That Canadians and Albertans are a sober, common sense bunch was amply demonstrated by the recent release of two surveys. The first, conducted by pollster Angus Reid for the Rick Hansen Institute, asked 2,000 respondents countrywide to look at the size of hockey rinks through the prism of safety.
Here is the question: “As you may know, studies by medical experts have shown there is a link between the size (width) of the ice surface and the rate of traumatic brain injuries (concussions). If it meant reducing the rate of traumatic head, neck or back injuries, would you support widening the ice (playing) surface for hockey?”
The response was strongly yes. Among all Canadians, 13 per cent supported widening the ice by five feet. Another 13 per cent favoured a widening of 10 feet, and 41 per cent favoured a widening of 15 feet, which would bring the ice surface to Olympic or international dimensions. Only seven per cent were opposed to any changes and the rest were undecided.
Among parents, the response was even stronger: 12 per cent supported an extra five feet, 16 per cent favoured 10 feet and 46 per cent – just shy of a majority – favoured 15 feet. Eight per cent were opposed. (The full results of the survey are on the institute’s website at www.rickhanseninstitute.org/en/publications).
In short, a majority of Canadians would support wider hockey rinks, and that’s just for reasons of safety. A compelling argument can be made as well that hockey rinks should be wider to improve the quality of the game. It’s tiresome to watch an elite athlete like Sid Crosby headed for the net with three guys named Biff draped over his shoulders.
Hockey Neanderthals like Don Cherry enjoy a certain following in Canada but the results of the Hansen Institute survey show they are a minority; there is an even stronger appetite among us for a safer and more intelligent version of the game.
The second poll, by the University of Alberta’s Population Research Laboratory, asked 1,100 Albertans about assisted suicide, specifically for those who are seriously ill and mentally competent.
Conducted in 2010, the survey found that 38.6 per cent of respondents believe dying adults should “be able to request and get help from others to end their life early.” Another 40.6 per cent said assisted suicide “should be allowed in certain cases or circumstances.” In other words, nearly 80 per cent of us are open to assisted suicide, albeit in a limited way.
Nothing will happen quickly on this front, of course, but the survey findings indicate an evolving and mature attitude that reflects well on Albertans and their respect for individuals to determine their own fate. It’s worth noting that only 50 years ago patients did not have the right to refuse medical treatment. They do now, and in time assisted suicide will be – should be – seen in the same light.
As for changing the size of hockey rinks, this too will take time. The NHL missed a glorious opportunity to move to an Olympic standard during the last generation of arena construction in the ’80s and ’90s.The key reason for this was greed among team owners – a bigger ice surface means fewer seats – which is why no change is expected with the construction of a new arena in Edmonton.
But don’t lose hope. Remember, there was a time in hockey history when goalies didn’t wear masks.
