Canadians strongly support CETA and upgrading Canada's IP regime, poll shows

Canadians strongly support a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union and upgrading Canada’s intellectual property (IP) regime, according to the results of a public opinion poll released by the country’s pharma trade group Rx&D. Conducted in July and early August 2011 by Nanos Research, approximately eight out of 10 Canadians were supportive or somewhat supportive of a free trade deal with the EU and less than 12% were opposed.

The poll of more than 1,200 Canadians also found that support for an upgrade of the nation’s IP rules to at least match those of the EU and the USA is at roughly the same high level of support with (80.8%) supporting or somewhat supporting. Less than 11% were opposed. Over 87% of respondents also believe that Canada should have the same or more intellectual property protections as the EU and the country’s other major trading partners, with less than 4% thinking IP protections should be less.

“These results demonstrate that Canadians understand the vital link between strong intellectual property safeguards and research and innovation,” said Russell Williams, president of Rx&D, adding: “If Canada adopts an internationally competitive IP regime, it will drive the creation of innovative medicines, which are crucial for patients and for protecting our health care.”