Canadians’ impressions of CSIS—October 2005

In October 2005, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Communications Branch conducted a public opinion survey to get a clearer picture of public perceptions about the Service and to confirm the results of an April 2005 survey.

The following is a brief summary of key findings:

Awareness

• Awareness of the Service has remained stable between April and October 2005 with a significant majority of Canadians – 65 per cent – who are aware of CSIS. Only about one in three – 35 per cent – have never heard of the Service.
  
• Non-visible minorities are more aware of CSIS (68 per cent) that visible minorities (55 per cent).

Impressions

• Thirty-seven per cent of Canadians have a positive impression of CSIS compared to just 14 per cent whose impressions are negative, while 43 per cent have neutral views.
  
• The views of Canadians shifted slightly since last spring, adopting a more neutral viewpoint.
  
• Fifty-two per cent of youth (under 25-years of age) have a positive view of CSIS.

Support for national security function

• A large majority of Canadians (79 per cent) think that it is very important that an agency like CSIS exists. Only four per cent say that it is not very important. These views remain unchanged from April 2005.

Concerns

• Fifty-two per cent of those interviewed believe that CSIS might treat Canadians differently because of their ethnicity.

This poll was conducted between October 21 and 31, 2005. The analysis is based on the results of a telephone survey of 1,010 Canadians and is accurate +/- 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

John Dunn
Director General
Communications Branch

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