By Mario Canseco

Canadians Want the Truth, But Think Certain Lies Are Justified

March 22, 2023March 21, 2023By Mario Canseco

Many residents of the country think it is permissible to lie to spare someone’s feelings (55%) or to protect a relationship (45%).

Vancouver, BC [March 22, 2023] – While three-in-four Canadians believe every person should always be truthful, there are certain moments when their testimony is less than sincere, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 74% of Canadians think people should always tell the truth, regardless of the consequences.

Just under two thirds of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in 2021 (65%) endorse the idea of people always being truthful, compared to 80% among those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party in the last federal election.

The survey asked Canadians if they think it is permissible to lie in five different circumstances. Only 16% of Canadians would consent to falsehood in order to impress people and boost their reputation, such as claiming they were primarily responsible for a project when they were not.

Just under three-in-ten Canadians (28%) believe it is justified to lie to be perceived in a positive light, such as claiming that they were late because there was an accident on the way to the office—a proportion that rises to 33% among those aged 18-to-34.

More than two-in-five Canadians (41%) think it is fine to rely on falsehoods to protect someone else, such as lying about the whereabouts of a child or a friend to help them avoid negative consequences.

Just under half of Canadians (45%) think it is permissible to lie in order to protect a relationship, such as withholding information that could cause anxiety or anger to a significant other.

There is a significant gender gap on this question. Practically half of men (49%) see no problem with fibbing in order to protect a relationship, compared to 40% among women.

More than half of Canadians (55%) believe lying to spare someone else’s feelings, such as not pointing out that clothes look bad on a person when they are asked, is justified.

Practically two thirds of Atlantic Canadians (65%) have no qualms about lying to spare someone’s feelings. The proportions are lower in Alberta (59%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (57%), British Columbia (56%), Ontario (53%) and Quebec (51%).

More than half of Canadians (56%) say there have been moments in their lives when they would have preferred to be told a lie instead of the truth.

“Canadians aged 18-to-34 are the most likely to have wished for falsehood instead of veracity at some point in their lives (63%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (55%) and aged 55 and over (51%).”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from March 10 to March 12, 2023, among 1,000 Canadian adults. 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Support for the Return of Capital Punishment Rises in Canada

March 17, 2023March 16, 2023By Mario Canseco

Two thirds of opponents are worried about a person being wrongly convicted, and then executed.

Vancouver, BC [March 17. 2023] – A majority of Canadians are in favour of reinstating the death penalty for murder, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 54% of Canadians support relying on capital punishment on murder convictions, up three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2022.

Support for the death penalty in Canada is highest in Alberta (62%), followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba (60%), Ontario (58%), British Columbia (also 58%) and Atlantic Canada (55%). In Quebec, the proportion falls to 43%.

“Almost three-in-five Canadians aged 55 and over (59%, +4) would welcome the return of the death penalty,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The numbers are slightly lower among those aged 35-to-54 (54%, +3) and those aged 18-to-34 (50%, +3).”

More than seven-in-ten Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the last federal election (71%, +8) support reinstating capital punishment for murder in Canada. The proportions are lower among those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (49%, -3) and the Liberal Party (48%, -1) in 2021.

A majority of Canadians (53%, +1) would prefer to sentence convicted murderers in Canada to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, while more than a third (37%, +1) favour the death penalty.

One-in-four Canadians (25%, -2) think the death penalty is “never” appropriate, while about one-in-ten (9%, -2) deem it “always” appropriate. A majority of Canadians (58%, +4) believe the death penalty is “sometimes” appropriate.

Canadians who are opposed to reinstating the death penalty for murder are worried primarily about the possibility of a person being wrongly convicted and executed (66%).

Other reasons cited by opponents of capital punishment are feeling that it is wrong to take a convicted murderer’s own life (42%), calling for murderers to do their time in prison, as indicated by a judge (41%), doubting that the death penalty will work as a deterrent (39%) and thinking that murderers can be rehabilitated (20%).

Most supporters of the death penalty believe it will serve as a deterrent for potential murderers (57%), fits the crime because a convicted murderer has taken a life (55%) and will save taxpayers money and the costs associated with keeping a person behind bars (51%).

Fewer than half of supporters of capital punishment think it would provide closure to the families of murder victims (46%) and believe murderers cannot be rehabilitated (30%).

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Fewer than One-in-Five Canadians Want Monarchy to Continue

March 15, 2023March 14, 2023By Mario Canseco

Positive perceptions of six senior members of the Royal Family—including King Charles III—are lower now than in September 2022.

Vancouver, BC [March 15, 2023] – The proportion of Canadians who would like to maintain a form of government with a monarch has fallen to the lowest level recorded in 14 years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 19% of Canadians say they would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022.

More than four-in-five Canadians (44%, +8) would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 22% (-2) do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.

Fewer than one-in-four Albertans (24%, -18), Atlantic Canadians (also 24%, -16) and British Columbians (23%, -11) endorse the continuation of the monarchy. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (20%, -6), Ontario (19%, -12) and Quebec (14%, -11).

Across the country, only 32% of Canadians (-14) have a favourable opinion of King Charles III, while fewer than one-in-four (22%, -10) express similar feelings about Queen Consort Camilla.

Just over a third of Atlantic Canadians (36%), Ontarians (34%) and British Columbians (also 34%) hold positive views on King Charles III. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (32%), Alberta (30%) and Quebec (27%).

