Economy & Finance – Research Co.

New Year Wishes Fluctuate Greatly by Generation in Canada

January 1, 2026December 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Merry Christmas” Gaining as Preferred Greeting in Canada

December 22, 2025December 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Practically Two Thirds of Canadians Targeted by Cyber Scams

December 18, 2025December 17, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Americans “Turn to God” More Often Than Canadians

December 11, 2025December 24, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbians Back Foreign Real Estate Purchase Ban

October 23, 2025October 22, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The housing policies implemented during the tenure of John Horgan as Premier of British Columbia remain popular in 2025. At least two thirds of the province’s residents endorse increasing the foreign buyers tax from 15% to 20% (74%, =), expanding the foreign buyers tax to areas located outside of Metro Vancouver (73%, +2), introducing a “speculation tax” in specific urban areas targeting foreign and domestic homeowners who pay little or no income tax in BC, and those who own second properties that aren’t long-term rentals (70%, +1), increasing the property transfer tax from 3% to 5% for homes valued at more than $3 million (66%, +4) and introducing a tax of 0.2% on the value of homes between $3 million and $4 million, and a tax rate of 0.4% on the portion of a home’s value that exceeds $4 million (also 66%, +4).

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

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

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

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%).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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).

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.

Canadians Back Retaliation as Trump’s “Liberation Day” Nears

April 1, 2025March 31, 2025By Mario Canseco

The “Buy Canadian” movement shows no signs of slowing down, as support for enhanced trade with other nations remains high.

Vancouver, BC [April 1, 2025] – More than two thirds of Canadians are ready for targeted action to counter the American president’s overtures on tariffs and sovereignty, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 72% of Canadians support 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.

Seven-in-ten Canadians (70%) support Canada’s prime minister and provincial premiers shutting off all energy exports to the United States until Trump completely removes the threat of tariffs, while just over two thirds (68%) endorse Canada officially demanding an apology from Trump for his statements related to Canada becoming an American state.

Just under three-in-five Canadians (58%) support Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs recalling the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. in response to Trump’s statements.

In the middle of a federal election campaign, more than four-in-five Canadians (84%) have followed news related to the tariffs “very closely” or “moderately closely”, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in early February.

Practically three-in-five Canadians (59%) approve of the way Prime Minister Mark Carney has dealt with the tariffs. The rating did not move for Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (47%, =).

“Two thirds of Canadians aged 55 and over (66%) are content with the way Prime Minister Mark Carney has managed the dispute over tariffs,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The approval rating for Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre among this group is decidedly lower (35%).”

More than half of Canadians (56%, -5) are satisfied with the performance of their premier during the tariffs dispute, while more than a third (37%) feel the same way about their province’s official opposition leader.

The approval rating fell significantly for the premiers of British Columbia (53%, -14) and Alberta (42%, -12) and remained mostly stable in Ontario (59%, -5) and Quebec (56%, -2).

This month, Quebec has the highest ranked opposition leader on the tariffs dispute (43%, -1) followed by Alberta (39%, -5), Ontario (37%, -10) and British Columbia (34%, -3).

Canadians are evenly divided when asked to ponder what the future will bring, with 36% (-5) expecting the U.S. government to rescind the tariffs and the same proportion (36%, +2) predicting their expansion.

There is also a split on which type of federal government would be better positioned at this point to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States. More than two-in-five Canadians (44%, -5) think a Conservative government would do better, while 42% (+4) disagree.

As was the case in early February, more than three-in-five Canadians (64%, +1) are avoiding the purchase of goods originated from the United States, if a non-American alternative is available. More than a third say they are avoiding American restaurant franchises in Canada (41%, =), cancelled a planned trip to the United States (37%, +11) and avoiding American entertainment options (35%, +4).

The proportion of Canadians who are not partaking in any of these four actions stands at 20% (-4). This group encompasses one-in-four Conservative Party voters in the last federal election (25%) and only one-in-ten Canadians who voted for either the Liberal Party (10%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 10%) in 2021.

