By Mario Canseco

Few Americans Share Trump’s Expansionist Aspirations

January 19, 2026January 16, 2026By Mario Canseco

Only one-in-fourteen Americans think Canada, Greenland or Panama should become American states.

Vancouver, BC [January 19, 2026] – Majorities of Americans would prefer for four nations to remain independent and do not entertain any major changes to their sovereignty, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Americans their preference when thinking about four countries and two territories.

Two thirds of Americans (66%) want Canada to remain an independent nation, while 10% would prefer for it to become a U.S. territory and 7% would declare it an American state.

The results are very similar when Americans ponder Mexico, with just over two thirds (67%) maintaining the status quo of Mexico as an independent nation and fewer opting for the country to become a U.S. territory (10%) or an American state (5%).

Just over half of African Americans (53%) think Mexico should remain an independent country. The proportions are higher among respondents who are White (71%) or Hispanic/Latino (74%).

More than half of Americans (57%) would like to see Cuba remain as an independent nation, while 18% want the island to become a U.S. territory and 4% would prefer to see it as an American state.

When Americans ponder the future of Panama, more than half (54%) think the Central American nation should be independent, while fewer consider making it a U.S. territory (17%) or an American state (7%).

More than half of Americans (56%) believe Greenland—an autonomous territory of Denmark—should retain this status in the future. Fewer than one-in-five (16%) wish to make Greenland a U.S. territory, while just one-in-fourteen (7%) would welcome it as an American state.

“More than one-in-four Americans who voted for Donald Trump in 2024 (27%) are in favour of turning Greenland into a U.S. territory,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only one-in-ten Americans who cast a ballot for Kamala Harris (10%) share this view.”

Perceptions are more nuanced when Americans are asked about Puerto Rico. More than two-in-five respondents (43%) would prefer for the Caribbean island to maintain its current status as a U.S. territory, while 24% would like to see it as an independent nation and 17% would choose to make it an American state.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 13 to January 15, 2026, among 1,002 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. 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.

Canadians OK with Legalizing Marijuana, But Not Other Drugs

January 12, 2026January 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five Canadians think companies should be able to administer “drug tests” to any employee.

Vancouver, BC [January 12, 2026] – Most Canadians maintain favourable views on the federal government’s decision to legalize marijuana but would not extend the same classification to other drugs that are currently banned, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost two thirds of Canadians (65%, +3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2024) agree with marijuana being legal in the country, while 29% (-4) disagree and 6% (+2) are undecided.

More than seven-in-ten Atlantic Canadians (72%, +16) have no problem with marijuana being legal in Canada. Majorities of respondents in Alberta (65%, +1), Ontario (also 65%, +1), British Columbia (also 65%, +5), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (63%, +10) and Quebec (60%, -6) share the same view.

More than half of Canadians whose heritage is South Asian (54%) or East Asian (56%) agree with marijuana being legal in Canada. The proportion rises to 68% among Canadians of European origins and to 75% among those with Indigenous descent.

More than a third of Canadians (36%) admit to consuming marijuana in Canada before it was legal, while 15% only tried it after cannabis was legalized in October 2018. About half of Canadians (49%) say they have not consumed marijuana in Canada.

Fewer than half of Canadians who have used marijuana after legalization (48%, -3) say all of their cannabis was acquired at a licensed retailer, while a slightly smaller proportion (46%, +6) acknowledge that “most”, “some” or “none” of their marijuana was purchased this way.

The highest proportion of marijuana consumers who purchased all of their cannabis at a licensed retailer is observed in Atlantic Canada (60%), followed by Alberta (58%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (52%) and Ontario (49%). The proportions are decidedly lower in British Columbia (42%) and Quebec (41%).

Few Canadians believe other drugs should be made readily available for consumers across the country. About one-in-seven (14%, -1) would consent to legalizing ecstasy and fewer would follow the same course of action to commercialize powder cocaine (12%, -2), crack cocaine (10%, -2), methamphetamine or “crystal meth” (also 10%, -2), heroin (9%, -3) or fentanyl (9%, -1).

In some countries, including the United States, a company can administer “drug tests” to employees, even if they do not operate machinery (such as pilots, truck drivers or crane operators). As was the case last year, more than three-in-five Canadians (64%, +1) believe companies in Canada should be able to administer “drug tests” to any employee now that marijuana is legal.

“There is no political divide when Canadians are asked about drug tests for employees,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of respondents who voted for the Conservatives (69%), the Liberals (68%) or the New Democrats (58%) in 2025 think the measure is justified now that marijuana is legal.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from December 7 to December 9, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Three-in-Ten Albertans Open to Independence from Canada

January 8, 2026January 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

Support for sovereignty is strongest among the province’s residents aged 18-to-34.

Vancouver, BC [January 8, 2026] – The proportion of Albertans who are in favour of sovereignty has increased over the past year and a half, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 31% of Albertans support Alberta becoming a country independent from Canada, up nine points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2023.

Just over three-in-five Albertans (62%, -9) are opposed to independence, while 7% (=) are undecided.

“By a 2-to-1 margin, Albertans currently express a desire to remain in Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Still, the growth of separatist sentiment is significant across some groups.”

More than two-in-five Albertans aged 18-to-34 (42%, +15) support Alberta becoming a country independent from Canada. The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (27%, +2) and those aged 55 and over (25%, +9).

Separatist feelings rose across all three major regions of the province. More than three-in-ten residents of the Calgary Metropolitan Area (31%, +5) voice support for an independent Alberta, along with 29% of residents of the Edmonton Metropolitan Area (+5) and 34% of those who live elsewhere in the province (+11).

Albertans who voted for the United Conservative Party (UCP) in the 2023 provincial election are significantly more likely to back independence (40%, +11) than those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (11%, +2).

In a separate question, just under one-in-four Albertans (24%, +5) support their province joining the United States, while more than seven-in-ten (72%, -2) disagree and 5% (-2) are not sure.

The notion of Alberta becoming an American state is more popular among Albertans aged 18-to-34 (32%), those who do not reside in Calgary or Edmonton (27%) and UCP voters in the 2023 provincial election (29%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from January 4 to January 6, 2026, among 703 adults in Alberta. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.7 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

New Year Wishes Fluctuate Greatly by Generation in Canada

January 1, 2026December 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

The country’s oldest adults focus primarily on health, while younger residents are preoccupied with finances.

