Political Efficacy and Political Activity Among Fishermen in Southwest Nova Scotia: A Research Note

Abstract

This paper reports briefly on the political attitudes and behaviour of fishermen in southwest Nova Scotia. On the basis of some recently gathered survey data, we show that these fishermen are considerably more alienated than a comparable sample of workers in the Maritimes, and that they are also somewhat more likely to be politically active. In this context, we discuss some recent conflicts between the fishermen and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and speculate about comparative differences in involvement in policy processes between Canada and the United States.