By Mario Canseco

Food Security Challenges Affecting Most British Columbians

May 21, 2026May 20, 2026By Mario Canseco

Almost a third of the province’s residents are “more stressed” about having enough money to make it to the end of the month.

Vancouver, BC [May 21, 2026] – Significant proportions of British Columbians are changing their shopping and dietary habits on account of rising food prices, a new Research Co. poll conducted in partnership with United Way BC has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than a third of British Columbians say they have switched packaged food brands to lower priced (generic) alternatives (37%) or changed their diet to avoid products that have become more expensive (35%).

More than one-in-five of the province’s residents (21%) have cut back on lunches for themselves, while fewer have cut back on medications (12%) or cut back on lunches for children (4%).

“Just over two-in-five British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (41%) acknowledge modifying their diet because specific products have become unaffordable,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion is also noteworthy among British Columbians aged 35-to-54 (36%) and aged 55 and over (28%).”

On a separate question, just under one-in-four British Columbians (23%) say themselves or other household members had to reduce the size of their meals over the past couple of months because of affordability.

While fewer of the province’s residents experienced other issues over the past couple of months, the proportions are noteworthy.

Just under one-in-five British Columbians (18%) report themselves or other household members being unable to afford to eat nutritious meals, and around one-in-seven had to skip meals altogether because of affordability (15%), say that the food that they purchased did not last and they were unable to purchase more (also 15%), or had to access food or meals, at no cost, from a community organization (such as a food bank) (13%).

In addition, three-in-ten British Columbians (30%) say they personally ate less than they felt they should because there wasn’t enough money to buy food, while just under one-in-five (18%) say they personally were hungry but didn’t eat because they couldn’t afford enough food.

More than one-in-five British Columbians who have a senior family member, coworker or friend in the province recall the senior expressing concern about paying for non-essential but important expenses like holiday gifts for others, coffee, or social activities (26%) or the senior expressing concern about paying for everyday living expenses like rent/mortgage, gas for their car, or utilities (also 26%).

Fewer of these respondents recall the senior communicating that they were feeling lonely or isolated (24%), the senior having to reduce the size of their meals, or skip meals, because of affordability (15%) or the senior not being able to afford to eat nutritious meals (12%).

Almost a third of British Columbians (31%) are more stressed now than two years ago about having enough money to make it to the end of the month.

The levels of increased stress are similar among the province’s residents on three other issues: paying their rent or mortgage (29%), feeding themselves and their families (27%) and having enough time to take care of themselves and their families (also 27%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 24 to April 26, 2026, among 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Higher Fines for Interfering with Emergency Vehicles Backed in BC

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026By Mario Canseco

The province’s residents assume that the fines for three violations are significantly higher than they are.

Vancouver, BC [May 14, 2026] – Most British Columbians are in favour of raising the fines levied on drivers who interfere with emergency vehicles, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative provincial sample asked British Columbians what they think the current fines are for three traffic violations: driving over a fire hose, following a fire truck too closely and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

On average, British Columbians believe the current fine for driving over a fire hose is $233.99. Respondents assumed higher fines for following a fire truck too closely ($342.73) and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle ($393.32).

The current fines for these three violations are significantly lower than what British Columbians assumed: $81 for driving over a fire hose, $81 for following a fire truck too closely and $109 for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

When informed of the current fines, almost half of British Columbians (48%) think the one in place for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle is too low. More than two-in-five (42%) feel the same way about the fine for following a fire truck too closely and one third (33%) share the same opinion about the fine for driving over a fire hose.

“More than half of men in British Columbia (55%) say the current fine for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle is too low,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 43% of women share this view.”

In the final question, three-in-five British Columbians (60%) are in favour of raising the fine for driving over a fire hose. Two thirds (66%) call for a higher fine for following a fire truck too closely, and more than seven-in-ten (72%) endorse a similar course of action for falling to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Support for raising the fine for driving over a fire hose is highest on Vancouver Island (76%), followed by Northern BC (75%), Southern BC (74%), the Fraser Valley (71%) and Metro Vancouver (70%).

Majorities of British Columbians who voted for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (77%), the Conservative Party of BC (74%) and the BC Green Party (64%) agree with raising the fine for driving over a fire hose.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 6 to April 8, 2026, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Little Movement in Canada’s Federal Political Scene

May 11, 2026May 13, 2026By Mario Canseco

The governing Liberals maintain a significant advantage over the opposition Conservatives.

Vancouver, BC [May 11, 2026] – Public support for the governing Liberal Party is still high in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 46% of decided voters across Canada would back the Liberal candidate in their riding in a federal election, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2026.

The Conservative Party is second with 31% (-1), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 11% (+1), the Bloc Québécois with 7% (=), the Green Party with 3% (=), the People’s Party with 1% (-1) and other parties and independent candidates with 1% (=).

More than half of decided voters in Ontario (54%) and Atlantic Canada (51%) would vote for the Liberals in a federal election. The governing party is ahead of the Conservatives in British Columbia (44% to 37%) and leads the Bloc in Quebec (44% to 27%). The Conservatives hold a 16-point advantage over the Liberals in Alberta (46% to 30%).

This month, the Liberals are leading the Conservatives among Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (55% to 26%), Generation X (50% to 35%) and Generation Z (40% to 27%). The race is tied among Millennials (37% for each party).

There is no discernible gender gap on voting intention, with the Liberals amassing significant advantages over the Conservatives among men (47% to 30%) and women (46% to 32%).

The economy and jobs is the most important issue facing the country for 22% of Canadians (+1), followed by housing, homelessness and poverty (20%, +2), Canada-U.S. Relations (16%, =), health care (15%, -1) and immigration (8%, -3).

Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney continues to hold the highest approval rating among all federal leaders at 56% (+1). The numbers remain lower for Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (38%, -1), Green leader Elizabeth May (32%, =), NDP leader Avi Lewis (31%), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (25%, +2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (20%, =).

“Practically seven-in-ten Baby Boomers in Canada (69%) approve of Mark Carney’s performance,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 30% feel the same way about Pierre Poilievre.”

On the “Preferred Prime Minister” question, Carney maintains a 19-point advantage over Poilievre (45% to 26%).

When Canadians are asked which of the two main party leaders would be the best to handle 11 different issues, Carney is ahead of Poilievre on every single one.

More than two-in-five Canadians prefer Carney over Poilievre to manage foreign affairs (51% to 24%), Canada-U.S. Relations (49% to 28%), national unity (47% to 27%), accountability and leadership (46% to 30%), the economy and jobs (46% to 31%), energy and pipelines (42% to 34%) and the environment (41% to 26%).