Canadians appear to be having a difficult time figuring out which restaurant franchises are domestic. More than two-in-five correctly identified five of 10 brands tested as Canadian: Harvey’s (52%), Pizza Pizza (50%), Swiss Chalet (49%), Boston Pizza (46%) and Cora (45%). The proportions of correct responses are lower for Mary Browns (37%), Freshii (34%), New York Fries (23%), Panago (23%) and Ricky’s All Day Grill (21%).

At least three-in-four Canadians think Canada should seriously consider enhancing trade with Australia and New Zealand (81%, +3), the European Union (EU) (79%, +2), Mexico (78%, +3) and Japan (75%, =).

Support for requesting an independent dispute settlement panel under the terms of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) stands at 59% (-5).

Just over one-in-five Canadians (21%, -1) would seriously consider initiating a formal process for Canada to become an American state. On a regional basis, support for this notion is highest in Quebec (24%), followed by Ontario (22%), Alberta (21%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (18%), British Columbia (17%) and Atlantic Canada (17%).

Just over half of Canadians (52%) would seriously consider initiating a formal process for Canada to join the EU, while 35% disagree and 13% are undecided.

Majorities of Liberal and NDP voters in 2021 (61% and 55% respectively) favour taking a look at Canada’s possible membership in the EU. Support is lower among Conservative voters (45%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on March 23 and March 24, 2025, among 1,003 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.

British Columbians Oblivious of Looming Food Security Challenges

March 27, 2025March 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five residents say they do not mind paying more for locally sourced fruits and vegetables.

Vancouver, BC [March 27, 2025] – Most British Columbians are not aware of how much Canada’s food supply relies on produce from the United States, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, only 36% of British Columbians correctly identify the proportion of fruits that come from the United States (36%, or somewhere between 21% and 40%).

Only about one-in-six of the province’s residents (16%) know that Canada imports somewhere between 61% to 80% of its vegetables (67%) from the United States.

When British Columbians are informed of the actual proportion of American imports, only 36% say they are “very confident” or “moderately confident” that Canada’s food supply and security will not be restricted by the current dispute over tariffs with the United States.

Most respondents (54%) are “very confident” or “moderately confident” that British Columbia’s food producers will be able to increase production if the food supply is ultimately restricted.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians say they have seen prices increase for fruits (78%), vegetables (75%), beef (73%) and chicken (71%) over the past six months, while majorities feel the same way about cereal (61%), bread (60%) and prepared frozen meals (also 60%).

When asked who is most responsible for items becoming more expensive, almost three-in-ten British Columbians (39%) point the finger at the actions of governments, while one-in-four (25%) blame global political conflicts affecting supplies.

Fewer British Columbias think the actions of supermarket retailers and grocery stores (18%), climate change (11%), the actions of product manufacturers and suppliers (9%), labour and supply setbacks (6%) or the actions of farmers and growers (3%) are primarily responsible for rising prices.

“British Columbians aged 55 and over are more likely to blame global strife for rising food costs (30%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “About a third of those aged 35-to-54 (33%) and aged 18-to-34 (32%) think governments are mostly responsible.”

If Canada had to look for non-American sources for food supply and security, just over a third of British Columbians (34%) would be willing to pay “less than 10% more” than now, while more than one-in-five (22%) are willing to pay “from 11% to 20% more.”

Fewer than one-in-five British Columbians (18%) would not be willing to pay more for non-American food sources—a proportion that rises to 22% among British Columbians aged 35-to-54 and 24% among Conservative Party of BC voters in last year’s provincial election.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (62%) say they do not mind paying more for fruits and vegetables if they originate in British Columbia, while just under three-in-four (74%) agree with making adjustments to the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to allow for food processing on underused ALR parcels.

Sizeable majorities of British Columbians believe both the federal government (78%) and the provincial government (73%) can do a lot to help lower the price of groceries.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 15 to March 17, 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.

Carney Boosts Liberals as Canadian Federal Campaign Begins

March 25, 2025March 24, 2025By Mario Canseco

Canada-U.S. Relations becomes the most important issue for voters, outpacing jobs, housing, health care and immigration.

