By Mario Canseco

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.

Almost Half of British Columbians Would Feel Less Safe if They Were Jewish

October 7, 2025November 25, 2025By Mario Canseco

Three-in-four of the province’s residents say Canadian Jews are being unfairly targeted for what is happening in Israel and Gaza.

Vancouver, BC [October 7, 2025] – On the eve of the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, UK, and the second anniversary of the attack on Israel that spawned the current conflict in the Middle East, almost half of British Columbians say they would feel “less safe” today than two years ago if they were Jewish, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 48% of British Columbians say they would feel “much less safe” or “somewhat less safe” than two years ago if they were Jewish Canadians living in Canada today—a proportion that rises to 55% among those aged 55 and over.

Practically four-in-five British Columbians (79%, +3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March) say they are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about antisemitism, or rising prejudice against Jewish Canadians.

Larger proportions of British Columbians are worried about three other issues: protestors targeting Jewish neighbourhoods and Jewish-owned businesses (83%, +6), aggressive behaviour by Pro-Palestinian protestors (86%, +5) and attacks, including gunfire and firebombs, on synagogues, Jewish schools and businesses (also 86%, +6).

Three-in-four British Columbians (75%, +8) agree that Canadian Jews are being unfairly targeted for what is happening in Israel and Gaza.

Two thirds of British Columbians (66%) describe some of the protest and graffiti incidents that have targeted Jewish-owned businesses and places of worship as antisemitic and going beyond legitimate protest, while just 19% feel the messaging is not antisemitic and fairly reflects anger about Israel’s actions.

“More than three-in-four British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (76%) feel the statements of some protestors have been antisemitic,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At least three-in-five of their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (63%) and aged 55 and over (60%) feel the same way.”

When it comes to actions to address antisemitism, more than four-in-five British Columbians support three measures: increasing penalties for crimes, including vandalism and graffiti, targeting specific groups (82%), preventing government funding from going to organizations that promote hate, including antisemitism (also 82%) and supporting training for police and public servants to recognize antisemitism (81%).

At least two thirds of British Columbians support three other measures: strengthening Canada’s hate speech laws (78%), requiring education about antisemitism in Canadian schools (74%) and providing public funding for Holocaust and antisemitism education programs (66%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from August 24 to August 26, 2025, among 815 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.

NDP Leads, Conservatives Drop, Greens Gain in British Columbia

October 6, 2025October 5, 2025By Mario Canseco

David Eby has a 16-point lead over John Rustad when British Columbians ponder who would make the “Best Premier”.

Vancouver, BC [October 6, 2025] – The governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) is ahead of all challengers in British Columbia’s political scene, 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, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June.

The Conservative Party of BC is in second place with 38% (-4), followed by the BC Green Party with 12% (+4), Centre BC with 3% (+1) and OneBC with 1%.

The BC New Democrats hold a sizeable lead over the BC Conservatives among decided voters aged 55 and over (54% to 35%). The race is closer among decided voters aged 35-to-54 (BC Conservatives 40%, BC NDP 38%) and is tied among decided voters aged 18-to-34 (40% for each party).

On a regional basis, the BC Conservatives are leading in Northern BC (52%) and the Fraser Valley (52%), while the BC NDP is first in Vancouver Island (51%), Southern BC (50%) and Metro Vancouver (44%),

“The BC NDP is holding on to 86% of the voters who supported them in the October 2024 provincial election,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The retention rate is lower for the BC Conservatives (78%) and the BC Greens (74%).”

Practically three-in-five British Columbians (59%, +5) say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider voting for the BC NDP in the next provincial ballot. Fewer of the province’s residents are actively considering casting a ballot for the BC Conservatives (45%, -2), the BC Greens (43%, +6), Centre BC (28%, +9) and OneBC (25%).

This month, 53% of British Columbias (-3) approve of the performance of David Eby as Premier and leader of the BC NDP. The rating is lower for Official Opposition and Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad (37%, =) BC Green Party leader Emily Lowan (34%), Centre BC leader Karin Kirkpatrick (27%, +11) and OneBC leader Dallas Brodie (26%).

On the “Best Premier” question, Eby holds a 16-point lead over Rustad (37% to 21%), with Lowan at 12%, Kirkpatrick at 4% and Brodie at 2%. Almost one-in-four British Columbians (24%) are undecided.

Three-in-ten British Columbians (30%, -4) say housing, poverty and homelessness is the most important issue facing the province, followed by the economy and jobs (23%, +1), health care (23%, +2), crime and public safety (5%, -1), the environment (6%, +3) and accountability (4%, =).

When asked which of the main party leaders is better suited to handle specific issues, Eby is ahead of Rustad on seven of them: education (44% to 26%), the environment (43% to 24%), health care (41% to 28%), housing, poverty and homelessness (40% to 28%), energy (40% to 29%), the economy and jobs (38% to 31%) and accountability (37% to 30%).

The two leaders are tied on who would be best to manage crime and public safety (34% each).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from October 1 to October 3, 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.

Americans More Likely to Swear in Conversation Than Canadians

October 2, 2025October 2, 2025By Mario Canseco

Similar proportions of Canadians (43%) and Americans (38%) “always” alter how they speak to avoid swearing.

Vancouver, BC [October 2, 2025] – Swear words are more likely to find their way into the conversations of Americans than the conversations of Canadians, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, more than half of Canadians (57%) say they swear “frequently” or “occasionally” when talking to friends, down one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2023.

Fewer Canadians admit to swearing in conversations with relatives (43%, =), co-workers (35%, -4) and strangers (23%, -3).

