A poll stating two-thirds of Ontarians want Nestlé to sell the Middlebrook well to Centre Wellington is based on the opinions of only 1,200 people across the province.
The findings were of a recent poll by Oraclepoll Research, commissioned by the Council of Canadians.
The 1,200 representative voted were divided across the province including Eastern and Central Ontario along with Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara regions.
The poll found that two-thirds of those people in Ontario agree that the provincial government should phase out all bottled water takings and hold a series of public consultations to determine how water use is prioritized in the province.
Ninety-three per cent of those polled want the provincial government to prioritize drinking water needs of communities over bottled water takings.
In total 68% of those surveyed are of the opinion that the provincial government should require Nestle to sell the Elora well to the Township of Centre Wellington, 21% do not feel that it should and 11% were unsure.
Support for a required sale was highest among Green (98%), followed by NDP (79%) and Liberal (75%) voters, while lowest among PC’s (49%).
In addition, support was higher among Toronto (71%) and Hamilton / Niagara (72%) residents and among females (72%).
While still in majority territory, support was lowest among those aged 65+ (63%), males (64%) and residents of central (62%) and eastern (65%) Ontario.
Summary of results
– 68% support the provincial government requiring Nestlé to sell the Elora well to the Township of Centre Wellington.
– 65% support a permanent phase-out of all permits for bottled water takings (water bottling operations) by the Ontario government.
– 93% support the provincial government placing a priority on the drinking water needs of local communities over any pending applications from commercial bottling companies to acquire groundwater sources.
– 69% support the Ontario government holding a series of public consultations to determine how water use is prioritized in the province.
1,200 respondents were interviewed in the survey. The margin of error for the sample is +/- 2.8%, 19/20 times. Surveys were conducted by telephone using live operators between Dec. 8 and Dec. 13.
