May 19, 2004

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Most Canadians believe the U.S. Government knew that the attacks of September 11, 2001 were coming – and did not act to prevent them, a poll released today indicates.  When asked about the following statement, 63% of Canadians agreed that “Individuals within the U.S. Government including the White House had prior knowledge of the plans for the events of September 11^th, and failed to take appropriate action to stop them”.

 

Additionally, 16% of Canadians believe that individuals within the U.S. Government were involved in the planning and execution of the events of September 11^th.

 

The country is more or less split on whether the Canadian Government was right in using the events of 9/11 to justify legislation which limits civil rights.  While 50% support the government’s actions, 44% of Canadians oppose this legislation.

 

The national poll of Canadians was commissioned by 911inquiry.org and was conducted by Maritz: Thompson Lightstone, a national survey research firm.  911inquiry.org is a Canadian public interest group which does not accept the U.S. Government’s version of what happened on 9/11.  This group is sponsoring the International Citizens’ Inquiry Into 9/11, being held in Toronto next week – May 25 – 30.

 

Barrie Zwicker, Toronto-based Director of  the 911inquiry.org group, said “These poll results show just how skeptical Canadians are of the official 9/11 story.  And they are concerned about the effect the so-called  ‘War on Terror’ is having on civil liberties in our country.  And we know that all of this arises out of 9/11.”

 

“That is why we are conducting the Citizens’ Inquiry Into 9/11 in Toronto,” Zwicker continued.  “The  wide range of speakers and panels at the Inquiry will fully air these important issues.”

 

The Canada- wide poll was conducted between May 6 and May 11, 2004 with a national sample of 750 people.  The poll is considered accurate to within 3.58 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

 

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For further information about either the poll or the upcoming International Citizens’ Inquiry Into 9/11, please contact:

 

Phil Gillies

(416) 963-5562

pg@911inquiry.org