By Mario Canseco

Purported Return of the Death Penalty Splits Views in Canada

April 3, 2024April 2, 2024By Mario Canseco

Support for capital punishment is up, but most Canadians pick life imprisonment without parole for murder convictions.

Vancouver, BC [April 3, 2024] – The proportion of Canadians who would welcome the return of capital punishment has increased over the past year, although a majority would prefer to punish convicted murderers with life imprisonment, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 57% of Canadians support reinstating the death penalty for murder in Canada, up three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2023.

More than a third of Canadians (35%, -1) disagree with bringing back capital punishment, while 9% (-1) are undecided.

At least three-in-five residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (62%, +2), Atlantic Canada (60%, +5) and Alberta (also 60%, -2) support the return of the death penalty with this question, along with majorities of British Columbians (58%, =), Ontarians (57%, -1) and Quebecers (52%, +9).

Canadians aged 55 and over are more likely to endorse the return of capital punishment (61%, +2) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (56%, +2) and aged 18-to-34 (53%, +3).

“Practically seven-in-ten Conservative Party voters in the last federal election (69%, -2) would bring the death penalty back to Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (56%, +8) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (49%, =) in 2021.”

Half of Canadians who support reinstating capital punishment think it will serve as a deterrent for potential murderers (50%) and say the punishment fits the crime because a convicted murderer has taken a life (also 50%).

Other reasons cited by supporters of the death penalty include saving taxpayers money and the costs associated with having murderers in prison (48%), providing closure to the families of murder victims (47%) and a belief that murderers cannot be rehabilitated (28%).

Just over two thirds of Canadians who are opposed to the return of capital punishment (67%) are worried about a person being wrongly convicted and then executed.

Fewer opponents of the death penalty also think it is wrong to take a convicted murderer’s own life (45%), call for murderers to do their time in prison, as indicated by a judge (40%), question whether capital punishment will work as a deterrent (38%) and believe that murderers can be rehabilitated (20%).

A separate question, which asks Canadians to choose between the death penalty and life imprisonment without the possibility of parole as sentencing approaches for convicted murderers, yields different results.

More than half of Canadians (55%, +2) say they would prefer life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for convicted murderers, while just over a third (35%, -2) select capital punishment.

With this question, almost half of Conservative voters in 2021 (48%) are supportive of an approach that would sentence convicted murderers to death. Fewer Liberal and New Democratic voters agree with this course of action (34% and 23% respectively)

More than half of Canadians (53%, -5) believe the death penalty is “sometimes” appropriate. Just over one-in-four (26%, +1) think capital punishment is “never” appropriate, while fewer than one-in-ten (7%, -2) consider it as “always” appropriate.

Image Credit: Pearl Vas

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 8 to March 10, 2024, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Four Years Later, British Columbians Assess the Pandemic

March 27, 2024March 27, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than half of residents are satisfied with the way their family, their friends and all levels of government tackled COVID-19.

Vancouver, BC [March 27, 2024] – Most British Columbians believe their elected officials did a good job in managing the public health emergency that began to affect the world four years ago, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 58% of British Columbians are satisfied with the way their municipal government handled COVID-19.

Majorities of British Columbians are also satisfied with how the provincial government (52%) and the federal government (51%) managed the pandemic. The rating is significantly lower for the official opposition in both Victoria (36%) and Ottawa (35%).

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians are satisfied with the way their family (78%) and their friends (74%) handled COVID-19. At least half feel the same way about television news (55%), radio news (52%) and newspapers (50%).

Almost half of British Columbians (49%) are satisfied with how non-governmental associations managed the pandemic. The rating is lower for trade associations (39%) and unions (also 39%).

More than half of British Columbians (52%) believe COVID-19 is “definitely” or “probably” still a threat now—a proportion that rises to 61% among those aged 55 and over.

Three-in-five British Columbians (60%, -2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2023) believe we are in a different moment and there is no need for additional public health measures related to COVID-19.

Just over one-in-four of the province’s residents (26%, +8) think we should continue to have strict public health measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, while 7% (-2) say COVID-19 was a hoax and we never should have altered our lives.

Respondents to this survey were asked to select their five most trusted sources of information in the event a new public health emergency were to occur this month. Almost three-in-five (58%) select their family doctor, while half mention BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry (50%) and the BC Centre for Disease Control (also 50%).

The only other entities listed that are included by at least one-in-four British Columbians are medical staff at health clinics (36%), the provincial government (33%), the federal government (31%), Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam (also 31%) and television news (26%).

British Columbians are divided when asked if they expect to experience “mask mandates” in the near future. Just over two-in-five of the province’s residents (41%) think making it mandatory to wear a mask or face covering when entering an indoor premise is a possibility in the next four years, while almost half (48%) disagree with this assessment.

“There are significant regional differences when British Columbians ponder masking,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While more than two-in-five residents of Northern BC (48%), Metro Vancouver (44%) and Vancouver Island (42%) think the return of this policy is possible, the proportions are lower in the Fraser Valley (38%) and Southern BC (28%).”

Majorities of British Columbians reject the notion of three other guidelines being reimplemented in the next four years: capacity restrictions for worship services, concerts and sporting events (54%), “proof of vaccination” certificates to access specific venues and locations (55%) and a ban on travel to other Canadian provinces (68%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on March 4 to March 6, 2024, 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.

Almost Half of Canadians Would Prefer an Elected Head of State

March 20, 2024March 20, 2024By Mario Canseco

The favourability ratings for the Prince and Princess of Wales are vastly superior to those posted by the King and Queen Consort.

Vancouver, BC [March 20, 2024] – By a 2-to-1 margin, Canadians would like to one day cast a ballot to select the country’s head of state, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 46% of Canadians say that, thinking about Canada’s constitution, they would prefer to have an elected head of state, up two points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in March 2023.

