Tuesday, July 27, 2010

G20 poll results

A reader asked that I outline the poll results asking whether there should be a public inquiry into police activity during the G20.

An overwhelming majority -- 77% -- sought such an inquiry. A limited number (including me) said no.

Now, a poll is self selecting and not very accurate (note, remind Tony Clement of this). Nevertheless, it is suggestive that Canadians as a whole want a public inquiry.

And vox populi guides so -- let's have an inquiry. (Better a judicial inquiry with a judge who understands civil rights and the role of policing -- it will cost several million dollars but will be cheap compared to the G20 itself).

4 comments:

Liberal Justice said...

Well fortunately there isn't going to be one. It would be an enormous waste of money.

Anonymous said...

Yes. A waste indeed.

But if there is to be an inquiry why just on the police? Lets also include the actions of protesters, union and labour leaders that organized the protests and perhaps even the journalists as well.

Stephen Downes said...

> Now, a poll is self selecting and not very accurate (note, remind Tony Clement of this). Nevertheless, it is suggestive that Canadians as a whole want a public inquiry.

Actually, it doesn't. That's the whole point of the census controversy.

You can assign this percentage to 'Canadians as a whole' with any degree of certainty at all. The numbers are worse than useless; they're misleading, by making you think you have data when you really don't.

To address the issue - I'd like to see an enquiry into where the $1.2 billion (plus other expenses?) was spent. Surely it doesn't cost that much to harass a few protestors.

Stephen Downes said...

When I said

> You can assign this percentage to 'Canadians as a whole' with any degree of certainty at all.

I meant, of course, "You can't ..."

(new keyboard)