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“That says to me that there are a handful of crucial things that unite the four (western) provinces, but it’s far less than those east of Manitoba might assume,” said Kurl.

From Ontario eastward, a slight majority of 51 per cent believe they are treated fairly.

Western Canadians also tend to think of themselves more by their provincial identity than as “Canadians.” Forty-nine per cent of Albertans identify themselves as Albertans most, compared to 36 per cent who say they identify most as Canadians. That ratio is tighter in B.C., 45 per cent to 42 per cent, and is 44 per cent Saskatchewanian versus 35 per cent Canadian. In Manitoba, the ratio shifts: 52 per cent of Manitobans say they identify most as a Canadian, and just 33 per cent as Manitoban most.

Interestingly, the study notes, just 16 per cent of westerners identify themselves most as western Canadians.

As well, many westerners do not feel well-represented by the federal government. “That is one of the few things that unites the concept or the construct of Western Canada,” said Kurl.

How many people in this country have actually been to all 10 provinces?

Just 25 per cent of British Columbians say Ottawa represents them well, compared to 15 per cent in Alberta and 50 per cent in Ontario. Across Canada, 47 per cent believe they’re well-represented by the Supreme Court of Canada, but when it comes to Parliament, a full 52 per cent say they’re not well-represented.

On the topic of bilingualism, Manitoba, Atlantic Canada and Ontario have substantial populations that believe it has had a positive impact, between 33 and 38 per cent of the population, while in Quebec, 52 per cent believe it’s had a positive impact. The West is more or less united: it has no effect. In every single province, though, a majority believes candidates for prime minister should be bilingual.

The online study was carried out among a sample of 4,024 Canadians, members of the Angus Reid Forum, a group of polling participants. The margin of error is +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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