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"This poll backs up what we've been saying for months: British Columbians want answers." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President
Burnaby (08 Feb. 2019) — The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) released polling results on British Columbians' attitudes toward a public inquiry into organized crime, money laundering, and the overdose crisis in B.C.
Overwhelming public support for inquiry
The results demonstrate overwhelming support for a public inquiry:
- 77 per cent of British Columbians in favour of an inquiry.
- 80 per cent of respondents say that an anti-corruption office similar to the one in Quebec should be established in B.C.
- 84 per cent say that this would be an important voting issue for them if a provincial election were called tomorrow.
"This poll backs up what we've been saying for months: British Columbians want answers," says Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President. "No matter where they live, how old they are or who they vote for, the citizens of our province support a comprehensive public inquiry as a way to get to the bottom of how these crises are connected, to make sure those who are responsible are held accountable and that the rest of us are protected going forward. Anything less would be a disservice to the public."
The poll, conducted by Research Co., is the third poll on the subject of money laundering the firm has compiled since June. The results demonstrate broad-based support across age, gender, region, voting preference, and ethnicity.
More action is needed from government
"The interest from British Columbians on figuring out all aspects related to money laundering in the province has not subsided," said Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. "There is only a minuscule proportion of residents who believe there is no need for a public inquiry on this matter, and nearly universal support for the eventual establishment of an anti-corruption commission in British Columbia. While there is definitely some satisfaction with the fact that the provincial government is discussing money laundering in the open, voters of all political stripes are eager to see more action on this file."
The BCGEU/NUPGE is uniquely positioned to call for an inquiry as this crisis has impacted union membership in a number of ways. The housing affordability crisis was identified by members as a top concern leading the union to launch its Affordable BC Plan in 2017. As well, members in health care, social services, transit, libraries and casinos, along with deputy sheriffs and correctional officers, have been thrust into first responder roles on the frontlines of the overdose crisis, and have been working hard to tackle its impact.
Support BCGEU/NUPGE's campaign
Two weeks ago, the BCGEU/NUPGE launched a campaign calling on the provincial government to launch a public inquiry into organized crime, opioids and money laundering in B.C. The campaign has garnered nearly 4,000 signatures. The launch of the campaign follows the union's call for an inquiry and subsequent letter to government in December 2018.
The polling results are based on an online study conducted from February 1 to February 5, 2019, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error-which measures sample variability-is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.