Conversely. more than half of Americans swear “frequently” or “occasionally” when talking to friends (64%) and relatives (51%). Smaller proportions of respondents in the United States also rely on swear words during conversations with co-workers (47%) and strangers (33%).

“Only 22% of Canadians and 20% of Americans aged 55 and over swear at work,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions rise to 43% in Canada and 64% in the United States among those aged 18-to-34.”

Majorities of Canadians say they hear other people swear “frequently” or “occasionally “when talking with friends (71%, -1), relatives (57%, +2), co-workers (54%, +2) and strangers (51%, -1). The proportions are markedly higher in the United States during conversations with friends (74%), relatives (65%), co-workers (60%) and strangers (59%).

In Canada, 43% of respondents (-1) claim to “always” alter the way they speak to make sure they do not swear in public, while a similar proportion (42%, -2) say they “sometimes” alter the way they speak so as not to swear in front of certain people.

Americans are more likely to say they “sometimes” alter their language to avoid swearing (49%) than to “always” partake in this behaviour (38%).

Only 15% of Canadians and 13% of Americans say they “never” alter the way they speak and if a swear word comes out, they do not worry about it.

Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party this year are slightly more likely to say they “never” alter their language in a public conversation (16%) than those who supported the Liberal Party (14%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (11%).

In the United States, Republicans are more likely to say they “never” alter the way they speak (16%) than Independents (14%) or Democrats (7%).

Respondents to this survey were asked to type in the swear word they say the most. Fewer than one-in-five Canadians (17%) and Americans (13%) claim to either not swear at all or lack a favourite word.

In Canada, only two words reached double digits: “f*ck” (41%, +1) and “sh*t” or “m*rd*” (22%, -1). In the United States, “f*ck” was also at the top of the list (37%), followed by “sh*t” (24%) and “d*mn” (13%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 30 to July 2, 2025, among 1,001 adults in Canada and 1,000 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.

Economic Confidence Rises in Canada, But Inflation Worries Persist

September 25, 2025September 24, 2025By Mario Canseco

There is a significant gap when Canadians aged 55 and over assess Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre.

Vancouver, BC [September 25, 2025] – While most Canadians believe the country’s financial standing is not ideal at this point, there has been a marked increase in positive perceptions over the past five 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 are “poor” or “very poor” today, down six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April.

More than a third of Canadians (35%, +6) rate the country’s economic conditions as “very good” or “good”.

Almost half of respondents in Atlantic Canada (49%) rate Canada’s current financial situation positively. The proportions are lower in Quebec (43%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (40%), Ontario (36%), British Columbia (29%) and Alberta (28%).

Equal proportions of Canadians predict that the Canadian economy will decline (39%, -4) or remain the same (also 39%, +8) in the next six months, while just 15% (-1) expect an improvement.

In spite of the positive momentum on the country’s economic standing, inflation concerns continue to be prevalent across the country. More than three-in-four Canadians (76%, +1) expect to pay more for a week’s worth of groceries in the next six months, and two thirds foresee higher prices for a new car (68%, -2) and gasoline (67%, +15).

Smaller proportions of Canadians—yet still majorities—predict higher prices for a new television set (55%, -2) and real estate (52%, =) in the next six months.

There is little change on the question related to personal finances, with 50% of Canadians (+1) saying their situation is “very good” or “good” and 47% (-1) deeming it “poor” or “very poor”.

Compared to April, there is a noticeable decrease in the proportion of Canadians who have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” about specific financial setbacks.

About half of Canadians have been concerned about the safety of their savings (50%, -5) and the value of their investments (49%, -6) in the past couple of months. Fewer than two-in-five have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” about unemployment affecting their household (39%, -4), being able to pay their mortgage or rent (also 39%, -4), or their employer running into serious financial trouble (32%, -5).

“More than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (52%) have worried about making their mortgage or rent payments,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The level of concern is only slightly lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (46%).”

Two-in-five Canadians (40%, +5) trust Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem to do the right thing to help the economy.

The numbers did not move significantly for the country’s top federal leaders, with a majority of Canadians (58%, -1) trusting Prime Minister Mark Carney on economic management, and more than two-in-five (44%, +1) expressing the same view about federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.

As was the case in April, most Canadians aged 55 and over (63%), aged 18-to-34 (57%) and aged 35-to-54 (52%) trust Carney to do the right thing to help the economy. Poilievre’s numbers on this question are best with Canadians aged 18-to-34 (49%) and aged 35-to-54 (48%), but drop among those aged 55 and over (37%).

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

British Columbians Still Committed to $10aDay Child Care

September 18, 2025September 17, 2025By Mario Canseco

The public is divided on the idea of families reducing expenses and keeping a parent at home if child care is not available.

Vancouver, BC [September 18, 2025] – A sizeable proportion of British Columbians would like to see more action on the child care file, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than four-in-five British Columbians (82%) think it is “very important” or “moderately important” that the provincial government continues to deliver on its commitment to build a quality, flexible $10aDay child care system that’s accessible to families across the province.

Since 2018, the provincial government has been investing in building a quality $10aDay child care system in the province. The investment includes fee reductions for families, more licensed child care spaces, and wage enhancements for early childhood educators.

Only 21% of British Columbians have not heard anything about this plan. Almost half (47%) have heard all about the $10aDay child care system, while just over three-in-ten (31%) have heard about some of the investments.

More than four-in-five British Columbians agree that child care is important to support working parents (85%) and that having children today costs a lot more than it did 40 years ago (83%).

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%) would like to see child care become publicly available like elementary schools. A slightly larger proportion voices support for government investments in more in flexible child care programs for parents who work outside of 9-5, Monday to Friday (74%).

