FILE PHOTO - Convoys of anti-COVID protestors, like this one in the Okanagan pictured in a file photo, need to end, according to a recent opinion survey by Angus Reid.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED

A new survey conducted over the weekend shows that 93% of Canadians support strong action be taken to end blockades and the protest convoys.

If the protesters refuse to leave, 62% of Canadians who responded to the Angus Reid online survey say they should be arrested. Most of that group, 53%, say criminal charges should also be laid versus 9% who say they should be arrested and not charged.

“If the goal... was to capture the attention of millions of people in Canada and around the globe – mission accomplished,” an Angus Reid news release states. “If, however, the goal was to build support for their demands to end pandemic-related restrictions – it has backfired utterly.”

READ MORE: Canada's PM Justin Trudeau to invoke Emergencies Act as blockades drag on

While 68% felt security forces should move in to remove the protesters they were split in who that should be with 45% saying it should be the police while 23% said the military should lead the way.

Along with the strong condemnation for the protesters, respondents were also highly critical of politicians and how the protests have been handled.

All politicians listed in the survey were rated as making the situation worse, with 55% saying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made the situation worse, 75% saying Ontario Premier Doug Ford made things worse and 78% saying the same of Interim Opposition Leader Candice Bergen.

The protests have got the attention of Canadians, with 64% saying they’re following it in the news very closely while only one per cent say they had not heard of it.

They have managed to get some Canadians to support their point of view with 21% saying they’re more opposed to mask wearing indoors since the protests started and 24% saying they more strongly oppose vaccines being required to cross the border with the U.S.

READ MORE: ‘Thanks 4 masking’ Kelowna woman joins pro-science rally, decorates vehicle with call to support one another

By, contrast, the support for those measures was strengthened in 44% of those who took the survey. The attitudes of the rest of those surveyed were unchanged by the protests.

There were 70% of the respondents who opposed the protesters’ approach and behaviour.

Overall, 72% said protesters should go home, they’ve made their point. That varied widely by political party, with Liberals supporters being 94% in favour, NDP 89% and Conservatives 53%.

The online survey was conducted from Feb. 11 to 13 among a random sample of 1,622 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum.

See the full survey here.

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