By Mario Canseco

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%).

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.

Flag and Hockey Remain Biggest Sources of Pride for Canadians

June 26, 2025June 25, 2025By Mario Canseco

The health care system, the Canadian economy and Parliament show the biggest gains over the past year.

Vancouver, BC [June 26, 2025] – The flag remains at the top of the list of sources of pride for Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 79% of Canadians say the flag makes them proud, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2024.

Only four other institutions and features elicit feelings of pride among more than three-in-five Canadians: hockey (72%, +1), the Canadian Armed Forces (66%, -6), multiculturalism (63%, -2) and Indigenous culture (61%, -2).

“Pride in multiculturalism among Canadians has dropped from 74% in 2023 to 63% in 2025,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Perceptions are highest in Atlantic Canada (77%) and lowest in British Columbia (57%).”

Canadians of East Asian descent are more likely to say multiculturalism makes them proud (71%) than their counterparts whose origins are European (63%), South Asian (also 63%) and Indigenous (61%).

More than half of Canadians are proud of the state of democracy in Canada (58%, +3) and the health care system (53%, +5).

The rating is lower for the Canadian justice system (49%, +1), Parliament (48%, +10), the Canadian economy (40%, +6) and the monarchy (39%, +4).

Pride in the health care system is highest in Ontario and Alberta (60% and 58% respectively) and lowest in British Columbia and Quebec (47% and 45% respectively).

While two thirds of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in this year’s federal election (66%) are proud of Parliament, the proportion drops to 49% among those who cast ballots for the Conservative Party and to 40% among those who supported the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Men (43%) and Canadians aged 55 and over (also 43%) are more likely to express pride in the Canadian economy than women (37%), Canadians aged 35-to-54 (38%) and Canadians aged 18-to-34 (39%).

The monarchy has a particularly low pride rating in Quebec (29%) and among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (32%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 14 to June 16, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to 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.

Little Change in British Columbia Politics, Even With New Parties

June 16, 2025June 13, 2025By Mario Canseco

The approval rating for David Eby is substantially higher (56%) than the numbers posted by John Rustad (37%).

Vancouver, BC [June 16, 2025] – The two most prominent political parties in British Columbia are virtually tied eight months after the last provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 43% of decided voters (down one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March) would support the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate in their constituency if an election were held today, while 42% (=) would back the Conservative Party of BC.

The BC Green Party is third with 8% (-3), followed by Centre BC with 2% and a political party featuring Dallas Brodie, Jordan Kealy and Tara Armstrong with 1%. The survey was conducted before Brodie and Armstrong announced the formation of OneBC on June 14.

The BC NDP continues to connect well with decided voters aged 55 and over (53%), while the BC Conservatives dominate among those aged 18-to-34 (49%). The two parties are virtually even among decided voters aged 35-to-54 (44% for the BC Conservatives and 43% for the BC New Democrats).

On a regional basis, the BC NDP holds the upper hand over the BC Conservatives in Metro Vancouver (47% to 41%) and Vancouver Island (43% to 34%). The BC Conservatives have extended their advantages in the Fraser Valley (53% to 34%) and Northern BC (52% to 29%). The race is tied in Southern BC (43% for each party).

The governing BC New Democrats also lead on vote consideration, with 54% of British Columbians (+1) saying they would “definitely” or “probably” consider voting for the party in the next provincial election. The rating is lower for the BC Conservatives (47%, +2), the BC Greens (33%, -6), Centre BC (19%) and a party featuring Brodie, Kealy and Armstrong (14%).

Housing, poverty and homelessness remains the most important issue facing the province (34%, -2), followed by the economy and jobs (22%, +2), health care (21%, =), crime and public safety (6%, =), accountability (4%, +1) and the environment (3%, =).

“More than two-in-five British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (41%) and more than a third of those aged 35-to-54 (37%) are primarily concerned about housing,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than a third of British Columbians aged 55 and over (34%) select health care as the most important issue.”

More than half of British Columbians (56%, +1) approve of the performance of Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby, Satisfaction is lower with Official Opposition and Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad (37%, -3) interim BC Green Party leader Jeremy Valeriote (27%, -7) and Centre BC leader Karin Kirkpatrick (16%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 7 to June 9, 2025, among 803 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.

Some Canadians Wary of Trump’s Role in Alberta Separation

June 12, 2025June 11, 2025By Mario Canseco

Just over a third of Albertans and Quebecers would vote in favour of their province becoming its own country.

Vancouver, BC [June 12, 2025] – More than two-in-five Canadians are concerned about possible meddling from the United States if Alberta ultimately holds a referendum on sovereignty, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 45% of Canadians say it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that the United States will take steps to annex Alberta as an American state if a referendum on Alberta becoming a sovereign country and ceasing to be a Province of Canada takes place.

Fewer Canadians believe three other scenarios are likely to materialize: the United States recognizing Alberta’s sovereignty if the referendum is successful (43%), the United States recognizing Alberta’s sovereignty even if the referendum is not successful (32%) and voters in Alberta choosing to become a sovereign country (31%).

Sizeable proportions of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (50%), the Liberal Party (48%) or the Conservative Party (45%) in this year’s federal election believe the U.S. is likely to attempt Alberta’s annexation.

The Government of Alberta recently proposed to reduce the threshold for Citizen Initiatives. Under the new guidelines, proponents will have 120 days to gather the signatures of 10 per cent of voters who participated in the last provincial election to compel a province-wide vote on an initiative. A group has proposed holding a referendum on whether Alberta “shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a Province of Canada”.

Canadians are divided on whether the proponents of this referendum will be able to gather the signatures required in the allotted time to compel a province-wide vote on sovereignty, with 39% predicting they will reach the threshold and 44% believing they will not. In Alberta, 48% believe the signature drive will be successful, while 34% disagree.

Almost half of Canadians (47%) think the Government of Canada should not allow this referendum to happen if proponents gather the required signatures.

Support for the federal government effectively stopping the referendum on Alberta’s sovereignty is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (57%), followed by Ontario (53%), Atlantic Canada (52%), British Columbia (49%), Alberta (42%) and Quebec (36%).

On a separate question, 56% of Canadians say that, if voters in Alberta ultimately choose to become a sovereign country and cease to be a Province of Canada in a referendum, the Government of Canada should not allow Alberta’s separation to happen.

Majorities of Canadians aged 55 and over (68%) and aged 35-to-54 (54%) think the federal government should ultimately block Alberta’s separation. The proportion is lower among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (47%).

Only one-in-five Canadians (20%) think Canada would be better off as an American state, while 73% disagree—including 65% who “strongly disagree”.