Practically four-in-five British Columbians (79%) agree that, when child care is affordable and available to parents, more mothers can go to work and pay taxes.

British Columbians are divided on the notion of most families not needing child care services if they reduced their expenses so that one parent could afford to stay at home. Similar proportions of respondents across the province either agree (46%) or disagree (45%) with the statement.

“Most British Columbians of Indigenous and South Asian descent (65% and 52% respectively) believe it is relatively easy for a family to reduce expenses if child care is not available,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 42% of British Columbians of European and East Asian heritage share this view.”

There is also a split when British Columbians are asked to ponder if grandparents should help with child care more, to reduce the cost for parents, with 46% of residents agreeing with the statement and 43% disagreeing with it.

More than half of British Columbians aged 55 and over (52%) disagree with the idea of grandparents helping with child care more, compared to 37% of those aged 35-to-54 and 39% of those aged 18-to-34.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from August 28 to August 30, 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.

Liberal Lead Shrinks as Canadians Refocus on Domestic Issues

September 15, 2025September 14, 2025By Mario Canseco

Finances and housing push Canada-U.S. Relations to third place on the list of national concerns.

Vancouver, BC [September 15, 2025] – Support for the governing Liberal Party is not as strong across Canada as it was during the summer, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 43% of decided voters would support the Liberal candidate in their riding, down four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July.

The Conservative Party is second with 38% (+1), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 8% (+2), the Bloc Québécois with 6% (=), the Green Party with 2% (=), the People’s Party with 1% (=) and other parties and independent candidates also with 1% (=).

The Liberals remain ahead of the Conservatives in British Columbia (49% to 36%) and Ontario (48% to 39%). The two parties are now in a statistical tie in Atlantic Canada (39% to 37%).

The Conservatives hold massive leads over the Liberals in Alberta (56% to 32%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (55% to 34%). In Quebec, the Liberals are in first place with 43%, followed by the Bloc with 28% and the Conservatives with 23%.

Male decided voters are almost evenly split between the Liberals and the Conservatives (41% to 40%), while female decided voters prefer the governing party over the official opposition (45% to 36%).

The Liberals are the top choice of decided voters who are members of Generation Z (46%) and Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (52%). The Conservatives hold the upper hand among Generation X (46%) and Millennials (44%).

Practically one-in-four Canadians (24%, +3) regard the economy and jobs as the most important issue facing the country, followed by housing, homelessness and poverty (22%, +4), Canada-U.S. Relations (17%, -5), health care (11%, -2) and immigration (10%, -1).

“Canadians aged 55 and over are still primarily concerned about Canada-U.S. Relations (26%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Those aged 35-to-54 are more likely to be focused on the economy and jobs (26%), while those aged 18-to-34 are mainly preoccupied with housing (27%).”

The approval rating for Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney fell by five points, from 61% in July to 56% this month. The results on this question remain lower for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre (47%, +3), Green leader Elizabeth May (33%, -1), interim NDP leader Don Davies (28%, +2), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (26%, -2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (22%, +1).

Carney holds a 13-point advantage over Poilievre on the “Preferred Prime Minister” question (44% to 31%), with the remaining party leaders in single digits.

When asked which of the two main party leaders would be the best to handle 11 different issues, Carney remains ahead of Poilievre on eight of them: foreign affairs (49% to 30%), Canada-U.S. Relations (47% to 31%), accountability and leadership (46% to 31%), national unity (44% to 28%), the economy and jobs (44% to 35%), health care (42% to 32%), the environment (41% to 25%) and energy and pipelines (39% to 34%).

Poilievre leads Carney as the best person to manage crime and public safety (39% to 35%). The two leaders are practically tied on two other issues: housing, homelessness and poverty (Carney 37%, Poilievre 35%) and immigration (Poilievre 38%, Carney 37%).

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

Half of Canadians Perceive Artificial Intelligence as a Threat

September 11, 2025September 14, 2025By Mario Canseco

Only one-in-four believe the technology should continue to be developed as quickly as possible.

Vancouver, BC [September 11, 2025] – The perceptions of Canadians on artificial intelligence (AI) have become more negative over the past two years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 50% of Canadians regard AI is “a threat” to humanity, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2023.

More than a third of Canadians (37%, -3) think AI is an opportunity for humanity, while 13% (-1) are not sure.

Canadians aged 35-to-54 are less likely to regard AI as a threat (46%) than their counterparts aged 55 and over (51%) and aged 18-to-34 (53%).

Almost half of Canadians in the highest income bracket (46%) think AI is an opportunity for humanity. Fewer Canadians in the middle (36%) and lowest (29%) income brackets feel the same way.

Almost half of Canadians (49%, -6) believe we should slow down the development of AI, while one-in-four (24%, +4) believe the technology should continue to be developed as quickly as possible. Only 13% of Canadians (=) would prefer to abandon the development of AI altogether.

There are some staggering regional differences on this question. The proportion of Canadians who favour developing AI as quickly as possible is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (40%), followed by Quebec (26%), British Columbia (24%), Ontario (23%) and Alberta (22%). In Atlantic Canada, only 8% of residents support this course of action.

Fewer than three-in-five Canadians (56%, -4) say they have followed news stories about AI “very closely” or “moderately closely” over the past 12 months—including 66% of those aged 18-to-34 and 60% of Quebecers.

Practically four-in-five Canadians express concerns about AI taking over jobs currently performed by humans (79%, +2) and AI leading to less intelligent students at schools of universities (79%, +6). Just over seven-in-ten Canadians (71%, +1) are worried about AI causing an event that leads to the loss of human life.

