42% of Canadians see climate change as a national emergency: poll

A new poll shows most Canadians believe climate change is currently a national emergency, or will become one soon.

“Forty-two per cent of Canadians would now describe climate change as an emergency,” David Coletto with Abacus Data, explained.

“Another 20 per cent say that it’s not yet an emergency but they think it will be one in the next few years.”

The survey also found 70 were in support for what’s known as the Green New Deal, an idea of reducing greenhouse gases through a transition away from fossil fuels and major investments in green infrastructure.

The survey found that climate change ranked second highest when asked about issues facing Canadians — only one per cent behind the rising cost of living.

Coletto said the environment is going to be a hot issue on the federal campaign trail.

“More and more Canadians are going to ask candidates and their leaders, when they come to the doorstep, what their plan is,” he explained.

There has already been a divisive debate around the federal carbon tax.

Voters head to the polls in October.

The online poll was conducted from July 16 to 19 and surveyed 2,000 Canadian residents aged 18 and over. The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is plus or minus 2.19 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

Read the complete poll findings below:

Climate Emergency Poll by CityNewsToronto on Scribd