“In February 2022, almost two thirds of Canadians (64%) held favourable views on Queen Elizabeth II,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Thirteen months later, the rating for the current monarch is exactly half.”

Positive perceptions also fell for four other members of the Royal Family: William, Prince of Wales (54%, -13), Catherine, Princess of Wales (also 54%, -13), Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (46%, -18) and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (41%, -12).

Canadians who watched the Netflix series “Harry & Meghan” are more likely to have a favourable opinion of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (71% and 68% respectively).

Seven-in-ten Canadians (70%, -4) think King Charles III should commit to reduce the carbon footprint of the entire Royal Family, while almost two thirds (65%, -4) want him to advance the cause of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Half of Canadians (50%, -5) would have liked to see Prince William as monarch of the United Kingdom and the other 14 Commonwealth realms, including Canada. Just over a third of Canadians (35%, +1) say they have a problem with King Charles III being featured on coins and bills that will be used in Canada.

Fewer than half of Canadians (47%, -5) expect Canada to still be a monarchy in twenty years, while more than a third (36%, +5) believe the country will feature an elected head of state by then.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from March 3 to March 5, 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.

or more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Fewer Metro Vancouverites Annoyed with Weekday Commutes

March 10, 2023April 27, 2023By Mario Canseco

Traffic and bad drivers are the main hindrances for drivers, while public transit users dread overcrowding inside vehicles.

Vancouver, BC [March 10, 2023] – Compared to 2019, more residents of Metro Vancouver report having a good time when going to school or work on weekdays, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative Metro Vancouver sample, more than seven-in-ten weekday commuters (73%) describe their experience as pleasant, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll completed in May 2019.

More than one-in-four Metro Vancouver weekday commuters (26%, -3) say their experience going to school or work is annoying.

“Just under one-in-five weekday commuters in Vancouver (19%) are dissatisfied with their experience,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion is higher among weekday commuters who reside in Surrey (27%) or in the remaining Metro Vancouver municipalities (33%).”

The main elements that make a weekday commute pleasant for drivers in Metro Vancouver are not dealing with too much traffic (45%), having an easy time finding parking spots (44%) and controlling the entertainment on their vehicle (40%).

About half of weekday public transit users who say their commute is pleasant say the vehicles they rely on arrive on time (53%), usually find a seat for themselves (49%) and can get things done while on the bus or SkyTrain, such as read the paper or answer e-mails (also 49%).

Drivers who say their weekday commute is annoying are primarily upset with traffic (94%) and encountering bad drivers on the road (68%). Public transit users who do not have a good time on their weekday commute blame overcrowding inside transit vehicles (80%) and waiting for transit vehicles to pick them up (72%).

More than half of Metro Vancouverites who commute (54%) say driving would be their ideal way to get to school or work on weekdays, while 23% select public transit, 14% pick biking and 6% choose walking.

More than a quarter of Metro Vancouverites who commute on weekdays (27%) say their situation is worse now than five years ago, while 47% report no change and 23% say things are better now.

Weekday commuters in Metro Vancouver who drive are more likely to say that the state of affairs is worse now (32%) than those who take public transit (22%).

Sizeable majorities of weekday commuters in Metro Vancouver say living close to their workplace is important to them (85%), are willing to work from home more often to avoid commuting (74%) and would choose a prospective employer primarily based on where the office they would work at is located (71%).

More than half of weekday commuters in Metro Vancouver (57%) would seriously consider moving from their current home if they changed jobs and had a longer commute, while half (49%) would be willing to make less money if they can get a job that is closer to their home.

Half of weekday commuters in Metro Vancouver who drive (50%) say they would not be willing to pay for tolls on roads or bridges if it guaranteed a shorter commute time.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from March 4 to March 7, 2023, among 700 adults in Metro Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Metro Vancouver. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.7 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Canadians Back Inquiry, New Laws to Tackle Foreign Interference

March 6, 2023March 9, 2023By Mario Canseco

Almost three-in-five Canadians think foreign governments have successfully influenced federal elections in this century.

Vancouver, BC [March 6, 2023] – Most Canadians believe it is time to both review the full extent of foreign interference in domestic democratic processes and establish a new set of guidelines to curb its influence, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost two thirds of Canadians (64%) support calling an independent inquiry into foreign interference on electoral processes in Canada, while 21% are opposed and 15% are undecided.

Support for an independent inquiry is highest among Canadians aged 55 and over (73%) and also encompasses majorities of Canadians aged 35-to-54 (61%) and aged 18-to-34 (59%).

A majority of Canadians (58%) say that, from what they have seen, read, heard or experienced, foreign governments have successfully influenced federal elections in Canada in this century—including 63% of British Columbians and 62% of Albertans.

Almost half of Canadians (49%) think foreign governments have targeted federal nomination contests. Fewer believe this type of interference has occurred in provincial elections (42%), provincial nomination contests (35%), municipal elections (33%) or municipal nomination contests (29%).

A third of Canadians (33%) think it is “very likely” that the Government of China has attempted to influence electoral processes in Canada in this century—a proportion that rises to 37% among British Columbians and to 45% among Canadians aged 55 and over.

More than one-in-five Canadians believe Russia (28%) and the United States (24%) are “very likely” to have attempted to influence electoral processes in Canada in this century. Fewer Canadians feel the same way about the United Kingdom (13%), France (10%) and Germany (9%).