More than half of Canadians say they trust doctors and nurses (61%, -1) and universities (54%, -5) to develop and manage AI. The confidence rating is lower for tech executives (40%, =), the federal government (38%, +4), provincial governments (also 38%, +5), business executives and CEOs (30%, +6) and international governments (29%, +7).

“The generational divide on the tech sector as a developer and manager of AI is staggering in Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 52% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 trust tech executives for this endeavour, the rating drops to 39% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 30% among those aged 18-to-34.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 30 to July 2, 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.

Generational Split on Communications Evident in Canada and U.S.

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025By Mario Canseco

About three-in-ten people aged 18-to-34 in each country would prefer to break up with a person without an in-person meeting.

Vancouver, BC [September 8, 2025] – The preferred modes of communication for Canadians and Americans vary greatly with age and gender, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, roughly half of Americans (50%) and Canadians (48%) say they feel anxious when they have to make a phone call to a person they do not know.

Fewer than two-in-five Canadians and Americans aged 55 and over (35% and 38% respectively) express anxiety upon the prospect of a telephone conversation with a stranger. The proportions are markedly higher among Canadians and Americans aged 35-to-54 (53% and 57% respectively) and aged 18-to-34 (58% and 57% respectively).

Canadians (51%) are more likely than Americans (43%) to find text messages or emails impersonal.

Only 39% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 feel text messages and emails are an impersonal form of communication. The proportion is higher among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (43%) and aged 55 and over (46%).

In the United States, the trend is similar. Americans aged 55 and over are more likely to find text messages or emails impersonal (56%) than those aged 35-to-54 (49%) and aged 18-to-34 (47%).

Americans (54%) are more likely than Canadians (47%) to say they would have no problem giving a speech in front of other people.

Fewer than half of Canadian and American women (40% and 43%) express confidence in successfully addressing an audience. Most men claim they would have no problem doing this (54% in Canada and 64% in the United States).

At least seven-in-ten Canadians and Americans believe two tasks that require communication need to be performed in person: ending a relationship (78% in Canada and 79% in the United States) and quitting a job (70% in Canada and 74% in the United States).

“Just over one-in-five Canadians (22%) and Americans (21%) would prefer to break up with a person by phone, text message, email or app,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “These proportions rise among those aged 18-to-34 (29% in Canada and 32% in the United States).

Americans rely at roughly the same rate on apps (39%) and telephone calls (34%) to order food delivery to their home. Canadians are more likely to use an app (47%) than to place a phone call (33%) to a restaurant.

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%) would make a phone call to ask a question to their bank, while fewer would show up in person (32%). The results are similar in the United States, with 43% of Americans preferring a phone call and 37% preferring to complete this task in person.

The results differ greatly by country on the preferred way to ask a question to a municipality or City Hall. Canadians are more likely to send an email (35%) or make a phone call (33%) than to show up in person (21%). Americans are evenly split on using the phone (36%) or showing up in person (34%), with significantly fewer (19%) preferring an email.

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

Amid Threats, British Columbians Would Maximize Food Production

September 3, 2025September 2, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-four British Columbians (78%) would increase the amount of food grown, processed and packaged on the ALR.

Vancouver, BC [September 3, 2025] – Sizeable proportions of British Columbians support modifications to the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than seven-in-ten British Columbians (73%) think British Columbia should maximize the food production use of ALR land, including land of poor soil quality that is currently not farmable, unfarmed, or used for agricultural purposes.

The ALR in British Columbia is a provincial zone where agriculture is the priority use. A significant portion of the ALR is currently unfarmed or not actively used for agricultural purposes.

Majorities of British Columbians who voted for the Conservative Party of BC (74%), the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (76%) and the BC Green Party (79%) are in favour of maximizing the food production use of ALR land.

BC Consumers rely heavily on fruit and vegetables that are grown in the United States. Climate change has reduced the amount of arable land in the U.S., and the second presidency of Donald Trump in the has led to the imposition of new tariffs.

More than three-in-four British Columbians (78%) are “very worried” or “moderately worried” about BC’s food security being threatened and want the province to take immediate steps to increase the amount of food grown, processed and packaged on the ALR.

“Environmental and political concerns about food security are prevalent across British Columbia,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Sizeable proportions of residents of Vancouver Island (85%), the Fraser Valley (80%), Metro Vancouver (78%), Northern BC (78%) and Southern BC (77%) are worried.”

Some Industry and Farm Groups argue that allowing food processing facilities on ALR land could increase local value added food production and diversify farmer incomes. Others worry this could lead to too much manufacturing activity on farm lands.

When presented with the two arguments, seven-in-ten British Columbians (70%) support allowing food processing facilities on ALR land—a proportion that rises to 76% on Vancouver Island and to 80% in Northern BC.

Three-in-four British Columbians (75%) think the provincial government should require Food Processors to source at least 50% of their food inputs from BC Growers when and if seasonally available.

Soils in BC are classified from 1-7, with Classes 1-3 being the most arable and Classes 4-7 being the least arable. Just under half of British Columbians (48%) would limit food processing to the least arable soils, while more than three-in-ten (31%) would allow food processing throughout the ALR.

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

Support for Continuation of Legal Abortion Access Rises in Canada

August 21, 2025August 20, 2025By Mario Canseco

Most Liberal and NDP voters see no problem with the health care system funding the procedure, while Conservatives are skeptical.

Vancouver, BC [August 21, 2025] – Practically half of Canadians believe there should be no changes to the legality of pregnancy termination in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 49% of Canadians believe abortion should be legal under any circumstances, up three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2024.