Vancouver, BC [March 25, 2025] – Support for the governing Liberal Party has significantly increased since Mark Carney was selected as its leader, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 41% of decided voters in Canada would cast a ballot for the Liberal candidate in their constituency if the federal election took place today, up 20 points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in early January, prior to the announcement of Justin Trudeau’s departure as head of government.

The Conservative Party is in second place with 37% (-10), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 9% (-6), the Bloc Québécois with 7% (-3), the Green Party with 3% (=) and the People’s Party with 2% (=).

Three regions of the country post statistical ties in the early stages of the federal campaign: Atlantic Canada (Liberals 42%, Conservatives 40%), Ontario (Liberals 43%, Conservatives 40%) and British Columbia (Liberals 41%, Conservatives 39%).

The Conservatives are ahead in Alberta (56%), while the Liberals are leading in Quebec (43%, with the Conservatives and the Bloc tied at 22%).

“Practically one-in-four voters who supported the New Democrats in 2021 (24%) are voting for the Liberals in 2025,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The retention rate is significantly higher for the Conservatives (85%) and the Liberals (83%).”

More than half of Canadians (53%) say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider voting for the Liberals if they ran a candidate in their constituency. Voting consideration is currently lower for the Conservatives (46%), the New Democrats (35%) and the Greens (25%).

Just over one-in-five Canadians (21%) would consider voting for the People’s Party, which has never elected a candidate to the House of Commons. Consideration is higher for the Canadian Future Party (24%) and the Animal Protection Party (23%) and lower for seven other political organizations: the Libertarian Party (17%), the Christian Heritage Party (15%), the United Party (14%), the Centrist Party (13%), the Rhinocéros Party (10%), the Marxist-Leninist Party (also 10%) and the Communist Party (also 10%).

Three-in-ten Canadians (30%) say Canada-U.S. Relations is the most important issue facing the country right now, followed by the economy and jobs (20%, -2), housing, homelessness and poverty (17%, -12), health care (9%, -7) and immigration (7%, -6).

There is a significant age gap on the top issue, with Canada-U.S. Relations peaking at 44% among Canadians aged 55 and over, but dropping to 30% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 17% among those aged 18-to-34. The country’s youngest adults are more likely to be concerned about housing, homelessness and poverty (24%) or the economy and jobs (23%).

More than half of Canadians (57%) approve of the way Mark Carney has handled his duties as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party. The rating is lower for Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (46%, -6), NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (38%, -1), Green co-leader Jonathan Pedneault (30%), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (25%, -2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (also 25%, +2).

On the “Best Prime Minister” question, almost two-in-five Canadians (39%) select Carney, while one third (33%, -6) choose Poilievre. The remaining party leaders are in single digits on this question, where the level of undecided respondents fell from 17% in January to 12% this month.

Carney also holds the upper hand over Poilievre on a question related to financial management. Almost three-in-five Canadians (59%) say they are comfortable with the Liberal leader being in charge of Canada’s economy, a 25-point improvement from Trudeau’s last result in early January.

Fewer than half of Canadians (46%, -9) say they would be comfortable with Poilievre being in charge of Canada’s economy—a proportion that rises to 62% in Alberta.

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

Practically Half of Canadians Foresee a Worsening Economy

February 12, 2025February 13, 2025By Mario Canseco

Concerns about the financial viability of employers increased from 33% in August 2024 to 48% this month.

Vancouver, BC [February 12, 2025] – Only a third of Canadians continue to provide a positive review of the country’s financial standing, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 32% of Canadians (unchanged since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in August 2024) rate the economic conditions in Canada as “very good” or “good”, while 64% (=) consider them as “poor” or “very poor”.

Almost half of Canadians (48%, +14) think the Canadian economy will decline in the next six months, while 31% (-12) predict no changes and only 15% (=) expect a recovery.

“Canadians aged 55 and over are particularly pessimistic about the national economy,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Two thirds of Canada’s oldest adults (66%) expect a decline, compared to 48% of those aged 35-to-54 and 31% of those aged 18-to-34.”

More than half of Canadians (52%, +6) describe their own personal finances as “very good” or “good” right now—a proportion that rises to 58% among those aged 55 and over, 54% in Quebec and 53% in Ontario.