The Government of Australia recently enacted a suite of laws designed to criminalize or comprehensively limit foreign interference efforts. These laws criminalize covert and deceptive or threatening activities by persons intending to interfere with Australia’s democratic systems and processes, or to support the intelligence activities of a foreign government.

More than seven-in-ten Canadians (72%) think the Government of Canada should introduce similar laws against foreign interference.

“Canadians of all political stripes believe the country should enact tougher laws to shield against foreign interference,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Sizeable majorities of Canadians who supported the Liberals (80%), the New Democrats (75%) and the Conservatives (73%) in the 2021 federal election are in agreement.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from February 26 to February 28, 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Liberals and Conservatives are Neck and Neck in Canada

March 3, 2023March 2, 2023By Mario Canseco

Neither of the two leaders of the main federal parties are gaining ground on economic management.

Vancouver, BC [March 3, 2023] – Canada’s main federal political parties are locked in a virtual tie across the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 34% of decided voters (+3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2022) would support the governing Liberal Party if a federal election were held tomorrow, while 33% (-2) would back the opposition Conservative Party.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is third with 18% (-1), followed by the Bloc Québécois with 8% (=), the Green Party with 3% (-1) and the People’s Party with 1% (-1).

The Liberals are ahead in Atlantic Canada (45%, +7), Quebec (39%, +1) and Ontario (39%, +7), while the Conservatives are leading in Alberta (58%, +7), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (48%, +1) and British Columbia (38%, +1).

More than one-in-five Canadians identify one of three issues as the most important facing the country right now: the economy and jobs (26%, -3), health care (26%, +5) and housing, homelessness and poverty (21%, =).

Fewer Canadians mention the environment (7%, =), accountability and leadership (4%, -1), immigration (4%, =) and crime and public safety (3%, -1) as the most important issues facing the country.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has the highest approval rating among the six federal party leaders this month (49%, +3), followed by Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau (46%, +2) and Official Opposition and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre (41%, +4).

The approval rating is lower for Green Party leader Elizabeth May (32%), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (22%, +2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (16%, -2).

A third of Canadians (33%) believe Trudeau would make the best prime minister among the six main party leaders. Poilievre is second with 25%, followed by Singh with 15%, Blanchet and May with 3% each, and Bernier with 1%.

“More than a third of Atlantic Canadians (40%), Quebecers (38%) and Ontarians (also 38%) believe Trudeau is the best choice to head the federal government,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Poilievre holds the upper hand on this question in Alberta (46%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (35%) and British Columbia (27%).”

There is little change in the perceptions of the two main party leaders on financial management, with 44% of Canadians (+1) saying they are comfortable with Trudeau being charge of Canada’s economy and 40% (+1) saying they would be comfortable with Poilievre at the helm.

Almost half of Canadians (47%, +3) say they are satisfied with what the Liberals and the NDP have accomplished since their March 2022 supply and confidence agreement, while 44% (=) are dissatisfied.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from February 25 to February 27, 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most Canadians Unaware of How Much the Prime Minister Earns

March 1, 2023February 28, 2023By Mario Canseco

When informed of the actual salary, 47% think it is “about right” while 41% believe it is “too much.”.

Vancouver, BC [March 1, 2023] – Fewer than one-in-five Canadians are cognizant of the yearly remuneration of the prime minister, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 18% of Canadians correctly stated that the prime minister’s annual salary is in the $301,000 to $400,000 range.

More than two-in-five Canadians (42%) thought the prime minister made less than $301,000 a year, while one-in-four (24%) assumed his emolument was higher than $400,000.

“Only 9% of Liberal Party voters in the last federal election believe the prime minister’s salary is higher than $500,000 a year” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion is higher among those who supported the Conservative Party (17%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (19%) in 2021.”

When respondents were informed that the prime minister’s annual compensation is $379,000, just over two-in-five (41%) consider it “too much”, while almost half (47%) say it is “about right.”

More than half of respondents in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (52%) and Alberta (51%) believe the prime minister makes too much money each year. The perception is lower in Atlantic Canada (45%), British Columbia (41%), Ontario (39%) and Quebec (35%).

Almost two-in-five Canadians (38%) accurately calculated that the annual salary of the Leader of the Official Opposition in Canada is in the $201,000 to $300,000 range.

Just over a third of Canadians (34%) assumed that the Leader of the Official Opposition made less than $201,000 a year, while 13% thought his salary was higher than $300,000.

When respondents were informed that the Leader of the Official Opposition’s annual remuneration is $279,900, 45% deem it “too much”, while 44% believe it is “about right.”

More than half of residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (52%) and Atlantic Canada (also 52%) think the Leader of the Official Opposition is paid too much, along with 46% of British Columbians, 44% of Ontarians, and 41% of both Albertans and Quebecers.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Almost Three-in-Ten Canadians Completely Shunning Exercise

February 24, 2023February 23, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than half of the country’s residents took action to maintain their fitness levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vancouver, BC [February 24, 2023] – The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had a detrimental effect on the physical fitness of some Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that adults in Canada accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 49% of Canadians say they met the recommended exercise guidelines “every week” or “most weeks” over the past three months.

During the pandemic, 48% of Canadians were able to exercise for at least 150 minutes “every week” or “most weeks”, while the proportion was significantly higher (55%) before the start of COVID-19.