Vancouver, BC [January 1, 2026] – Canadians of four generations react differently when asked about their top wish for the year that is starting, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 37% of Canadians say more money is their top wish for the year, while 30% prefer more health, 26% choose more time with friends and family and 7% select more travel.

Half of Baby Boomers (50%) wish for more health, while significantly fewer would rather have more time with family and friends (23%), more money (20%) or more travel (8%).

Generation X is almost evenly divided between more health (38%) and more money (36%), followed by more time with family and friends (22%) and more travel (4%).

Millennials place more money at the top of their wish list (44%), followed by more time with family and friends (31%), more health (20%) and more travel (9%).

More than half of Generation Z (52%) wish for more money, followed by more time with family and friends (29%), more health (11%) and more travel (9%).

More than half of Canadians believe 2025 was a “very good” or “good” year for their family (71%), themselves personally (66%), their municipality (54%) and Canada (51%). Fewer offer the same assessment when thinking of their work (48%) and their province (47%).

At least three-in-ten Canadians expect 2026 to be a better year for themselves personally (39%), their family (38%) and Canada (30%). Fewer Canadians foresee better things for their work (28%), their province (23%) and their municipality (22%) in the year that is beginning.

“About one-in-five Canadian Millennials (20%) and Generation Z (21%) think 2026 will be worse for their municipality,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Baby Boomers and Generation X are more pessimistic when considering their province (25% and 22% respectively).”

Almost half of Generation Z (46%) believe 2026 will be a better year for them on a personal level. The proportions are lower among Millennials (37%), Baby Boomers (26%) and Generation X (23%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 21 to November 23, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Importance of Religion Stagnant in Canada, Rising in the U.S.

December 25, 2025December 25, 2025By Mario Canseco

British Columbia stands out as the Canadian province with the largest proportion of agnostic, atheist or irreligious residents.

Vancouver, BC [December 25, 2025] – Americans are significantly more likely than Canadians to look at religion as a “very important” aspect of their lives, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, 44% of Americans and 25% of Canadians say religion is “very important” to them personally. The results outline a four-point increase in the United States and a one-point decrease in Canada since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in 2024.

More than seven-in-ten Canadians (74%, -2) and Americans (78%, +4) say family is “very important” to them on a personal level.

In the United States, more than half of respondents deem other two aspects as “very important” this year: friends (54%, -2) and country (53%, -1). Smaller proportions of Americans express the same views on career (37%, -4) and affluence (15%, -6).

In Canada, friends are ranked as a “very important” aspect by more than half of respondents (56%, +5). The results are lower for country (46%, -1), career (36%, -2) and affluence (14%, -1).

In the United States, members of Generation X are the least likely to consider religion as “very important” (38%). The numbers are larger for Millennials (43%), Generation Z (also 43%) and Baby Boomers (49%).

In Canada, fewer than three-in-ten members of all four generations consider religion as “very important”: 23% for Baby Boomers. 24% for Generation X, 26% for Millennials and 25% for Generation Z.

As was the case last year, Americans are more likely to describe themselves as “very spiritual” or “moderately spiritual” (69%, -1) than their Canadian counterparts (56%, -1).

Two thirds of Americans (66%, +1) and half of Canadians (50%, -1) say their religious faith is Christian. Just over a third of Canadians (34%, +2) and just over one-in-four Americans (21%, -2) say they profess no faith, or describe themselves as atheist of agnostic.

British Columbia has the largest proportion of atheist, agnostic or non-religious residents across Canada (47%), followed by Atlantic Canada (36%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (33%), Quebec (32%), Alberta (31%) and Ontario (30%).

Just under three-in-ten Canadians (29%, -5) never attend religious gatherings, while a smaller proportion (22%, -1) visit a church, temple or synagogue at least once a week.

In the United States, almost a third of Americans (32%, =) go to a church, temple or synagogue at least once a week, while one-in-five (20%, -7) never do.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 21 to November 23, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada and 1,001 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, for each country.

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

“Merry Christmas” Gaining as Preferred Greeting in Canada

December 22, 2025December 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

Three-in-ten Canadians believe this year’s holiday season will be “more stressful than fun”.

Vancouver, BC [December 22, 2025] – For the first time in six years, more than two thirds of Canadians express a fondness for a particular greeting of the season, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 67% of Canadians say they prefer “Merry Christmas”, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in December 2024.

Fewer than one-in-five Canadians (18%, -6) are partial to “Happy Holidays” as a greeting, while 16% (+2) are not sure or don’t care either way.

More than seven-in-ten Atlantic Canadians (77%) and Albertans (72%) choose “Merry Christmas”, along with majorities of respondents who reside in British Columbia (68%), Ontario (67%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (66%) and Quebec (59%).

Almost four-in-five Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in this year’s federal election (79%) prefer “Merry Christmas” as a greeting. The proportions are lower among Canadians who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (63%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (51%).

More than half of Canadians (52%, -1) expect this year’s holiday season to be more fun than stressful, while three-in-ten (30%) believe it will be more stressful than fun.

“More than a third of Generation X members in Canada (34%) foresee a stressful holiday season,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer Millennials (31%), Generation Z (29%) and Baby Boomers (27%) share this feeling.”

Expectations of a stressful holiday season are more prevalent in Atlantic Canada (38%), followed by Alberta (34%), Ontario (33%), British Columbia (30%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (24%) and Quebec (23%).

When asked about some staples of the holiday season, more than four-in-five Canadians (82%, -3) say they like turkey, while almost two thirds (65%, -3) enjoy cranberry sauce.

Fewer Canadians are fond of Brussels sprouts (59%, -1), fruit cake (58%, =), egg nog (55%, -4), mince pies (49%, =), plum pudding (44%, -3) and mulled wine (36%, -4).

While half of Baby Boomers (50%) like plum pudding, the proportions are lower among members of Generation X (42%), Millennials (41%) and Generation Z (39%).

Egg nog is liked by more than half of respondents in Alberta (64%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (63%), Atlantic Canada (58%), Ontario (56%) and British Columbia (55%). In Quebec, only 47% of residents concur.