Carney holds smaller leads over Poilievre on four other issues: health care (40% to 30%), immigration (40% to 32%), housing, homelessness and poverty (39% to 33%), and crime and public safety (39% to 35%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 6 to May 8, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,003 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Head Shot Ban Endorsed by Canadians and Hockey Fans Alike

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

Canadians and “true fans” of hockey think the NHL has done a “very good” or “good” job in looking after player safety.

Vancouver, BC [May 7, 2026] – Majorities of Canadians continue to foresee benefits if professional hockey prohibits head shots and fights, although the level of support for change is not as high as it was two years ago, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 74% of Canadians are in favour of banning head shots in professional hockey (-2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2024).

A majority of Canadians (57%, -4) voice agreement with banning fighting in professional hockey.

Among respondents who describe themselves as “true fans” of hockey, support for a ban on head shots at the professional level reaches 84%. This group has more nuanced views on ending on-ice fights, with 49% supporting this initiative and 47% opposing it.

Just under three-in-five Canadians (58%, -5) think hockey would be better off if head shots are banned in the professional game—a view shared by 66% of “true fans” of the game (-1).

Only 32% of “true fans” (-7)—and 37% of Canadians (-7)—expect a positive effect on the game if fighting is banned in professional hockey.

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%, +6)—and 87% of “true fans” of hockey (-1)—rate the efforts of the National Hockey League (NHL) in looking after the safety of its players as “very good” or “good”.

Fewer than a third of Canadians (31%, -2) think professional hockey become a more violent sport over the past five years.

On a regional basis, Quebecers are more likely to say that professional hockey is more violent now than in 2021 (33%, -4), followed by residents of Ontario (32%, -3), Atlantic Canada (also 32%, -1), Alberta (29%, +9), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (26%, -6) and British Columbia (26%, -3).

“About a third of women (32%) and Canadians aged 18-to-34 (34%) think professional hockey has become more violent,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among men (29%), and Canadians aged 55 and over (28%) and aged 35-to-54 (26%).”

At least one-in-four Canadians say that, as a result of recent violent incidents in hockey, they would refrain from buying products from companies that sponsor professional hockey (25%, +1), encourage their kids to avoid playing hockey (26%, +1) or watch fewer hockey games than they currently do (28%, +3).

The results on this question are similar when the views of “true fans” of hockey are analyzed: three-in-ten (30%) would watch fewer games because of violent incidents, while slightly smaller proportions would deter their kids from playing the game (29%) or avoid purchases from companies that sponsor professional hockey (28%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 11 to April 13, 2026, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Find our data tables here and here, and download the press release here.

Conservative Leadership Change Heralds Close Election in BC

April 30, 2026April 26, 2026By Mario Canseco

Sizeable majorities of the province’s residents want the Official Opposition to focus on health care and economic growth.

Vancouver, BC [April 30, 2026] – The perceptions of British Columbians on the five contenders in the Conservative Party of BC’s leadership race have not changed dramatically over the past two months, and no candidate would award the party a significant advantage over the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) in a snap election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, the favourability rating for the five people seeking to lead the Official Opposition is similar. Caroline Elliott is in first place (19%, +6 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February), followed by Kerry-Lynne Findlay (18%, +4), Peter Milobar (17%, +4), Yuri Fulmer (15%, +3) and Iain Black (14%, =).

At least one-in-five British Columbians who voted for the BC Conservatives in the 2024 provincial election hold favourable views on Elliott (27%, +9), Milobar (25%, +9), Findlay (23%, +7), Black (22%, =) and Fulmer (20%, +4).

The favourability rating is higher for John Rustad, who served as leader of the BC Conservatives from March 2023 to December 2025 (23% among all British Columbians and 39% among BC Conservative voters in 2024).

The “vote consideration” question also shows no decisive frontrunner among all British Columbians. Just under one-in-four say they would “definitely” or “probably” cast a ballot for the BC Conservatives with Milobar (24%, +4) or Elliott (also 24%, +2) as leaders, with slightly lower numbers for Findlay (21%, =), Fulmer (20%, +1) and Black (19%, -1).

When the perceptions of BC Conservative voters in 2024 are assessed exclusively, Milobar is ahead in “vote consideration” with 46% (+13), followed by Elliott (44%, +5), Findlay (41%, +7), Fulmer (38%, +6) and Black (37%, +2).

In head-to-head contests against the BC NDP in a provincial election, Elliott places the BC Conservatives two points ahead of the governing party (23% to 21%). Milobar and Black are one-point ahead (22% to 21% in each matchup), while Findlay and Fulmer are two points behind (23% to 21%, and 22% to 20% respectively).

In each of these five hypothetical scenarios, two-in-five British Columbians (40%) are undecided, support for the BC Green Party fluctuates between 6% and 8%, and CentreBC and OneBC are each below 5%.

When asked what is the most important issue facing the province, 30% of British Columbians (+5 since October 2025) mention housing, homelessness and poverty, followed by the economy and jobs (26%, +4), health care (23%, =) and crime and public safety (7%, +2).

The survey also asked British Columbians about specific issues the Conservative Party of BC should focus on during the next three years.

More than three-in-five respondents want the Official Opposition to get the government to invest more on health care (81%, +1 since March 2025), foster economic growth in all areas of the province (78%, -2), develop a housing policy that rivals what the provincial government is doing (65%, -5) and get more pipelines built and more energy projects approved (61%, +2).

Fewer British Columbians want the BC Conservatives to focus on banning transgender women from taking part in women’s sports leagues competitions (49%, +7), ending “SOGI-Inclusive Education” (44%), repealing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) (40%) or reverting the ban on plastic straws (37%, +2).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 16 to April 18, 2026, among 802 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

British Columbians Ponder Future of Provincial Conservatives

April 27, 2026April 26, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half think the province needs a centre-right party to serve as an alternative to New Democrats and Conservatives.

Vancouver, BC [April 27, 2026] – British Columbians are divided when asked what the party that is currently serving as the Official Opposition should resemble in the future, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 19% of British Columbians would like the Conservative Party of BC to look like the current Liberal Party of Canada, while 18% want it to be similar to the current Conservative Party of Canada.

Fewer British Columbians would like the BC Conservatives to emulate the BC Liberals (13%), the Progressive Conservatives (10%), Social Credit (5%) or the Reform Party / Canadian Alliance (2%).