More than a third of Canadians (37%, +2) say abortion should be legal only under certain circumstances, while fewer than one-in-ten (8%, +1) believe the procedure should be illegal in all circumstances.

Majorities of women (52%), Canadians aged 55 and over (55%) and Quebecers (58%) believe abortion should be legal under any circumstances.

Most Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (61%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (54%) in this year’s federal election would not challenge the legality of abortion. Only 36% of Conservative Party voters concur with this rationale, while almost half (48%) would allow the procedure only under certain circumstances.

“Over the past seven years, support for the complete abolition of abortion in Canada has only reached double digits once, in 2022,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Even among Conservative voters, the proportion of respondents who would completely outlaw abortion is low (11%).”

More than three-in-five Canadians (62%, +4) think there is no point in re-opening a debate about abortion in Canada right now.

About one-in-four Canadians (24%, +1) believe a debate about abortion is long overdue in Canada and the discussion should be re-opened, while 14% (-6) are not sure.

Responses are more nuanced on a separate question. More than a third of Canadians (35%, -1) think the health care system should only fund abortions in the event of medical emergencies, while more than two-in-five (44%, -2) believe the health care system should fund abortions whenever they are requested.

Just over one-in-ten Canadians (11%, +4) would prefer for the health care system not to fund abortions at all.

Women (49%) are more likely to support the current funding structure for abortions than men (38%).

More than half of Quebecers (51%) agree with the health care system funding abortions upon request. The proportions are lower in Ontario (45%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 45%), Atlantic Canada (43%), British Columbia (41%) and Alberta (30%).

While majorities of Liberal and NDP voters (54% and 51% respectively) are in favour of the health care system funding abortions whenever they are requested, only 32% of Conservative voters share this view.

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

Views on Immigration in Canada Fluctuate Widely by Age

August 14, 2025August 13, 2025By Mario Canseco

Just over half of those aged 55 and over (51%) think fewer legal immigrants should be allowed to relocate in Canada.

Vancouver, BC [August 14, 2025] – The overall perceptions of Canadians on immigration have not gone through a significant shift since 2024, but a generational divide is evident, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 43% of Canadians believe immigration is having a mostly positive effect in the country, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2024.

A smaller proportion of Canadians (39%, -5) think immigration is having a mostly negative effect in the country, while 18% (+4) are undecided.

Majorities of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (59%) or the Liberal Party (55%) in this year’s federal election believe immigration is having a positive effect. The proportion is decidedly lower among those who cast ballots for Conservative Party candidates (27%).

More than half of British Columbians (52%) say immigration has been mostly positive for Canada. The proportions are lower in Quebec (49%), Alberta (44%), Ontario (40%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (35%) and Atlantic Canada (30%).

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%, -5) would like to see a decrease in the number of legal immigrants who are allowed to relocate in Canada, while just over one third (34%, +3) would maintain the current levels and 16% (+1) would increase them.

More than half of Canadians aged 55 and over (51%) call for a decrease in immigration levels, along with 40% of those aged 35-to-54 and 30% of those aged 18-to-34.

“By a 7-to-1 margin, Canadians aged 55 and over prefer a decrease in legal immigration levels over an increase,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The gap is significantly closer among their younger counterparts.”

Half of Canadians of European descent (50%) would like to reduce legal immigration to Canada. The proportions are lower among Canadians whose ancestry is Indigenous (36%), South Asian (28%) and East Asian (26%).

Just over thirds of Canadians (68%, +2) believe the hard work and talent of immigrants makes Canada better, while a similar proportion (66%, +1) think immigrants should only be allowed in Canada if they adopt Canadian values.

Canadians are still divided when asked to select either of two concepts. Two-in-five (40%, -4) endorse the mosaic, where cultural differences within Canadian society are valuable and preserved, while a slightly larger proportion (44%, +2) favours the melting pot, where immigrants assimilate and blend into Canadian society.

The melting pot is the preferred choice for men (48%), Canadians aged 35-to-54 (47%), Albertans (also 47%) and British Columbians (45%).

The mosaic is particularly popular among NDP voters (58%), but drops in popularity among Liberals (47%) and Conservatives (28%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 26 to July 28, 2025, among 1,000 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 Tough Limits on Smoking and Vaping

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than seven-in-ten of the province’s residents would ban smoking and vaping in multi-family buildings.

Vancouver, BC [August 7, 2025] – Significant proportions of British Columbians think the current regulations related to the use of tobacco, marijuana and e-cigarettes across the province are appropriate, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than four-in-five British Columbias agree with existing bans on smoking in all public and private kindergarten to Grade 12 schools (88%) and smoking in indoor public spaces, public transit facilities and workplaces (including restaurants, bars, and casinos) (87%).

Sizeable proportions of British Columbians also endorse guidelines that forbid smoking in private vehicles occupied by children (81%) and smoking in parks, park areas, seawalls and beaches (67%).

The results are very similar when British Columbians ponder the same guidelines for the use of electronic cigarettes. Practically nine-in-ten (88%) agree with banning vaping in all public and private kindergarten to Grade 12 schools.

Support is also high for regulations that ban vaping in indoor public spaces, public transit facilities and workplaces (84%), in private vehicles occupied by children (81%) and in parks, park areas, seawalls and beaches. (66%).

At this moment, there is no province-wide regulation that addresses smoking or vaping in multi-family buildings. More than three-in-four British Columbians (77%) are in favour of a ban on smoking (tobacco and marijuana) in multi-family buildings, while just under three-in-four (73%) would forbid vaping in multi-family buildings.