Respondents to this survey were also asked how old they were when they learned “the truth” about Santa Claus. Most Canadians (56%) realized at age 9 or younger, while fewer than three-in-ten (28%) found out at age 10 or older.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to have found out “the truth” about Santa Claus after their 10th birthday (33%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (31%) and aged 55 and over (21%).

For a majority of Canadians (52%), the appropriate time for children to learn “the truth” about Santa Claus is age 9 or younger, but more than a third (36%) think the revelation should take place at age 10 or older.

Half of Atlantic Canadians (50%) say “the truth” about Santa Claus should be told to children after they turn 10. Fewer residents of Ontario (43%), Alberta (39%), British Columbia (32%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (37%) and Quebec (23%) share this view.

More than seven-in-ten Canadians (72%) acknowledge being satisfied with the way their parents and/or caregivers managed conversations about “the truth” when it comes to Santa Claus, while 13% are dissatisfied.

On this question, dissatisfaction is higher among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (20%) than among those aged 35-to-54 (14%) and those aged 55 and over (7%).

On a regional basis, Ontario is home to the largest proportion of dissatisfied respondents on the way parents and/or caregivers handled conversations about Santa Claus (16%), followed by Quebec (15%), Atlantic Canada (14%), Alberta (also 14%), British Columbia (10%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (9%).

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

Practically Two Thirds of Canadians Targeted by Cyber Scams

December 18, 2025December 17, 2025By Mario Canseco

While “phishing” emails are the primary nuisance, young Canadians are more susceptible to setbacks using public Wi-Fi.

Vancouver, BC [December 18, 2025] – Only 35% of Canadians have not endured any of seven problems related to cybersecurity in the past three years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 38% of Canadians say they received a “phishing” email, where somebody attempted to acquire their personal information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity.

Just over a third of Canadians (34%) received an email offering them money for their help or assistance, in what is sometimes referred to as “Nigerian scam”, in the past three years.

Fewer than one-in-five Canadians say their computer became infected with a virus while they were browsing the Internet (17%), somebody hacked their social media platform (16%) or somebody hacked their email address (12%).

Fewer than one-in-ten Canadians faced two more drastic setbacks: somebody attempted to apply for a loan or open a line of credit using their name (9%) or somebody attempted to receive a tax refund using their name (6%).

More than two-in-five Canadians aged 35-to-54 and aged 55 and over (42% each) recall receiving a phishing email in the past three years. Almost one-in-four Canadians aged 18-to-34 (24%) experienced a hacking on social media.

About half of Canadians say they have checked their email (52%) or used social media (48%) while accessing Wi-Fi in public places, such as airports, cafes, transit hubs or university campuses.

Fewer Canadians relied on public Wi-Fi to access websites for news and information (34%), stream video content (30%), do online banking (26%), make online purchases (23%) or pay utility bills (14%).

“Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to rely on public Wi-Fi to bank, purchase things and make service payments than their older counterparts,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Very few Canadians aged 55 and over follow the same course of action.”

When asked about the level of trust they have on various entities to properly store and manage their personal data, almost four-in-five Canadians (78%) are “very confident” or “moderately confident” in their bank.

Majorities of Canadians feel the same way about their regional health authority (74%), their utility provider (70%), their telephone provider (68%), the federal government (63%), municipal governments (62%) and their provincial government (60%).

The level of confidence is lower—but still in majority territory—for each of these entities to properly deal with a cyberattack data breach.

Banks are once again at the top of the list (70%), followed by regional health authorities (62%), the federal government (also 62%), telephone providers (61%), provincial governments (59%), utility providers (also 59%) and municipal governments (54%).

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

Americans “Turn to God” More Often Than Canadians

December 11, 2025December 24, 2025By Mario Canseco

Deaths and health setbacks are more likely to move people in each country towards faith and spirituality.

Vancouver, BC [December 11, 2025] – Americans are significantly more likely than Canadians to be drawn to faith and spirituality when facing challenges in their lives, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of representative national samples asked Canadians and Americans if they sought faith and spirituality “more than usual” when going through eight different experiences.

More than seven-in-ten Americans (71%) and just under three-in-five Canadians (59%) say they became more in tune with faith and spirituality after the loss of a loved one.

Majorities of respondents in the two countries (64% in the United States and 53% in Canada) sought faith and spirituality when they experienced an unexpected health setback.

At least half of Americans became more in tune with faith and spirituality when they encountered financial problems (55%), after the birth of a loved one (53%) or when experiencing career-related setbacks, such as failing to get admission to a university, losing a job or not being hired after an interview (50%).

In Canada, about two-in-five respondents acknowledged becoming more in tune with faith and spirituality on account of the birth of a loved one (42%), financial problems (41%) or career-related setbacks (38%).

While almost half of Americans (46%) turned to faith and spirituality upon the end of a relationship, only 36% of Canadians followed the same course of action when going through a break-up, separation or divorce.

“Only 33% of Canadian men and 41% of American men looked more closely at faith and spirituality after a break-up,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions rise to 40% among Canadian women and to 51% among American women.”

Fewer Americans and Canadians sought faith and spirituality during the COVID-19 pandemic (44% in the U.S. and 32% in Canada) or after the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States (35% in the U.S. and 20% in Canada).

Just under a third of Republicans in the United States (32%) became more in tune with faith and spirituality after Trump’s re-election, compared to 35% of Independents and 41% of Democrats.

In Canada, similar proportions of people who voted for the Liberal Party (21%), the Conservative Party (20%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (19%) in the 2025 federal election sought faith and spirituality after Trump’s victory.

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

Similar Views on Animals in Canada and the United States

December 4, 2025December 5, 2025By Mario Canseco

Vancouver, BC [December 4, 2025] – Few residents of Canada and the United States voice support for two practices related to animals, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, only 19% of Americans (-6 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2020) and 16% of Canadians (-1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2024) are in favour of killing animals for their fur.

“There is a significant gender gap when it comes to killing animals for their fur in the Canada and the United States,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 25% of American men and 22% of Canadian men see no problem with this practice, only 12% of women in each of the two countries feel the same way.”

On a regional basis, acceptance of killing animals for their fur in Canada is highest in Atlantic Canada (22%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 22%), followed by British Columbia (17%), Ontario (16%), Quebec (15%) and Alberta (13%).

In the United States, the results on this question are steady across all four census regions: South (20%), West (19%), Northeast (18%) and Midwest (17%).