“Practically a third of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (32%) believe Canada would be better off as an American state,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (22%) and those aged 55 and over (7%).”

Slightly larger proportions of Canadians think their province would be better off as an American state (21% and rising to 25% in Alberta) or as its own country (29% and rising to 35% in both Alberta and Quebec).

When asked if they would vote in favour of Canada becoming an American state, 19% of Canadians agree while 75% disagree. The results are similar when Canadians are asked about voting in favour of their province becoming an American state (19% in favour, and 76% against).

Just under three-in-ten Canadians (28%) would vote in favour of their province becoming its own country—including 34% of Albertans and Quebecers. Two thirds of Canadians (66%) are opposed to this idea.

Just over two thirds of Canadians (67%) trust the Prime Minister of Canada to make the best decisions on issues of national unity. The rating is lower for provincial premiers (59%), the leader of the Official Opposition in Canada (51%) and provincial leaders of the Official Opposition (also 51%).

In Alberta, the four political leaders are separated by just five points on the issue of national unity: 58% for the Prime Minister, 56% for the leader of the Official Opposition in Canada, 55% for the provincial premier and 53% for the provincial leader of the Official Opposition.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 1 to June 3, 2025, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to 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 Canadians Still Avoiding American Products When Possible

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than four-in-five of the country’s residents think the American tariffs are still a threat.

Vancouver, BC [June 5, 2025] – While the proportion of Canadians who are actively boycotting products made in the United States has subsided over the past two months, it still encompasses a sizeable majority across the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, three-in-five Canadians (60%, -4 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in late March) are avoiding the purchase of goods originated from the United States, if a non-American alternative is available.

At least three-in-ten Canadians are eschewing American restaurant franchises in Canada (36%, -5), have cancelled a planned trip to the United States (35%, -2) or are avoiding American entertainment options (30%, -5).

“Only 10% of Liberal Party voters in the 2025 federal election are not taking any action to avoid American products,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions rise to 22% among New Democratic Party (NDP) voters and to 30% among Conservative Party voters.”

More than four-in-five Canadians (82%) think the American tariffs are still a threat to Canada, while only 10% believe they are not a threat anymore.

Just over half of Canadians (51%, -7) support Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs recalling the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. in response to President Donald Trump’s statements related to Canada becoming an American state, while three-in-five (60%, -8) want Canada to officially demand an apology from Trump for his statements.

More than three-in-five Canadians continue to favour two ideas: Canada’s prime minister and provincial premiers shutting off all energy exports to the United States until Trump completely removes the threat of tariffs (63%, -7) and Canada’s prime minister and provincial premiers suspending all steel, aluminum, and wood exports to the United States until U.S. President Donald Trump completely removes the threat of tariffs (65%, -7).

Just under seven-in-ten Canadians (69%, -15) have recently followed news stories related to the tariffs dispute “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

More than three-in-five Canadians (64%, +5) approve of the way Prime Minister Mark Carney has managed the tariffs. The rating is significantly lower for Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre (39%, -8).

Two-in-five Canadians (40%, -4) think a Conservative federal government would be better positioned at this point to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States, while 46% (+4) disagree.

More than half of Canadians (54%, -2) remain content with the performance of their premier on this file, while fewer than two-in-five (38% +1) feel the same way about their provincial official opposition leader.

The approval rating on the tariffs dispute is higher for the premiers of Ontario (58%, -1) and British Columbia (56%, +3) than for their counterparts in Quebec (49%, -7) and Alberta (47%, +5). The numbers are fairly similar for the provincial opposition leaders in Ontario (39%, +2), Quebec (also 39%, -4), Alberta (37%, -2) and British Columbia (34%, =).

At this point, Canadians are more likely to predict that the U.S. government will rescind the tariffs (40%, +4) than to foresee their expansion (27%, -9).

At least three-in-four Canadians continue to call for Canada to seriously consider enhancing trade with Australia and New Zealand (79%, -2), the United Kingdom (78%), the European Union (EU) (77%, -2), Mexico (76%, -2) and Japan (75%, =), while more than half (57%, -2) are in favour of requesting an independent dispute settlement panel under the terms of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Only one-in-five Canadians (20%, -1) would seriously consider initiating a formal process for Canada to become an American state. This idea is more popular in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (22%), followed by Ontario (21%), Alberta (also 21%), Quebec (18%), British Columbia (16%) and Atlantic Canada (14%).

Fewer than one-in-ten Canadians aged 55 and over (8%) think it is time to seriously consider a process for Canada to become an American state. The proportions rise to 22% among Canadians aged 35-to-54 and to 30% among Canadians aged 18-to-34.

Support for initiating a formal process for Canada to join the EU fell by six points since late March, from 52% to 46%.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 25 to May 27, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to 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.

Canadians Express More Confidence in the Health Care System

May 29, 2025May 29, 2025By Mario Canseco

A shortage of doctors and nurses remains a significant problem, particularly in British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces.

Vancouver, BC [May 29, 2025] – Negative views on the state of Canada’s health care system have subsided over the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, just over seven-in-ten Canadians (71%) are “very confident” or “moderately confident” that the country’s health care system would be there to provide the help and assistance that they would need if they had to face an unexpected medical condition or disease, up seven points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2024.

“More than seven-in-ten Quebecers (76%) and Ontarians (73%) express confidence in the health care system being there for them,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The rating is lower in Alberta (69%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (68%), British Columbia (67%) and Atlantic Canada (59%).”

More than half of Canadians (56%, +3) say there are some good things in Canada’s health care system, but many changes are required, while about one-in-four (23%, +4) think Canada’s health care system works well, and only minor changes are needed to make it work better. Fewer than one-in-five Canadians (17%, -6) believe Canada’s health care system has so much wrong with it that we need to completely rebuild it.

When asked about the biggest problem facing the health care system, more than a third of Canadians (35%, -2) point to a shortageof doctors and nurses, while fewer mention long wait times (23%, -1) and bureaucracy and poor management (16%, +2).

Fewer than one-in-ten Canadians are primarily concerned about four other issues: inadequate resources and facilities (9%, +1), lack of a wider range of services for patients (6%, +2), little focus on preventive care (5%, =) and insufficient standards of hygiene (2%, -1).

Concerns about long wait times are significantly higher than the national average in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (34%), while Quebecers are more likely to say that the biggest problem with the health care system is bureaucracy and poor management (26%).

Alberta has the largest proportion of respondents who think the main hindrance with health care is inadequate resources and facilities (15%), while a shortage of doctors and nurses is the prevalent worry for Atlantic Canadians (49%) and British Columbians (47%).

More than a third of Canadians (36%, +1) think health care in Canada would be better than it is now if it were run by the private sector.

