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The results, part of Forum’s monthly federal political poll, were shared exclusively with Postmedia Network.

The findings signal a shift in public perception, said Forum president Lorne Bozinoff.

“Overall, this is the year of the environment and climate,” he said. “We’re seeing a major shift in public opinion.”

“It’s something that the public is expecting more attention being paid to, climate and flood initiatives, than in the past.”

The poll of 1,733 randomly-selected voters was conducted July 26 to 28.

Among Ontarians, 37 per cent of respondents said they’re somewhat more concerned about flooding now than a few years ago, while one in four said they’re much more concerned.

The poll comes months after Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government announced it’s cutting flood-management funding by half to conservation authorities, the network of 36 agencies across the province that oversee flooding defences and manage water risks.

Bozinoff said he’s not surprised by the high level of concern in Ontario.

“There’s been flooding in Southwestern Ontario, in Muskoka, in Toronto,” he said. “The recent flooding is driving these numbers.”

Among Conservative voters, only 39 per cent said their concern for flooding has grown in the past four years. Conversely, 62 per cent of Liberal voters, 63 per cent of New Democrat voters and 71 per cent of Green Party voters said their levels of concern have increased.

“The Tories are really federally marching to their own drummer, they’re in sync with their own supporters, but their supporters are not in sync with the rest of the country,” said Bozinoff.