Most Calgarians oppose government funding of rodeo events – Research Co., July 2024
Surveys were conducted in Calgary and across Canada in both February 2024, before the Calgary Stampede, and July 2024, after the Calgary Stampede. The July results revealed a significant increase in Canadian opposition to rodeo events and government funding for these activities.
Key findings
- The percentage of Canadians who were opposed to the use of animals in all five events included on the survey increased between February and July: calf roping (opposition rose from 60% to 68%), steer wrestling (61% to 67%), bull riding (55% to 58%), bronc riding (55% to 60%), and chuckwagon racing (53% to 59%).
- Four of the five events were opposed by a majority of Calgarians in the July survey, compared to just one event in February. More than half of people surveyed in Calgary opposed calf roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, and chuckwagon racing.
- The survey showed stronger opposition to the government funding of rodeo events, with Canada-wide opposition rising from 65% in February to 71% in July.
- Among Calgarians, disagreement with the government funding of rodeo rose significantly from 51% to 67%.
Most Albertans oppose the use of animals in rodeo – Research Co., August 2023
A survey conducted in August 2023, which looked at public attitudes toward rodeo and other uses of animals across Canada and within each province, found growing opposition to the use of animals in rodeos.
Key findings
- Just over two thirds (67%) of Canadians were opposed to rodeos, up six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022.
- About one in four Canadians (24%) were in favour of using animals in rodeos, down 10 points since 2019.
- Just 31% of Albertans were in favour of using animals in rodeos.
Removing animal events would have virtually no impact on Stampede attendance – Research Co., July 2022
A survey conducted among Calgarians during the 2022 Stampede found that the removal of the rodeo and chuckwagon events from the Calgary Stampede program would have virtually no impact on attendance rates and would bring in new crowds.
Key findings
- 64% of Calgarians polled indicated that they had attended or were likely to attend the Stampede in 2022.
- When asked whether they would attend the Stampede if the rodeo and chuckwagon racing events were removed, 63% indicated they would be likely to attend.
- 24% of non-attendees expressed interest in attending the Stampede without rodeo and chuckwagon events.
- Of these, the most prominent change was in the youngest group polled; 43% of non-attendees from this year aged 18-34 said they would be likely to attend the Stampede if the rodeo and chuckwagon races were removed.