Just under one-in-four Canadians (23%, +4) would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, while 21% (-1) do not care either way and 10% (-5) are not sure.

“Support for the notion of electing Canada’s head of state is particularly high in Quebec (53%) and Alberta (50%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At least two-in-five residents of Ontario (45%), British Columbia (43%), Atlantic Canada (41%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (40%) share the same view.”

More than half of Canadians (52%, +5) believe Canada will still be a monarchy two decades from now, while a third (33%, -3) think the country will have an elected head of state by then.

The favourability rating for King Charles III stands at 38% this month (+6), while one-in-four Canadians (25%, +3) express positive views on Queen Consort Camilla.

Four other members of the Royal Family—the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Prince and Princess of Wales—post higher ratings.

Just under half of Canadians have a favourable view of Prince Harry (48%, +2) while more than two-in-five feel the same way about Duchess Meghan (42%, +1). Majorities of Canadians continue to have a favourable opinion of both Prince William (54%, =) and Princess Kate (also 54%, =).

Half of Canadians (50%, =) say they would have preferred to see Prince William become King of the United Kingdom and the other 14 Commonwealth realms, including Canada, instead of his father.

Majorities of Women (53%), Canadians aged 35-to-54 (52%), Atlantic Canadians (56%) and British Columbians (55%) would have liked to see Prince William as monarch.

Canadians who express a desire for the monarchy to continue are more likely to have preferred William as King after Elizabeth II (60%) than those who yearn for an elected head of state (48%) or those do not care about the issue either way (49%).

Three-in-five Canadians (60%, -5) believe King Charles should advance the cause of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, while two thirds (68%, -2) want him to commit to reduce the carbon footprint of the entire Royal Family.

More than half of Canadians (52%, +2) say they have no problem with King Charles III being featured on coins and bills that will be used in Canada, while more than a third (37%, +2) disagree.

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

Seven-in-Ten Canadians See Homelessness as a Growing Problem

March 18, 2024March 11, 2024By Mario Canseco

Sizeable majorities of the country’s residents support solutions that address mental health and housing.

Vancouver, BC [March 18, 2024] – A large proportion of Canadians regard homelessness as a national concern, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, two thirds of Canadians (66%) describe the current situation related to homelessness in the country as a “major problem”.

More than three-in-five Canadians think homelessness is a “major problem” in their province (61%), while fewer feel the same way about the issue in their municipality (42%) and their neighbourhood (26%).

Just over seven-in-ten Canadians (71%) say homelessness has increased in the country over the past three years. Majorities also feel homelessness has grown in their province (67%) and in their municipality (51%), while fewer perceive an escalation in their neighbourhood (37%).

“More than two thirds of Ontarians (73%), Atlantic Canadians (71%), British Columbians (70%) and Albertans (69%) think homelessness has become a bigger issue in their province over the past three years,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (61%) and Quebec (57%).”

About four-in-five Canadians support two ideas to reduce homelessness in their province: increasing mental health support for residents who require assistance (81%) and increasing temporary housing options for people experiencing homelessness (79%).

Majorities of Canadians also endorse three proposals that focus on construction: offering incentives to developers if they focus on building affordable housing units (75%), devoting tax money to build units to house homeless residents (70%) and changing zoning laws to allow property owners to build more units on standard lots (65%).

Canadians are divided on whether municipal governments should immediately dismantle any encampment or “tent city” located within their municipality, with 46% supporting this course of action and 42% opposing it.

Only 31% of Canadians think the federal government has done a “very good” or “good” job to come up with solutions to deal with homelessness, while more than half (56%) deem its performance as “bad” or “very bad”.

Municipal governments fare better overall, with 39% of Canadians saying their performance on this file has been “very good” or “good”.

The nationwide rating for the way provincial governments are addressing homelessness is 35%. Among the four most populous provinces, Quebec posts the best numbers (39%), followed by Alberta (34%), British Columbia (33%) and Ontario (29%).

Respondents to this survey were asked about specific factors that might be to blame for the current situation regarding homelessness in Canada.

At least two-in-five Canadians think three factors are to blame “a great deal” for homelessness: lack of affordable housing (50%), addiction and mental health issues (46%) and poverty and inequality (40%).

Fewer residents place “a great deal” of the blame for the apparent rise of homelessness on a bad economy and unemployment (33%), personal actions and decisions (26%) and family and emotional trauma (24%).

Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%) believe that, with the proper funding and policies, homelessness can “definitely” or “probably” be eradicated in Canada. More than a third (35%) think that homelessness will “definitely” or “probably” always be a problem in Canada, even with the proper funding and policies.

While only 50% of Canadians aged 55 and over are more convinced that an end to homelessness can be attained, the proportions are higher among their counterparts 35-to-54 (64%) and aged 18-to-34 (68%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from February 25 to February 27, 2024, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. 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.

Making Ends Meet a Feat for Almost Half of British Columbians

March 13, 2024March 11, 2024By Mario Canseco

Majorities of residents, although at a lower rate than in late 2022, are paying more for groceries, transportation and housing.

Vancouver, BC [March 13, 2024] – While the proportion of British Columbians who report higher prices for certain items has dropped since late 2022, almost half of the province’s residents continue to say it is hard to “make ends meet”, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 48% of British Columbians say it is currently “very difficult” or “moderately difficult” to pay for necessities, unchanged since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in December 2022.

“More than three-in-five residents of Southern BC (63%) say it is hard to make ends meet right now,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower in Metro Vancouver (47%), the Fraser Valley (47%), Vancouver Island (46%) and Northern BC (43%).”

Almost two thirds of British Columbians (65%, -6) say it is hard at this point to save money for retirement or for a “rainy day”.