Across the province, almost one-in-four British Columbians (23%) say they smoked marijuana over the course of the past year, while just under one-in-five smoked tobacco in any form (19%) or consumed marijuana in a non-smoking form (also 19%).

Fewer British Columbians used an electronic cigarette or e-cigarette (15%) or consumed tobacco in a non-smoking form (5%).

“Vaping remains particularly popular among British Columbians aged 18-to-34, with almost one-in-four (23%) using an electronic cigarette in the past year,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The incidence of tobacco smoking is very similar across all three age groups.”

Half of British Columbians (50%) say they would not consider dating a person who smoked marijuana—a proportion that rises to 67% among those of South Asian heritage and to 64% among those of East Asian descent.

Larger proportions of British Columbians say they would not consider dating a person who vaped (57%) or who smoked tobacco (62%).

Almost two thirds of women (65%) say they would not consider dating a tobacco smoker, while 67% of British Columbians who voted for the BC Green Party in last year’s provincial election would not consider dating someone who used electronic cigarettes.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from July 13 to July 15, 2025, among 814 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 +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Canadians Grow Pessimistic on Eradicating Homelessness

July 31, 2025July 30, 2025By Mario Canseco

Just over three-in-four support increasing temporary housing options and incentivizing developers to build affordable units.

Vancouver, BC [July 31, 2025] – Canadians have become less optimistic about an eventual solution to homelessness in the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 55% of Canadians think that, with the proper funding and policies, homelessness can “definitely” or “probably” be eradicated in Canada, down six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2024.

Two-in-five Canadians (40%, +5) think homelessness will “definitely” or “probably” always be a problem in Canada, even with the proper funding and policies.

“Seven-in-ten Canadians aged 18-to-34 (70%) are hopeful about a solution to homelessness,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (56%) and those aged 55 and over (41%).”

The survey outlines significant drops in the perceived urgency of the current state of affairs. More than half of Canadians (55%, -11) describe the situation related to homelessness in the country as a “major problem”.

Compared to last year, fewer Canadians think homelessness is a “major problem” in their province (48%, -13), their municipality (34%, -8) and their neighbourhood (21%, -5).

More than half of Canadians say homelessness has increased in the country (59%, -12) and their province (55%, -12) over the past three years. The proportions are lower for perceived increases in homelessness in their municipality (39%, -12) and their neighbourhood (28%, -9).

For the first time, a majority of Canadians (51%, +5) agree with municipal governments immediately dismantling any encampment or “tent city” located within their municipality.

Public support for other ideas is decidedly higher. At least three-in-five Canadians agree with changing zoning laws to allow property owners to build more units on standard lots (62%, -3) and with devoting tax money to build units to house homeless residents (68%, -2).

More than three-in-four Canadians endorse three other possible solutions: offering incentives to developers if they focus on building affordable housing units (76%, +1), increasing temporary housing options for people experiencing homelessness (also 76%, -3) and increasing mental health support for residents who require assistance (78%, -3).

More than half of Canadians (53%, -3) believe the federal government has done a “bad” or “very bad” job coming up with solutions to deal with homelessness, while 32% (+1) rate its performance on this file as “very good” or “good”.

More than a third of Canadians (36%, +1) think their provincial government is managing homelessness well. Among the four most populous provinces, the rating is highest in Ontario (39%, +10), followed by Quebec (35%, -4), Alberta (also 35%, +1) and British Columbia (29%, -4).

There is no nationwide change on the perception of municipal governments, with 39% of Canadians (=) saying they have done a “very good” or “good” job to come up with solutions to deal with homelessness.

More than two in five Canadians think two factors are to blame “a great deal” for the current situation regarding homelessness in Canada: lack of affordable housing (45%, -5) and addiction and mental health issues (44%, -2).

Fewer residents place “a great deal” of the blame on poverty and inequality (35%, -5), a bad economy and unemployment (30%, -3), personal actions and decisions (25%, -1) and family and emotional trauma (20%, -4).

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

British Columbians Back Mandatory Voting and Spring Ballots

July 24, 2025July 23, 2025By Mario Canseco

Only 37% of the province’s adult residents would grant voting rights to individuals who are 16 and 17 years old.

Vancouver, BC [July 24, 2025] – While most British Columbians would welcome specific changes to provincial electoral processes, the level of support for relying on a different system to elect the members of the Legislative Assembly is low, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than three-in-four British Columbians (77%) say it should be mandatory for candidates to attend at least one public debate in their riding with the candidates from other parties.

More than half of British Columbians are in favour of three other ideas: making voting mandatory in all BC provincial elections (61%), holding provincial elections in May (56%) and declaring provincial election day a public holiday (54%).

British Columbians elect the members of the Legislative Assembly through a system called First-Past-The-Post, where a candidate wins a constituency by receiving more votes than any others.

Almost two thirds of British Columbians (65%) say they are satisfied with the First-Past-The-Post electoral system, while 21% are dissatisfied and 13% are not sure.

Dissatisfaction with First-Past-The-Post is highest on Vancouver Island (29%), followed by Southern BC (24%), the Fraser Valley (also 24%) Metro Vancouver (20%) and Northern BC (15%).

The survey also asked British Columbians if they would like to see the implementation of three distinct electoral systems for provincial elections.

Almost half of British Columbians (47%) would like to elect all members of the Legislative Assembly through Party-List Proportional Representation. Public support is lower for two other systems: Single Transferable Vote system (43%) and Mixed Member Proportional Representation (40%).

Only 10% of British Columbians think people who don’t vote in provincial elections should be punished, through fines, while just under two-in-five (38%) believe those who do cast ballots in provincial elections should be rewarded, through tax incentives. Almost half of respondents (45%) think neither idea is appealing.