“Prior to the pandemic, only 23% of Canadians—and 34% of those aged 55 and over—never met the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In the past three months, the proportion has risen to 28% across the country and to 39% among the oldest adults.”

About three-in-ten Canadians (29%) followed workouts or routines online during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 18% acquired weightlifting equipment for their home (such as dumbbells), 17% took up a sport that did not require equipment (such as running or jogging), and 16% acquired a cardio machine for their home (such as an elliptical, treadmill or climber).

More than half of Canadians (53%) undertook at least one of these four actions during the pandemic. There are significant generational differences on this issue. While 75% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 took action to maintain their fitness levels, the proportion drops to 57% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 30% among those aged 55 and over.

One-in-five Canadians (20%) say their own personal situation when it comes to exercise and fitness is “better” now than before COVID-19, while the same proportion (20%) deem it worse and a majority (54%) claim it has not changed.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to report an improvement in their fitness after the pandemic (28%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (18%) and aged 55 and over (15%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from February 16 to February 18, 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Majority of British Columbians Reject Return of COVID Restrictions

February 22, 2023February 21, 2023By Mario Canseco

Satisfaction with how various levels of government have handled the pandemic has dropped since March 2021.

Vancouver, BC [February 22, 2023] – More than three-in-five residents of British Columbia believe it would not be advisable to return to the restrictions and mandates that were implemented in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than three-in-five British Columbians (62%) think we are in a different moment and there is no need for additional public health measures related to COVID-19.

Almost one-in-five British Columbians (18%) want to have stricter public health measures in place right now to stop the spread of COVID-19, while 9% think COVID-19 was a hoax and we never should have altered our lives.

The appetite for a return to stricter regulations across the province is highest in Metro Vancouver (20%), followed by Vancouver Island (19%), Southern BC (15%), the Fraser Valley (13%) and Northern BC (11%).

Almost seven-in-ten British Columbians (69%) think COVID-19 is a real threat, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2021.

When asked if it would be justified to re-introduce specific measures, about one-in-four British Columbians (23%) would welcome the return of “Proof of Vaccination” certificates (or “Vaccine Passports”) to access specific venues and locations.

Fewer British Columbians believe three other actions would be justified: mask mandates (21%), capacity restrictions for worship services, concerts and sporting events (17%) and banning travel from British Columbia to other Canadian provinces (6%).

Support for the re-implementation of “Vaccine Passports” reaches 28% among British Columbians aged 55 and over and 30% among residents of Vancouver Island.

Almost four-in-five British Columbians (79%, -4 since March 2021) are satisfied with the way their family has handled the COVID-19 pandemic, while 71% (-2) feel the same way about their friends.

Majorities of British Columbians are satisfied with the way municipal governments (56%, -2) and the provincial government in Victoria (55%, -5) have managed the pandemic. The rating is lower for the federal government in Ottawa (49%, -4), the official opposition in Ottawa (36%, +4) and the official opposition in Victoria (35%, +3).

Almost half of British Columbians (49%, -3) are satisfied with the performance of non-governmental associations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer residents feel the same way about unions (39%, -4) and trade associations (36%, +2).

More than half of British Columbians (52%, -11) say they are satisfied with the way television news has handled the pandemic. The rating also fell this month for radio news (48%, -9) and newspapers (also 48%, -7).

“British Columbians who would like to see stricter guidelines to deal with the pandemic are more likely to be satisfied with the performance of news organizations on television (69%), radio (66%) and print (62%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Those who consider COVID-19 a hoax provide significantly lower marks.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on February 10 to February 12, 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Views on Physically Disciplining Children Shifting in Canada

February 17, 2023February 16, 2023By Mario Canseco

Compared to 2018, fewer Canadians agree with allowing parents or schoolteachers to use “reasonable force” to correct a child.

Vancouver, BC [February 17, 2023] – More than half of Canadians think it is time to abolish the legislation that allows parents and schoolteachers to use “reasonable force” to discipline children, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 51% of Canadians think it is time to abolish Section 43 of the Criminal Code, up 17 points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in May 2018.

Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada reads: “Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances.”

A sizeable majority of Quebecers (61%) voice support for the repeal of Section 43. The proportions are lower in British Columbia (50%), Ontario (49%), Alberta (also 49%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (45%) and Atlantic Canada (also 45%).

“More than three-in-five Canadians aged 18-to-34 (61%) and a majority of those aged 35-to-54 (53%) would like to end the use of force to discipline children,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Support is lower among Canadians aged 55 and over (42%).”

Several countries around the world, including Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, New Zealand and Sweden, have adopted laws that forbid physical punishment towards children, either by parents or schoolteachers.

In Canada, New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Parliament Peter Julian tabled Bill C-273 in May 2022. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Criminal Code to repeal Section 43.

More than half of Canadians (58%, -16) agree with allowing parents to physically discipline children in Canada—a proportion that rises to 65% among men and to 61% among those aged 55 and over.

Only 26% of Canadians (-17) agree with allowing schoolteachers to physically discipline children in Canada.

Just over three-in-four of Canadians (61%) acknowledge having been physically disciplined as children by a parent or guardian, while 22% report the same experience at school.

