5G Divide: As decision looms, there’s little Canadian consensus over Huawei’s role in network buildout

Just over half (56%) support banning Huawei’s involvement, one-in-three say a limited role is fine

February 11, 2020 – As its Five Eyes allies choose sides in the Huawei 5G debate, the Canadian government has yet to make a decision.

Now, the latest study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds Canadian public opinion offering little guidance in terms of which way to lean.

While a slight majority (56%) favour following the U.S., Australia and New Zealand in banning any participation from Chinese telecom giant Huawei in building the nation’s next generation wireless network, one-in-three (34%) would support a limited arrangement like the one recently approved by the United Kingdom. The rest, (10%) favour having Huawei build the entire 5G infrastructure.

Opinion is driven in part by political preference, with a majority of past Conservative voters inclined to block Huawei altogether, and those on the left side of the political spectrum – particularly in Quebec – more open to allowing the company in.

Of course, preventing a global leader in 5G technology may have an impact beyond the quality and cost of the network. Sino-Canadian relations have been strained by an ongoing diplomatic dispute involving senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested by Canadian officials in December 2018 and is currently at trial. In retaliation, two Canadians were arrested and have yet to be released.

About ARI

The Angus Reid Institute (ARI) was founded in October 2014 by pollster and sociologist, Dr. Angus Reid. ARI is a national, not-for-profit, non-partisan public opinion research foundation established to advance education by commissioning, conducting and disseminating to the public accessible and impartial statistical data, research and policy analysis on economics, political science, philanthropy, public administration, domestic and international affairs and other socio-economic issues of importance to Canada and its world.

INDEX:

Slight majority say Huawei should have zero involvement in 5G infrastructure

Seven-in-ten CPC voters oppose any investment, others divided

Opposition higher in western provinces, half in Quebec open to at least partial investment

Slight majority say Huawei should have zero involvement in 5G infrastructure

Fifth-generation wireless technology is expected to play a significant role in the lives of Canadians in the coming decade. Faster speeds (up to 20 times what’s currently available), and better connectivity are anticipated as Canadian demand for smart devices and data continues to rise.

There are few companies that offer 5G technology. Huawei is considered a global leader, having spent more on research and development in 2018 than both of the other market leaders, Ericsson AB and Nokia Oyj, combined. That said, Canada’s allies have been concerned about the security issues that may arise if China gains access to vast amounts of domestic data. Senior Canadian military officials have also reportedly said Huawei would be a national security risk if allowed to build the network.

Tensions between Canada and China have been high since the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in 2018. Meng was arrested at the request of the United States for violating sanctions in Iran.

In 2019, exports to China dropped $4.6 billion in 2019, down approximately 16 per cent from the year prior.

These factors further complicate Canada’s yet-to-be-announced decision to accept or reject Huawei’s participation in 5G infrastructure. While the United States, Australia and New Zealand have rejected the company, the United Kingdom announced recently that it would allow Huawei to be involved in “peripheral” parts of network production.

For one-in-three Canadians (34%) that is the best path to pursue; limited, but some, involvement. Meanwhile, more than half (56%) say they would block Huawei entirely and go with another provider:

Seven-in-ten CPC voters oppose any investment, others divided

After the decision was announced in the U.K. that Huawei would be permitted to play a more limited role in 5G network production, some senior British Conservatives wrote to party members in their country to express concern.

It’s a sentiment apparently felt by many of Canada’s Conservative voters too. Those who supported the CPC in the 2019 federal election are most likely to say that Huawei should be banned, while supporters of other major federal parties are divided:

Opposition higher in western provinces, half in Quebec open to at least partial investment

Huawei maintains that it does not have a connection to the Chinese government and any espionage-related activities, though Chinese law stipulates that companies support national intelligence efforts. Quebec residents are most open to the company in a limited role, while those in the four westernmost provinces are most likely to say that a ban is the best course of action:

For detailed results by age, gender, region, education, and other demographics, click here.

To read the full report, including detailed tables and methodology, click here.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Shachi Kurl, Executive Director: 604.908.1693 shachi.kurl@angusreid.org @shachikurl

Dave Korzinski, Research Director: 250.899.0821 dave.korzinski@angusreid.org

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