British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (73%) and aged 35-to-54 (74%) are more likely to find it difficult to save money than their counterparts aged 55 and over (51%).

Almost three-in-five British Columbians (59%, -7) say it is hard right now to have money for leisure, such as dining out and entertainment—a proportion that reaches 74% among those in the lowest household income bracket.

The proportion of British Columbians who think their household’s financial situation is worse now than before the COVID-19 pandemic fell from 45% in December 2022 to 40% this month.

A third of British Columbians (33%, =) say their financial situation is about the same as it was before the pandemic, while 23% (+2) believe it is better now than before COVID-19.

Sizeable majorities of British Columbians believe their household expenses on three categories are higher now than before the pandemic: groceries (78%, -5), transportation (67%, -6) and housing (57%, +8). Practically half of the province’s residents (49%, -1) think electronic entertainment is now more expensive than in 2019.

Fewer British Columbians believe prices are higher now than before COVID-18 for books (27%, +6), newspapers and magazines (25%, +9) and board games (18%, +5).

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

Canadians Like Pharmacare Deal, Have High Hopes on Scope

March 6, 2024March 5, 2024By Mario Canseco

Only one-in-four Canadians believe the Conservatives should cancel the national program if they form the next government.

Vancouver, BC [March 6, 2024] – Two thirds of Canadians appear satisfied with a recent announcement related to pharmacare, but perceptions differ on the ultimate reach of the national program, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the final weekend of February, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh announced that a deal had been reached with the governing Liberal Party to establish a national pharmacare program.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 67% of Canadians welcome the establishment of a national pharmacare program, while 20% disagree and 13% are undecided.

“More than two thirds of British Columbians (72%), Atlantic Canadians (69%) and Ontarians (also 69%) are happy with the recent pharmacare announcement,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of Canadians who reside in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (66%), Alberta (65%) and Quebec (62%) share the same view.”

Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians (27%) believe their province should opt-out of the national pharmacare program.

In Quebec and Alberta, two provinces in which the sitting premiers have signaled their intention to opt-out of the national pharmacare program, about half of respondents (48% and 54% respectively) disagree with this course of action.

Fewer than half of Canadians (46%) say they trust the current Liberal government to roll out the national pharmacare program, while 42% do not and 12% are not sure.

Confidence in the current federal administration to manage this program reaches 49% among Canadians aged 18-to-34, but drops to 45% among those aged 35 to 54 and those aged 55 and over.

Only 25% of Canadians believe that the Conservative Party should cancel the national pharmacare program if they form the government after the next federal election.

More than two thirds of Canadians who voted for the Liberals (68%) or the NDP (67%) in the 2021 federal election disagree with the eventual abandonment of the national pharmacare program, along with 44% of those who cast ballots for the Conservatives.

Sizeable majorities of Canadians believe insulin for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (85%) and contraceptives and birth control (71%) should “definitely” or “probably” be included in the national pharmacare program.

More than three-in-five Canadians think six other types of medication should also be covered by the national pharmacare program: blood pressure medication (84%), antibiotics (82%), cholesterol lowering medication (77%), antidepressants (73%), anticoagulants (68%) and pain relievers (65%).

Fewer than half of Canadians would add nutritional supplements (47%) and vitamins (also 47%) to the list of substances that should be included in the national pharmacare program.

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

Most British Columbians Remain Satisfied with Housing Guidelines

February 28, 2024February 27, 2024By Mario Canseco

Majorities are in favour of new rules related to short-term rentals, as well as the extension of the federal foreign ownership ban.

Vancouver, BC [February 28, 2024] – Two measures recently implemented by the provincial government to deal with short-term rentals are supported by most of the province’s residents, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 69% of British Columbians agree with raising the fines for short-term rental hosts who break local municipal by-laws to $3,000 per day per infraction.

Just under three-in-five British Columbians (58%) are in favour of banning homeowners from operating a short-term rental business unless it is located on their principal residence and/or on a different unit on their property.

Two thirds of British Columbians (66%) agree with the decision to cap rent increases in 2024 at 3.5%—a proportion that rises to 74% among those who are currently renting their primary residence.

Majorities of British Columbians also agree with building more modular supportive homes in areas where people are experiencing homelessness (75%, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January 2023), implementing a three-business-day protection period for financing and home inspections (69%, -2), ending most strata age restrictions (60%, -4) and removing strata rental restrictions (52%, -7).

More than two thirds of British Columbians continue to hold favourable views on three other policies: increasing the foreign buyers tax from 15% to 20% (74%, -3), expanding the foreign buyers tax to areas located outside of Metro Vancouver (71%, -4) and introducing a “speculation tax” in specific urban areas targeting foreign and domestic homeowners who pay little or no income tax in BC, and those who own second properties that aren’t long-term rentals (69%, -3).

More than three-in-five British Columbians are also in favour of the decisions to increase the property transfer tax from 3% to 5% for homes valued at more than $3 million (62%, -3) and to introduce a tax of 0.2% on the value of homes between $3 million and $4 million, and a tax rate of 0.4% on the portion of a home’s value that exceeds $4 million (also 62%, -4).

Across the province, 41% of British Columbians (-7) think the actions of the provincial government will be effective in making housing more affordable in British Columbia. Almost half (47%, +6) believe they will be ineffective.

More than two-in-five British Columbians “completely” or “moderately” trust the provincial government under the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (46%, -3) and their municipal government (42%, -4) to deliver affordable housing in British Columbia. The rating is lower when residents ponder provincial administrations headed by the BC Greens (35%, -4), the Conservative Party of BC (32%) or BC United (29%, -4).

At the federal level, the level of confidence is the same for governments headed by the Liberal Party (35%, -2) and the Conservative Party (also 35%, +4), and higher for the NDP (40%, =).