In Canada, similar proportions of respondents of four different ethnicities are in favour of killing animals for their fur: Indigenous (17%), East Asian (16%), European (also 16%) and South Asian (14%).

Just under one-in-four African Americans (24%) are in favour of killing animals for their fur. The proportions are lower among respondents in the United States who are white (18%) or Hispanic (14%).

There are two issues where there is a sizeable difference between the two countries.

The use of animals in rodeos is endorsed by 41% of Americans (-5) and 25% of Canadians (-1).

More than half of Americans who identify as Republicans (56%) are in favour of using animals in rodeos, compared to 39% among Independents and 32% among Democrats.

In Canada, just over a third of people who voted for the Conservative Party in this year’s federal election (34%) see no problem with using animals in rodeos. The proportions are lower among those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (22%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (15%).

While more than half of Americans (52%, -12) favour keeping animals in zoos and aquariums, only 34% of Canadians (-2) concur.

Once again, political allegiance plays a role in public perceptions. More than three-in-five Republicans (63%) are in favour of keeping animals in zoos and aquariums, compared to just under half of Democrats (48%) and Independents (47%).

In Canada, support for keeping animals in zoos and aquariums is highest among Conservative voters (38%), followed by Liberals (33%) and New Democrats (25%).

Just over one-in-five Americans (21%, -4) are in favour of hunting animals for sport, compared to only 12% (+1) of Canadians.

Republicans in the United States are more likely to voice support for hunting animals for sport (30%) than Independents (19%) or Democrats (16%). The political fluctuations are not as deep in Canada, with similar proportions of residents who voted for the Conservatives (14%), the Liberals (11%) and the New Democrats this year (also 11%) being in favour of trophy hunting.

The views of residents are significantly different on hunting animals for meat, with three-in-five Canadians (60%, =) and two thirds of Americans (66%, -1) favouring this practice.

American men (75%) and Canadian men (67%) are more supportive of hunting animals for meat than American women (56%) and Canadian women (55%).

Almost seven-in-ten respondents in the two countries (69% each) are in favour of eating animals. In each country, the proportion of supporters is highest among residents aged 55 and over (72% in Canada and 73% in the United States).

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

Metro Vancouver Governments Score High on Some Key Services

December 1, 2025December 2, 2025By Mario Canseco

Satisfaction is lowest on public safety, resident engagement and dealing with homelessness and poverty.

Vancouver, BC [December 1, 2025] – Most residents of Metro Vancouver think their municipal administrations are managing eight issues properly, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative regional sample, at least three-in-five Metro Vancouverites say their municipal government has done a “very good” or “good” job managing parks and recreation facilities (68%), providing good sanitation services (66%) and fostering artistic and cultural activities (60%).

Five other issues get a positive review from more than half of Metro Vancouverites: protecting the environment (58%), promoting tourism (56%), dealing with transportation (55%), managing development and growth (53%) and enhancing the quality of life of residents (51%).

The satisfaction rating is lower for five other competencies: making City Hall work in a transparent and unbiased fashion (47%), handling finances (46%), dealing with crime and public safety (45%), engaging with residents (also 45%) and dealing with homelessness and poverty (32%).

More than half of Metro Vancouverites (57%) approve of the performance of the mayor of their municipality, while a third (33%) disapprove and 11% are undecided.

“Across Metro Vancouver, approval for mayors is high among men (62%) and residents aged 18-to-34 (64%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among women (55%) and residents aged 55 and over (51%).”

On a regional basis, the approval rating for mayors is highest in Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities (69%), followed by Vancouver (58%), Surrey and White Rock (also 58%), four municipalities in the Fraser Valley (57%), five municipalities in the North Shore (48%) and Richmond and Delta (46%).

Municipal elections in British Columbia use the “at-large system” for elections to council. This means that councillors are elected to represent the entire municipality and not a specific portion of it.

Just over three-in-five Metro Vancouverites (61%) are satisfied with the “at-large system” for elections to council. Residents of Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities, Surrey and White Rock, and the four Fraser Valley municipalities are more likely to be satisfied with the “at-large system” (all at 62%) than those in Vancouver (59%), the North Shore (57%) and Richmond and Delta (48%).

Respondents were also asked about changing existing guidelines to adopt different systems for council elections.

More than half of respondents (55%) support relying on the “single transferable vote system”, in which votes are initially allocated to a voter’s most preferred candidate, and as the count proceeds and candidates are either elected or eliminated, it is transferred to other candidates in accordance with the voter’s stated preferences.

Opposition to the “single transferable vote system” is highest among Metro Vancouverites aged 55 and over (34%) and North Shore residents (41%).

Just over three-in-five Metro Vancouverites (61%) support adopting the “ward system”, in which councillors are elected to represent a specific portion or neighbourhood in a municipality.

A move to the “ward system” is particularly popular in Surrey and White Rock (66%) and Vancouver (64%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 14 to November 16, 2025, among 1,501 adults in Metro Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Metro Vancouver. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Metro Vancouverites Evenly Split on “Mega-Amalgamation”

November 27, 2025November 28, 2025By Mario Canseco

Support is higher for smaller mergers involving fewer cities, particularly those located in the Fraser Valley.

Vancouver, BC [November 27, 2025] – The creation of a “mega-city” encompassing all of Metro Vancouver’s existing municipalities is a contentious proposal, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative regional sample, 42% of Metro Vancouverites think the amalgamation of all municipalities into one is a “very good” or “good” idea, while the same proportion (42%) consider it “bad” or “very bad”.

“Residents of the City of Vancouver boast the highest level of support for the creation of an amalgamated Metro Vancouver (46%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The appetite for full amalgamation drops across all other regions.”

More than two-in-five residents of Surrey and White Rock (44%), the North Shore (43%) and four Fraser Valley municipalities (41%) regard the “mega-city” idea positively. The results are lower in Richmond and Delta (39%) and in Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities (32%).

Metro Vancouverites aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54 are more supportive of the creation of a “mega-city” (47% each) than their counterparts aged 55 and over (34%).

The survey also asked Metro Vancouverites about six smaller amalgamation proposals.

Seven-in-ten Metro Vancouverites (70%) think it is a “very good” or “good” idea for the Township of Langley and the City of Langley to merge into one municipality, while 62% feel the same way about a city encompassing Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.

