A recent poll by BC-based Research Co. sought to find out how British Columbians, along with the rest of Canada, view certain public figures that may be controversial to some.
The public figures in question are those who have sparked controversy in the past due to their politics, actions or positions of power.
The most obvious of those on the list of public figures is President Donald Trump, who 18% of BC respondents look on favourably compared to the 75% who look on him unfavourably.
Comparing BC’ opinions of Trump across Canada, 82% of the Atlantic provinces’ respondents do not approve of him, making them the most unsatisfied of the US president, while Alberta looks most favourably on him with just 71% unapproving respondents.
The results of the poll indicate that the second most hated individual on the list, next to Trump, was Elon Musk, who only 24% of British Columbians look on favourably, while 71% of respondents answered unfavourable.
Another controversial figure on Research Co.’s poll was Don Cherry, whose off-the-cuff broadcasting style got him in trouble and eventually fired. Cherry’s stats in this poll had 44% of BC respondents looking at him favourably, and 27% unfavourably.
Three individuals on the list who received overwhelming positive views from British Columbians were hockey star Mario Lemieux, Ryan Reynolds and Mike Myers. According to the poll, 60% of BC respondents look favourably on Reynolds, compared to Myers 54% and Lemieux’s 52%.
Meanwhile Wayne Gretzky and contentious former prime minister Stephen Harper came out nearly tied, with both having 49% of BC respondents viewing them favourably, while the hockey star had 36% unfavourable and the politician had 37%.
Harper managed to come out ahead of his successor, former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who 36% of BC respondents answered that they look on him favourably, while 59% replied unfavourably.
Another interesting statistic that resulted from this poll is that the majority of British Columbians do not know who Jordan Peterson is, with 32% of respondents answering they had no idea who he was, compared to 25% viewing him favourably and 26% unfavourably.
In addition to these public figures, the list also includes Piers Morgan and Greta Thunberg. Check out the full results of the poll from Research Co. here.
Let us know if you agree or disagree with this poll’s findings in the comments below.