“More than two-in-five British Columbians who voted for the provincial Conservatives in 2024 (42%) want the party to look like the federal Official Opposition,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 9% think it should attempt to emulate the BC Liberals.”

British Columbians are divided on the legacy of the BC Liberals under Gordon Campbell (1993-2011). While 41% have a favourable opinion of this party, a similar proportion (38%) hold unfavourable views.

The favourability rating is lower for the BC Liberals under Christy Clark (2011-2017) (35%), the BC Liberals under Andrew Wilkinson (2018-2020) (26%) and BC United under Kevin Falcon (2022-2024) (23%).

More than a third of British Columbians (37%, -3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2025) think the Conservative Party of BC is a “free enterprise coalition”, and almost two-in-five (39%, +5) believe the party’s next leader is a “premier-in-waiting”.

As was the case last year, British Columbians are more likely to trust the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) to stand up to the threats generated by U.S. President Donald Trump (51%, -8) than the opposition Conservative Party of BC (44%, -4).

Most British Columbians (52%, +4) think British Columbia needs a centre-right party to serve as an alternative to the BC New Democrats and the BC Conservatives.

More than three-in-five British Columbians who in 2024 voted for the BC Greens (62%) or the BC Conservatives (61%) would welcome a new centre-right party, along with just over half of those who cast ballots for BC NDP candidates (51%).

Just over two-in-five British Columbians (42%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea for the BC NDP and the BC Greens to merge into a single political party.

Support for three other mergers is slightly lower: 39% for a party featuring the BC Conservatives and OneBC, 38% for a party encompassing the BC Conservatives and Centre BC and 38% for a party featuring all three organizations: the BC Conservatives, One BC and Centre BC.

More than one-in-four British Columbians (27%) favour the Conservative Party of BC not running candidates in constituencies where OneBC has nominated a candidate, while 34% are opposed and 39% are not sure.

Respondents to this survey were also asked to choose a position that a political party should take based on five contrasting statements.

Almost four-in-five British Columbians (79%, +4) prefer parties where all members are free to vote individually, and just over seven-in-ten (71%, +1) choose parties that acknowledge and help the less fortunate.

Majorities of the province’s residents also select parties that are anti-American (67%, +3), that advocate for more economic and personal freedoms (64%, =) and that acknowledge Indigenous reconciliation (63%, -3).

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Close Race to the Top as Canadians Ponder Best Prime Ministers

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026By Mario Canseco

Almost half (47%) include Justin Trudeau on their list of the worst heads of the federal government.

Vancouver, BC [April 23, 2026] – There is no clear favourite when Canadians are asked to pick the best stewards of the federal government, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians to select up to four of Canada’s 24 prime ministers as the best—and worst—the country has ever had.

Five men are included as the list of “best ever” prime ministers by more than one-in-four Canadians: Pierre Trudeau (30%), Mark Carney (29%), Stephen Harper (also 29%), John A. Macdonald (27%) and Jean Chrétien (27%).

The ranking among male respondents featured Macdonald in first place (31%), followed by Harper (30%), Pierre Trudeau (27%), Chrétien (also 27%) and Wilfrid Laurier (24%). Among women, Carney (36%) is ahead of Pierre Trudeau (33%), Harper (28%), Chrétien (27%) and Macdonald (25%).

Pierre Trudeau receives the largest proportion of “votes” from Baby Boomers (34%), followed by Brian Mulroney with 32% and Lester Pearson with 31%). Generation X puts Harper in first place with 37%, followed by Pierre Trudeau with 34% and Chrétien and Mulroney each with 33%.

Just over three-in-ten Millennials (31%) include Chrétien on their ballot, followed by Carney with 28% and Pierre Trudeau with 27%. Generation Z has Carney in first place (32%), followed by Justin Trudeau (28%) and Macdonald (27%).

On the “worst ever” question, 47% of Canadians give Justin Trudeau one of their four votes. Harper and Pierre Trudeau are tied with 23%, followed by Carney (21%) and Kim Campbell (20%).

Justin Trudeau is at the top of this list among all gender and age groups—and reaches 51% in Ontario and 63% in Alberta.

The survey also asked the questions that Research Co. has tracked since July 2020, which focus on the prime ministers and opposition leaders of the past 58 years.

Harper (17%, +1 since August 2024) is slightly ahead of Pierre Trudeau (16%, -1) and Carney (15%, new) as the best prime minister since 1968, followed by Chrétien (10%, +1) and Mulroney (8%, -7).

Just over a third of Canadians (34%, -4) pick Justin Trudeau as the worst prime minister since 1968, followed by Harper (11%, -3), Pierre Trudeau (9%, +2) and Carney (8%, new).

When assessing recent opposition leaders, more than a third of Canadians believe three of them would have made “very good” or “good” prime ministers: Jack Layton (47%, -5), Pierre Poilievre (39%) and Robert Stanfield (34%, +1).

The rating is lower for Preston Manning (32%, -1), Tom Mulcair (30%, -4), Andrew Scheer (29%, +2), Erin O’Toole (28%, -3), Michael Ignatieff (24%, +2), Stockwell Day (also 24%, -2), Stéphane Dion (23%, -1) and Rona Ambrose (also 23%, -4).

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Niagara Region Residents Want to Keep Control of Water Services

April 21, 2026May 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

Three-in-five residents oppose the provincial government relying on Bill 60 to change how water is provided.

St. Catharines, ON [April 21, 2026] – The notion of privatizing water and wastewater services is not particularly popular with residents of the 12 cities, towns and townships that form the Niagara Region, a new Research Co. poll conducted for CUPE Ontario has found.

In the mixed mode survey of a representative regional sample, more than three-in-five Niagara Region residents (62%) say they are “very happy” or “somewhat happy” with the quality of the water and wastewater systems in their municipality.

In November 2025, the Ontario provincial government headed by Premier Doug Ford passed a law that gives it the power to force cities and towns to transfer publicly owned and operated water and wastewater services—including the water and sewage pipes and filtration plants that municipalities currently own—to business corporations.

Only 17% of Niagara Region residents think their local elected officials should accept this new provincial directive if the Ford government tries to use it. A sizeable majority (61%) want their local mayors, councillors and regional councillors to resist this course of action.

Currently, water and sewage is a service provided for the residents of Niagara’s 12 cities and towns by the Niagara Regional government. It is fully owned by residents through their government and provided on a not-for-profit basis.

