Majority of #NWT residents want plebiscite on #devolution agreement, poll

EKOS POLL REVEALS GROUNDSWELL OF SUPPORT FOR PLEBISCITE ON NWT DEVOLUTION AGREEMENT

(March 14, 2013)—Alternatives North commissioned EKOS Research Associates, a reputable national polling company, to conduct a telephone poll of NWT residents on devolution of lands and resources management to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

EKOS asked residents across the territory whether "In your opinion should the NWT Government ask NWT residents to vote on whether to accept the proposed devolution deal with Ottawa before the deal is finalized?"

Results of the polling on that question indicate that 68% of NWT residents are in favour of a vote; 20% are opposed, and 12% are uncertain or undecided.

The full poll results will be released in the next week.
"These results demonstrate the need for the governments to involve all NWT residents in a meaningful discussion about devolution." said Kevin O’Reilly on behalf of Alternatives North.

Alternatives North is a social justice coalition based in Yellowknife for over 20 years. We are a registered non-profit society in the NWT. Alternatives North is interested in promoting a better understanding of devolution and the recently negotiated agreement, including an informed public debate.

Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by EKOS Research Associates using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI). Respondents were randomly contacted and completed an interview by telephone. In total, a random sample of 400 Northwest Territories adults aged 18 and over responded to the survey. The field dates for this survey are March 5-13th, 2013. The margin of error associated with the total sample is +/-4.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Media contact is:
James McKee, Senior Consultant,
EKOS Research Associates Inc.
(c) 416.459.8377
(p) 416.598.8002 ext 224
jmckee@ekos.com