Practically half of Canadians (48%, +15) have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” in the past couple of months about their employer running into serious financial trouble.

Similar proportions of Canadians have also experienced concerns about being able to pay mortgage or rent (47%, +5), the value of their investments (47%, -5), unemployment affecting their household (45%, +3) and the safety of their savings (43%, -8).

Practically four-in-five Canadians expect higher prices for a week’s worth of groceries (78%, +2) and gasoline (78%, +1) in the next six months. Majorities also believe they will have to pay more for a new car (71%, +3), a new television set (61%, +8) and real estate (57%, -8).

More than two-in-five Canadians (45%, +4) trust federal leader of the opposition Pierre Poilievre to do the right thing to help the economy. The numbers are lower for both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (39%, +3) and Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem (also 39%, +4).

Poilievre’s rating as an economic manager is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (50%), followed by Alberta (49%), Atlantic Canada (48%), Ontario (47%), Quebec (40%) and British Columbia (also 40%).

Trudeau’s numbers are better in Quebec (44%) and Ontario (43%), but drop in British Columbia (38%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (35%), Atlantic Canada (33%) and Alberta (30%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 3 to February 5, 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 Ready to Boycott American Brands Over Trump Tariffs

February 3, 2025February 3, 2025By Mario Canseco

At least three-in-four want Canada to enhance trade with other partners around the world.

Vancouver, BC [February 3, 2025] – Many Canadians are willing to modify their consumer habits after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the implementation of a 25% tariff on Imports from Canada (and 10% on Canadian Energy), a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, more than three-in-five Canadians (63%) say they will avoid purchasing goods originated from the United States, if a non-American alternative is available.

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%) plan to avoid American restaurant franchises in Canada, while 31% would avoid American entertainment options and 26% intend to cancel a planned trip to the United States.

More than four-in-five Canadians (87%) have followed news related to the tariffs “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

More than half of Canadians (54%) approve of the performance of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States, while 47% feel the same way about Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.

Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%) are satisfied with the way their provincial premier has managed the issue of tariffs, while 43% are content with the performance of their provincial opposition leader on this file.

In Canada’s four most populous provinces, the actions of the premier find a higher rating in British Columbia (67%), followed by Ontario (64%), Quebec (58%) and Alberta (54%). Among provincial opposition leaders, the results are best in Ontario (47%), followed by Alberta (44%), Quebec (also 44%) and British Columbia (37%).

Practically half of Canadians (49%) believe a Conservative federal government would be better positioned at this point to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States—a proportion that rises to 61% among those aged 18-to-34 and to 51% among those aged 35-to-54.

Residents of Alberta (59%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (55%) are more likely to say that the Conservatives would be better at managing the trade dispute than their counterparts in Ontario (50%), Atlantic Canada (48%), Quebec (46%) and British Columbia (42%).

Canadians are divided over what will transpire in the next six months, with 41% expecting the recently implemented tariffs on Canadian products to be rescinded by the American government, and 34% foreseeing their expansion.

When asked about specific options for Canada, at least three-in-four Canadians are in favour of enhancing trade with Australia and New Zealand (78%), the European Union (EU) (77%), Japan (75%) and Mexico (also 75%).

Almost two thirds of Canadians (64%) would consider requesting an independent dispute settlement panel under the terms of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). This idea is backed by majorities of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (74%), the New Democratic Party (NDP) (67%) and the Conservative Party (62%) in the 2021 federal election.

Only 22% of Canadians would consider initiating a formal process for Canada to become an American state, while 71% reject this notion.

“More than a third of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (35%) are open to discussing the eventual addition of Canada into the United States,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (25%) and those aged 55 and over (8%).”

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on February 2, 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, in each country.

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

Young Canadians Are Ready for Biometrics Payments

January 29, 2025January 28, 2025By Mario Canseco

While 57% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 would welcome this option, only 30% of those aged 55 and over concur.

Vancouver, BC [January 29, 2025] – The way Canadians pay for things has not changed much over the past year and a half, and the country’s youngest adults remain supportive of the use of biometrics to make purchases, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians about the way they bought things over the past month.

