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Grassroots’ survey finds positive public perceptions of Canadian ag

A recent national Agri-Food public opinion poll by Grassroots Public Affairs finds that Canadians hold positive views on the current and future state of agriculture and food in Canada.

Grassroots’ online survey measured attitudes, direction and intensity of public opinion on a range of issues and policies affecting the domestic agri-food sector.

Some of the more interesting survey findings include:

• Canadians are extremely confident (91 per cent) in food grown or produced domestically;
• A strong majority of Canadians (86 per cent) endorse increased government support for the agriculture and agri-food sectors;
• Seventy per cent of Canadians have never had the opportunity to visit an operational farm. However, the impressions of the 30 per cent that did visit were very positive.

“These findings confirm that, in these uncertain times, policy makers and industry leaders can build on the agriculture sector’s reputation as the most important contributor to the country’s economic landscape,” said Peter Seemann, Grassroots’ principal and senior consultant. “Few other industries are viewed as positively by Canadians. This is a sector with enormous potential to aid in Canada’s economic recovery.”

Two concerning findings:

• Only 37 per cent of respondents believe the agri-food sector is likely to grow in the future – down from 44 per cent in 2019; and
• Forty-three per cent of respondents believe that agriculture and agri-food is of “very large importance” to Canada’s economic landscape – down from 63 per cent in 2020.

The Canada-wide survey was conducted via an online panel of 1,001 Canadians aged 18 and older. Fieldwork for the survey took place between March 23 and 30, and the survey was available in English and French.

The 2021 survey results can be viewed here.