A newly released poll commissioned by Industry Canada reveals that more than three out of four Canadians have heard of the millennium bug but most consider it harmless. It is the first poll to test public awareness and attitudes about the potential problem. Surprisingly, more than 80 per cent of Canadians have full confidence that neither the federal government nor business will have much difficulty finding the cure for what ails us if the millennium bug does prove to be bothersome. The bug is the result of computer experts programming with two digits for the year rather than four. When 2000 arrives, doomsayers warn that computers not adjusted could malfunction or shut down altogether.
Nobody quite knows.
Only five per cent of Canadians polled predicted a crisis and only 18 per cent feel the bug will create any serious problems. The poll of 2,000 Canadians, conducted by survey firm Decima, is considered accurate plus or minus 2.8 per cent 19 times out of 20. Peter de Jager, a Canadian computer consultant who makes a living from advising government and business how to cure the millennium bug, says Canadians may be in for a shock but says it's good we aren't taking survivalist courses, rushing into the woods and building huts in anticipation of widespread civil unrest. They shouldn't assume that everything is going to be taken care of. But every Canadian will be affected.