Pollster Angus Reid is out, right on cue, with a new poll that says just one-in-four Canadians are paying much attention to the sage involving Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan. An Australian firm, BHP Billiton, wants to buy Potash Corp, a former provincial Crown corporation, for about $40 billion. Potash Corp. controls about half of the world's potash, a widely used fertilizer.
BHP Billiton needs the approval of Investment Canada, a federal agency, which reports to Industry Minister Tony Clement. Clement has said that he expects a decision on BHP's bid and whether it represents a “net benefit” for Canada by Nov. 3 but everyone in Ottawa is expecting Clement to make that announcement after the 4 p.m. (EDT) close of stock markets here.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is dead set against the deal and has called on Harper's government to block BHP's bid.
In wades Angus Reid with the following findings, after surveying 1,014 Canadians:
- Only 25 per cent of all Canadians say they have been following this story “very closely” or “moderately closely”. But in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, interest is high with 48 per cent of respondents in that provine saying they've been following the story.
- Nationally, one-third support Wall's call to spike the deal. But a healthy majority – 58 per cent — have no opinion. Just nine per cent disagree with Wall. But in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and B.C., respondents were overwhelmingly onside with Wall.