Canadian broadcast unions and a watchdog group on Wednesday attempted to sow doubt among voters over easing or scrapping rules that bar foreign ownership of domestic broadcasters.

ACTRA, CEP and Friends of Canadian Broadcasting conducted a public meeting in Calgary — Stephen Harper’s political backyard — to warn the PM that voters who lean towards the Conservatives do not want Americans feasting on Canadian media assets.

‘Most Canadians want action from Ottawa to build a culture and identity distinct from the United States, whose television and movies dominate the Canadian cultural landscape,’ said Stephen Waddell, national executive director of ACTRA.

To back their case for Canadians retaining control of their own airwaves, the organizations released a Decima poll indicating that 82% of Canadians polled believe Ottawa should strengthen Canadian culture, and that 61% of respondents view foreign ownership of Canadian broadcasters unfavorably.

Waddell said the three groups did a similar exercise in 2003, when the then-governing Liberal Party was considering a national election and possible relaxation of foreign ownership rules.

With control over broadcasters including Alliance Atlantis Communications now the target of Wall Street investors, and Harper and the Conservatives eyeing a possible spring election, the unions and FCB have resurrected their public call for the status quo to be maintained.

‘At a time when the country could be thrown into an election at any moment, the poll contains a strong message to politicians who may favor opening Canada’s media to foreign ownership. There is no political upside for any party to support the sell-off of our media,’ said Peter Murdoch, VP of media for CEP.

The call to action also follows Harper’s government in late October launching a blue-ribbon panel to in part consider easing or ending foreign-ownership restrictions on domestic broadcasters.

Foreign investors are currently limited to a 46.7% stake in culturally sensitive Canadian media assets.

The Decima poll, conducted Nov. 15-25, sampled 2,052 Canadians and has a margin of error of plus/minus 2.2%, 19 times out of 20.