Almost three-in-four Niagara Region residents (74%) think it is important for democratically elected representatives to keep control of water services.

Three-in-five Niagara Region residents (60%) oppose the provincial government using its new water corporations law (Bill 60) to change how water is provided in Niagara Region.

The Ontario government introduced amendments to Bill 60 while this survey was being conducted. Those amendments, contained in Bill 98, do not to change the power of the Minister of Municipal Affairs to compel any Ontario municipality to transfer its water infrastructure to a business corporation.

Water infrastructure—including pipes, sewers and filtration plants—in Niagara requires some repairs and updates. Also, for more housing to be built, more water infrastructure needs to be added. Updating current and building more water infrastructure will cost millions of dollars.

Respondents to this survey were asked their opinion about four different ways to deal with this situation.

Almost three-in-four Niagara Region residents (74%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea for the provincial government to pay the full cost needed to upgrade water infrastructure at the municipal level in Ontario, even if that means increasing taxes paid by corporations and bringing in a new wealth tax on millionaires and billionaires.

Just over seven-in-ten respondents (71%) favour the provincial government borrowing the money that is required to repair and build the new water infrastructure that Niagara needs, even if that means increasing taxes paid by corporations and any individual whose income is $250,000 or more.

Almost two thirds of Niagara Region residents (65%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea for the Ford government to borrow the money that is required to repair current water infrastructure, even if that means increasing taxes paid by corporations and individuals earning $250,000 or more, and letting municipal governments charge fees that real estate developers must pay to recover some of the cost of building new water infrastructure because developers make good profits selling new housing.

Only 22% of respondents side with the notion of the provincial government making municipal governments transfer current water infrastructure to a business corporation that can borrow the money required to repair and build.

Methodology: Results are based on a mixed-mode (online and telephone) survey conducted from March 28 to April 4, 2026, among 963 adults in the Niagara Region. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age and gender in the Niagara Region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.2 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

More Than Seven-in-Ten British Columbians Want MLB Team

April 20, 2026April 20, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half of the province’s residents would attend at least one home game a year when the franchise is established.

Vancouver, BC [April 20, 2026] – Public support for a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Vancouver has grown markedly over the past three years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%, +12 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2023) say it is a “very good” or “good” idea for Vancouver to have an MLB team.

Fewer than one-in-ten British Columbians (9%, -4) think this is a “bad” or “very bad” idea, while 19% (-8) are not sure.

Sizeable majorities of British Columbians who in 2024 voted for the Conservative Party of BC (76%), the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (75%) or the BC Green Party (68%) favour establishing an MLB team in Vancouver.

“The arrival of Major League Baseball to Vancouver is backed by two thirds of British Columbians whose heritage is Indigenous (66%) or East Asian (67%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Support is higher among residents of European (70%) or South Asian (82%) descent.”

More than four-in-five residents of the Fraser Valley (83%, +16) think an MLB franchise in Vancouver is a “very good” or “good” idea, along with majorities of British Columbians who live in Southern BC (78%, +21), Metro Vancouver (72%, +12), Northern BC (68%, -10) and Vancouver Island (64%, +7).

More than half of British Columbians (54%, +7) say they are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to attend at least one home game a year in the event an MLB team is established in Vancouver, and almost three-in-ten (29%, +10) feel the same way about purchasing season tickets.

Just over two thirds of British Columbians in the highest income bracket (68%) say they are likely to go to at least one home game a year once a Vancouver MLB franchise begins operations.

Almost half of British Columbians (48%, +11) are likely to watch the Vancouver MLB team’s games at a bar or pub, while a majority (58%, +2) would tune in to enjoy games at home.

There is also a marked increase in the proportion of residents who would buy apparel or merchandise with the logo of Vancouver’s MLB team, going from 39% in August 2023 to 50% this month.

Three-in-five British Columbians (60%, +19) have a favourite team in MLB, including the Toronto Blue Jays (49%, +17), the Seattle Mariners (7%, +1) and other MLB franchises (4%, +1).

Just over two thirds of British Columbians who have a favourite MLB team (67%, +5) say they would stop rooting for this franchise to support the Vancouver squad once it starts playing.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Residents Ready for Governance Reform in Metro Vancouver

April 16, 2026April 12, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-four would conduct a full public inquiry into the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Vancouver, BC [April 16, 2026] – Residents of 21 municipalities would like to see changes in the way the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD)—or Metro Vancouver—currently operates, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative regional sample outlines widespread confusion among residents about both what Metro Vancouver is actually responsible for and its current governance structure.

About two-in-five residents know that Metro Vancouver operates and maintains solid waste facilities (41%), operates and maintains liquid waste facilities (40%) and provides drinking water (39%), while fewer are aware that it oversees the development and maintenance of regional parks (29%) and establishes policies and plans to improve air quality (22%).

When asked how many directors serve in the Metro Vancouver Board, the average response from residents is 10. The Metro Vancouver Board currently consists of 41 Directors representing 21 Municipalities, one Electoral Area and one treaty First Nation.

Upon learning of the size of the Metro Vancouver Board, majorities of residents agree with two separate proposals: electing the directors the Metro Vancouver Board directly, instead of appointing members of Municipal or First Nation councils (65%) and creating a smaller, directly elected “Mayors Council” that can oversee Metro Vancouver, TransLink and E-Comm 9-1-1 (67%).

Support for direct elections to the Metro Vancouver Board is highest among residents of the City of Langley, the Township of Langley, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows (74%), followed by those in Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities (69%), Richmond and Delta (66%), the North Shore (also 66%), Vancouver (65%) and Surrey and White Rock (62%).

“Seven-in-ten Metro Vancouverites aged 35-to-54 (70%) think the region needs a directly elected Metro Vancouver Board,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of residents aged 18-to-34 (64%) and aged 55 and over (63%) concur.”

Two thirds of residents (66%) believe that, in its current form, Metro Vancouver is overseen by politicians who are only accountable to a particular municipality and not to the region as a whole. Similar proportions of respondents think a directly elected Metro Vancouver Board would be more accountable, efficient and responsive (71%) and would simplify political decision-making (67%).

Just over three-in-four Metro Vancouverites (76%) are in favour of conducting a full public inquiry into the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant—including 79% of those aged 55 and over and 83% of those who live in the North Shore.

Majorities of residents also support holding a regional referendum to establish the operating and capital budgets of the Metro Vancouver Board (72%) and Mayors and Councillors not receiving any stipends or honoraria for their participation in regional boards (64%).