As was the case last year trust is significantly higher for not-for-profit developers (49%, =) than for for-profit developers (22%, +1).

Seven-in-ten British Columbians (70%, -1) support the federal government’s decision to ban non-Canadians (with exclusions for international students and temporary residents) from purchasing residential property in Canada until 2027.

Almost two thirds of British Columbians (65%, +4) believe the federal government should tie immigration numbers to affordable housing targets and new housing starts.

“More than seven-in-ten British Columbians aged 55 and over (73%) want the federal and provincial governments to work together to ensure local residents and immigrants have a place to live in,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (59%) and aged 18-to-34 (65%) share the same view.”

Just over three-in-five British Columbians (62%, +2) think municipal governments should immediately dismantle any encampment or “tent city” located within their municipality. Support for this course of action is highest in the Fraser Valley (66%), followed by Vancouver Island (62%), Metro Vancouver (59%), Northern BC (57%) and Southern BC (51%).

Practically half of British Columbians (49%) think the provincial government was right to implement a $400 renters’ rebate for households earning up to $80,000 a year—a proportion that rises to 65% among renters.

Conversely only 29% of British Columbians—and just 20% of home owners—would like the provincial government to cancel the home owner grant, which reduces the amount of property tax people pay for their principal residence.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on February 8 to February 10, 2024, 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.

Most British Columbians Worried About Protests and Antisemitism

February 26, 2024February 26, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five of the province’s residents agree with Canada’s decision to suspend funding for UNRWA.

Vancouver, BC [February 26, 2024] – A significant proportion of British Columbians express concerns about the local ramifications of the recent conflict in the Middle East, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than two thirds of British Columbians are concerned about aggressive behaviour by protestors at pro-Palestine rallies (70%) and antisemitism, or rising prejudice against Jewish Canadians (69%).

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%) are also worried about protestors targeting Jewish neighbourhoods and Jewish-owned businesses in Canada.

“A rise in antisemitism in Canada is a concern for more than seven-in-ten residents of Vancouver Island (77%), the Fraser Valley (74%) and Southern BC (71%),” says Mario Canseco. “Majorities of those who live in Northern BC (70%) and Metro Vancouver (65%) are also worried.”

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a United Nations group created to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

After evidence was found showing some UNRWA staff participated in the atrocities of October 7 and the holding of hostages, several nations—including Canada—suspended their funding for UNRWA.

Across British Columbia, 64% of residents agree with Canada’s decision to suspend funding for UNRWA, while 14% disagree and 22% are undecided.

Majorities of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (60%), aged 35-to-54 (61%) and aged 55 and over (70%) think Canada’s federal government made the correct call in suspending funding to UNRWA.

Late last year, Langara College professor Natalie Knight was suspended after describing the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel that killed more than 1,300 Israelis and started the current violent conflict as “amazing and brilliant” at a Free Palestine rally in Vancouver.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (63%) agree with Langara’s decision to suspend the professor, while 20% disagree and 18% are not sure.

Agreement with Langara’s original course of action includes majorities of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (58%), aged 35-to-54 (58%) and aged 55 and over (71%).

In January, Langara College dismissed Knight permanently. More than half of British Columbians (53%) think that, by celebrating the terrorism of October 7 at a public rally, and not apologizing, the professor created an unsafe climate for Jewish students and showed she cannot be trusted as a teacher in our colleges or universities.

About one-in-four British Columbians (24%) believe that, regardless of how a person feels about what she said, the professor was within her rights to academic freedom and freedom of speech and should have her job back.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on February 9 to February 11, 2024, 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.

Photo Credit: Michal Klajban

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

Canadians Assess How Federal Politicians Are Elected

February 22, 2024February 22, 2024By Mario Canseco

Most are satisfied with “first-past-the-post”, but a majority would welcome a move to party-list proportional representation.

Vancouver, BC [February 22, 2024] – More than three-in-five Canadians have no qualms about the electoral system used in federal ballots, 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, 62% of Canadians say they are satisfied with “first-past-the-post”, while 27% are dissatisfied and 11% are not sure.

More than two thirds of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (67%) are satisfied with the current system, along with 61% of those aged 55 and over and 57% of those aged 35-to-54.

Just over three-in-four Canadians who supported the Liberal Party in the last federal election (76%) are content with “first-past-the-post”. Satisfaction is lower among those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (62%) or the Conservative Party (58%) in 2021.

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

More than half of Canadians (56%) would agree to elect 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.

“A move to Party-List Proportional Representation in federal elections would be welcomed by 62% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 and 57% of Canadians aged 35-to-54,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Support is lower among their counterparts aged 55 and over (49%).”

On a regional basis, agreement with electing the members of the House of Commons through Party-List Proportional Representation is highest in British Columbia (60%), followed by Ontario (57%), Atlantic Canada (also 57%), Quebec (54%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (51%) and Alberta (also 51%).

Fewer than half of Canadians (46%) would agree to adopt 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.

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%) would prefer to elect the members of the Hose 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.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 29 to January 31, 2024, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. 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.

Even After Court Ruling, British Columbians Back Plastics Ban

February 14, 2024February 13, 2024By Mario Canseco

Just under half of the province’s residents say they go out of their way to recycle “all of the time”.

Vancouver, BC [January 14, 2024] – Most British Columbians remain in favour of a ban on single use plastics, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The ban—which includes grocery checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, plastic cutlery and food takeout containers made from hard-to-recycle plastics—was originally introduced by the federal government in December 2022.

In November 2023, the Federal Court overturned the ban, considering the policy “unreasonable and unconstitutional.”

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 71% of British Columbians support banning single-use plastics in Canada, while 24% are opposed and 6% are undecided.