Three-in-ten Canadians (30%) say they were never physically disciplined as children—a proportion that rises to 40% among those aged 18-to-34 and to 46% in Quebec.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most British Columbians Foresee an Early Election in 2023

February 15, 2023February 15, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five of the province’s residents who voted for the BC Liberals in 2020 like the name BC United.

Vancouver, BC [February 15, 2023] – A majority of British Columbians think voters will be asked to select the members of the Legislative Assembly before the end of the year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 53% of British Columbians think it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that the province will have an election in 2023.

“Expectations of an early provincial election in British Columbia are highest among residents who voted for the BC Liberals in 2020 (61%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer BC New Democratic Party (NDP) and BC Green Party voters (52% and 48% respectively) see themselves casting ballots in 2023.”

The BC Liberals will change their name to BC United in 2023. More than a third of British Columbians (36%) say they like the new name for the political party that formed the government from 2001 to 2017—a proportion that rises to 62% among those who voted for the BC Liberals in the last provincial election, held in October 2020.

If an early election indeed takes place in 2023, more than half of British Columbians (53%) predict a win for the BC NDP, while 28% believe the BC Liberals / BC United will emerge victorious.

The survey also gauged the opinion of British Columbians on the people who have served as full time or interim leaders of the three main provincial political parties in this century.

Almost two thirds of British Columbians (64%) have a favourable opinion of John Horgan, who led the BC NDP from 2014 to 2022 and served as premier from 2017 to 2022. The rating is lower for Adrian Dix (46%), Carole James (40%), Ujjal Dosanjh (also 40%) and Joy MacPhail (31%).

Horgan’s favourability rating is 87% among BC NDP voters in the 2020 provincial election.

When British Columbians ponder the previous leaders of the BC Liberals, about two-in-five hold favourable views on the two who headed the provincial government: Gordon Campbell (41%) and Christy Clark (39%). The rating is significantly lower for Shirley Bond (27%), Andrew Wilkinson (24%) and Rich Coleman (22%).

The favourability rating for Campbell and Clark is almost identical among BC Liberal voters in 2020 (65% and 66% respectively).

Across British Columbia, Andrew Weaver (36%) has the highest favourability rating among former leaders of the BC Green Party, followed by Adriane Carr (32%), Adam Olsen (23%) and Jane Sterk (18%).

Weaver’s favourability rating reaches 57% among BC Green Party voters in the 2020 provincial election.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Governing BC NDP Stays Ahead of BC Liberals in British Columbia

February 10, 2023February 9, 2023By Mario Canseco

Two-in-five residents think David Eby is a better leader than Kevin Falcon to tackle housing and health care.

Vancouver, BC [February 10, 2023] – The BC New Democratic Party (NDP) maintains a high level of support under new leader David Eby, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 44% of decided voters would cast a ballot for the BC NDP candidate in their constituency if an election were held today, unchanged since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2022, when John Horgan was premier.

The BC Liberals are in second place with 36% (+1), followed by the BC Green Party with 16% (+1) and the BC Conservative Party with 2% (-2).

“Support for the BC NDP remains strong in Vancouver Island (59%), while the BC Liberals dominate in Southern BC (53%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The New Democrats have smaller leads over the BC Liberals in Northern BC (47% to 43%), Metro Vancouver (44% to 38%) and the Fraser Valley (39% to 26%).”

Almost three-in-five British Columbians (59%) approve of the way Eby has performed as premier and leader of the BC NDP. The rating improved this month for both BC Liberals leader Kevin Falcon (44%, +8) and BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau (42%, +7).

More than a third of British Columbians (34%, -4) say housing, homelessness and poverty is the most important issue facing the province. Health care is a close second (29%, +1), followed by the economy and jobs (13%, +2) the environment (6%, =) and crime and public safety (5%, -3).

Respondents to this survey were asked to choose which of the two main party leaders is best suited to manage eight different issues. Eby has small leads over Falcon on three broad themes: crime and public safety (31% to 27%), energy (also 31% to 27%) and the economy and jobs (34% to 28%).

Eby’s advantage over Falcon is more decisive on five other issues: housing, poverty and homelessness (40% to 21%), health care (40% to 24%), the environment (37% to 18%), education (37% to 22%) and accountability (35% to 22%)

A separate question gauged whether the leaders of the BC NDP and the BC Liberals possess specific characteristics that can be found in politicians.

Majorities of British Columbians think Eby is a good speaker and communicator (56%) and has a vision for the future of British Columbia (54%).

At least two-in-five residents of the province think the current premier understands their problems (47%), is in touch with the problems British Columbians face in their daily lives (43%), is a strong and decisive leader (42%), inspires confidence (41%) and generally agrees with people on issues they care about (40%).

Fewer British Columbians believe Eby is honest and trustworthy (39%), shares their values (36%), is a good economic manager (35%) and is patronizing (27%).

More than a third of British Columbians think Falcon is good speaker and communicator (46%), has a vision for the future of British Columbia (42%) and is a strong and decisive leader (37%).

Fewer residents say the leader of the BC Liberals inspires confidence (33%), understands the problems of residents (32%), is a good economic manager (also 32%), is patronizing (31%), is in touch with the problems British Columbians face in their daily lives (30%), generally agrees with people on issues they care about (28%), shares their values (27%) and is honest and trustworthy (26%).

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Metro Vancouver Fared Poorly After Last Year’s Snowstorms

February 8, 2023February 7, 2023By Mario Canseco

Illegal behaviours—such as not shoveling a sidewalk or driving in an improperly cleared vehicle—are reported by half of residents.