A separate question gauged the public’s appetite for the privatization of Metro Vancouver’s core services. Majorities of respondents support privatizing the operation and maintenance of solid waste facilities (56%), the operation and maintenance of liquid waste facilities (55%), the development and maintenance of regional parks (55%), policies and plans to improve air quality (54%) and the provision of drinking water (53%).

There is a significant age gap on the privatization question, with support for this course of action dropping dramatically among residents aged 55 and over.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 5 to April 7, 2026, among 1,203 adults in Metro Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

By 3-to-1 Margin, Niagara Region Residents Reject Amalgamation Push

April 13, 2026April 21, 2026By Mario Canseco

Two thirds of residents think the issue should be put to a special vote in this year’s municipal elections.

St. Catharines, ON [April 13, 2026] – Residents of the 12 cities, towns and townships that form the Niagara Region are unconvinced about an amalgamation proposal, a new Research Co. poll conducted for CUPE Ontario has found.

In the mixed mode survey of a representative regional sample, conducted in early March, more than three-in-five respondents (62%) thought Premier Doug Ford and his provincial government should back off from meddling in Niagara’s local democracy though his hand-picked Regional Chair, Bob Gale and want the people of Niagara to have their say on possible amalgamation based on who they elect as mayors and councillors in October.

Only 19% of respondents think Premier Ford and his provincial government should continue pushing for amalgamation through Gale, who they appointed, and want this decision to be made by the provincial government and the current mayors of Niagara’s 12 municipalities.

The survey was conducted prior to Gale’s resignation as chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara on March 12, following a controversy regarding his alleged ownership of a signed copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf.

Majorities of both men (58%) and women (66%) in the Niagara Region want to place the decision on amalgamation away from the provincial government—a view that is shared by 60% of Niagara Region residents aged 18-to-34, 61% of those aged 35-to-54 and 65% of those aged 55 and over.

Two thirds of respondents (66%) think the possible amalgamation of cities, towns and townships in the Niagara Region should be put to a special vote during the municipal elections already scheduled for this October—a proportion that rises to 76% among respondents aged 55 and over.

Methodology: Results are based on a mixed-mode (online and telephone) survey conducted from March 5 to March 10, 2026, among 934 adults in the Niagara Region. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age and gender in the Niagara Region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.2 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty..

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Canadians Split on Conscience Rights on Physician-Assisted Death

April 9, 2026April 8, 2026By Mario Canseco

Just under two-in-five would support a bill to allow health care professionals to object on moral or faith-based grounds.

Vancouver, BC [April 9, 2026] – While Canadians are not particularly supportive of legislation that would permit moral or faith-based objections in all phases of health care delivery, there is a deep divide when pondering their use in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 41% of Canadians (+5 since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in November 2022) think health care professionals should have the ability to object to providing services if they have a moral or faith-based objection to physician-assisted death, while 42% (-9) disagree.

On a regional basis, opposition to moral or faith-based objections in physician-assisted death cases is highest in Alberta (47%), followed by Atlantic Canada (45%), Quebec (44%), Ontario (41%), British Columbia (also 41%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (36%).

Opposition is higher among Canadians aged 55 and over (45%) than among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (42%) and aged 18-to-34 (39%).

The survey asked about two other specific situations in which health care professionals might ask to object to providing services.

Just under half of Canadians (48%, -8) say health care professionals should not be able to object to providing services if they have a moral or faith-based objection to abortion—a proportion that rises to 51% among women.

A majority of Canadians (57%, -6) disagree with the possibility of health care practitioners refusing to provide services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2+) people because of a moral or faith-based objection.

Across Canada, 46% of respondents (-6) would oppose a bill that sought to allow health care professionals the ability to have a moral or faith-based objection to providing services. Fewer than two-in-five Canadians (38%, -1) would support a bill with these characteristics, while 16% (+2) are undecided.

Half of Canadians aged 55 and over (50%, -6) would oppose an effort from their provincial legislature to allow moral or faith-based objections in health care delivery. The proportion drops to 46% (-2) among Canadians aged 18-to-34 and to 41% (-9) among Canadians aged 35-to-54.

In 2019, Alberta considered the implementation of Bill 207 which was later abandoned. The proposed legislation sought to enable the province’s health care practitioners to abstain from providing services to an individual if they considered that their conscientious beliefs would be infringed upon.

Support for this type of legislation is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (45%), followed by Ontario (43%), British Columbia (41%), Alberta (38%), Quebec (30%) and Atlantic Canada (29%).

“More than half of Conservative Party voters in the 2025 federal election (53%) would permit moral or faith-based objections in health care delivery,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion drops to 36% among Liberal Party voters and to 34% among New Democratic Party (NDP) voters.”

There are also some significant differences among specific ethnicities. More than half of Canadians of East Asian descent (52%) support this type of bill. Fewer respondents whose heritage is Indigenous (44%) European (35%) or South Asian (32%) concur.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 22 to March 24, 2026, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Climate Change Divide Grows Between Americans and Canadians

April 2, 2026April 2, 2026By Mario Canseco

Still, majorities in the two countries want governments, companies and individuals to do more to deal with impacts.

Vancouver, BC [April 2, 2026] – The views of Americans and Canadians on human-made climate change continue to drift apart, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, fewer than half of Americans (48%) say climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in November 2024.

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%, +3) say climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities.

The difference in perceptions of human-made climate change in Canada and the United States has never been as large as it is in 2026 (15 points). The results in Canada were higher than in the United States on this question in 2024 (10 points), 2022 (nine points) and 2020 (seven points).

While 13% of respondents in the United States believe climate change is a theory that has not been proven, only 9% of respondents in Canada concur.

Americans are also more likely to think that climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by natural changes (28%) than Canadians (21%).

“Sizeable majorities of Democrats in the United States (67%) and Liberal Party voters in Canada (81%) think climate change is real and human-made,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions drop drastically among American Republicans (34%) and Canadian Conservatives (44%).”

Canadians are more likely to think of climate change as a “major crisis” (63%, +3) than Americans (52%, -3). While fewer than one-in-ten Canadians (9%, +1) think of climate change as “not a crisis at all”, the proportion rises to 16% (+3) among Americans.

Only 2% of Americans who voted for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024 think climate change is “not a crisis at all”, compared to 31% of Americans who voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump.

In Canada, only 4% of Liberal voters in the 2025 federal election believe climate change is “not a crisis at all”, compared to 19% of Canadians who cast ballots for Conservative candidates.

