Canadians Divided on Balancing Indigenous Rights and Economic Development

New data from the Angus Reid Institute shows low awareness of UNDRIP and clear partisan gaps in support.

With the passage of the One Canadian Economy Act earlier this year by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals, questions remain about how the rights of Indigenous communities will be respected amid efforts to strengthen Canada’s economy—and accelerate infrastructure development.

New polling from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians are divided — and in many cases uncertain — about where they stand on these issues.

Support and opposition to UNDRIP

The survey first asked whether Canadians support or oppose making the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) legally binding through national legislation — a process initiated under Justin Trudeau and now continued by the Carney government.

Overall, 40% of respondents said UNDRIP should be legally binding, while 30% opposed it.

Support was highest among NDP (69%) and Liberal (57%) voters, while opposition was strongest among Conservatives (55%).

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