Vancouver, BC [February 8, 2023] – Most residents of Metro Vancouver are disappointed with the way last year’s snowstorms were managed by their municipal administrations, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative Metro Vancouver sample, just over three-in-five respondents (61%) think their municipality was “unprepared” for the snowstorms that affected the region in November and December.

More than half of Metro Vancouverites voice dissatisfaction with two specific issues: snow clearing on sidewalks (58%) and snow clearing on roads (57%). Fewer residents are upset about the timeliness of alerts from their municipality (30%) or the responsiveness to requests on social media (31%).

The snowstorms impacted the way certain services operated in November and December. Majorities of Metro Vancouver residents say they experienced an interruption in recycling pickup (63%), non-organic or “garbage” pickup (also 63%), and organic or “green” waste pickup (66%).

About two-in-five residents of the City of Vancouver say three sanitation services were disrupted more than once in the last two months of 2022: garbage pickup (40%), green pickup (42%) and recycling pickup (43%). In Surrey and other municipalities, fewer than a quarter of residents experienced repeated interruptions.

The snowstorms also affected the behaviour of residents. Three-in-ten Metro Vancouverites (30%) say themselves or someone in their household worked from home on account of the snowstorms, and almost half (49%) chose not to drive their own vehicle.

At least half of Metro Vancouverites report witnessing two illegal behaviours in November and December: 54% saw neighbours who did not shovel snow on their sidewalk and 50% saw a vehicle with snow on the top circulating in their municipality.

“Practically three-in-five residents of the City of Surrey (59%) remember a neighbour choosing not to take care of snow on the sidewalk,” says Mario Canseco. President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower in the City of Vancouver (54%) and in the remaining Metro Vancouver municipalities (49%).”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on January 14 to January 16, 2023, among 700 adults in Metro Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Metro Vancouver. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.7 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians Back LNG Expansion, Split on Nuclear Power

February 3, 2023February 3, 2023By Mario Canseco

The possibility of rising energy costs for households is a prevalent concern for half of the province’s residents.

Vancouver, BC [February 3, 2022] – A majority of British Columbians endorse the expansion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector in the province, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 55% of British Columbians support the provincial government allowing for further development of the LNG industry, while 29% are opposed and 17% are undecided.

Support for the expansion of LNG development is highest in Southern BC (67%), followed by the Fraser Valley (56%), Metro Vancouver (also 56%), Northern BC (55%) and Vancouver Island (41%).

Two other ideas related to energy are more contentious. While 43% of British Columbians are in favour of allowing nuclear power (small modular reactors) for electricity generation, 40% disagree.

The notion of the provincial government banning the use of natural gas (on stoves and/or heaters) in new buildings is supported by 39% of British Columbians and opposed by 45%.

Half of British Columbians (50%) say they are “very concerned” about energy costs for households becoming too expensive.

Fewer residents are particularly worried about the effects of climate change in the world (48%), the effects of climate change in Canada (45%), energy shortages leading to measures such as rationing and rolling blackouts (31%) and energy costs for businesses becoming too expensive (28%).

The provincial government will require all car and passenger truck sales to be zero-emission by 2035. Seven-in-ten British Columbians (70%) support this goal, while 21% oppose it and 8% are not sure.

“There are some regional differences in British Columbia on the impending move to electric vehicles,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. ”Opposition to the goal is highest in Southern BC (37%), followed by Northern BC (30%), the Fraser Valley (22%), Metro Vancouver (20%) and Vancouver Island (15%).”

Among those who support the zero-emission goal established by the provincial government, 32% believe it is achievable and 38% think it is not achievable.

British Columbians are split on the current pace of the move to electric vehicles, with 26% saying the change is being implemented too quickly, 38% thinking it is happening at the right pace and 23% thinking it is taking place too slowly.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Criticism Towards Trudeau Increases in Western Canada

February 1, 2023January 31, 2023By Mario Canseco

The proportion of Albertans who think the province would be better off as its own country fell to 26%.

Vancouver, BC [February 1, 2023] – Just over half of Canadians think their province would benefit from a change in the federal government, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 52% of Canadians think their province would be better off with a different Prime Minister in Ottawa, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2022.

Majorities of Canadians who reside in Alberta (66%, +2), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (65%, +5), British Columbia (57%, +4) and Ontario (52%, +4) believe their provinces would be better off with someone other than Justin Trudeau in charge. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (44%, -8) and Quebec (42%, -3).

“Canadians aged 35-to-54 (56%) are more likely to believe that a change in the federal government would be beneficial to their province,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The rating is slightly lower among their counterparts aged 55 and over (51%) and aged 18-to-34 (50%)”

Just over half of Canadians (51%, unchanged) believe their province would be better off with a different premier in charge.

Compared to June 2022, animosity towards Ontario’s Doug Ford has risen from 43% to 57%, while it has dropped for Quebec’s François Legault from 48% to 45%. These two premiers earned majorities in provincial elections held in June and October respectively.

In British Columbia, there is little change in the results posted by John Horgan in June (41%) and David Eby this month (40%). In Alberta, 55% of respondents think the province would be better off with a premier other than Danielle Smith. In June, 65% of Albertans felt this way about Jason Kenney.