Two thirds of residents of Northern BC (66%) are in favour of the ban on single use plastics. The proportions are higher in the Fraser Valley (69%), Metro Vancouver (70%), Vancouver Island (71%) and Southern BC (72%).

Across British Columbia, more than four-in-five residents (81%) say they transport groceries out of a store after purchasing them in their own re-usable bag, down four points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in January 2023.

“About two thirds of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (65%) rely on re-usable bags at the grocery store,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are higher among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (78%) and aged 55 and over (95%).”

When it comes to other behaviours, just under half of British Columbians (48%, -1) say they go out of their way to recycle “all of the time”, such as holding on to bottles and cans until they can be placed into a proper recycling bin.

Just over one-in-five British Columbians (21%, +2) claim to limit hot water usage in their home “all the time” by taking shorter showers or running washing machines or dishwashers with full loads only.

Fewer British Columbians always unplug electrical devices in their home—such as TVs, computers and cell phone chargers—when they are not in use (15%, +3), eat organic or home-grown foods (9%, +4) or buy biodegradable products (9%, =).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on February 5 to February 7, 2024, 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.

Canadians Get Pickier When Pondering Food and Romance

February 12, 2024February 12, 2024By Mario Canseco

A third of Canadians would break up with a person with bad breath or improper table manners.

Vancouver, BC [February 12, 2024] – The proportion of Canadians who would call off a relationship if they encounter two specific setbacks has increased over the past two years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 33% of Canadians say they would stop dating or going out with a person because of how they eat, up six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January 2022.

“More than a third of women (35%) would call off a relationship with a partner who displayed bad manners at the dinner table,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The issue is a deal-breaker for 37% of British Columbians and 36% of Albertans.”

Canadians of Indigenous descent are more likely to say they would stop dating or going out with a person because of how they eat (36%) than their counterparts whose origins are European (32%), East Asian (29%) and South Asian (24%).

One third of Canadians (33%, +5) would call off a relationship with a person who had bad breath—a proportion that rises to 37% in Ontario.

Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party or the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2021 federal election are more likely to regard bad breath as a relationship deal-braker (36% and 37% respectively) than those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (31%).

Fewer Canadians would stop dating or going out with a person because they have a different diet (13%, +4) or because they eat animal products (11%, +3).

One-in-ten residents of Alberta (10%) and Atlantic Canada (also 10%) say they have already broken up with someone because of dietary differences.

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

Positive Perceptions on United States Rise Markedly in Canada

February 7, 2024April 30, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-four Canadians (76%) hold a favourable view of the United Kingdom.

Vancouver, BC [February 7, 2024] – The views of Canadians on the United States have softened considerably over the past three and a half years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 64% of Canadians have a positive opinion of the United States, up 10 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2023.

“In July 2020, only 32% of Canadians held a favourable view of the United States,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At the start of 2024, this proportion has effectively doubled.”

More than seven-in-ten Canadians aged 55 and over (71%) have a positive opinion of the United States. Majorities of Canadians aged 35 to 54 (62%) and aged 18 to 34 (59%) feel the same way.

More than three-in-four Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in 2021 (77%) hold a favourable view of the United States, along with majorities of those who supported the Liberal Party (70%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (57%) in the last federal election.

Canadians place five other G7 nations at the top of the ranking of positive opinions: the United Kingdom (76%, +2), Japan (73%, -1), Italy (72%, -1), Germany (69%, -3) and France (also 69%, +1).

On a regional basis, France has its highest rating in British Columbia (81%), followed by Alberta (72%), Quebec (69%), Ontario (66%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (65%) and Atlantic Canada (64%).

Majorities of Canadians hold favourable views of two other countries: South Korea (61%, +3) and Mexico (54%, +7). Fewer than two-in-five Canadians feel the same way about India (37%, -2) and Venezuela (32%, +4).

The five lowest ranked countries are China (28%, +8), Saudi Arabia (27%, +5), Iran (16%, +3), Russia (15%, +2) and North Korea (14%, +3).

In December 2020, at the height of the diplomatic impasse related to the arrest of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver and China’s subsequent detention of two Canadians—Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor—on espionage allegations, only 19% of Canadians expressed a positive opinion of China.

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

Conservatives Second, BC NDP Stays Ahead in British Columbia

January 31, 2024January 30, 2024By Mario Canseco

Only 41% of BC Liberal voters in 2020 say they would cast a ballot for BC United if an election were held today.

Vancouver, BC [January 31, 2024] – The governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) keeps a double-digit lead over its closest competitor in British Columbia, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 46% of decided voters would support the BC NDP candidate in their riding if a provincial election took place today, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2023.

The Conservative Party of BC Is in second place with 25% (+6), followed by BC United with 17% (-3) and the BC Green Party with 11% (-1), while 2% of decided voters (+1) would back other parties or independent candidates.

The proportion of undecided voters across British Columbia fell from 18% in September to 13% this month.

“More than four-in-five voters who supported the John Horgan-led BC NDP in 2020 (83%) are staying with the party under a new leader,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 41% of voters who backed the BC Liberals under Andrew Wilkinson would cast a ballot for BC United.”

The BC NDP remains particularly popular in Vancouver Island (52%) and Metro Vancouver (47%). The BC New Democrats hold smaller leads over the BC Conservatives in the Fraser Valley (39% to 32%) and Southern BC (37% to 27%). In Northern BC, the two parties are virtually tied (BC Conservatives 40%, BC NDP 39%).

The BC NDP is leading across all three age groups in British Columbia. Among the opposition parties, the BC Conservatives do better with voters aged 18-to-34 (28%) and aged 35-to-54 (29%), while BC United is connecting well with voters aged 55 and over (27%).

As was the case in September, 39% of British Columbians (=) select housing, homelessness and poverty as the most important issue facing the province, followed by health care (22%, =), the economy and jobs (17%, +5), crime and public safety (5%, -1) and the environment (4%, -2).

