Everybody's Wrong But Me

Here is my response to this comment:
http://billtieleman.blogspot.com/2007/12/poll-shows-strong-opposition-to.html

Hi Bill!

As always, you have a very interesting article, but this time I have to disagree with your analysis of the poll numbers. As you know, the real debate is not the take land out of the ALR (most people would not) but whether to take it out of the ALR in order to reach an agreement with the Tsawwassen First Nation. Lets look closely at the questions.

The first question ends with “and allowing the band to do what it pleases with that land?” This addition, while being true, is there to create a negative answer from the respondent. Words and expression have hidden meanings; and the expression “do what it pleases” creates a negative reaction in most people (unless it applies to them directly). Therefore, most people would answer negatively to such a comment, no matter what preceded it. I am sure that a significant number of people answered negatively to the question, because of this little addition and not because they oppose the treaty.

It would be interesting to know what would be the answer to the question without the addition: “Do you support or oppose the province removing farmland from the agricultural land reserve to reach a treaty with the Tsawwassen First Nation?”

The second question, on the other hand, is well done and contains no biases. It shows that 71% of British Columbians support final settlements with First Nations. This is a significantly high number.

My impression is that British Columbians very are divided on whether or not ALR lands should be taken out of it in order to reach an agreement. The reality is that this treaty is going ahead. Lets now hope and convince the Tsawwassen First Nation to maintain the Agricultural vocation of their new lands.

Frédéric Van Caenegem

This entry was posted on Monday, December 24th, 2007 at 10:05 and is filed under British Columbia, Issues & politics.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.