Residents of these four Fraser Valley municipalities are particularly welcoming of these two amalgamation proposals, with 68% being in favour of uniting the Township of Langley and the City of Langley and 67% supporting a merger involving Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.

More than half of Metro Vancouverites (54%) view a possible merger of the City of Surrey and the City of White Rock in a positive light—including 57% of respondents who reside in these two cities.

Just under three-in-five Metro Vancouverites (57%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea to combine the City of North Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver, the District of West Vancouver, the Village of Lions Bay and Bowen Island Municipality into a single municipality.

Among residents of these five entities, support for a purported “North Shore” city stands at 47%, with a slightly higher proportion (51%) voicing opposition to the concept.

More than half of Metro Vancouverites (56%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea to merge the Village of Anmore. the Village of Belcarra, the City of Coquitlam, the City of Port Coquitlam and the City of Port Moody into one municipality, while fewer than half (47%) would entertain uniting the City of Burnaby and the City of New Westminster.

Residents of these municipalities are not keen on amalgamation, with 44% saying they favour uniting the Tri-Cities and the two villages and 36% supporting a union between Burnaby and New Westminster.

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

High Concern in British Columbia After Cowichan Tribes Ruling

November 24, 2025November 25, 2025By Mario Canseco

Territory acknowledgements are supported by most of the province’s residents; fewer think the word “settler” is adequate.

Vancouver, BC [November 24, 2025] – While a sizeable majority of British Columbians are anxious about a recent court decision, most also express positive views about the right of self-determination for Indigenous peoples and find territory acknowledgements adequate, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 44% of British Columbians say they are following news related to the recent B.C. Supreme Court decision “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

The B.C. Supreme Court ruled that the Cowichan Tribes had “established Aboriginal title” to more than 5.7 square kilometres of land in Richmond and stated that Aboriginal title is a “prior and senior right” to other property interests, regardless of whether the land in question is public or private.

More than two thirds of British Columbians (68%) think property owners in British Columbia should be concerned about the consequences of the court’s decision, including 79% of those aged 55 and over and 75% who own their primary residence.

More than half of British Columbians (52%) believe all negotiations related to Aboriginal title agreements in British Columbia should be paused until the Cowichan Tribes case is settled.

Fewer than half of British Columbians agree with two other statements: that fee simple title in private property should always be superior to Aboriginal title (47%) and that the B.C. Supreme Court’s recent decision erases private property ownership (45%).

Just under half of British Columbians (48%)—and 45% of property owners—say they believe the Cowichan Tribes when they say they are not looking to displace any individual from the properties they own.

Most British Columbians (54%) think the City of Richmond took the correct course of action by sending an official letter to property owners in the claimed area, warning them that the decision “may compromise the status and validity” of their ownership. Fewer than three-in-ten British Columbians (27%) think the City of Richmond overreacted to the situation.

Across the province, more than a third of respondents (35%) had heard about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)—a proportion that rises to 62% among those of Indigenous descent.

UNDRIP establishes global standards for the rights of Indigenous peoples. It outlines collective and individual rights, such as self-determination, and the right to maintain distinct cultures, languages and institutions.

The UNDRIP Act, which came into effect in June 2021, requires the Canadian government to ensure all laws are consistent with the Declaration, in consultation with Indigenous peoples, and mandates the creation of an action plan to achieve the Declaration’s objectives.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (73%) think the UNDRIP Act is a positive development for Canada, while 14% perceive it negatively and 13% are undecided.

More than two thirds of British Columbians (68%) say territory acknowledgements are adequate in today’s Canada, while 18% consider the practice inadequate.

“At least two thirds of residents of the Fraser Valley (69%), Metro Vancouver (69%) and Southern BC (66%) think territory acknowledgements are adequate,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities in Vancouver Island (61%) and Northern BC (59%) also share this view.”

The practice of non-Indigenous Canadians and Permanent Residents calling themselves “settlers” is seen as adequate by 45% of British Columbians and as inadequate by 30%.

The public is divided on whether people should speak positively about the Residential School system, with 39% believing this is adequate and 43% claiming it is inadequate.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (63%) think the right of self-determination—meaning that Indigenous people can determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development, and dispose of and benefit from their wealth and natural resources—has been positive for Canada.

Similar proportions of British Columbians think First Nations and Indigenous organizations across British Columbia should decide what type of housing projects can be built on their territories (66%) and if natural resource projects can be established on their territories (62%).

More than two-in-five British Columbians think that, compared to 20 years ago, First Nations and Indigenous organizations are doing better on cultural development (50%), economic development (49%) and social development (44%).

Economic Reconciliation is defined as “the process of making economic amends for historical injustices to Indigenous Peoples.” British Columbians are divided in their assessment of the current situation, with 23% saying the federal government is doing “too much” on Economic Reconciliation, while 27% believe it “needs to do more”.

Equal proportions of British Columbians think the provincial government is doing “too much” (24%) or “needs to do more” (also 24%) on Economic Reconciliation. Only 18% of respondents think municipal administrations are doing “too much” on this file.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 18 to November 20, 2025, among 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Teaching Creationism in Schools Gains Backers in Canada

November 20, 2025November 25, 2025By Mario Canseco

A majority of Canadians still believe human beings evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years.

Vancouver, BC [November 20, 2025] – The proportion of Canadians who think there is a place for creationism in their province’s classrooms has increased over the past year and a half, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 48% of Canadians (+7 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2024) think creationism—the belief that the universe and life originated from specific acts of divine creation—should be part of the school curriculum in their province.

More than a third of Canadians (35%, -7) disagree with teaching creationism to school children, while 18% (+1) are not sure.

“The increase in support for discussing creationism in schools is being driven by Canadians aged 18-to-34 (58%, +10),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer than half of their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (48%, +4) and aged 55 and over (38%, +5) favour this course of action.”

Men (51%, +7) are still more likely than women (44%, +10) to endorse creationism in the classroom. On a regional basis, support for this idea is highest in Ontario (54%, +10), followed by Atlantic Canada (50%, +2) Saskatchewan and Manitoba (50%, +8), Alberta (46%, +3), Quebec (43%, +8) and British Columbia (41%, +4).

More than half of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (53%, +16) or the Conservative Party (52%, +6) in this year’s federal election agree with teaching creationism in schools. The proportion is lower among Canadians who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (38%, -5).

