42% of Canadians support the idea of socialism in Canada
A new study by the Fraser Institute found that 42% of Canadians, and 50% between the ages of 18 and 24, support socialism.
Unfortunately, only a few are willing to take the responsibility that comes with this system and pay the bills for less successful compatriots.
The study also found that only 38% of Canadians over the age of 55 support the ideas of socialism.
A Fraser Institute poll shows that 65% of Canadians think socialism is when the government spends money on projects, but most do not support the idea of high taxes to pay for them.
Only 25% of Canadians understand socialism in the traditional sense, namely as a system in which the government owns all business and industry.
At the same time, 57% believe that socialism is when the government guarantees everyone in the country a minimum income.
"These days, a large proportion of the population — not just Canada, but the entire developed world — call themselves socialists, but many of them have never lived in a society of genuine socialism or experienced the difficulties that come with it," said study co-author Jason Clemens in a statement.
When Canadians are asked how they think the government should, for example, fund a guaranteed minimum income for all, only 31% agree to support it with their personal income tax.
Only 16% of those surveyed agree to fund socialism by raising the goods and services tax.