There are some significant age and political differences on this question. Half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (50%) and almost half of Conservative Party voters in this year’s federal election (48%) believe private health care would be superior to the public system. Significantly fewer Canadians aged 35-to-54 (39%), Canadians aged 55 and over (20%), Liberal Party voters (32%) and New Democratic Party (NDP) voters (28%) concur.

Just under one-in-four Canadians (24%, +4) think the federal government should make cuts to health care funding in order to reduce government debt—a view shared by 33% of Canadians aged 18-to-34.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 4 to May 6, 2025, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to 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.

Canadians Irked by “Suggested Tips” at Sit-Down Restaurants

May 22, 2025May 21, 2025By Mario Canseco

Majorities disapprove of prompts for tips at online retailers, coffee shops and when using a credit card.

Vancouver, BC [May 22, 2025] – Most Canadians say they always tip food servers at sit-down restaurants but dislike encountering recommendations about how much they should leave after a meal, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, more than half of Canadians (53%) say they leave a tip “all the time” after visiting a sit-down restaurant.

Fewer Canadians tip “all the time” at other venues, including a bar (37%), a restaurant where they buy food to go (15%), a coffee shop (14%), a cafeteria-style restaurant (12%) or a fast-food restaurant (10%).

Almost two thirds of Canadians aged 55 and over (64%) say they always tip after visiting a sit-down restaurant. The proportions are lower among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (56%) and aged 18-to-34 (41%).

Canadians were asked how much they would tip at a sit-down restaurant under nine different scenarios. Just under three-in-ten (28%, -3 since December 2022) say they would leave no tip at all if they experienced below average service when the server is clearly not busy.

The preferred size of a tip ranges from 10% to 14% on two instances: average service in any environment (42%) and below average service when the server is clearly working in an understaffed environment (36%).

Canadians gravitate towards a tip that ranges from 15% to 19% on three situations: good service when the restaurant is not busy (37%), good service when the restaurant is busy (40%) and good service when the restaurant is exceptionally busy (38%).

When asked what they would do after receiving exceptional service, Canadians are willing to leave bigger tips. More than a third (36%) are in the 15% to 19% range if a restaurant is not busy, while just under one-in-five (19%) would move to the 20% to 25% range.

Similar situations occur in cases of exceptional service when the restaurant is busy (35% in the 15% to 19% range, and 24% in the 20% to 25% range) and when the restaurant is exceptionally busy (33% in the 15% to 19% range, and 25% in the 20% to 25% range).

More than half of Canadians think a tip is not necessary when picking up food themselves (57%) or when ordering goods online (also 57%).

About a third of Canadians think tips in the 10% to 14% range are acceptable in three situations: after a haircut or visit to the salon (35%), for food delivery managed by the restaurant (33%), for food delivery through a third-party app (30%) and after taking a taxi or rideshare vehicle (also 30%).

More than two thirds of Canadians believe that, if the salaries of food servers were better, there would be no need to tip them (69%, =) and that food servers cannot get by on their salaries alone, so it is important to tip them (68%, -2).

A slightly lower proportion of Canadians (65%, -2) say food servers nowadays simply expect a tip, but don’t work hard to earn it, while more than a third (35%, +2) believe food servers deserve a tip in all circumstances, even if service was bad.

“More than two-in-five Canadians aged 18-to-34 (42%) think food servers deserve a tip, regardless of how the service went,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer of their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (36%) and aged 55 and over (26%) feel the same way.”

Majorities of Canadians disapprove of four practices that have become more common in recent times: online retailers prompting for a suggested tip (71%), coffee shops prompting for a suggested tip when the customer uses a credit card (65%), sit-down restaurants providing a suggested tip printed on the bill (57%) and sit-down restaurants prompting for a suggested tip when the customer uses a credit card (53%).

Canadians are divided when pondering sit-down restaurants setting a minimum service charge for large parties, with 45% approving of this practice and 47% disapproving of it.

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

Few Canadians Are Meeting the Recommended Sleep Guidelines

May 15, 2025May 14, 2025By Mario Canseco

The proportion of Canadians who have lost sleep over domestic and international politics had doubled since 2022.

Vancouver, BC [May 15, 2025] – The sleep patterns of most Canadians have not gone through a major fluctuation over the past couple of years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

Health Canada guidelines recommend sleeping from 7 to 9 hours a night. In the online survey of a representative national sample, 35% of Canadians report sleeping anywhere from 7 to 9 hours on a typical weekday or workday, unchanged since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in November 2022.

At least a third of Canadians who reside in Ontario (39%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 39%), Atlantic Canada (35%) and British Columbia (34%) meet Health Canada’s recommended sleep guidelines on weekdays. The proportions are lower in Quebec (32%) and Alberta (28%).

More than two-in-five Canadians (45%, +2) sleep anywhere from 7 to 9 hours on a typical weekend or non-workday.

“Almost half of Canadians aged 35-to-54 and aged 55 and over (46% each) are able to sleep from 7 to 9 hours on weekends,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion drops to 41% among their counterparts aged 18-to-34.”

Three-in-five Canadians (75%, -1) say they wake up “well rested” after a typical night’s sleep on a weekend or non-workday, while seven-in-ten (70%, +1) feel the same way after a typical night’s sleep on a weekday or workday.

About one-in-four Canadians (24%) claim to “never” find it hard to fall asleep at night on an average week. While just over a third of Canadians (35%) find it hard to fall asleep “1 or 2 days” a week, fewer face this scenario for “3 or 4 days” (23%) or “5 to 7 days” (19%).

Fewer than one-in-ten Albertans (9%) say they never find it hard to fall asleep at night. The proportions are markedly higher in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (19%), Ontario (20%), British Columbia (27%), Atlantic Canada (also 27%) and Quebec (28%).

One-in-four Canadians (25%, -1) say no issue made it harder for them to fall asleep at night over the past month. Almost half say money and financial matters (47%, -3) negatively affected their sleep patterns.

Fewer Canadians say worrying about five other issues made it harder for them to fall asleep at night: health (29%, -4), relationships and family (28%, -5), work (24%, -4), Canadian politics (22%, +12) and international politics (20%, +10).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 7 to April 9, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to 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.

Canadian Voters Open to Changing the Electoral System

May 8, 2025May 7, 2025By Mario Canseco

Two-in-five voters in this year’s federal election (40%) think the possibility of Alberta separation is real, while 46% disagree.

Vancouver, BC [May 8, 2025] – Many voters across Canada are willing to explore modifications to the way the members of the House of Commons are chosen, a new Research Co. “Exit Poll” poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of Canadians who voted in the 2025 federal election, more than half of respondents (58%) believe Canada should implement a system of proportional representation for federal elections.

