Majority of Canadians support bringing back death penalty, survey suggests

Most Canadians are in favour of bringing back the death penalty, according to a new survey.

In British Columbia, 58 per cent of respondents to a Research Co. poll said they would support capital punishment for murderers.

The proportion was slightly larger in the Prairies (60–62 per cent), while in Quebec it was 52 per cent.

Across Canada, the figure was 57 per cent.

The last civilian executions in Canada took place in 1962 and the death penalty was abolished in the Criminal Code in 1976.

It was abolished in military law in 1998.

According to Research Co., the percentage of Canadians who would welcome its return for murderers has increased, with the latest survey showing a three-point rise since March 2023.

The poll released today suggests 35 per cent of Canadians disagree with bringing back capital punishment, while nine per cent don’t know what they think.

Majorities in favour of the death penalty were found in every age group, though people aged 55 and over were most likely (61 per cent) to support it.

“Practically seven in ten Conservative Party voters in the last federal election (69 per cent, -2) would bring the death penalty back to Canada,” said Mario Canseco, Research Co.’s president, in a statement.

“The proportions are lower among Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (56 per cent, +8) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (49 per cent, =) in 2021.”

One of the justifications cited by supporters of the death penalty was that it would save money for taxpayers.

Others said it was important that taking a life was requited with death.

Of those opposed to capital punishment, 67 per cent said they would be worried about a person being executed after a wrongful conviction.

When respondents were asked to choose between the death penalty and life in jail without parole, however, 55 per cent said they’d prefer the latter.

Just 35 per cent picked capital punishment.

The results were based on an online survey conducted between March 8 and 10.

Research Co. polled 1,002 adults in Canada. It claimed the poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20.