The vast majority of Calgarians have no idea why G-8 summit leaders are meeting in Kananaskis, let alone what topics will be discussed, a new poll suggests.
The poll, conducted last week by Insight Research and Consulting Corp., suggests 75 per cent of Calgarians don't know the point of holding G-8 summits.
As well, 67 per cent of those polled couldn't name any of the three discussion topics of the June summit. The topics are: terrorism, Africa and the world economy.
"It's amazing," said Marc Tremblay, managing director of Insight Research. "There's not a whole lot of interest in the G-8 summit. They know (the G-8 leaders) coming, but they're lukewarm about going out and getting the information (about the summit).
The G-8 summit is an annual meeting of the world's major industrialized democracies. The meeting is a forum to formulate and co-ordinate policy on a host of world issues.
This year, the summit will take place in Kananaskis Village, a mountain resort about 120 kilometres west of Calgary.
Calgarians who responded to the poll indicated they fully expect (91 per cent) that some sort of protests will occur during the summit.
However, an overwhelming number of respondents (99 per cent) said they would find violent protests "unacceptable."
Among the other findings:
61 per cent supported the G-8 summit, with males more likely to back the event than females;
55 per cent believe the summit will be an economic benefit to southern Alberta;
59 per cent said Kananaskis was chosen as the host site to keep away protesters;
58 per cent believe some sort of protest is warranted at the summit;
68 per cent of respondents believe RCMP and Calgary police will be able to maintain law and order during the summit.
Mayor Dave Bronconnier could not be reached for comment, nor could officials with the G-8 summit.
The Insight Research poll is accurate plus or minus 5.7 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
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