“Enthusiasm about a possible move to proportional representation for federal elections is highest among Millennials (67%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The numbers drop among members of Generation X (57%), Generation Z (56%) and Baby Boomers and Silent Generation members (49%).”

Just over two thirds of Canadian voters (68%) think it should be mandatory for candidates to attend at least one public debate in their riding with the candidates from other parties.

More than three-in-five Canadian voters support two other measures: making voting mandatory in all Canadian federal elections (61%) and declaring federal Election Day a public holiday in Canada (also 61%).

Majorities of Canadian voters say their parents or guardians voted in federal (75%), provincial (70%) and municipal (59%) elections, while just over two-in-five (42%) recall talking about politics at the dinner table.

The youngest voters—Generation Z members—are more likely to recall discussions about politics at the dinner table (51%) than Millennials (43%), members of Generation X (42%) and Baby Boomers and Silent Generation members (35%).

There has been some talk about the effect a Liberal Party victory will have in provinces where most voters support the Conservative Party, particularly Alberta. Almost two-in-five Canadian voters (39%) think the possibility of Alberta separating from Canada is not real and something they would not like to see happening.

Just over one-in-four Canadian voters (26%) say the possibility of Alberta separating from Canada is real and something they would not like to see happening, while fewer believe Alberta separation is real and something they would personally welcome (14%) or not real and something they would personally welcome (7%).

In Alberta, 29% of voters would welcome separation from Canada, while 64% would not. However, more than half (58%) believe the possibility of Alberta separation is real, while 35% regard it as not real.

Canadian voters were also asked about specific activities. In the past three weeks, more than two-in-five saw, read or heard an advertisement for a federal election candidate (49%) or saw, read or heard media stories where federal election candidates discussed their position on issues (46%).

At least one-in-five Canadian voters watched or attended a debate featuring the federal party leaders (33%), read a party’s electoral platform (26%) or visited the website of a federal election candidate (20%).

Fewer Canadian voters participated in four other activities: watched or attended a debate featuring local election candidates (18%), visited the website of a federal party (17%), interacted with a federal election candidate on social media (14%) or met canvassers or candidates who knocked at their door (12%).

Over the course of the past year, at least one-in-four Canadian voters visited a local library (38%), read community newspapers (36%) or used a community centre or community pool (25%).

Fewer Canadian voters placed a bet on a sporting website (18%), used a sports field in their community (17%), placed a bet on sports with friends or family (16%), volunteered at a school (11%) or volunteered for their municipality (10%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 27 to April 29, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,201 Canadians who voted in the 2025 federal election. 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 +/- 2.8 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Conservative Golf Ad Missed Mark with Most Canadian Voters

May 5, 2025May 4, 2025By Mario Canseco

Liberal “This Election is Different” advertisement regarded as more “informative” and less “boring”.

Vancouver, BC [May 5, 2025] – A side-by-side test of two political advertisements from the main federal parties in Canada yields mixed results, a new Research Co. “Exit Poll” poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample of English-speaking Canadians who voted in the 2025 federal election showed respondents two advertisements that were featured on broadcast television in the final days of the campaign: “We can’t afford fore more years” from the Conservative Party, and “This election is different” from the Liberal Party.

Conservative Advertisement

“We can’t afford fore more years”

Just under two-in-five Canadian voters (39%) say they had seen this political advertisement before taking the survey—a proportion that rises to 55% among members of the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers and to 54% among residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

When asked if this ad makes them want to vote for the Conservative Party, Canadian voters are almost evenly split (Agree 47%, Disagree 46%). Agreement is highest among Millennials (55%), followed by members of Generation Z (50%), Generation X (44%) and Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (40%).

More than half of Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (56%) say the ad does not make them want to vote for the Conservatives—including 47% who feel “strongly” about this.

Canadian voters in the highest income bracket are more likely to say the ad makes them want to support Conservative candidates (53%) than their counterparts in the middle and lowest income brackets (46% and 45% respectively).

The results are similar when Canadian voters are asked if the Conservative ad makes them want to vote for the Liberal Party (Agree 46%, Disagree 47%).

Two-in-five Canadian voters (40%) say the ad makes them feel more negative about the Liberal Party, while a slightly larger proportion (42%) say it makes them feel more negative about the Conservatives.

Overall, just over half of Canadian voters (51%) feel the Conservative ad is “informative”, while more than two-in-five (44%) consider it “boring”.

The advertisement is regarded as boring by similar proportions of Canadian voters who belong to the Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (45%), Generation X (44%), Millennials (also 44%) and Generation Z (43%).

Canadian voters who reside in Atlantic Canada and Saskatchewan and Manitoba are more likely to say the ad made them feel more negative about the Conservative Party (53% each) than those in Quebec (44%), Ontario (40%), British Columbia (38%) and Alberta (26%).

Liberal Advertisement

“This election is different”

More than a third of Canadian voters (35%) saw this ad before taking our survey, including 43% of Silent Generation / Baby Boomers and 45% of residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

More than half of Canadian voters (56%) say this ad makes them more likely to vote for the Liberals, while 38% disagree. Agreement is highest among members of Generation Z (61%), followed by Millennials (55%), Generation X (54%) and Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (also 54%).

Just over half of Canadian voters in Alberta (51%) say the ad does not make them want to support Liberal candidates, along with 46% of those who live in Ontario.

Canadian voters in the middle income bracket are slightly more likely to say the ad makes them want to vote Liberal (58%) than their counterparts in the highest and lowest income brackets (57% and 53% respectively).

Only 38% of Canadian voters say this ad makes them want to vote for the Conservatives—a proportion that rises to 53% in Alberta.

About a third of Canadian voters (32%) say this advertisement makes them feel more negative about the Liberals, while the same proportion (32%) say it makes them feel more negative about the Conservative Party.

Overall, more than three-in-five Canadian voters (63%) believe the Liberal ad is “informative”, while fewer than two-in-five (38%) deem it “boring”.

Millennials are more likely to say the Liberal ad is boring (44%) than Canadian voters who belong to Generation X (39%), Generation Z (34%) and Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (30%),

Canadian voters who reside in Alberta and Ontario are more likely to say the ad made them feel more negative about the Liberal Party (38% and 37% respectively) than those in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (33%), Quebec (28%), Atlantic Canada (27%) and British Columbia (26%).

“There is not much of a gender gap when Canadian voters assess the effect of the Liberal ad, with 57% of women and 54% of men saying it made them more likely to vote for the party,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While the Conservative ad achieved the same purpose with 51% of men, only 44% of women react the same way.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 27 to April 29, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,034 English-speaking Canadians who voted in the 2025 federal election. 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.