Americans and Canadians agree—albeit at differing levels—that three entities should be doing more to deal with issues related to climate change that are happening or impacting people directly now: governments (63% in the United States and 69% in Canada), companies and corporations (62% in the United States and 70% in Canada), and individuals and consumers (55% in the United States and 61% in Canada).

The results are similar when Canadians and Americans ponder issues related to climate change that may happen or impact people directly in the future. Majorities want governments (65% in the United States and 70% in Canada), companies and corporations (65% in the United States and 69% in Canada), and individuals and consumers (57% in the United States and 61% in Canada) to be more active.

Respondents in the two countries were asked if they would be willing to pay higher taxes to adequately address seven issues, including climate change.

More than three-in-five Americans would pay higher taxes to deal with schools (67%, +1), homelessness (63%, +1), floods (61%, +4), and forest fires (also 61%, +5). Fewer feel the same way about climate change (58%, +3), housing improvements (56%, +2) and transit improvements (49%, -2).

More than three-in-five Canadians would pay higher taxes to adequately address climate change (62%, +7) and forest fires (61%, +7). Support is lower for five other issues: housing improvements (57%, +4), schools (56%, =), homelessness (also 56%, +3), floods (also 56%, +4) and transit improvements (49%, +2).

More than two-in-five Americans (42%) and just over half of Canadians (51%) say conversations about climate change with their child (or children) motivated them to recycle more.

Fewer residents took action on other issues after a conversation with their children, including taking shorter showers (25% in the United States and 29% in Canada), driving less than usual (22% in the United States and 30% in Canada), reducing their consumption of meat (17% in the United States and 21% in Canada), changing their vote in a local election (13% in the United States and 15% in Canada) or changing their vote in a federal election (15% in each country).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 22 to March 24, 2026, among 1,001 adults in Canada and 1,002 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, for each country.

Find our data tables for Canada here, data tables for the United States here and download the press release here.

Canadians Still Think Use of Emergencies Act Was Justified

March 26, 2026April 8, 2026By Mario Canseco

Just over a third believe no COVID-19 mandates and restrictions should have been implemented.

Vancouver, BC [March 26, 2026] – Four years after the invocation of the Emergencies Act, a majority of Canadians continue to agree with the decision taken by the federal government, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In January and February 2022, a series of protests and blockades against restrictions and mandates related to the COVID-19 pandemic took place in Ottawa and other parts of Canada.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, more than seven-in-ten Canadians (71%, +2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2025) say they “very closely” or “moderately closely” followed news stories related to the protests and blockades.

Practically three-in-five Canadians (59%, +3) think the federal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with the protests and blockades was justified.

Sizeable majorities of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party or the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2025 federal election (78% and 66% respectively) side with the federal government’s decision. Conservative Party voters are divided: 44% think the actions were justified, while 46% consider them unjustified.

When asked to look back at their feelings during the protests and blockades against restrictions and mandates related to the COVID-19 pandemic, just over two in five Canadians (41%, -2) claim to have supported them while almost half (47%, +1) say they opposed them.

The anti-mandate protests found the support of just 33% of Canadians aged 55 and over. The proportions are larger among Canadians aged 35 to 54 (45%) and Canadians aged 18-to-34 (50%).

More than a third of Canadians (36%, +2) believe no COVID-19 mandates and restrictions should have been implemented, while more than half (54%, -5) disagree with this idea.

“A significant gender gap remains when Canadians assess COVID-19 mandates and restrictions six years after the pandemic was declared,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 32% of women would have preferred to have avoided these measures, the proportion rises to 41% among men.”

The survey continues to show a divided country on two additional aspects of the protests and blockades.

Canadians are almost evenly split on whether the actions of the people protesting against restrictions and mandates were justified (Agree 43%, Disagree 45%).

The notion that the people protesting against restrictions and mandates were fighting for freedom resonates positively with 45% of Canadians and negatively with 41%.

The numbers are not as close on whether the federal government should be overthrown. Just over a third of Canadians (34%, -1) agree with this contention, while more than half (51%, =) disagree with it.

At least seven-in-ten Canadians are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about violence breaking out at the site of protests and blockades (74%, -3) and foreign money being used to fund the activities of protestors (70%, =).

Fewer Canadians—but still majorities— are also worried about the federal government relying on the Emergencies Act to end other protests in the future (62%, -2) and Canada’s image in the world being negatively affected by the protests and the federal government’s actions (59%, -2).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 15 to March 17, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Six Years Later, Canadians Feel COVID-19 Was Properly Handled

March 23, 2026March 22, 2026By Mario Canseco

Majorities support holding public inquiries similar to the one currently taking place in the United Kingdom.

Vancouver, BC [March 23, 2026] – The performance of the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic remains satisfactory for a majority of Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 56% of Canadians think the way the federal government in Ottawa dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic can be described as “a success”, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2025.

“Satisfaction with the way the federal government managed the COVID-19 pandemic is lowest among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (45%)”, says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are higher among Canadians aged 55 and over (59%) and aged 18-to-34 (58%).”

Most Canadians also think their provincial government (56%, +2) and their municipal government (55%, +3) were successful in managing COVID-19. The rating is lower for the official opposition in Ottawa (38%, -1) and provincial official opposition parties (41%, +2).

At least half of Canadians think the media was successful in dealing with the pandemic: 56% for television news (+3), 55% for radio news (+4) and 50% for newspapers (+1). The rating is similar for non-governmental organizations (51%, +5) and lower for unions (44%, +5) and trade associations (41%, +4).

As was the case in 2025, Canadians can be divided into three distinct camps when asked about the pandemic.

One-in-ten Canadians (10%, =) brand COVID-19 as a hoax and say we never should have altered our lives, while three-in-ten (30%, =) say the response to the pandemic was probably too heavy-handed. More than half (53%, =) think we were right to have strict public health measures in place to stop the spread of the virus.

The Government of the United Kingdom is conducting a public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic. The terms of reference cover preparedness, the public health response, the response in the health care sector and the economic response.

About three-in-five Canadians support holding public inquiries into the way the COVID-19 pandemic was managed by the federal government (62%, -2), their provincial government (61%, -4) and their municipal government (58%, -4).

Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party or the New Democratic Party (NDP) in last year’s federal election are more likely to support holding a public inquiry into the federal government’s response to COVID-19 (71% and 69% respectively) than those who cast ballots for Conservative Party candidates (55%).

