Canadians oppose airport privatization, poll finds

More than half of Canadians think the privatization of airports is a bad idea and that it would result in more expensive, less pleasant travel, according to a poll released by the Angus Reid Institute on Wednesday.

The survey found 53 per cent of Canadians opposed airport privatization, with only 21 per cent saying they thought was a good idea. The rest, 26 per cent, said they didn’t know.

Canadians who t ravel more often were slightly more likely to believe privatization is a good thing.

The results of the poll, conducted between April 7 and 10, come after Justin Trudeau indicated last week that he had no interest in pursuing the privatization of Canada’s airports, for the time being.

Fifty-seven per cent of survey respondents said privatization would make it more expensive to fly and 46 per cent said that it would degrade their travel experience.

Almost half also said they think it would make air travel less secure.

Airport security screenings would be unlikely to change under new ownership, but things like airport patrolling and surveillance cameras might, the Angus Reid report suggested.

Most respondents indicated they heard nothing about the issue before taking the survey.

Shachi Kurl, executive director at the Angus Reid Institute said the government needs to be more clear about the benefits if they’re serious about privatizing Canada’s airports.

“They clearly need to be doing a better job of explaining why this is a better thing for Canadian travellers and for Canadian taxpayers at large,” she said.

The poll involved approximately 1,500 randomly selected members of the Angus Reid Forum.

A probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.