Atlantic Canadians support new assisted dying law, poll suggests

A majority of Atlantic Canadians support new medically assisted dying legislation, a Corporate Research Associates poll suggests.

You don't actually see this kind of margin on many issues, frankly.- CRA chairman and CEO Don Mills

According to the poll conducted from May 6 to June 1, three-quarters of Atlantic Canadians (77 per cent) mostly or completely support the legislation as an end of life option, while 16 per cent are in opposition. Seven per cent either did not know or offer an opinion.

"It's a pretty big margin," said CRA chairman and CEO Don Mills.

"You don't actually see this kind of margin on many issues, frankly. And, it just shows you, I think, how far Canadians have come on this issue over the last decade or so, especially."

Less support in P.E.I.

P.E.I. residents still supported the legislation, but offered less support than the rest of Atlantic Canada.

Of about 300 Islanders polled, Mills said 68 per cent supported the legislation while 26 per cent opposed.

"There is a bit of a difference compared to the other three Atlantic provinces, which are all much closer to 80 per cent than 70 per cent supporting the principle of assisted physician dying," he said.

"It's still a pretty big margin, but, just not as great as elsewhere."

The telephone poll involved 1,502 adult Atlantic Canadians with the overall results accurate to within2.5 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

Mills said the margin of error for P.E.I. is within 5.6 percentage points.

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