Majorities of Canadians whose origins are South Asian (73%, +11) or Indigenous (57%, +7) support discussing creationism in the classroom. Fewer Canadians whose heritage is East Asian (45%, -11) or European (35%, +1) concur.

The year-to-year fluctuations are not as pronounced on the other question included in the survey. Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%, -3) say human beings evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years, while just under one-in-four (23%, +2) believe God created human beings in their present form within the last 10,000 years.

More than one-in-four Canadians aged 55 and over (26%, +1) side with divine creation, along with more than one-in-five Canadians aged 35-to-54 (22%, +1) and aged 18-to-34 (21%, +1).

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians of four different ethnicities assert that God created human beings: European (22%, +3), East Asian (21%, -3), Indigenous (19%, +10) and South Asian (17%, -2%).

Almost three-in-ten Canadians who supported the Conservatives in this year’s federal election (29%, +3) are also believers in divine creation, compared to about one-in-five Liberals (21%, +4) and New Democrats (19%, -1).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from October 24 to October 26, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

British Columbians Assess Options for BC Conservatives

November 13, 2025November 12, 2025By Mario Canseco

Dianne Watts, Christy Clark, Gavin Dew, Elenore Sturko and Aaron Gunn do best in test of 15 possible leadership contenders.

Vancouver, BC [November 13, 2025] – Five politicians would allow the Conservative Party of BC to provide a serious challenge to the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) in a British Columbia provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In early October, the BC NDP held a six-point advantage over the BC Conservatives among decided voters in British Columbia

The early November online survey of a representative provincial sample asked British Columbians how they would vote in an election with 15 different options leading the Conservative Party of BC.

With former Surrey Mayor and MP Dianne Watts as leader, the BC Conservatives would be tied with the BC NDP at 21% among all voters.

The official opposition would trail the governing party by just one point under the leadership of former premier Christy Clark (26% to 25%) or current Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew (20% to 19%).

The BC Conservatives would be two points behind the BC New Democrats under two other leaders: Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko (23% to 21%) and North Island—Powell River MP Aaron Gunn (20% to 18%).

The BC NDP would have four-point leads over the BC Conservatives under the leadership of Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West (25% to 21%) or former Transportation Minister Todd Stone (20% to 16%).

The BC Conservatives would trail the BC New Democrats by five points under former BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson (23% to 18%), current MP Ellis Ross (21% to 16%) and former BC United West Vancouver-Capilano candidate Caroline Elliott (23% to 18%).

The lead for the BC NDP is larger if the BC Conservatives are commanded by Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar (24% to 18%), 2024 West Vancouver-Sea to Sky candidate Yuri Fulmer (25% to 19%) and former MP and federal cabinet minister James Moore (24% to 16%).

The two worst performing prospective candidates tested are Bryan Breguet, who ran unsuccessfully for the BC Conservatives in Vancouver-Langara in 2024 (23% to 14%), and Langley-Abbotsford MLA Harman Bhangu (25% to 14%).

More than a third of British Columbians (36%, +3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2024) place themselves at the centre of the political spectrum. Fewer residents of the province say they are centre right, right or extreme right (28%, -2) or centre left, left or extreme left (21%, -1).

When asked about the province’s political parties, more than half of British Columbians (53%, +1) say the BC NDP is centre left, left or extreme left, while almost two thirds (64%, +3) consider the BC Conservatives as centre right, right or extreme right.

The BC Green Party is regarded as centre left, left or extreme left by 45% of British Columbians (+2). CentreBC is placed in the middle of the spectrum by a third of the province’s residents (with 39% saying they are not sure), while OneBC is regarded as centre right, right or extreme right by 23% of British Columbians (with 49% saying they are not sure).

The five party leaders yielded results that mirrored the parties they represent. BC Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby is considered centre left, left or extreme left by just over half of British Columbians (51%, +3), while 62% (+4) say BC Conservative leader John Rustad is centre right, right or extreme right.

BC Green leader Emily Lowan is regarded as centre left, left or extreme left by 42% of British Columbians. One-in-four of the province’s residents (25%) say Centre BC leader Karin Kirkpatrick is a centrist, while 19% believe Dallas Brodie of OneBC is centre right, right or extreme right. Sizeable proportions of British Columbians do not know enough about Kirkpatrick (48%) or Brodie (51%) to place them on the spectrum.

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

Fewer Than One-in-Five Canadians View Trump Favourably

November 6, 2025November 19, 2025By Mario Canseco

The proportion of positive impressions has dropped for Wayne Gretzky and Don Cherry; Stephen Harper outranks Justin Trudeau.

Vancouver, BC [November 6, 2025] – Very few Canadians look fondly at the current President of the United States, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 18% of Canadians have a favourable opinion of Donald Trump, while just over three-in-four (76%) hold unfavourable views.

Positive views on Trump reach 21% in Alberta and 20% in Ontario. Fewer residents of British Columbia (18%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 18%), Atlantic Canada (17%) and Quebec (16%) concur.

“More than one-in-four Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party this year (27%) regard Donald Trump favourably,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among those who supported the New Democratic Party (NDP) (14%) or the Liberal Party (10%).”

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians have a favourable opinion of South African billionaire Elon Musk (21%) and psychologist and media commentator Jordan Peterson (23%).

Musk’s unfavourability reaches 77% among Canadian women, while Peterson is an unknown entity for 44% of Canadians aged 55 and over.

Fewer than a third of Canadians hold positive views on British broadcaster Piers Morgan (30%) and international activist Greta Thunberg (32%).

Morgan’s favourability rating reaches 40% among Conservative voters in Canada. Almost half of Liberal voters (47%) hold positive views on Thunberg.

When asked about Canada’s previous two prime ministers, Canadians provide a higher favourability rating to Stephen Harper, who served from 2006 to 2015 (47%), than to Justin Trudeau, who served from 2015 to 2025 (39%).

Harper’s positives reach 51% among men, 52% among Canadians aged 55 and over and 59% among residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Trudeau’s favourability is highest among women (43%), Canadians aged 55 and over (46%) and Quebecers (44%).

In the realm of hockey, Canadians are more likely to hold favourable views on Mario Lemieux (50%, -17 since May 2023) than on Wayne Gretzky (47%, -29) and Don Cherry (42%, -3).

