nationwide POLL Shows Majority of Canadians Oppose Horse Slaughter

A majority of Canadians say they have a problem with the slaughter of Canadian horses for human consumption and are uncomfortable or somewhat uncomfortable with the export of horse meat from Canada for human consumption. Over two thirds of Canadians say they would most support stopping the slaughtering of horses in Canada for human consumption rather than continue. 

Summary

A majority of Canadians have a problem with the slaughter of Canadian horses for human consumption

Nearly seven in ten Canadians say they would most support stopping the slaughtering of horses in Canada for human consumption rather than continue the policy – Asked which path they would support most for Canada, a majority of Canadians (69%) say they would support Canada stopping the slaughtering of horses in Canada for human consumption rather than continuing it, while just under two in ten (17%) say they would support Canada continuing the policy of slaughtering horses for human consumption. Fourteen per cent are unsure. Residents of Ontario (74%), the Atlantic region (73%) and British Columbia (72%) were more likely to say they would support Canada stopping the slaughtering of horses in Canada for human consumption rather than continuing to allow it, while Quebec residents (62%) were less likely to say so. Canadians that say they would consider voting for the NDP were more likely to say they would support Canada stopping the slaughtering of horses in Canada for human consumption (75%) than those who said they would not consider voting for the NDP (64%).​​

Just over two thirds of Canadians say they are uncomfortable or somewhat uncomfortable with the export of horse meat from Canada for human consumption

​Just over two in three Canadians say they are uncomfortable (51%) or somewhat uncomfortable (17%) with the export of horse meat from Canada for human consumption, while just under one in four say they are comfortable (11%) or somewhat comfortable (12%) with this. Nine per cent are unsure. Women were more likely to say they feel uncomfortable (65%) with the export of horse meat from Canada for human consumption compared to men (36%). Residents of the Atlantic region (59%) were more likely to report being uncomfortable while residents of Quebec (45%) and the Prairies (46%) were less likely to report being uncomfortable. 

Nearly seven in ten Canadians say they would most support stopping the slaughtering of horses in Canada for human consumption rather than continue the policy 

Asked which path they would support most for Canada, a majority of Canadians (69%) say they would support Canada stopping the slaughtering of horses in Canada for human consumption rather than continuing it, while just under two in ten (17%) say they would support Canada continuing the policy of slaughtering horses for human consumption. Fourteen per cent are unsure. Residents of Ontario (74%), the Atlantic region (73%) and British Columbia (72%) were more likely to say they would support Canada stopping the slaughtering of horses in Canada for human consumption rather than continuing to allow it, while Quebec residents (62%) were less likely to say so. Canadians that say they would consider voting for the NDP were more likely to say they would support Canada stopping the slaughtering of horses in Canada for human consumption (75%) than those who said they would not consider voting for the NDP (64%). 

Canadians are over four times more likely to say they would have a more positive impression rather than a more negative impression of a politician that supported a ban in Canada on the slaughter of horses for human consumption

​Asked what kind of impact it would have on their impression of a politician if that politician supported a ban in Canada on the slaughter of horses for human consumption, over one in two (52%) say they would have a more positive impression of that politician, while just under one in four (23%) say it would have no impact , and over one in ten (11%) say they would have a more negative impression of that politician. Thirteen per cent are unsure. Women (60%) were more likely to say they would have a more positive impression of that politician than men (44%). Canadians that say they would consider voting for the Liberals were more likely to say they would have a more positive impression of that politician (59%) than those who said they would not consider voting for the Liberals (47%). Canadians that say they would consider voting for the NDP were more likely to say they would have a more positive impression of that politician (62%) than those who said they would not consider voting for the NDP (45%). 

​​Views on the slaughter of horses

QUESTION: Government statistics show that in 2016 more than 54,000 horses were slaughtered in Canada for human consumption or shipped out of the country for the same purpose. Which of the following two viewpoints more closely reflects your own regarding the slaughter of Canadian horses for meat? 

​Views on the slaughter of horses exported for human consumption

QUESTION: The business of slaughtering horses for human consumption also includes exporting the meat to other countries. Are you comfortable, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or uncomfortable with the export of horse meat from Canada for human consumption?

​Direction for policies on the slaughter of horses

QUESTION: As you may know, some countries slaughter horses for human consumption and other countries, such as the United States, do not allow the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Thinking of Canada which of the following paths forward would you support most?

​Impression of politician that would support a ban on the slaughter of horse for human consumption

QUESTION: If a politician supported a ban in Canada on the slaughter of horses for human consumption, would you have a more positive impression of that politician, a more negative impression of that politician or would it have no impact on your impression of that politician?

Click here to read the full results of the poll.