The approval rating for Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby stands at 53% (+1) this month. The proportions are lower for BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau (34%, -2), BC Conservative leader John Rustad (32%, +7) and BC United leader Kevin Falcon (31%, +2).

Respondents to this survey were asked if they would consider supporting each of the four main provincial parties if they ran a candidate in their riding in the next provincial election. The BC Conservatives featured candidates in 10 of 87 constituencies in the 2017 provincial election, and in 19 of 87 ridings in the 2020 ballot.

Just over two-in-five British Columbians (41%, +4) would consider supporting the BC Conservatives. This rating is lower than what is observed for the governing BC NDP (54%, +3), but higher than the proportions of residents currently willing to vote for the BC Greens (34%, -1) and BC United (33%, +1).

About a third of British Columbians (32%, =) would like to see BC United and the Conservative Party of BC merging into a single party before this year’s provincial ballot, while 45% (+2) disagree and 23% (-2) are undecided.

A merger between the two centre-right parties would find the support of 56% of British Columbians who are planning to vote for BC United and 48% of those who are planning to back the BC Conservatives.

When British Columbians assess the leaders of the Conservative Party of BC and BC United, slightly more believe Falcon is better suited than Rustad to serve as official opposition leader after the next election (23% to 19%). The two contenders are practically tied when it comes to forming the provincial government (Rustad 20%, Falcon 19%).

Rustad is seen as the best option to attract five types of voters to his party: male voters (24%), voters aged 35-to-54 (23%), voters aged 55 and over (29%) and residents of Northern BC (26%) and the Fraser Valley (23%).

Falcon is ahead on five other categories: women (19%), voters aged 18-to-34 (21%), and residents of Metro Vancouver (25%), Southern BC (21%) and Vancouver Island (20%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 22 to January 24, 2024, 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.

Canadians Approve of Processes to Decrease Infertility

January 24, 2024January 24, 2024By Mario Canseco

Three-in-four Canadians agree with proposals for the health care system to cover the cost of in vitro fertilization in their province.

Vancouver, BC [January 24, 2024] – Few Canadians express reservations about specific processes that can help people conceive, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost four-in-five Canadians (78%) approve of In vitro fertilization, a process of fertilization where an egg is combined with sperm in vitro.

Similar proportions of Canadians approve of sperm donation (76%), egg donation (also 76%) and surrogacy, a process in which a woman carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual (74%).

Across Canada, more than two-in-five residents (41%) say themselves or someone they know have been affected by infertility—including 47% of women and 47% of Canadians aged 18-to-34.

Practically seven-in-ten Canadians who have experienced infertility, or who have a family member, friend, colleague who has (69%), say that cost was a barrier to proceeding with treatment.

At the present time, three provinces—British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan—lack specific guidelines for the health care system to cover the cost of in vitro fertilization.

About three-in-ten Canadians (29%) endorse the model currently in place in Ontario and Quebec, which covers the costs of one round of in vitro fertilization treatment. About one-in-five Canadians (21%) select the system adopted by Manitoba and Nova Scotia, which offer a tax credit of up to 40 per cent of in vitro fertilization treatment costs.

Fewer Canadians express a preference for two other funding models: a one-time grant of $5,000 to be used for in vitro fertilization treatment which is currently in place in New Brunswick (14%) or a grant of $5,000 to be used for in vitro fertilization treatment for a maximum of three cycles, which has been implemented in Newfoundland and Labrador (11%).

“Only 25% of Canadians think in vitro fertilization should not be funded by the health care system,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “This includes 28% of men, 35% of Canadians aged 55 and over and 32% of Conservative Party voters in the 2021 federal election.”

Earlier this month, Pope Francis called for a ban on surrogacy, stating: “I consider despicable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs.”

Just under a third of Canadians (32%) are in favour of banning surrogacy, while a majority (57%) disagree and 12% are undecided.

Rejection to a ban on surrogacy reaches 61% among women and 63% among Canadians aged 55 and over.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from January 12 to January 14, 2024, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

British Columbians Skeptical About Move to “Zero Emission” Cars

January 18, 2024January 30, 2024By Mario Canseco

Half of the province’s drivers (50%) foresee their next vehicle being electric, down nine points since April 2022.

Vancouver, BC [January 18, 2024] – More than half of British Columbians question whether the new goal of the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act will ultimately be met, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In May 2019, the Government of British Columbia passed the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, which sought to ensure that, by the year 2040, all light-duty cars and trucks sold in the province will be “zero emission.” In October 2023, the provincial government amended the legislation, which now calls for the sale of gas-powered light-duty cars and trucks to be phased-out by 2035—five years earlier than originally proposed.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, only 37% of British Columbians think the goal of ensuring that, by the year 2035, all light-duty cars and trucks sold in the province will be “zero emission” is achievable, down 16 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022.

More than half of British Columbians (54%, +15) think the new goal is not achievable—a proportion that reaches 66% among those aged 55 and over and 69% in Southern BC.

A majority of British Columbians (57%, -16) agree with the provincial government’s decision to ensure that, by the year 2035, all light-duty cars and trucks sold in the province will be “zero emission”, while one third (34%, +14) disagree and 9% (+3) are undecided.

Half of British Columbians who drive their own cars in (50%, -9) say it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that the next vehicle they acquire for themselves or their household will be electric.

“Most drivers in Metro Vancouver (58%, -6) continue to believe that their next car will be electric,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among drivers who reside in the Fraser Valley (49%, -13), Southern BC (48%, -6), Vancouver Island (45%, -8) and Northern BC (42%, +6).”

More than half of drivers in British Columbia (58%, -1) say they would be less likely to purchase an electric vehicle because it is too expensive compared to non-electric options.