Gretzky and Cherry get their best numbers in Alberta (58% and 55% respectively), while Lemieux does particularly well in Quebec (55%).

More than one-in-five Canadians aged 18-to-34 (22%) do not know who Cherry is. The proportions are lower among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (12%) and aged 55 and over (6%).

More than half of Canadians have a favourable opinion of two actors: Mike Myers (53%) and Ryan Reynolds (58%).

Positive views on Reynolds reach 61% among men and 56% among women. Myers gets particularly high ratings from Canadians aged 35-to-54 (59%) and aged 55 and over (58%).

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

Spanberger Clearly Ahead in Virginia’s Gubernatorial Election

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025By Mario Canseco

In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill is ahead of Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

Vancouver, BC [November 3, 2025] – The candidates for the Democratic Party head to tomorrow’s gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey in different circumstances, according to two new polls conducted by Research Co. in Virginia and New Jersey.

The surveys of voters who have already cast their ballot in the elections or plan to do so tomorrow show a significant advantage for the Democrats in the Old Dominion State, and a closer race in the Garden State.

Virginia

Republican Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the 2021 gubernatorial race in Virginia (51% to 49%). The Old Dominion State does not allow incumbent governors to serve consecutive terms.

More than half of decided voters in Virginia (54%) would back Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger in this year’s gubernatorial election, while 46% would cast a ballot for Republican contender Winsome Earle-Sears.

Earle-Sears has her best showing among decided voters aged 18-to-34 (53% to 47%), while Spanberger is ahead among decided voters aged 35-to-54 (58% to 42%) and aged 55 and over (55% to 45%).

About one-in-six decided voters who supported the GOP’s Youngkin in 2021 (15%) are backing Spanberger in 2025.

New Jersey

In the 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election, incumbent Democratic Party governor Phil Murphy defeated Republican Party candidate Jack Ciattarelli (51% to 48%). The Garden State has a two consecutive term limit for governors.

The 2025 gubernatorial race in New Jersey is very similar to the previous one, with Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill holding a three-point edge over Republican Ciattarelli among decided voters (51% to 48%), with 1% going to Libertarian candidate Vic Kaplan.

Ciattarelli does particularly well with decided voters aged 55 and over (57% to 43%), while Sherrill holds the upper hand with decided voters aged 35-to-54 (52% to 46%) and aged 18-to-34 (58% to 41%).

More than half of decided voters who are Independent (54%) would support Sherrill tomorrow, while 43% would back Ciattarelli and 3% would support Kaplan.

Methodology: Results are based on online studies conducted on November 2 and November 3, 2025, among representative samples of 450 likely voters in two American states: New Jersey and Virginia. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age and gender in each state. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.6 percentage points for each state.

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

Canadians Remain Satisfied with Scope of MAID Legislation

October 30, 2025October 29, 2025By Mario Canseco

The proportion of residents who would completely ban medical assistance in dying jumped by six points since 2023.

Vancouver, BC [October 30, 2025] – The perceptions of Canadians on the existing guidelines that allow medical assistance in dying have not gone through severe fluctuations over the past two years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 52% of Canadians are satisfied with the regulations, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2023.

Equal proportions of Canadians are either dissatisfied with the rules related to medical assistance in dying (24%, -3) or are undecided (also 24%, -1).

“Fewer than half of Conservative Party voters in the 2025 federal election (46%) are content with Canada’s medical assistance in dying laws,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are higher among those who cast ballots for New Democratic Party (NDP) (53%) or Liberal Party (59%) candidates.”

Canadians of East Asian descent are the least likely to endorse the status quo on medical assistance in dying (47%). Satisfaction is higher among Canadians whose heritage is European (51%), South Asian (58%) or Indigenous (60%).

More than three-in-five Quebecers (62%) endorse the current guidelines that allow a person to seek medical assistance in dying. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (52%), Atlantic Canada (51%), British Columbia (also 51%), Ontario (49%), and Alberta (45%).

When asked about their personal feelings, almost three-in-five Canadians (58%, =) believe medical assistance in dying should be allowed, but only under specific circumstances.

Similar proportions of Canadians think medical assistance in dying should either never be allowed (18%, +6) or always be permitted (16%, -4).

Three-in-four Canadians (75%, +2) support an individual being permitted to seek medical assistance in dying in Canada if these conditions are met:

Being eligible for health services funded by the federal government, or a province or territory (or during the applicable minimum period of residence or waiting period for eligibility).
Being at least 18 years old and mentally competent.
Having a grievous and irremediable medical condition.
Making a voluntary request for medical assistance in dying that is not the result of outside pressure or influence.
Giving informed consent to receive medical assistance in dying.

Under the current legislation, only an adult with a grievous and irremediable medical condition can seek medical assistance in dying in Canada.

Fewer than half of Canadians are willing to expand the scope of existing legislation to allow medical assistance in dying in cases of inability to receive medical treatment (49%, -2), disability (46%, -4), mental illness (42%, -1), homelessness (26%, -2) or poverty (25%, -2).

Practically half of Canadians (49%, +7) believe anyone who helps a person to commit suicide should be prosecuted, while just over three-in-ten (31%, -3) disagree and one-in-five (20%, -3) are not sure.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to think that aiding a person to commit suicide should remain a criminal offence (60%, +8) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (48%, +7) and aged 55 and over (41%, +7).

Canadians remain divided when asked about the appropriate punishment for a parent who is found guilty of assisting a terminally ill son or daughter to die.

Just under three-in-ten Canadians (28%, -1) express a preference for a prison sentence at the discretion of a judge, while15% (+7) think the crime calls for a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.

Just over one-in-ten (11%, -3) think the actions in this case can be dealt with through a fine and no time in prison, while just under one-in-four Canadians (23%, -1) choose no penalty at all.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from October 15 to October 17, 2025, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

British Columbians Back Foreign Real Estate Purchase Ban

October 23, 2025October 22, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five (62%) want municipal governments to dismantle encampments or “tent cities”.

Vancouver, BC [October 22, 2025] – Residents of British Columbia continue to overwhelmingly support the federal government’s decision to ban foreigners from purchasing real estate in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 74% of British Columbians agree with the decision to ban non-Canadians (with exclusions for international students and temporary residents) from purchasing residential properties in Canada until 2027, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2024.