Perceptions of the United States Take Drastic Tumble in Canada

May 1, 2025February 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than seven-in-ten Canadians have a positive opinion of the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy.

Vancouver, BC [May 1, 2025] – Favourable views of the United States among Canadians have dropped to the lowest level recorded in the past seven years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 26% of Canadians have a positive opinion of the United States, down 28 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2024.

Only three other countries currently have a lower proportion of favourable views from Canadians: Russia (19%, +2), Iran (17%, +5) and North Korea (also 17%, +6).

“For the first time since January 2019, fewer than a third of Canadians hold a positive opinion of the United States,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The previous low was 32% in July 2020, while the previous high was 64% in February 2024.”

Favourable views of the United States are lowest in Atlantic Canada (17%, -30), followed by Quebec (25%, -27), British Columbia (26%, -24), Ontario (also 26%, -31), Alberta (29%, -24) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (30%, -30).

At least three-in-ten Canadians have a positive opinion of China (30%, +8), Saudi Arabia (31%, +6), India (33%, +3) and Venezuela (34%, +8).

More than half of Canadians hold favourable views of South Korea (57%, =) and Mexico (59%, +15).

Canadians aged 55 and over are more likely to express positive opinions of Mexico (65%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (58%) and aged 18-to-34 (56%).

Five G-7 nations continue to garner the highest proportion of favourable views from Canadians: the United Kingdom (72%, +2), Italy (72%, +4), Japan (71%, =), France (67%, +2) and Germany (66%, -1).

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

Canadians Split on Preferred Result of 2025 Federal Ballot

April 29, 2025April 29, 2025By Mario Canseco

Similar proportions of Canadians would be “very upset” with the Conservatives (49%) or Liberals (46%) forming the government.

Vancouver, BC [April 29, 2025] – Canadian voters are deeply divided when assessing the possible outcome of the 2025 federal election, a new Research Co. “Exit Poll” poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of Canadians who voted in the 2025 federal election, 49% of respondents say they would be “very upset” if the Conservative Party forms the government, while a slightly smaller proportion (46%) feel the same way about Liberal Party.

“Animosity towards a federal Liberal government reaches 53% among Millennial voters in Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At least half of voters who belong to Generation X (50%), Generation Z (53%) and Silent Generation and Baby Boomers (51%) would be upset with a Conservative government.”

More than half of Canadian voters describe the campaigns of the Liberals (59%) and Conservatives (51%) as “very positive” or “moderately positive”. The numbers are lower for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (44%), the Green Party (33%), the Bloc Québécois (31%, rising to 51% in Quebec) and the People’s Party (25%).

Just over half of Canadian voters (51%) think Pierre Poilievre should resign as leader of the Conservative Party if he fails to form the government. While this course of action is favoured by 70% of Liberal voters, only 29% of Conservative voters concur.

More than two-in-five Canadian voters (41%) believe Mark Carney should resign as leader of the Liberal Party if he is unable to assemble a government. While 25% of Liberal voters agree with this statement, the proportion rises to 62% among Conservative voters.

When asked what their main motivation was for supporting a party in 2025, similar proportions of Canadian voters cite its ideas and policies (34%) and its leader (33%). Fewer were primarily moved by a desire for change (12%), a desire for stability (9%), the party’s candidate in the riding (also 9%) or disgust with other contending candidates (3%).

Liberal voters are significantly more likely to have cast a ballot primarily for the party’s leader (40%) than those who supported the Conservatives (30%) or the New Democrats (24%). Conversely, almost half of NDP supporters (46%) say they were chiefly motivated by ideas and policies, compared to 33% among Conservatives and 30% among Liberals.

Just under a third of Canadian voters (32%) say they would have supported the Liberals if Justin Trudeau was their leader, including 54% of those who supported the party in the 2025 election. A similar proportion of Canadian voters (30%) would have backed the Liberals with Chrystia Freeland as leader.

More than a third of Canadian voters (37%) say they would have voted for the Conservatives this year if Stephen Harper was their leader—a proportion that rises to 62% among 2025 Conservative voters. Just over one-in-four Canadian voters (26%) would have backed the Conservatives with Jean Charest as their leader, while a similar proportion (24%) would have voted for the party under Maxime Bernier.

At least three-in-five Canadian voters get their news and information related to federal politics through television news (68%) and the internet and digital media (60%). Fewer mention family (38%), friends (33%) newspapers (31%) or radio news (30%).

Television news is the overwhelming leader in providing information to Canadian voters who are members of the Silent Generation or Baby Boomers (82%), while digital media is preferred by Millennials (66%) and members of Generation Z (64%).

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

No Major Shifts Seen in Final Week of Canada’s Federal Election

April 27, 2025April 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

Likely voters who are Millennials or Generation Z members are more concerned about housing than their older counterparts.

Vancouver, BC [April 27, 2025] – The Liberal Party heads to tomorrow’s federal election in Canada as the frontrunner, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of likely voters and Canadians who have already cast their ballot in the advance polls, 44% of decided voters favour the Liberals (+1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in mid-April) while 39% (+1) back the Conservative Party.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is in third place with 7% (-1), followed by the Bloc Québécois with 6% (=), the Green Party with 2% (=) and the People’s Party with 1% (=).

The Liberals are ahead of the Conservatives in Atlantic Canada (57% to 39%), Ontario (47% to 41%) and British Columbia (44% to 41%). In Quebec, the Liberals are first with 43%, followed by the Bloc with 24% and the Conservatives with 23%.

The Conservatives hold sizeable leads over the Liberals in Alberta (60% to 31%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (51% to 37%).

When the vote is analyzed by generation, the Liberals are ahead of the Conservatives among:

Voters who are members of the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers, or those born in 1964 or before (47% to 38%).
Voters who are members of Generation X, or those born from 1965 to 1980 (42% to 38%).
Voters who are members of Generation Z, or those born in 1997 or after (45% to 36%).

The two parties are tied among Millennials, or those born from 1981 to 1996 (Liberals 41%, Conservatives 41%).

The NDP is only holding on to 39% of its voters from the 2021 election, with 37% saying the intend to vote for the Liberals this time. The retention rate is superior for the Conservatives (89%) and the Liberals (79%).

Only 12% of decided voters say they may change their mind and support a different party tomorrow—a proportion that rises to 17% among those aged 18-to-34.

As was the case during the entire campaign, Canada-U.S. Relations is the most important issue for likely voters (26%, -2), followed by housing, homelessness and poverty (21%, -2), the economy and jobs (20%, +1), health care (11%, +2), immigration (7%, -1) and crime and public safety (3%, -1).