Majorities of residents in the four most populous provinces would welcome an inquiry into the way provincial governments managed the pandemic: 67% in Alberta, 64% in British Columbia, 61% in Ontario and 58% in Quebec.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Public Appetite for a Republic Dwindles Across Canada

March 19, 2026March 20, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half of Canadians continue to expect the country to remain a monarchy twenty years from now.

Vancouver, BC [March 19, 2026] – Canadians are divided when assessing the constitution of the country, a new Research Co, poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 33% of Canadians (-7 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2025) say they would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 29% (-2) would like Canada to remain a monarchy.

Almost one-in-four Canadians (23%, +5) say they do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.

“In March 2024, a 23-point gap separated the group of Canadians that called for a republic from those who argued in favour of keeping the monarchy,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “This year, the difference between the two camps is just four points.”

Public support for the continuation of the monarchy in Canada is highest among Baby Boomers (36%), dropping to 31% among Generation X, to 26% among Generation Y, and to 24% among Millennials.

On a regional basis, support for the continuation of the monarchy is highest in Atlantic Canada (38%), followed by British Columbia (37%), Ontario (30%), Alberta (28%), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (27%) and Quebec (22%).

Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2025 federal election are more likely to favour keeping the monarchy (37%) than those who cast ballots for candidates representing the Conservative Party (29%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (27%).

As was the case last year, a majority of Canadians (52%, -1) expect Canada to “definitely” or “probably” remain a monarchy in 20 years, while just over one-in-four (26%, -6) believe the country will “definitely” or “probably” have an elected head of state.

More than two-in-five Canadians (44%, +4) hold favourable views on King Charles III. The rating is higher for Princess Kate (57%, +1), Prince William (55%, +1) and Prince Harry (47%, =), and lower for Duchess Meghan (38%, -2) and Queen Consort Camilla (29%, -1).

The reigning monarch’s favourability rating is highest among Baby Boomers (59%) but falls below the 50% mark among Generation X (40%), Millennials (40%) and Generation Y (35%).

Almost three-in-five Canadians (59%, +15) say they have no problem with King Charles III being featured on coins and bills that are being used in Canada.

Two thirds of Canadians (67%, +17) would like to see a commitment from King Charles III to reduce the carbon footprint of the entire Royal Family, and practically three-in-five (59%, +15) think the monarch should advance the cause of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Almost half of Canadians (49%, +9) say they would have liked to see Prince William become King of the United Kingdom and the other 14 Commonwealth realms, including Canada.

The notion of Prince William taking over as King in 2022 is particularly popular in Alberta (58%), followed by British Columbia (54%), Ontario (51%), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (49%), Atlantic Canada (47%) and Quebec (40%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 7 to March 9, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Existing Electoral System OK for Almost Two Thirds of Canadians

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half would welcome a move to proportional representation for elections to the House of Commons.

Vancouver, BC [March 12, 2026] – The perceptions of Canadians on the way federal politicians are elected have not gone through a significant shift in the past two years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

Canadians elect the members of the House of Commons through a system called “first-past-the-post”, where a candidate wins a constituency by receiving more votes than any others.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 65% of Canadians say they are satisfied with the “first-past-the-post” system (+3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2024), while 20% (-7) are dissatisfied and 16% (+5) are not sure.

Satisfaction with “first-past-the-post” is highest among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (67%, =) and also encompasses majorities of those aged 55 and over (64%, +3) and aged 35-to-54 (61%, +4).

More than two thirds of British Columbians (67%) and Atlantic Canadians (also 67%) are satisfied with the electoral system currently used in Canadian federal elections, along with 65% of respondents who reside in Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The proportion is lower, albeit still a majority, in Alberta (54%).

Almost two thirds of Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party (65%, +7) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 65%, +3) in the 2025 federal election are satisfied with “first-past-the-post”—along with 74% (-2) of Liberal Party voters.

Respondents to this survey were provided with the definitions of three electoral systems that are used in other countries.

A majority of Canadians (55%, -1) are in favour of electing all members of the House of Commons through Party-List Proportional Representation, a system in which parties make lists of candidates to be elected, and seats get allocated to each party in accordance with the number of total votes the party receives.

While almost two thirds of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (65%, +3) agree with adopting Party-List Proportional Representation for federal elections, the proportion drops to 55% (-2) among those aged 35-to-54 and to 45% (-4) among those aged 55 and over.

Atlantic Canada is home to the lowest proportion of respondents who are in favour of relying on Party-List Proportional Representation for federal elections (43%). The numbers are higher in British Columbia (54%, -6), Alberta (55%, +4), Quebec (56%, +2), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 56%, +5) and Ontario (57%, =).

Fewer than half of Canadians (48%, +2) would support adopting the Single Transferable Vote system, where votes are initially allocated to a voter’s most preferred candidate, and as the count proceeds and candidates are either elected or eliminated, they are transferred to other candidates in accordance to the voter’s stated preferences.

Once again, Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more open to electoral reform, with 56% endorsing a move to Single Transferable Vote. Fewer Canadians aged 35-to-54 (51%) and aged 55 and over (38%) share this view.

More than two-in-five Canadians (46%, +5) would choose to elect the members of the House of Commons through Mixed Member Proportional Representation MMP—a hybrid method that would use Party-List Proportional Representation for a portion of the legislature, and first-past-the-post for another portion.

Support for this system is lowest among Conservative voters (48%) and rises among those who cast ballots for candidates belonging to the Liberals (50%) or the NDP (53%) in 2025.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 11 to February 13, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Low Name Recognition for Leadership Hopefuls in British Columbia

March 5, 2026March 4, 2026By Mario Canseco

Darrell Jones, Caroline Elliott, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Iain Black and Peter Milobar are slightly ahead on vote consideration.

Vancouver, BC [March 5, 2026] – There is no clear frontrunner when British Columbians—and past BC Conservative voters—assess the 11 candidates who expressed interest in taking over as leader of the Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 23% of British Columbians say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider voting for the BC Conservatives with former leader John Rustad at the helm.

Only four leadership candidates can count on the consideration of at least one-in-five British Columbians: Darrell Jones (25%), Caroline Elliott (22%), Kerry-Lynne Findlay (21%), Iain Black (20%) and Peter Milobar (also 20%).

The proportions are lower on this question for Sheldon Clare (19%), Yuri Fulmer (also 19%), Bruce Banman (also 19%), Warren Hamm (also 19%), Steve Kooner (17%) and Harman Bhangu (17%). The poll was conducted in February, when Clare and Kooner were still in the running.

