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New Ipsos Reid survey shows economic and environmental benefits leading factors

For Immediate Release

OTTAWA, July 15 – A new Ipsos Reid poll commissioned by the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) finds that nine in 10 Ontario residents support the production of wind energy in their region of the province for its economic and environmental benefits. The level of support remains high even when respondents were asked if a wind project’s location is within their own community.

“The poll found that 89 per cent of Ontario residents either strongly supported or somewhat supported wind energy in their region of Ontario,” said Sean Simpson of Ipsos Reid. “Most also agreed (86 per cent) that their municipal government should encourage and facilitate wind energy development, while a similarly high percentage (85 per cent) believe wind energy can provide economic opportunities and benefits.”

The poll also found that most Ontario residents think it is important that Ontario’s electricity supply become more environmentally friendly and that 87 per cent of those surveyed believe that wind energy has less impact on human health compared to other sources of electricity.

“This poll clearly indicates that wind energy enjoys broad support across the province, regardless of where residents live,” said CanWEA president, Robert Hornung. “Those polled clearly believe that wind energy not only brings environmental benefits but it can also play a vital role in spurring local and regional economic development. There is much to be optimistic about wind’s future in the province, and the poll reflects the fact that Ontario citizens believe in the promise of this growing industry.”

The poll is available online at http://www.canwea.ca/wind-energy/talkingaboutwind_e.php . The poll was conducted June 25 to 30, 2010. For this survey, a sample of 1,361 adults living in Ontario from Ipsos' Canadian online panel were interviewed online, including residents in Southwest Ontario, Central Ontario, Northern Ontario, Eastern Ontario and the GTA. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100 per cent response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-2.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults living in Ontario been polled.

About the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA)

CanWEA is the voice of Canada’s wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy on behalf of its more than 400 members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves as Canada’s leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. To join other global leaders in the wind energy industry, CanWEA believes Canada can and must reach its target of producing 20 per cent or more of the country’s electricity from wind by 2025. The document Wind Vision 2025 – Powering Canada’s Future is available at www.canwea.ca.

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For more information:

Ulrike Kucera
Media Relations Officer, CanWEA
Direct: 613 234-8716 ext. 228
Mobile: 613 867-4433

Sean Simpson
Senior Research Manager, Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
Direct: 416-572-4474
Mobile: 519-571-3896