“Offering tax incentives to people who vote in provincial elections is an attractive idea for almost half of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (49%) and aged 35-to-54 (48%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Their counterparts aged 55 and over are decidedly more skeptical (21%).”

At this point, only Canadian citizens aged 18 and over can vote in provincial elections. More than half of British Columbians (57%) agree with allowing Permanent Residents—or individuals aged 18 and over who have been granted the right to live and work in Canada permanently, but are not yet Canadian citizens—to cast ballots in provincial elections.

Support is decidedly lower for extending voting rights to three other groups: British Columbians who would qualify as Canadian citizens under current regulations when they turn 18, but who are 16 and 17 years old (37%), Foreign Students (27%) and Temporary Workers (26%).

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

Majorities in Canada and USA Endorse Political Correctness

July 17, 2025July 16, 2025By Mario Canseco

Re-dubbing movies and printing new editions of books to remove “offensive” words gets a thumbs down in both countries.

Vancouver, BC [July 17, 2025] – Public support for the concept of “political correctness” is on the rise in both Canada and the United States, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, 59% of Canadians and 53% of Americans are in favour of relying on “political correctness” in their respective countries.

The term “political correctness” has been used to describe language and/or behaviour that seeks to minimize possible offenses to racial, cultural and gender identity groups, among others.

“The trendline for political correctness is clear in Canada, jumping from 50% in 2020 to 55% in 2022 and to 59% in 2025,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In the United States, we are back at the proportion first observed in 2020 (53%), after a severe decline in 2022 (45%).”

Hostility towards “political correctness” reaches 48% among Americans aged 55 and over, but stands at 30% among their Canadian counterparts.

Politically, 44% of Independents and 43% of Republicans in the United States reject the concept of “political correctness”, along with 45% Canadians who voted for the Conservative Paty in the 2025 federal election.

More than half of Canadians (56%, +1) and Americans (58%, +7) reject printing new editions of books that remove words that may be deemed offensive to a specific race or ethnicity.

Opposition is similar to re-dubbing movies to remove words that may be deemed offensive to a specific race or ethnicity, with most Canadians (55%, -1) and Americans (57%, -7) decrying the practice.

Conversely, more than three-in-five Americans (63%, +4) and Canadians (62%, -8) think it is a good idea to add a disclaimer to explain that programs or movies are presented “as originally created” and “may contain outdated cultural depictions.”

One third of Canadians (33%, -1) say they always act “politically correct” because it’s the right thing to do. A larger proportion (43%, +3) claims to sometimes act “politically correct” because it’s the safe thing to do, while just 11% (=) do not act “politically correct” because it’s the wrong thing to do.

In the United States, a third of Americans (34%, +10) claim to always act “politically correct”, while a similar proportion (35%, -6) sometimes act “politically correct” and fewer than one-in-five (17%, -3) say they do not act “politically correct”.

About a third of Americans (37%) and Canadians (33%) believe comedians should “always” or “most of the time” behave in a “politically correct” way.

More than three-in-five residents in each of the two countries believe three groups in society should act in a “politically correct” manner “always” or “most of the time”: teachers (69% in Canada and 71% in the U.S.), politicians (67% in Canada and 66% in the U.S.) and journalists (62% in Canada and 64% in the U.S.).

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

Noise is Becoming a Bigger Problem Across Canada

July 14, 2025July 14, 2025By Mario Canseco

There is a sizeable increase in the proportion of Canadians who are unnerved by unnecessary noise from vehicles.

Vancouver, BC [July 14, 2025] – More than three-in-five Canadians appear dissatisfied with the level of noise intensity in their municipality, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 63% of Canadians say their city or town has become noisier over the past year, up nine points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2023.

More than two thirds of British Columbians (68%) and Ontarians (67%) say they live in a noisier city or town. The numbers are lower in Alberta (64%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (61%), Atlantic Canada (also 61%) and Quebec (56%).

Smaller proportions of Canadians believe their street (46%, +3) and their home (34%, +2) are noisier now than a year ago.

“Only 23% Canadians aged 55 and over say their home is noisier now than a year ago,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are higher among their counterparts aged 18-to-34 (39%) and aged 35-to-54 (41%).”

As was the case in 2023, the occurrence that is most likely to bother Canadians at home is unnecessary noise from vehicles (such as motorcycles and cars revving up) (39%, +7), followed by dogs barking (35%, +5), a car alarm (34%, +12) and construction-related noises (such as roofing, land clearing and heavy machinery) (33%, +4).

More than two-in-five residents of Alberta (43%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (42%) and Ontario (also 42%) were bothered by unnecessary noise from vehicles while at home. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (38%), British Columbia (37%) and Quebec (35%).

Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians mention other noises that bothered them while at home, such as loud people outside (28%, +5), yard work (such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers) (26%, +6), yelling or screaming at a nearby home (24%, +4), loud music playing inside a vehicle (also 24%, +2), power tools (such as electric saws and sanders) (also 24%, +5), drivers honking the horn excessively (22%, +1), loud music at a nearby home (21%, =), a loud gathering or party at a nearby home (also 21%, +5), fireworks (20%, =), a home alarm (12%, +1) or cats meowing (8%, +1).

There is little fluctuation in the behaviour of Canadians to deal with noise, with 17% (+1) wearing earplugs to mitigate noise while inside their home, 11% (=) acquiring hardware, such as noise cancelling headphones or earphones, 8% (-1) reporting noise concerns to the police and 6% (=) moving away from their previous home because of noise.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 17 to June 19, 2025, among 1,000 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.

