Facebook and Prorogation: Why did more than 200,000 people join the Facebook group “Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament,” and why should anyone care?

Facebook and Prorogation: Why did more than 200,000 people join the Facebook group “Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament,” and why should anyone care?

Prepared by: Pierre Killeen

Date: 21 January 2010

Key Findings

  • Top two reasons for joining: Prorogation is undemocratic (53%) and Parliament needs to investigate the Afghan detainee matter (33%). Other choices were: need to work on the economy and jobs, the environment, and parliamentarians should be working like the rest of us.
  • 88% of respondents very (36%) or somewhat (52%) engaged in federal politics. 96% of respondents voted in last federal election.
  • 50% of respondents are 45 years of age or older. No one aged 12-17 participated in the survey.
  • For over half of the respondents (55%), this is the first time they have joined a Facebook group with a political theme.
  • Three-quarters of participants believe that participating in the Facebook group “Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament” will make a difference, while another 22% are unsure.
  • 62% of respondents are from Ontario; only 6% of respondents are from Quebec.

Reference:

Killeen, Pierre. Facebook and Prorogation: Why did more than 200,000 people join the Facebook group “Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament,” and why should anyone care?  January 2010. Rideau Institute.

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