Journal: News & Comment

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Pollster weighs in

[UPDATED 6 Mar 2002 7:10 AM: Here is a link to a story about Reid's article.]

This morning's Vancouver Sun includes a commentary on the B.C. Treaty Referendum from Angus Reid, founder of Canada's best-known professional polling firm. He calls the referendum ballot:

one of the most amateurish, one-sided attempts to gauge the public will that I have seen in my professional career [...] its deeper harm comes in the false picture it will give of the true state of attitudes on this complex question.

A referendum is a blunt tool, and in many cases gives only a false sense of democracy, especially when the questions are worded poorly or in a biased manner. I have decided to vote No to all questions, rather than spoiling my ballot.

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