At least two-in-five drivers in British Columbia cited three other possible deterrents: fear of becoming stranded if they are unable find a charging station (47%, -7), not having enough places to charge the vehicle in the areas where they usually drive (45%, -5) and not having a place to charge the vehicle where they currently live (such as a strata) (40%, -4). Significantly fewer drivers (15%, +2) mention the “feel” of the vehicle compared with a non-electric option.

Compared to 2022, the proportion of drivers in British Columbia aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54 who express a fear of becoming stranded as a possible reason to avoid purchasing an electric vehicle has dropped, from 44% to 35% among those aged 18-to-34 and from 55% to 45% among those aged 35-to-54.

There is little change in the proportion of drivers aged 55 and over who express a fear of becoming stranded as a possible reason to avoid purchasing an electric vehicle, going from 60% in 2022 to 59% in 2024.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 8 to January 10, 2024, 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.

Positive Perceptions of National Economy Decline in Canada

January 12, 2024January 12, 2024By Mario Canseco

More Canadians trust Pierre Poilievre to do the right thing to help the economy (42%) than Justin Trudeau (38%).

Vancouver, BC [January 12, 2024] – Just over a third of Canadians think the country’s finances are doing well at the start of 2024, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 35% of Canadians rate the economic conditions in Canada as “very good” or “good”, down six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2023.

Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%, +5) think the national economy is in “bad” or “very bad” shape.

“More than seven-in-ten Albertans (72%) are dissatisfied with the state of the Canadian economy,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities feel the same way in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (66%), British Columbia (63%), Atlantic Canada (62%), Ontario (59%) and Quebec (55%).”

More than a third Canadians (37%, +5) expect the nation’s finances to decline over the next six months. Only 14% (+2) predict a recovery, while 41% (-4) foresee no changes.

More than two-in-five Canadians (43%, +7) trust federal Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre to do the right thing to help the economy, while 38% (-5) feel the same way about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The rating is lower for Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem (34%, +1).

Trudeau’s best numbers as an economic manager are observed in Quebec (48%), Ontario (38%) and Atlantic Canada (34%). Poilievre fares best in Alberta (56%) and British Columbia (47%) and Ontario (44%).

A majority of Canadians (54%, +2) rate their own personal finances today as “very good” or “good”, while 42% (-4) consider them as “poor” or “very poor.”

Concerns about inflation are slightly lower now than they were in 2023, with more than three-in-five Canadians expecting to pay more for a week’s worth of groceries (74%, -5), gasoline (65%, -8) and a new car (63%, -3) in the next six months. Fewer Canadians predict higher prices for real estate (51%, -4) or a new television set (47%, -4).

Fewer than half of Canadians say they have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” in the past couple of months about the safety of their savings (47%, =), the value of their investments (46%, -2), being able to pay their mortgage or rent (34%, =), themselves or someone in their household becoming unemployed (34%, =) or their employer encountering serious financial trouble (28%, +1).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from January 6 to January 8, 2024, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Canadian Social Media Users Report a Worsening Experience

January 10, 2024January 9, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than a third encountered “fake news” and more than one-in-four found racist comments or content in their feed.

Vancouver, BC [January 10, 2024] – Recent changes to social media platforms have not resulted in Canadian users having a better time online, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, three-in-ten Canadian users of X (formerly known as Twitter) (30%) say their overall experience on the platform has worsened over the past year.

Almost one-in-four Canadian users of Facebook (23%) say they are having a worse time on the platform. The proportion of dissatisfied Canadian social media users is lower for Snapchat (19%), TikTok (18%) and Instagram (15%).

In an open-ended question, Canadian social media users reported four main reasons for their worsening experience: extremism (14%), “fake news” (also 14%), toxicity (12%) and advertising (also 12%).

Other reasons cited by dissatisfied Canadian social media users include racism (6%), bad updates (5%), Elon Musk (also 5%), news from Canada being inaccessible (also 5%), algorithms (4%) and scams (also 4%).

More than a third of Canadian social media users (37%, -2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2021) say they found links to stories on current affairs that were obviously false (sometimes referred to as “fake news”) over the past year.

Significant proportions of Canadian social media users encountered content or comments on their social media feed that they considered racist (27%, =), homophobic (22%, +3) or offensive to people with disabilities (19%, -1). Still, fewer than one-in-four Canadian social media users (23%, =) reported another user for offensive content or comments.

About a third of Canadian social media users (32%, +5) posted something that they deleted after thinking it over twice. Smaller proportions claim to have lost a friend (or to have stopped talking to a friend) over a social media conversation (14%) or recall making a comment on social media that was used against them in a different conversation (8%) over the past year.

Seven-in-ten Canadian social media users (70%, -1) say it is difficult to discern which social media accounts are real and which ones are fake—a proportion that rises to 83% among those aged 55 and over.

Almost two thirds of Canadian social media users (65%, -4) believe “anonymous” social media accounts should be banned and want people to only comment and post if they use their real name and likeness.

More than three-in-five Canadian social media users (62%, -3) think “creeping” on social media should be dealt with and want social media platforms to always allow users to see who has viewed their profiles, photos and posts.

Three-in-five Canadian social media users (60%, =) believe politicians who have a social media account should not be able to block users from engaging with them.

More than half of Canadian social media users who voted for the Liberal Party in the last federal election (56%) think politicians should not resort to blocking social media users. The proportions are higher among Canadian social media users who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (65%) or the Conservative Party (71%) in 2021.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from December 26 to December 28, 2023, among 838 adults in Canada who are users of social media platforms, such as Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and Snapchat and TikTok. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

British Columbians Are Getting More Foreign Calls and Messages

January 3, 2024January 2, 2024By Mario Canseco

The proportion of mobile phone users who have received “scam” phone calls has dropped from 50% in 2022 to 42% now.