“The federal ban on foreign ownership of real estate is not a contentious issue in British Columbia,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The policy is endorsed by sizeable majorities of the province’s residents whose heritage is Indigenous (82%), South Asian (78%), European (76%) or East Asian (67%).”

More than half of British Columbians (57%, +8) think the provincial government was right to implement a $400 renters’ credit for households earning up to $63,000 a year. Support for this policy reaches 63% among British Columbians who rent.

More than a third of British Columbians (37%, +8) call on the like the provincial government to cancel the home owner grant, which reduces the amount of property tax people pay for their principal residence.

More than three-in-five British Columbians continue to voice support for two ideas: the federal government tying immigration numbers to affordable housing targets and new housing starts (66%, +1) and municipal governments immediately dismantling any encampment or “tent city” located within their municipality (62%, =).

This month, support for dismantling “tent cities” is highest in Metro Vancouver (66%, +7), followed by the Fraser Valley (62%, -4), Vancouver Island (56%, -6), Northern BC (53%, -4) and Southern BC (50%, -1).

For the first time since June 2020, more than half of British Columbians (54%, +13) expect the actions of the provincial government to be effective in making housing more affordable in British Columbia.

Majorities of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (59%) and aged 35-to-54 (56%) are optimistic about the actions of the provincial government, along with 46% of their counterparts aged 55 and over.

The housing policies implemented during the tenure of John Horgan as Premier of British Columbia remain popular in 2025. At least two thirds of the province’s residents endorse increasing the foreign buyers tax from 15% to 20% (74%, =), expanding the foreign buyers tax to areas located outside of Metro Vancouver (73%, +2), 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 (70%, +1), increasing the property transfer tax from 3% to 5% for homes valued at more than $3 million (66%, +4) and introducing 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 66%, +4).

A set of policies brought forward after David Eby took over as Premier are also backed by majorities of British Columbians, including building more modular supportive homes in areas where people are experiencing homelessness (73%, -2), capping rent increases in 2025 at 3% (70%, +4), implementing a three-business-day protection period for financing and home inspections (66%, -3), raising the fines for short-term rental hosts who break local municipal by-laws to $3,000 per day per infraction (65%, -4), removing strata rental restrictions (58%, +6), ending most strata age restrictions (also 58%, -2) and 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 (56%, -2).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from October 13 to October 15, 2025, among 802 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Affairs and Drugs Among the Least Acceptable Actions in Canada

October 16, 2025October 15, 2025By Mario Canseco

Contraception, divorce and pre-marital relations have the largest levels of moral acceptability across the country.

Vancouver, BC [October 16, 2025] – Fewer than one-in-five Canadians think marital infidelity and the use of illegal drugs can be characterized as “morally acceptable” behaviours, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians whether they considered 21 different issues as “morally acceptable” or “morally wrong.”

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians believe seven of the issues tested are “morally acceptable”: polygamy (21%, +4 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2024), suicide (20%, +3), cloning animals (19%, =), married men and/or women having an affair (18%, +2), using illegal drugs (also 18%, +4), cloning humans (12%, -1) and paedophilia (8%, +3).

“Almost one-in-four Canadian men (23%) think marital infidelity is morally acceptable,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion is decidedly lower (13%) among Canadian women.”

There is a significant regional divide on this question. Practically one-in-four Quebecers (24%) have no moral qualms about married people having an affair. Fewer than one-in-five residents of all other regions feel the same way.

Two-in-five Canadians (40%, =) think the death penalty is “morally acceptable.” Fewer Canadians feel the same way about four other issues: buying and wearing clothing made of animal fur (38%, +4), pornography (31%, +3), prostitution (28%, +3) and medical testing on animals (25%, +2).

While almost half of Canadian men (46%) think it is “morally acceptable” to buy and wear clothing made of animal fur, only 30% of Canadian women concur.

At least half of Canadians think five other issues are “morally acceptable”: abortion (56%, -2), medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos (55%, =), physician-assisted death (54%, -3), sexual relations between two people of the same sex (also 54%, -1) and gambling (50%, +1).

Gambling is regarded as a “morally acceptable” practice by majorities of Canadians whose origins are East Asian (60%) or Indigenous (56%). The proportions are decidedly lower among Canadians of European (30%) or South Asian (22%) heritage.

The four issues that find the largest levels of moral acceptability across Canada are all related to human interaction: contraception (73%, -3), divorce (70%, -2), sexual relations between an unmarried man and woman (67%, -3) and having a baby outside of marriage (62%, -5).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from September 10 to September 12, 2025, among 1,003 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Upward Trend for Mandatory Vaccinations for Children in Canada

October 9, 2025October 9, 2025By Mario Canseco

A third of Albertans (34%) believe all decisions on inoculation belong to parents.

Vancouver, BC [October 9, 2025] – There has been a sizeable increase in the level of support for mandatory vaccinations for childhood diseases—such as polio or measles—in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 72% of Canadians think vaccinations for children should “definitely” or “probably” be mandatory in their province, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2024.

Just under one-in-four Canadians (23%, -6) believe parents should “definitely” or “probably” be the ones deciding whether their children should be vaccinated.

A third of respondents in Alberta (34%, =) reject any mandate related to childhood vaccinations. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (22%, -8), Ontario (also 22%, -6), Quebec (21%, -10), British Columbia (also 21%, -9) and Atlantic Canada (19%, -9).

“While support for mandatory childhood vaccinations increased to 72% in 2025, it is still nowhere near the levels observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In 2018, almost nine-in-ten Canadians (88%) were in favour of a mandate.”

In the late 1990s, a study published in the weekly medical journal The Lancet—which has since been discredited and retracted—attempted to link childhood vaccination and autism.

More than a third of Canadians (35%, +4) think there “definitely” or “probably” is a connection between the childhood vaccine for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and autism.

While only 30% of women in Canada believe there is a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, the proportion rises to 42% among men.

Half of Canadians (50%, -8) believe every person should be allowed to decide if they want to get vaccinations for seasonal diseases, such as the flu. A slightly smaller proportion (46%, +8) would prefer for the flu vaccine to be mandatory in their province.

More than half of Conservative Party voters in this year’s federal election (58%) think every individual should make the decision on vaccinations for seasonal diseases. The proportions are lower among Canadians who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (44%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (42%).

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