Most British Columbians Are Not Saving Enough for Retirement

July 10, 2025July 10, 2025By Mario Canseco

Two thirds of the province’s residents are “very worried” or “moderately worried” about their financial health.

Vancouver, BC [July 10, 2025] – Concerns about finances are extremely high across British Columbia, as most of the province’s residents admit that they are not saving for their later years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 68% of British Columbians say they are “very worried” or “moderately worried” about their financial health.

Fewer British Columbians are currently concerned about their physical health (55%) or their mental health (43%).

Majorities of British Columbians aged 55 and over (57%), aged 18-to-34 (73%) and aged 35-to-54 (76%) say they are currently worried about their financial health.

Mental health concerns are more prevalent among British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (60%) than among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (46%) and aged 55 and over (28%).

Just under a third of British Columbians (31%) expect their physical health to decline in the next decade, while fewer have similar expectations about their financial health (26%) or their mental health (18%).

“Almost half of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (47%) foresee their financial health getting better in the next 10 years,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only a third of those aged 35-to-54 (33%) share the same optimism.”

More than two thirds of British Columbians expect specific resources to be available to them as they get older, including health care (72%), mental health (69%), social services (also 69%) and social networks (also 69%).

Expectations on the availability of health care resources are highest among British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (77%), followed by their counterparts aged 55 and over (71%) and aged 35-to-54 (69%).

The notion of planning for retirement entails putting away a portion of every paycheque for future use. At this point, only 37% of British Columbians who have not retired say they are saving “enough” (29%) or “more than enough” (8%) for their later years.

More than three-in-five British Columbians who have not retired (63%) acknowledge “not saving enough:” (42%) or “saving nothing” (21%) at this stage.

On a regional basis, the proportion of British Columbians who have not retired and who are “saving nothing” for retirement is highest in Northern BC (33%), followed by Vancouver Island (29%), Southern BC (28%), the Fraser Valley (26%) and Metro Vancouver (14%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on May 20 and May 21, 2025, among 800 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.

Ruling Liberals Comfortably Ahead in Canada’s Political Scene

July 7, 2025July 7, 2025By Mario Canseco

Almost half of Liberal voters in 2025 are open to a merger with the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Vancouver, BC [July 7, 2025] – The governing Liberal Party remains the top choice for voters in Canada two and a half months after the last federal election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 47% of decided voters in Canada say they would cast a ballot for the Liberal candidate in their constituency, while 37% would support the Conservative Party.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois are tied for third place with 6%, followed by the Green Party with 2% the People’s Party with 1% and other parties and independent candidates also with 1%.

The Liberals hold sizeable leads over the Conservatives in Atlantic Canada (57% to 38%), Ontario (53% to 41%) and British Columbia (52% to 37%). In Quebec, the Liberals are first with 46%, followed by the Conservatives with 21% and Bloc with 19%.

The Conservatives are ahead of the Liberals in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (48% to 42%) and Alberta (53% to 36%).

Canada-U.S. Relations is the most important issue for Canadians (22%, -4 since the final Research Co. poll of the 2025 federal campaign completed in late April), followed by the economy and jobs (21%, +1), housing, homelessness and poverty (18%, -3), health care (13%, +2) and immigration (9%, +2).

Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%, +2) approve of the way Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney is managing his duties. The rating is lower for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre (44%, -4), Green co-leader Elizabeth May (34%), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (28%, -1), interim NDP leader Don Davies (26%) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (21%, -1).

On the eve of the 2025 federal election, Carney held a 10-point lead over Poilievre on the “Preferred Prime Minister” question. This month, the Liberal leader is 16 points ahead of his Conservative counterpart (47% to 31%).

“Majorities of British Columbians (56%) and Ontarians (51%) prefer Mark Carney as Canada’s prime minister,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Pierre Poilievre’s best numbers on this question are in Alberta (40%).”

At least half of Canadians believe Carney is better suited than Poilievre to handle three issues: Canada-U.S. Relations (53% to 28%), foreign affairs (52% to 28%) and national unity (50% to 26%).

The current prime minister holds double-digit leads over the Conservative leader on five other issues: the economy and jobs (49% to 33%), accountability and leadership (49% to 31%), health care (45% to 30%), the environment (43% to 27%) and energy and pipelines (42% to 34%).

Carney’s advantage over Poilievre is smaller on three issues: housing, homelessness and poverty (41% to 32%), immigration (40% to 34%) and crime and public safety (39% to 37%).

Federal NDP Leadership

The survey also asked Canadians about their views on nine possible contenders for the leadership of the federal NDP. The highest proportion of favourable mentions is for former House leader Ruth Ellen Brosseau (18%), followed by BC MP Jenny Kwan (17%), Alberta MP Heather McPherson (16%), former MP and former Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart (also 16%), former BC MLA and MP Nathan Cullen (15%), Manitoba MP Leah Gazan (also 15%), former Ontario MP candidate Tony McQuail (also 15%), BC MP Gord Johns (14%) and former BC MP candidate Avi Lewis (12%).

When asked if they would like to see each of these candidates as leaders of the federal NDP, the highest proportion of “definitely” and “probably” responses is for Kwan (22%), followed by McPherson (21%), Stewart (20%), Cullen (also 20%), Brosseau (19%), McQuail (also 19%), Johns (18%), Lewis (also 18%) and Gazan (17%).

More than a third of Canadians (37%) think the federal NDP should merge with the Liberal Party—a view shared by 47% of those who voted for the Liberals in 2025 and 43% of those who voted for the New Democrats.

Public support is lower for mergers involving the NDP and the Green Party (30%) and the Liberals, New Democrats and Greens (also 30%).

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