The Anti-Terrorism Act and Security Measures in Canada: Public Views, Impacts and Travel Experiences

Appendix B

Table 2: Application

20. Some people say the Anti-Terrorism Act was necessary in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the US. Other people say that Canada already had adequate laws to deal with terrorism before Sept. 11 and the Anti-Terrorism Act was not necessary. Which of these views is closest to your own?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Anti-Terrorism Act was necessary 1272 75% 270 69% 989 76% *
Anti-Terrorism Act was not necessary 366 21% 104 27% 261 20%  
DK / NA 65 4% 16 4% 45 3%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

21. To what extent do you think the Anti-Terrorism Act has made Canada safer from terrorist activity?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Safer 1027 60% 204 52% 812 63% *
Has not made a difference 609 36% 167 43% 437 34%  
Made Canada less safe 4 0% 2 1% 2 0%  
DK / NA 63 4% 17 4% 44 3%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

22. Some people sat that the Anti-Terrorism Act has been applied to everyone fairly and equally and that no one has been singled out for scrutiny just because of their ethnic, racial or religious background. Other people say that the application of the Anti-Terrorism Act has led to people being unfairly targeted for security purely on the basis of their ethnic, religious or racial background. Which of these views is closest to your own?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Anti-Terrorism Act has treated everyone fairly 696 41% 138 35% 551 43% *
Anti-Terrorism Act has led to many people being unfairly targeted 885 52% 220 56% 657 51%  
DK / NA 122 7% 32 8% 87 7%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

23. Do you think that having Canadian law enforcement and security officials investigate individuals in Canada and abroad is vital to combating terrorism?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Vital 1519 89% 337 86% 1168 90% NS
Not vital 158 9% 47 12% 109 8%  
DK / NA 26 2% 6 2% 18 1%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%  

24. Do you agree or disagree with definition of "terrorist activity"?
  Total Sample Comparison
Minority Non-minority P
n % n % n %
Agree 1436 84% 314 81% 1107 85% NS
Disagree 205 12% 58 15% 146 11%  
DK / NA 62 4% 18 5% 42 3%  
  1703 100% 390 100% 1295 100%