ontarians remain positive about international economic agreements. The public opinion survey by the non-partisan public policy think-tank found that 60% of people polled support more globalization.
However, about half of respondents said they believe America gets the better end of trade deals. Results of the survey come as Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne continues efforts to fight back against “Buy America” talk and anti-trade sentiment in the U.S.
The poll also concluded that one in four Ontario residents approve of closer relations with the U.S., though most prefer them to stay the same. It also found that while a majority believe Canada and Ontario reap benefits from international trade, only about half of respondents believe local communities do.
And while 60% in Toronto think international trade benefits their community, 31% in Eastern Ontario and 30% in the southwestern end of the province think it harms their communities. The survey of 2,000 people from an online panel has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
