Canadians aged 18 to 34, those who would be least likely to remember some of these events of the past, are more likely to believe that the Vancouver games are more of a defining moment than the Calgary Olympics (70%), Montreal Olympics (60%), 1972 Hockey Summit Series (60%), or Expo 67 (55%). Three in ten (28%) Quebecers believe the Vancouver games are more of a defining national moment than the Montreal Olympics, and two in ten (21%) Quebecers say the same about Expo 67. Four in ten (41%) Albertans agree the Vancouver games are more of a defining moment than the Calgary Olympics.
Since this is Canada’s moment to shine, Canadians aren’t being bashful about putting their pride on display: seven in ten (71%) ‘disagree’ (39% strongly/32% somewhat) that ‘there is too much Canadian nationalism on display during the Olympics’. In fact, many Canadians are showing their pride for their nation in various ways. For example, four in ten (40%) agree they’ll fly/display the Canadian flag during the Olympic Games, and one in three (34%) agree they’ll wear Olympic/Canada clothing during the Olympic Games.
Moreover, 14% of Canadians – which could represent roughly 3 million adult Canadians – agree (4% strongly/10% somewhat) that they’ll miss work to watch the Olympics!
When Canada Wins…
While Canada has put a lot of money into its Own the Podium programme, most (84%) Canadians ‘disagree’ (49% strongly/35% somewhat) that ‘if Canada fails to win the most medals of any nation or lead in the medal count, the Games will be a disappointment’. Only 16% ‘agree’ (3% strongly/13% somewhat) that that result would be a disappointment.
In the areas where Canadians truly dominate – Women’s hockey, for example – Canadians are not being humble about their dominance. Just one in three (32%) ‘agree’ (9% strongly/23% somewhat) that they ‘feel uncomfortable’ when Canada wins 18-0 at women’s hockey’. The vast majority (68%) ‘disagrees’ (46% strongly/22% somewhat) with that position.
Canadians aged 18 to 34, those who would be least likely to remember some of these events of the past, are more likely to believe that the Vancouver games are more of a defining moment than the Calgary Olympics (70%), Montreal Olympics (60%), 1972 Hockey Summit Series (60%), or Expo 67 (55%). Three in ten (28%) Quebecers believe the Vancouver games are more of a defining national moment than the Montreal Olympics, and two in ten (21%) Quebecers say the same about Expo 67. Four in ten (41%) Albertans agree the Vancouver games are more of a defining moment than the Calgary Olympics.
Canadians are Showing their Pride…
Two in three (66%) agree that the opening ceremonies reflected Canada as they knew it, but some Canadians had a higher propensity to believe that this is the case:
Atlantic Canadians (77%) are most likely to agree, followed by residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (72%), British Columbia (69%), Ontario (68%), and Alberta (67%), while Quebecers (57%) are least likely to agree. Women (71%) are more likely than men (62%) to agree that the opening ceremonies reflected Canada as they know it. Those aged 35 to 54 are most likely (72%) to agree, followed by older (66%) and younger Canadians (59%).
A Sense of Belonging…
Nearly one half (45%) of Canadians say they belong first and foremost to their country, while significantly fewer say that distinction belongs to their town/city (20%), province (19%) or the world (16%). But allegiances change slightly depending on who you are:
Ontarians (57%) are most likely to say they belong first and foremost to their country, followed by those living in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (50%), British Columbia (48%), Alberta (44%), Atlantic Canada (40%)
