Ottawa, Sep 25 (IANS): Six in 10 Canadians view Asia's growing middle class as an opportunity for the Canadian economy compared to four in 10 who view it as a threat, according to the results of a poll.

The poll was conducted for the Ottawa-based Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE).

Three-quarters of those living in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province closest to Asia see opportunity across the Pacific Ocean, says the survey released Monday by public-opinion research company, Ipsos Reid, reported Xinhua.

Six in 10 of Canadians agreed that Canada should be more open to foreign investment. However, 76 percent are worried that increased foreign investment and ownership threatens Canada's control of its own natural resources.

Fifty-five percent respondents don't think Canadian companies are "well prepared" to compete against their Asian counterparts. If Canada doesn't gain more access to Asian markets, 75 percent of those polled want the country to "limit the amount of Asian investment in Canada".

Still, 88 percent agreed that it's important for Canada to look beyond the US to find markets for Canadian energy and resources.

Sixtytwo percent believe Canadian companies are "well prepared" to market and sell their products in Asia.