Almost 40 percent of Canadians believe the government is mainly influenced by the industry when legislating on the environment, while only 10 percent thought that it is the scientists who have the greatest influence, according to a poll d Environment Canada.

In addition, in cases where public opinion is in conflict with the scientific data, 64 percent of respondents believe the government should give precedence to science, said the survey.

"The scientific evidence is highly favoured as a source of information for environmental decision-making by the government," says the report of the Group for Research on Public Opinion Environment Canada.

An overwhelming majority (93 percent) attaches great importance to consumers be responsible for the environment. Most said he was willing to pay 5 to 10 percent more for products good for the environment.

Since the survey was conducted, the government of Stephen Harper announced a program of 300 million to accelerate the identification of potentially harmful products and promised to adopt regulations on the worst in three years.

The survey is based on 2,045 interviews conducted from 8 to 30 December 2006. The margin of error is 2.2 percent, 19 times out of 20.