Ninety-one per cent of Canadians believe it’s important to protect Canadian culture and identity, in contrast to the influence of the U.S., according to a new Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) poll released Monday.

Abacus Data conducted the survey of 1,800 Canadian adults, 18+, from March 31 to April 3.

It finds Canadians overwhelmingly believe in promoting and supporting Canadian culture and identity, including that 83% of Canadians would like to see greater investment in Canadian-made TV, film and digital content to ensure more content with higher production values is available for audiences.

Ninety-one per cent (91%) also believe that the Canadian television and film industry should focus on creating more Canadian content for domestic and international audiences, while three in five Canadians (58%) say they would support a political party that champions Canadian identity by backing the cultural industries.

“These numbers confirm that Canadians want to see their perspectives represented on screen, and will strongly support a government that champions content that is produced and owned by Canadians,” said Reynolds Mastin, President and CEO, CMPA. “Canadians cherish our distinct identity, and firmly believe it should be defended at home and promoted on screens around the world.”

Eighty-seven per cent of those polled agree that Canada has its own cultural identity worth protecting and maintaining, with 86% of those polled feeling that the Government of Canada should actively support the Canadian cultural and creative industries through direct funding and tax credits.

Eighty-three per cent (83%) of Canadians would like to see even more Canadian stories and perspectives on TV and digital media platforms than are available today, while 86% want to see the CBC producing Canadian content that reflects Canada’s history, stories and values.

Ninety per cent (90%) of Canadians polled said Canadian stories and content should be owned and controlled by Canadian companies, rather than American companies.