Vancouver, BC [January 3, 2024] – Practically three-in-five British Columbians have been targeted by a specific type of unsolicited phone call or message in the past two months, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of British Columbians, 59% of mobile phone users have received phone calls and/or phone messages where an individual speaks Cantonese or Mandarin, up eight points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in December 2021.

Practically seven-in-ten mobile phone users in Metro Vancouver (69%) have received phone calls or messages in a foreign language over the past two months. The proportions are lower in the Fraser Valley (55%), Vancouver Island (45%), Southern BC (42%) and Northern BC (27%).

The incidence of “scam” phone calls and messages fell in late 2023 compared to late 2021. Across British Columbia, 42% of mobile phone users (-8) say they received phone calls and/or phone messages from an individual purporting to represent a government agency (such as the Canada Revenue Agency) over the past two months.

Residents of the Fraser Valley are more likely to have received these “scam” phone calls or messages over the past two months (50%) than those who live in Vancouver Island (44%), Northern BC (42%), Metro Vancouver (41%) and Southern BC (34%).

Fewer than one-in-five mobile phone users in British Columbia (18%, =) have received text messages asking them if they support a specific party or policy sent by an individual they do not know.

“Mobile phone users in British Columbia aged 55 and over are more likely to receive calls or messages in a foreign language (63%) than their counterparts aged 18-to-34 (53%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Conversely, about one-in-four mobile phone users in British Columbia aged 18-to-34 (24%) have dealt with messages of a political nature over the past two months.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from December 8 to December 10, 2023, 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.

Potential Return of NBA Welcomed by Most British Columbians

December 29, 2023December 28, 2023By Mario Canseco

A third of NBA fans would stop rooting for their current team to support a new Vancouver franchise.

Vancouver, BC [December 29, 2023] – Most British Columbians would be happy with the return of professional basketball to Vancouver more than two decades after the city lost its team, a new Research Co. poll has found.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently commented on the possibility of adding new franchises to the league. The Vancouver Grizzlies played in the NBA from 1995 to 2001.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 59% of British Columbians believe it would be a “good idea” to have an NBA team in Vancouver.

More than three-in-five residents of Northern BC (63%), Metro Vancouver (62%) and the Fraser Valley (also 62%) would welcome having an NBA franchise in Vancouver. Support is lower in Vancouver Island (52%) and Southern BC (50%).

Just under one-in-four British Columbians (23%) recall attending a Vancouver Grizzlies game—a proportion that rises to 28% in Metro Vancouver.

In the event an NBA team is established in Vancouver, one-in-five British Columbians (20%) say they are “very likely” to attend at least one home game a year.

“In Metro Vancouver, about one-in-four residents (24%) are very likely to go to at least one home game if an NBA franchise is established in Vancouver,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In this region, 5% of residents would seriously consider purchasing season tickets.”

Across the province, just over one-in-five British Columbians (22%) are “very likely” to watch the Vancouver team’s NBA games at home (22%) while fewer (13%) would watch them at a bar or a pub.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (71%) do not possess any merchandise or apparel from NBA teams. The leaders in this category are the Toronto Raptors (14%) and the Vancouver Grizzlies (12%).

Just under three-in-five British Columbians (59%) are not currently rooting for any NBA franchise right now. The Raptors are the most popular team (25%), followed by the Los Angeles Lakers (9%), the Golden State Warriors (4%), the Boston Celtics (2%) and other franchises (also 2%).

One third of NBA fans (32%) say they are “very likely” to stop rooting for their current team to support the franchise from Vancouver—including 36% of male fans and 35% of fans aged 55 and over.

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

Canadians Willing to Explore Trade Beyond the United States

December 20, 2023December 19, 2023By Mario Canseco

Most residents want to capitalize on Asia’s need for Canadian energy resources, but reject state-owned corporate takeovers.

Vancouver, BC [December 20, 2023] – While Canadians overwhelmingly regard the United States as the country’s most important trade partner, two thirds of residents believe the time is right to expand into other markets, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians to rank the importance of having good trade relations with 10 different countries and entities.

The United States was mentioned in the “top three” by 95% of Canadians, followed by the European Union (EU) (54%), the United Kingdom (51%) and China (47%).

Fewer Canadians included six other countries in their “top three”: Mexico (25%), Japan (19%), India (10%), Russia (6%), South Korea (4%) and Brazil (also 4%).

About two thirds of Canadians (67%) believe the Canadian federal government should aim to diversify its trade to be less dependent on the United States.

Majorities of Canadians who in the 2021 federal election voted for the Conservative Party (68%), the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 68%) and the Liberal Party (78%) agree with this policy goal.

More than half of Canadians believe strengthening economic and political relations with Asia should be Canada’s top foreign policy priority (52%) and think Canada stands to benefit from more Asian investment in the country (51%).

“Most residents of British Columbia (59%), Alberta (56%) and Ontario (52%) foresee benefits from Asian investment in Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (47%), Quebec (46%) and Atlantic Canada (44%).”

For three-in-five Canadians (60%), Canada needs to act now to take advantage of Asian countries’ need for energy resources.

Only three-in-ten Canadians (30%) consider Canada to be part of the Asia Pacific region—including 34% of residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and 42% of British Columbians.

A separate question asked Canadians about their feelings if a company, bank or investment fund controlled by a foreign government were trying to purchase a controlling stake in a major Canadian company.

Canadians are more welcoming to corporate takeovers originating in three countries: the United States (61%), France (53%) and Japan (50%).

The favourability rating is significantly lower for similar actions involving the governments of Brazil (33%), India (29%), the United Arab Emirates (25%), Qatar (24%), Saudi Arabia (23%) and China (22%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 23 to November 25, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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