The proportion of Albertans who think their province would be better off as its own country fell to 26% this month, down seven points since June and well below the all-time high of 40% registered in December 2019.

Separatist sentiment also dropped in Quebec, from 32% in June to 29% this month.

Fewer than one-in-five Canadians (17%, =) believe their province would be better off joining the United States and becoming an American state—a proportion that rises to 21% in Alberta.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 20 to January 22, 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians Optimistic About New Housing Regulations

January 27, 2023January 26, 2023By Mario Canseco

Almost half of the province’s residents think the actions will be effective in making housing more affordable.

Vancouver, BC [January 27, 2022] – Practically half of British Columbians think the housing measures recently announced by the provincial government will help residents, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 48% of British Columbians believe the actions will be effective in making housing more affordable, up seven points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2021.

Just over two-in-five British Columbians (41%, -2) believe the actions of the provincial government will be ineffective, while 11% (-5) are undecided.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians agree with three policies related to housing recently outlined by the provincial government: building more modular supportive homes in areas where people are experiencing homelessness (78%), implementing a three-business-day protection period for financing and home inspections (71%) and capping rent increases in 2023 at 2% (also 71%).

Majorities of British Columbians are also in favour of two other recent measures: ending most strata age restrictions (64%) and removing strata rental restrictions (59%).

Support remains high for the policies implemented by the provincial government before 2022, such as increasing the foreign buyers tax from 15% to 20% (77%, +2), expanding the foreign buyers tax to areas located outside of Metro Vancouver (75%, =) 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 (72%, +2).

Most British Columbians also continue to agree with the introduction of 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 (68%, -1) and with the decision to increase the property transfer tax from 3% to 5% for homes valued at more than $3 million. The 5% portion only applies to the value greater than $3 million (65%, -2).

Just over seven-in-ten British Columbians (71%) support the federal government’s decision to ban non-Canadians (with exclusions for international students and temporary residents) from purchasing residential properties in Canada for the next two years.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (61%) think the federal government should tie immigration numbers to affordable housing targets and new housing starts.

“There is no political divide in British Columbia on the idea that housing and immigration should go hand-in-hand,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Sizeable majorities of residents who voted for the BC Liberals (63%), the BC Green Party (62%) and the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (59%) in the 2020 provincial election want the federal government to do its part.”

A majority of British Columbians (57%) call on the provincial government to implement a $400 renters’ rebate for households earning up to $80,000 a year. This proposed measure is particularly popular among those who currently rent (72%).

Only 30% of British Columbians would consent to the cancellation of the home owner grant, which reduces the amount of property tax people pay for their principal residence. Among respondents who own their primary residence, support for this policy stands at 23%.

Three-in-five British Columbians (60%) agree that municipal governments should immediately dismantle any encampment or “tent city” located within their municipality—a proportion that rises to 66% among those aged 55 and over.

Almost half of British Columbians (49%, -6 since a Research Co. survey conducted in December 2021) trust the provincial government under the BC NDP to deliver affordable housing in British Columbia. The rating is lower for prospective provincial administrations headed by the BC Greens (39%, +6) or the BC Liberals (33%, -3).

At the federal level, confidence on affordable housing is highest for a potential federal government headed by the NDP (40%, -11) than administrations assembled by the Liberal Party (37%, -2) or the Conservative Party (31%, -1).

Trust in municipal governments to deliver affordable housing stands at 46% in British Columbia this month (-1). Confidence remains higher for not-for-profit developers (49%, =) than for for-profit developers (21%, +2).

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Single-Use Plastics Ban Welcomed by Most British Columbians

January 25, 2023March 31, 2023By Mario Canseco

The proportion of residents who rely on re-usable bags when they go grocery shopping has increased since December 2021.

Vancouver, BC [January 25, 2023] – The recently implemented federal ban on the manufacture and import of single-use plastics in Canada is endorsed by four-in-five British Columbians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 80% of British Columbians support the federal government’s decision.

The federal government has banned the manufacture and import of single-use plastics, including grocery checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, plastic cutlery and food takeout containers made from hard-to-recycle plastics.

Several municipalities in British Columbia have already implemented their own guidelines for specific items, such as grocery checkout bags.

“The highest level of support for the federal ban on single-use plastics is observed on Vancouver Island (84%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The prohibition is also supported by majorities of residents in Metro Vancouver (81%), the Fraser Valley (also 81%), Northern BC (77%) and Southern BC (73%).”

More than four-in-five British Columbians (85%, +9 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in December 2021) say that they transport groceries out of a store after purchasing them using their own re-usable bag. Only 13% say they rely on bags provided or purchased at the store.

A sizeable proportion of British Columbians aged 55 and over (96%, +8) are relying on their own re-usable bag when they go grocery shopping. The numbers are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (85%, +12) and those aged 18-to-34 (69%, +7).

About half of British Columbians (49%, -2) claim to 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.

Fewer British Columbians are actively partaking on other behaviours “all of the time”, such as limiting hot water usage in their home by taking shorter showers or running washing machines or dishwashers with full loads only (19%, -1), unplugging electrical devices in their home—such as TVs, computers and cell phone chargers—when they are not in use (12%, =), buying biodegradable products (9%, +4) or eating organic or home-grown foods (5%, =).

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Canadians Grow Pessimistic on Economy and Personal Finances

January 20, 2023January 19, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than four-in-five Canadians expect to pay more for a week’s worth of groceries.