More than a third of financial transactions in Canada (37%, -3 since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in August 2023) involved a credit card, while just under three-in-ten (29%, +1) required a debit card.

Fewer financial transactions were completed with cash (18%, =), a smartphone (7%, =), an e-transfer (7%, +1) or a cheque (2%, =).

“Almost half of all purchases made by Canadians aged 55 and over (46%) entailed a credit card,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The share is lower among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (37%) and aged 18-to-34 (29%).”

More than one-in-ten transactions made by Canadians aged 18-to-34 (11%) entailed the use of a smartphone. The proportions are lower among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (7%) and aged 55 and over (2%).

More than two thirds of Canadians (67%, +4) recall a moment in the past month when they did not have any paper money with them and had to buy something worth less than $10 with their credit or debit card.

Ontario (70%) and Quebec (69%) boast the largest proportions of residents who used a credit or debit card for a small purchase in the past month. The numbers are lower in British Columbia (67%), Alberta (also 67%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (61%) and Atlantic Canada (58%).

As was the case last year, Canadians are divided on the issue of biometrics payments. Almost half (46%, +2) say they would like to see people relying on fingerprints, palm recognition or iris scans to buy things in their lifetime.

An almost exact proportion of Canadians (45%, =) say they would not like to see body measurements and calculations being used to make purchases, while 10% (-1) are not sure

Support for the eventual implementation of biometrics payments is highest among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (54%, +3), followed by those aged 35-to-54 (48%, +4) and those aged 55 and over (30%, -1).

About one-in-five Canadians (21%, -2) expect to be able to pay through fingerprints, palm recognition or iris scans in the next five years, while three-in-ten (30%, -3) think this will happen in the next 10 years.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from January 3 to January 5, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region 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.

Negative Views on Illegal Immigration Increase in United States

January 27, 2025January 26, 2025By Mario Canseco

The perception of illegal immigrants “taking jobs away from American workers” has increased by 12 points since 2020.

Vancouver, BC [January 27, 2025] – Practically half of Americans hold unfavourable views on immigration, and a majority believe illegal immigrants are detrimental to American workers, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost half of Americans (49%) think immigration is having a mostly negative effect in the United States, up 13 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in December 2020.

Americans aged 18-to-34 are more likely to hold unfavourable views on the effect of immigration (50%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (42%) and aged 55 and over (26%).

One-in-four Americans (25%, +1) think the number of legal immigrants who are allowed to relocate in the United States should increase, while three-in-ten (30%, +1) would prefer to see a decrease and 37% (-5) want the number to remain the same.

More than half of Americans (52%, +12) say the illegal immigrants in the United States take jobs away from American workers, while fewer than two-in-five (38%, -8) say they are employed in jobs that American workers do not want.

“Just over three-in-four Republicans (75%) and more than half of Independents (51%) believe illegal immigrants in the United States take jobs away from American workers,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 32% of Democrats share this view.”

Just over three-in-ten Americans (31%, +8) think the illegal immigrants who are currently working in the United States should be required to leave their jobs and be deported. One-in-five (21%, +2) would allow illegal immigrants to work on a temporary basis, but without a “path to citizenship”.

The proportion of Americans who would allow illegal immigrants to stay in the United States and eventually apply for citizenship fell from 49% in December 2020 to 38% in January 2025.

Most Democrats (56%) prefer the “path to citizenship” route to handle illegal immigration, while most Republicans (51%) are supportive of deportation. Independents are evenly split when assessing these options (34% for each).

Americans of Latino/Hispanic descent and African Americans are more likely to support a “path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants (50% and 47% respectively) than White Americans (34%).

Deportation is the desired course of action for Americans who get their news on a local network (41%) or on Fox News (35%). Those who watch CNN or MSNBC/CNBC are more likely to express support for the “path to citizenship” (47% and 55% respectively).

President Donald Trump begins is second term in office with an approval rating of 50%. Trump’s numbers are particularly high among Republicans (85%), Fox News watchers (67%), Americans aged 18-to-34 (60%) and White Americans (58%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 22 to January 24, 2025, among 1,001 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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