“One-in-four Millennial (25%) and Gen. Z (26%) likely voters say housing, homelessness and poverty is their greatest concern,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Canada-U.S. Relations is the top issue for Gen. X (29%) and Baby Boomers and Silent Generation members (32%).”

There was little fluctuation in the approval ratings of the three main party leaders compared to mid-April, with Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney at 59% (=), Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre at 48% (+1) and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh at 43% (-1). The numbers remain lower for Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (29%, +1), Green co-leader Jonathan Pedneault (24%, -3) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (22%, +1).

Carney maintains a 10-point advantage over Poilievre on the Preferred Prime Minister question (45% to 35%), with the remaining contenders in single digits.

Millennial likely voters are evenly split when assessing which one of the two main party leaders would make the best head of government for Canada (Carney 39%, Poilievre 39%). The Liberal leader is ahead of his Conservative rival among Gen. Z. (48% to 31%), Gen. X (43% to 33%) and Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (52% to 35%).

Bernier posts the worst momentum score of all federal party leaders at -19 (only 6% of likely voters say their opinion of the People’s Party leader has improved since the start of the campaign, while 25% say it has worsened). Carney is the only leader to finish the campaign with a positive momentum score (+9), while the perceptions are negative for Poilievre (-8), Blanchet (-12), Pedneault (-15) and Singh (-18).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on April 26 and April 27, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,050 likely voters in Canada, including 1,019 decided voters and Canadians who have already cast their ballot in the advance polls in the 2025 federal election. 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 for likely voters and +/- 3.1 percentage points for decided voters, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Most Canadians Back Ban on Foreign Real Estate Purchases

April 24, 2025April 30, 2025By Mario Canseco

Overall confidence to deliver affordable housing is higher for a Liberal federal government than a Conservative one.

Vancouver, BC [April 24, 2025] – Just over three-in-four Canadians think the federal government made the right call in banning foreigners from purchasing residential properties in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 76% of Canadians support the federal government’s decision, while 13% oppose it and 11% are undecided.

The ban, which will be in effect until January 1, 2027, contemplates exclusions for international students and temporary residents.

“Majorities of Canadians who in 2021 voted for the Conservatives (82%), the Liberals (78%) or the New Democrats (also 78%) are in favour of the ban on foreign real estate purchases,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The regulation is also supported by most respondents whose descent is South Asian (87%), Indigenous (84%), European (77%) and East Asian (74%).”

Just under three-in-five Canadians (59%) think the federal government should tie immigration numbers to affordable housing targets and new housing starts—a proportion that rises to 63% in British Columbia and to 66% among Liberal Party voters in the 2021 federal election.

Canadians are divided when asked which level of government is more responsible for making housing affordable in their community. Similar proportions select the federal government (42%) or their provincial government (41%), followed by their municipal government (17%).

Canadians aged 55 and over are more likely to say provincial governments should take the lead on affordable housing (50%) and not the federal government (31%). The results are different among Canadians aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54, who say the federal government is mostly responsible on this file (49% and 48% respectively) and not provincial administrations (42% and 36% respectively).

More than three-in-five Canadians (64%) agree with removing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on home sales up to $1.3 million. Support is also high for two other ideas: creating a federal developer that could build low-cost homes on government land (70%) and developing a catalogue of pre-approved home designs to accelerate homebuilding by developers (also 70%).

Only 33% of Canadians “completely” or “moderately” trust for-profit developers to deliver affordable housing in Canada. The rating is higher for provincial governments (50%), municipal governments (52%) and not-for-profit developers (58%).

Just over half of Canadians (51%) trust the federal government under the Liberals to deliver affordable housing across the country, while 42% feel the same way about a federal government headed by the Conservatives.

Among Canadians aged 18-to-34, the level of trust on housing is slightly higher for a Conservative government (51%) than a Liberal one (49%). Canadians aged 55 and over express more confidence in the Liberals (52% and 50% respectively) than the Conservatives (44% and 34% respectively).

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

Five-Point Lead for Liberals as Canadian Federal Vote Looms

April 21, 2025April 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

Canada-U.S. Relations remains the most important issue for likely voters across the country.

Vancouver, BC [April 21, 2025] – More than four-in-five decided voters in Canada are supporting either of the two main parties with a week left in the federal campaign, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of likely voters, 43% of decided voters would back the Liberal Party (-1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in early April), while 38% (+2) would support the Conservative Party.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) remains a distant third with 8% (=), followed by the Bloc Québécois with 6% (+1), the Green Party with 2% (-1) and the People’s Party with 1% (-1).

The Conservatives have made significant gains in Alberta (65%) and are three points behind the Liberals in British Columbia (41% to 44%). The Liberals are still leading in Ontario (46% to 40%) and Quebec (46% with the Bloc in second place at 23%).

While sizeable majorities of decided voters who supported either the Conservatives or the Liberals in 2021 are staying with their respective parties (88% and 80% respectively), only 39% of NDP voters in the last federal election intend to back the New Democrats this year.

More than a quarter of likely voters (28%, -3) identify Canada-U.S. Relations as the most important issue facing the country, followed by housing, homelessness and poverty (20%, +2), the economy and jobs (19%, =), health care (9%, -2), immigration (8%, +3) and crime and public safety (4%, +2).

“More than four-in-five decided voters across Canada (82%) say they will not change their mind before election day,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “This proportion rises to 86% among those aged 55 and over.”

Compared to early April, overall voter consideration is stagnant for the Liberals (55%, =), the Conservatives (48%, =) and the New Democrats (41%, =). At least one-in-four likely voters say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider casting a ballot for the Greens (28%, +4), the Animal Protection Party (23%, +2) or the Libertarian Party (21%, +3) if they ran a candidate in their riding.

Voter consideration is lower for the People’s Party (19%, -1), the Canadian Future Party (also 19%, =), the Christian Heritage Party (16%, +2), the Marijuana Party (15%, =), the Centrist Party (also 15%, +2), the United Party (14%, -1), the Communist Party (13%, +3), the Rhinocéros Party (12%, +1) and the Marxist-Leninist Party (10%, -2).

Practically three-in-five likely voters (59%, +1) approve of the performance of Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney. The rating is lower for Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (47%, +3), NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (44%, +4), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (28%, +3), Green co-leader Jonathan Pedneault (27%, +2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (21%, -1).

Carney once again achieves a positive momentum score (+14), with 38% of likely voters saying their opinion of him has improved since the campaign began. The scores remain in negative territory for Poilievre (-5), Pedneault (-15), Blanchet (also -15), Singh (also -15) and Bernier (-17).

On the “Best Prime Minister” question, the gap between the two main party leaders has narrowed. Carney is first with 45% (+2), and Poilievre is second with 35% (+6). Singh is third with 8% (-1), followed by Blanchet (3%, -1), Bernier (1%, -1) and Pedneault (1%, =).

Almost half of likely voters (47%, +4) say there is nothing Carney can say or do to make them vote for the Liberals. The numbers are higher for Poilievre and the Conservatives (52%, +1) and Singh and the New Democrats (57%, +3).

Just under three-in-five likely voters (59%, -1) say they are comfortable with Carney being in charge of Canada’s economy. The rating for Poilievre on this question increased by four points, from 46% in early April to 50% now.

Likely voters were asked to choose which one of the two main party leaders would be the best person to handle 10 different issues. Poilievre leads Carney on crime and public safety (41% to 35%) and the two leaders are statistically tied on immigration (Poilievre 39%, Carney 37%) and energy and pipelines (Carney 40%, Poilievre 38%).

The Liberal leader is ahead of his Conservative counterpart on seven issues, but with lower margins than at the start of the month: Canada-U.S. Relations (48% to 34%), foreign affairs (47% to 34%), the economy and jobs (43% to 39%), accountability and leadership (43% to 36%), health care (42% to 34%), housing, homelessness and poverty (41% to 35%) and the environment (41% to 32%).

Likely voters were provided with a list of words that people may use to describe politicians and asked to select up to six to describe each of the three main party leaders.

The top five words used to describe Singh are compassionate (28%, -12 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2023), intelligent (26%, -11), down to earth (also 26%, -7), weak (25%, +7) and out of touch (22%, +2).

Almost two-in-five Canadians (39%, -1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February) brand Poilievre as arrogant. Other words used to describe the Conservative leader are intelligent (33%, =), strong (30%, -2), dishonest (27%, +1) and out of touch (24%, +1).

The words used for Carney outline a significant difference from the way Canadians described Justin Trudeau two years ago: intelligent (48%, +13), strong (35%, +16), efficient (33%, +16), honest (27%, +8) and dishonest (25%, -11).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on April 19 and April 20, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,006 likely voters in Canada, including 965 decided voters in the 2025 federal election. 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 for likely voters and +/- 3.2 percentage points for decided voters, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

The State of the Race in Cowichan—Malahat—Langford

April 20, 2025April 24, 2025By Mario Canseco

Eligible voters in this constituency are more likely to prefer a federal government headed by Mark Carney.

Vancouver, BC [April 20, 2025] – With a week left in Canada’s federal election campaign, the Conservative Party is ahead in the Vancouver Island riding of Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the mixed mode survey of a representative sample of eligible voters in this constituency, 36% of respondents say they will cast a ballot for Conservative candidate Jeff Kibble, while 29% would support incumbent MP Alistair MacGregor of the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Blair Herbert of the Liberal Party is third with 19%, followed by Kathleen Code of the Green Party with 5%. Just over one-in-ten eligible voters in Cowichan—Malahat—Langford (11%) are undecided.

Almost half of eligible voters in this riding (46%) say they would “definitely” (18%) or “probably” (28%) partake in strategic voting, while 45% say they would “probably not” (20%) or “definitely not” (25%) do so.

More than three-in-five eligible voters in Cowichan—Malahat—Langford (62%) approve of MacGregor’s performance as Member of Parliament, while just over three-in-ten (31%) disapprove.

The best ranked federal party leader in this constituency is Jagmeet Singh of the NDP (51%), followed by Mark Carney of the Liberals (48%), Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party (45%), Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault of the Greens (31%) and Maxime Bernier of the People’s Party (19%).

When eligible voters in Cowichan—Malahat—Langford are asked who they prefer to serve as Prime Minister of Canada after this year’s federal election, 40% choose Carney while 36% select Poilievre.

Carney leads among women (42%) and eligible voters aged 18-to-34 (45%) and aged 35-to-54 (42%), while Poilievre is ahead among men (45%) and eligible voters aged 55 and over (47%).

Methodology: Results are based on a mixed mode (telephone and online) survey conducted from April 15 to April 19, 2025, among 401 eligible federal voters in the Cowichan—Malahat—Langford federal constituency. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age and gender in the Cowichan—Malahat—Langford federal constituency. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Survey sponsor – David Campbell

Organization that conducted the survey – Research Co.

Dates or period during which the survey was conducted – April 15 to April 19, 2025

Population from which the sample of respondents was drawn – Eligible voters who reside in the Cowichan—Malahat—Langford federal constituency

Number of people who were contacted to participate in the survey – 401

Margin of error for the data – +/- 4.9 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Address of the website on which a report by the survey’s sponsor is published – https://researchco.ca/2025/04/20/cml/

The State of the Race in North Island—Powell River

April 20, 2025April 24, 2025By Mario Canseco

Eligible voters in this constituency are more likely to prefer a federal government headed by Pierre Poilievre.

Vancouver, BC [April 20, 2025] – With a week left in Canada’s federal election campaign, the Conservative Party is ahead in the Vancouver Island riding of North Island—Powell River, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the mixed mode survey of a representative sample of eligible voters in this constituency, 45% of respondents say they will cast a ballot for Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn, while 23% would support Tanille Johnston of the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Jennifer Lash of the Liberal Party is third with 13%, followed by Jassica Wegg of the Green Party with 2%, Paul Macknight of the People’s Party also with 2% and independent candidate Glen Staples with 1%. About one-in-six eligible voters in North Island—Powell River (15%) are undecided.

More than two-in-five eligible voters in this riding (44%) say they would “definitely” (14%) or “probably” (30%) partake in strategic voting, while 45% say they would “probably not” (21%) or “definitely not” (24%) do so.

Just over half of eligible voters in North Island—Powell River (51%) approve of Rachel Blaney’s performance as their Member of Parliament, while two-in-five (40%) disapprove. Blaney, who has represented the riding since 2015, is not running for re-election this year.

The best ranked federal party leader in this constituency is Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party (53%), followed by Mark Carney of the Liberals (42%), Jagmeet Singh of the NDP (41%), Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault of the Greens (27%) and Maxime Bernier of the People’s Party (19%).

When eligible voters in North Island—Powell River are asked who they prefer to serve as Prime Minister of Canada after this year’s federal election, 43% choose Poilievre while 37% select Carney.

Poilievre is ahead among men (53%), eligible voters aged 35-to-54 (48%) and eligible voters aged 55 and over (49%), while Carney leads among eligible voters aged 18-to-34 (45%). The two contenders are statistically tied among women (Carney 35%, Poilievre 34%).

Methodology: Results are based on a mixed mode (telephone and online) survey conducted from April 17 to April 19, 2025, among 402 eligible federal voters in the North Island—Powell River federal constituency. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age and gender in the North Island—Powell River federal constituency. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Survey sponsor – The David Suzuki Institute

Organization that conducted the survey – Research Co.

Dates or period during which the survey was conducted – April 17 to April 19, 2025

Population from which the sample of respondents was drawn – Eligible voters who reside in the North Island—Powell River federal constituency

Number of people who were contacted to participate in the survey – 402

Margin of error for the data – +/- 4.9 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Address of the website on which a report by the survey’s sponsor is published – https://researchco.ca/2025/04/20/nipr/

Dissatisfaction with Political Freedom Rises in Canada, Drops in U.S.

April 17, 2025April 12, 2025By Mario Canseco

A third of Americans and a quarter of Canadians disagree with other people “many times” when discussing national politics.

Vancouver, BC [April 17, 2025] – While residents of the United States remain more upset when analyzing political freedom, the proportion of Canadians who appear dissatisfied has grown markedly since 2022, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, 51% of Canadians (up 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2022) feel their freedoms are under attack by elected politicians—a view shared by 69% of Americans (down four points).

Almost two-in-five Canadians (38%, +6) say they cannot express their political views sometimes because they fear reprisals. In the United States, 45% of Americans (-4) feel the same way.

The proportion of Canadians who think the federal government is oppressive and controlling jumped from 41% in 2022 to 46% in 2025. More than two-in-five Canadians (44%, +7) feel that their vote in federal elections does not make a difference.

In the United States, perceptions of the federal government being oppressive and controlling increased from 62% in 2022 to 64% in 2025. Fewer than half of Americans (46%, -6) think their vote in federal elections does not make a difference.

More than a third of Canadians report a decline in four situations over the past 10 years: the ability of people to disagree with each other on social media (45%), the ability of people to disagree with each other in conversation (40%), the ability of people to convince others about looking at an issue differently (36%) and the ability of people to question stories they learn about in the media (35%).

Practically half of Americans believe two situations are worse now than a decade ago: the ability of people to disagree with each other in conversation (49%) and the ability of people to disagree with each other on social media (48%). Slightly fewer think two other scenarios have worsened: the ability of people to convince others about looking at an issue differently (44%) and the ability of people to question stories they learn about in the media (39%).

Respondents in the two countries were asked how often they find themselves disagreeing with other people about specific issues.

In Canada, more than one-in-five Canadians disagree with others “many times” when discussing federal politics (26%), provincial politics (24%), international politics (also 24%), COVID-19 mandates and vaccines (also 24%), immigration (also 24%), religion (23%) and morality (21%). The proportions are lower for discussions about municipal politics (19%), sports (16%), Indigenous issues (15%) and arts and entertainment (12%).

In the United States, more than one-in-five Americans disagree with others “many times” when discussing national politics (32%), immigration (27%), COVID-19 mandates and vaccines (26%), local politics (23%), religion (also 23%), morality (also 23%) state politics (22%), sports (21%) and international politics (20%). Fewer express the same view about discussions related to arts and entertainment (14%) and Native American issues (also 14%).

Canadians are more likely to have stopped talking to a person, or avoided a person, on account of a disagreement related to COVID-19 mandates and vaccines (29%) than about religion (25%), morality (24%), federal politics (24%) or immigration (23%). Fewer Canadians have taken this course of action after a disagreement related to international politics (22%), provincial politics (21%), municipal politics (21%), Indigenous issues (17%), sports (16%) or arts and entertainment (14%).

At least one-in-four Americans have stopped talking to a person, or avoided a person, on account of a disagreement related to national politics (30%), morality (29%), religion (28%) or COVID-19 mandates and vaccines (25%). Fewer have taken this step after disagreements related to immigration (24%), state politics (23%), local politics (23%), international politics (21%), sports (19%), arts and entertainment (16%) or Native American issues (15%).

“More than a third of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (35%) and Americans aged 18-to-34 (36%) have effectively ended a friendship over disagreements related to national politics,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 55 and over in both the United States (24%) and Canada (17%).”

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on March 23 and March 24, 2025, among 1,003 adults in Canada, and an online survey conducted from March 23 to March 25, 2025, among 1,000 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Canada and the United States. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty, for each country.

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

Concerns About Savings and Investments Surge in Canada

April 15, 2025April 12, 2025By Mario Canseco

Just under three-in-ten Canadians say the country’s economic conditions are “very good” or “good” right now.

Vancouver, BC [April 15, 2025] – The proportion of Canadians who express confidence in the country’s financial standing has dropped to the lowest level observed over the past three years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 29% of Canadians rate the economic conditions in Canada as “very good” or “good”, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February.

Just over two thirds of Canadians (68%, +4) say the country’s economic conditions are currently “poor” or “very poor”.

More than a third of respondents in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (37%) think Canada’s financial standing is “very good” or “good” right now. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (33%), Quebec (32%), Alberta (27%) Ontario (26%) and British Columbia (also 26%).

More than two-in-five Canadians (43%, -5) believe the Canadian economy will decline in the next six months, while 31% (=) expect no changes and only 16% (+1) foresee a recovery.

Canadians are deeply divided when assessing their own personal finances, with 49% (-3) describing them as “very good” or “good” and 48% (+2) considering them “poor” or “very poor”.

The proportion of Canadians who are dissatisfied with their own personal finances reaches 51% among those aged 35-to-54, 52% among Albertans, 52% among those who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2021 federal election and 63% among those in the lowest annual household income bracket.

There is a significant shift in the financial issues that are troubling Canadians. More than half say they have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” in the past couple of months about the safety of their savings (55%, +12) and the value of their investments (also 55%, +8).

Fewer Canadians are troubled about being able to pay their mortgage or rent (43%, -4), unemployment affecting their household (also 43%, -2) or their employer running into serious financial trouble (37%, -11).

“The constant discussions about tariffs are clearly taking a toll on middle-aged Canadians,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Concerns about savings and investments are affecting practically three-in-five Canadians aged 35-to-54.”

Our collective views on inflation also went through significant changes. The expectation that gasoline prices will go up in the next six months fell from 78% in February to 52% this month.

Majorities of Canadians expect to pay more in the next six months for real estate (52%, -5), a new television set (57%, -4), a new car (70%, -1) and a week’s worth of groceries (75%, -3).

Almost three-in-five Canadians (59%) trust Prime Minister Mark Carney to do the right thing to help the economy, while 43% (-2) feel the same way about federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. The rating for Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem on this question is 35% (-4).

Majorities of Canadians aged 55 and over (62%), aged 35-to-54 (56%) and aged 18-to-34 (58%) express confidence in Carney as an economic manager.

Poilievre posts his best numbers on finances among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (53%, +5). The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (45%, -4) and those aged 55 and over (33%, -4).

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