Among British Columbians who voted for the BC Conservatives in the 2024 provincial election, Jones and Rustad are tied at 41%, followed by Elliott at 39%, Black at 35%, Findlay at 34% and Milobar at 33%. The numbers are slightly lower for Clare and Fulmer (32% each), Banman (31%), Hamm and Kooner (30% each) and Bhangu (29%).

Just over one-in-five British Columbians (21%) say they have a favourable opinion of Rustad, while 38% hold unfavourable views.

Jones has the highest favourability rating among the 11 original leadership candidates at 20%. The rating for the remaining candidates fluctuates between 11% and 14%.

“Most British Columbians do not know enough about the BC Conservative leadership contenders to have an opinion on them,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Darrell Jones has the highest awareness at 44%, while Warren Hamm and Harman Bhangu have the lowest at 33% each.”

Respondents to this survey were asked if nine issues would be better managed under the current BC New Democratic Party (NDP) government under David Eby or under a BC Conservative government led by Rustad.

A Rustad-led provincial administration is regarded as better positioned to manage the budget deficit (31% to 26%) and crime and public safety (31% to 28%).

The Eby-led BC NDP government is slightly ahead on the economy and jobs (31% to 28%) but holds larger leads on six other areas: housing, homelessness and poverty (31% to 24%), energy (33% to 26%), accountability (33% to 26%), education (36% to 23%), health care (37% to 25%) and the environment (37% to 23%).

On the economy and jobs, men are more likely to express a preference for the Rustad Conservatives (34% to 30%), while women pick the Eby New Democrats (33% to 23%).

The numbers are close on this question among British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (Rustad 28%, Eby 26%) and among those aged 35-to-54 (Rustad 32%, Eby 31%). The current government is clearly ahead among those aged 55 and over (36% to 25%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 22 to February 24, 2026, among 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Perceptions on National Economy Mostly Stagnant in Canada

February 26, 2026February 25, 2026By Mario Canseco

Canadians are more likely to trust Mark Carney on economic matters than Pierre Poilievre.

Vancouver, BC [February 26, 2026] – The views of Canadians on the country’s financial standing did not go through severe fluctuations over the past five months, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 60% of Canadians rate the economic conditions in Canada as “poor” or “very poor”, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2025.

More than a third of Canadians (35%, =) continue to say the country’s financial standing is “very good” or “good” today.

Just under a third of residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (32%, -8) and Atlantic Canada (32%, -17) say Canada’s economic conditions are “very good” or “good”. The proportions are higher in Ontario (33%, -3), British Columbia (34%, +5), Alberta (36%, +8) and Quebec (38%, -5).

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%, +2) expect no changes to Canada’s financial standing over the next six months. More than a third (35%, -4) predict a decline, while 15% (=) foresee an improvement.

As was the case in September 2025, similar proportions of Canadians describe their own personal finances as “very good” or “good” (49%, -1) or “poor” or “very poor” (46%, -1).

“There is a significant gender gap when Canadians ponder their personal finances,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 58% of Canadian men feel their current situation is positive, only 41% of women concur.”

Just under two-in-five Canadians (38%, -2) express confidence in Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem to do the right thing to help the economy.

More than half of Canadians (53%, -5) trust Prime Minister Mark Carney on economic matters—a proportion that rises to 59% among Canadians aged 55 and over, 59% in Quebec and 57% in British Columbia.

Two-in-five Canadians (40%, -4) trust federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre to do the right thing to help the economy. Poilievre’s numbers are higher in Alberta (44%) and among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (also 44%).

Three-in-four Canadians (75%, -1) believe the price of a week’s worth of groceries will go up in the next six months. Majorities feel the same way when assessing the costs of a new car (65%, -3) and gasoline (57%, -10).

Fewer Canadians believe they will have to pay more for a new television set (50%, -5) or real estate (48%, -4) in the next six months.

There is stability on the question about financial setbacks, with almost half of Canadians saying they have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” in the past couple of months about the safety of their savings (48%, -2) and the value of their investments (also 48%, -1).

Fewer Canadians have been concerned about being able to pay their mortgage or rent (42%, +3), unemployment affecting their household (40%, +1) or their employer running into serious financial trouble (33%, +1).

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

British Columbians Endorse Specific Actions to Curb Extortion

February 19, 2026February 18, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half of the province’s residents are following news related to this issue “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

Vancouver, BC [February 19, 2026] – Residents of British Columbia are paying attention to the recent surge of extortion attempts and extortion-related shootings, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than half of British Columbians (56%) have followed news related to this issue “very closely” or “moderately closely” over the past month.

British Columbians of South Asian descent are more likely to be focused on news related to extortion (67%) than residents whose heritage is Indigenous (59%), European (56%) or East Asian (55%).

At least two thirds of British Columbians are in favour of three separate measures to curb extortion in the province.

Four-in-five British Columbians (80%) agree with expediting the removal of non-citizens charged or convicted of extortion, firearms offences, or participation in extortion-related criminal activity.

Sizeable majorities of British Columbians who voted for the Conservative Party of BC (87%) or the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (85%) in the 2024 provincial election endorse the plan to expedite the removal of charged non-citizens, along with 73% of those who voted for the BC Green Party.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%) support amending the Criminal Code so that adolescents who are recruited to carry out extortion-related activities (such as intimidation and threats) can be tried as adults.

“An extortion-related amendment to the Criminal Code is welcomed by 83% of British Columbians aged 55 and over,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of residents aged 35-to-54 (69%) and aged 18-to-34 (61%) are also supportive.”

Two thirds of British Columbians (66%) back the appointment of a Commissioner for Extortion Violence Against Canadians—a proportion that rises to 70% among respondents of South Asian descent.

British Columbians are deeply divided when assessing two other proposals.

The notion of providing the City of Surrey with its own dedicated police helicopter is regarded positively by 41% of British Columbians and negatively by 38%.

More than two-in-five British Columbians (45%) disagree with changing gun laws, so that people whose homes or businesses are targeted can defend themselves. A slightly smaller proportion (41%) agree with this idea.

Support for changing gun laws due to extortion attempts and extortion-related shootings is highest in Northen BC (51%), followed by Vancouver Island (48%), the Fraser Valley (47%), Southern BC (40%) and Metro Vancouver (also 40%).

British Columbians who voted for the BC NDP in 2024 are less likely to support changing existing gun laws (40%) than those who cast ballots for candidates representing the BC Conservatives or the BC Greens (each at 45%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 7 to February 9, 2026, among 802 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.