Vancouver, BC [January 20, 2023] – The perceptions of Canadians on the financial status of both the country and their household have worsened over the past six months, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 62% of Canadians say the economic conditions in Canada right now are “bad” or “very bad”, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2022.

Just over a third of Canadians (35%, -5) deem the country’s economic standing as “very good” or “good”.

Fewer than a third of residents of Alberta (27%, -5), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (28%, -2) and Atlantic Canada (29%, -7) hold positive views on the Canadian economy at this point. The rating is higher in Ontario (37%, +3), British Columbia (35%, -2) and Quebec (41%, -14).

More than two-in-five Canadians (44%, +4) expect the national economy to decline over the next six months, while 38% (-2) foresee no changes and only 13% (=) predict an improvement.

“Most Canadians aged 55 and over (51%) think an economic recovery in the next six months is unattainable,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (43%) and aged 18-to-34 (38%).”

Just over half of Canadians (51%, -6) rate their own personal finances today as “very good” or “good”, while 47% (+6) define them as “poor” or “very poor.”

Majorities of Canadians think certain items will be more expensive over the next six months, including a week’s worth of groceries (85%, +4), gasoline (67%, +6), a new car (65%, -3) and a new television set (54%, -3). In addition, 43% (-1) think the price of real estate will be higher.

There is little change in the level of confidence on the Prime Minister. This month, 42% of Canadians (+1) trust Justin Trudeau to do the right thing to help the economy. The ratings are lower for Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem (34%, -3) and federal Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre (33%).

Just over half of Canadians acknowledge having worried “frequently” or “occasionally” about two financial matters in the past couple of months: the value of their investments (52%, +2) and the safety of their savings (also 52%, +2).

Fewer Canadians have been concerned “frequently” or “occasionally” about unemployment affecting their household (37%, +3), being able to pay their mortgage or rent (34%, =) or their employer running into serious financial trouble (29%, +5).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on January 13 to January 15, 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, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Russia and North Korea Thoroughly Disliked by Canadians

January 17, 2023January 16, 2023By Mario Canseco

At least seven-in-ten Canadians hold positive views on the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and France.

Vancouver, BC [January 17, 2023] – Two nations are clearly at the bottom when Canadians are asked to voice their feelings about 15 different countries, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 11% of Canadians have a positive opinion of Russia and North Korea.

“More than nine-in-ten Canadians aged 55 and over (93%) currently have a negative view of the Russian Federation,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of Canadians aged 35-to-54 (78%) and aged 18-to-34 (68%) feel the same way.”

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians have a positive opinion of Saudi Arabia (23%, -1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2022), China (18%, -2) and Iran (13%, -3).

About one-in-four Atlantic Canadians (24%) hold positive views on China. The proportions are lower in Ontario (21%), Alberta (18%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (16%), British Columbia (also 16%) and Quebec (13%).

The perceptions of Canadians remain favourable for most fellow members of the G7, including the United Kingdom (74%, +1), Italy (71%, -2), Japan (70%, +1), France (also 70%, +1) and Germany (69%, -1).

Almost three-in-five Canadians (57%, -2) hold positive views on South Korea. The numbers are lower for Mexico (49%, -1), India (41%, +4) and Venezuela (30%, -1).

More than half of Canadians (54%, -2) have a positive view of the United States, while just under two-in-five (39%, +4) hold negative feelings.

Favourable opinions on the United States are highest in three Canadian regions: Quebec (55%, +1), Atlantic Canada (also 55%, +2) and Ontario (55%, -4), followed by British Columbia (52%, +4), Alberta (50%, -7) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (48%, -12).

Only 45% of Canadians (+2) who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in 2021 hold positive views on the United States. The proportions are higher among their counterparts who supported the Liberal Party (61%, -5) or the Conservative Party (58%, -12) in the last federal election.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on January 2 to January 4, 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, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Financial Recovery Elusive for Two-in-Five British Columbians

January 10, 2023January 9, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than four-in-five British Columbians say the price of groceries is now higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vancouver, BC [January 10, 2023] – A significant proportion of British Columbians acknowledge that their economic status is not as good as it was three years ago, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 45% of British Columbians say their household’s financial situation is worse now than before the COVID-19 pandemic, up 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2022.

“Two-in-five British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (40%) say their household’s finances are not at the level they were in February 2020,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are higher among those aged 35-to-54 (47%) and aged 55 and over (46%).”

Almost half of British Columbians (48%, +5) say it is currently difficult to pay for necessities or “make ends meet”—a proportion that rises to 54% among women and 58% among residents of the Fraser Valley.

The increases are more pronounced on two other categories, with more than seven-in-ten British Columbians (71%, +7) saying they are finding it difficult to save money for retirement or a “rainy day” and two thirds (66%, +10) saying it is currently difficult to have money for leisure, such as dining out and entertainment.

Sizeable majorities of British Columbians report that two household expenses are higher now than before the COVID-19 pandemic: groceries (83%, +8) and transportation (73%, +19).

About half of British Columbians are also paying more than in February 2019 for housing (such as rent or mortgage) (49%, +5) and electronic entertainment (48%, +2).

Fewer British Columbians say they are paying more now for books (21%, +2), newspapers and magazines (16%, +1) and board games (13%, -3).

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted on December 27 to December 29, 2022, 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 here, and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca