Environment – Research Co.

Climate Change Divide Grows Between Americans and Canadians

April 2, 2026April 2, 2026By Mario Canseco

Still, majorities in the two countries want governments, companies and individuals to do more to deal with impacts.

Vancouver, BC [April 2, 2026] – The views of Americans and Canadians on human-made climate change continue to drift apart, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, fewer than half of Americans (48%) say climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in November 2024.

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%, +3) say climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities.

The difference in perceptions of human-made climate change in Canada and the United States has never been as large as it is in 2026 (15 points). The results in Canada were higher than in the United States on this question in 2024 (10 points), 2022 (nine points) and 2020 (seven points).

While 13% of respondents in the United States believe climate change is a theory that has not been proven, only 9% of respondents in Canada concur.

Americans are also more likely to think that climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by natural changes (28%) than Canadians (21%).

“Sizeable majorities of Democrats in the United States (67%) and Liberal Party voters in Canada (81%) think climate change is real and human-made,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions drop drastically among American Republicans (34%) and Canadian Conservatives (44%).”

Canadians are more likely to think of climate change as a “major crisis” (63%, +3) than Americans (52%, -3). While fewer than one-in-ten Canadians (9%, +1) think of climate change as “not a crisis at all”, the proportion rises to 16% (+3) among Americans.

Only 2% of Americans who voted for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024 think climate change is “not a crisis at all”, compared to 31% of Americans who voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump.

In Canada, only 4% of Liberal voters in the 2025 federal election believe climate change is “not a crisis at all”, compared to 19% of Canadians who cast ballots for Conservative candidates.

Americans and Canadians agree—albeit at differing levels—that three entities should be doing more to deal with issues related to climate change that are happening or impacting people directly now: governments (63% in the United States and 69% in Canada), companies and corporations (62% in the United States and 70% in Canada), and individuals and consumers (55% in the United States and 61% in Canada).

The results are similar when Canadians and Americans ponder issues related to climate change that may happen or impact people directly in the future. Majorities want governments (65% in the United States and 70% in Canada), companies and corporations (65% in the United States and 69% in Canada), and individuals and consumers (57% in the United States and 61% in Canada) to be more active.

Respondents in the two countries were asked if they would be willing to pay higher taxes to adequately address seven issues, including climate change.

More than three-in-five Americans would pay higher taxes to deal with schools (67%, +1), homelessness (63%, +1), floods (61%, +4), and forest fires (also 61%, +5). Fewer feel the same way about climate change (58%, +3), housing improvements (56%, +2) and transit improvements (49%, -2).

More than three-in-five Canadians would pay higher taxes to adequately address climate change (62%, +7) and forest fires (61%, +7). Support is lower for five other issues: housing improvements (57%, +4), schools (56%, =), homelessness (also 56%, +3), floods (also 56%, +4) and transit improvements (49%, +2).

More than two-in-five Americans (42%) and just over half of Canadians (51%) say conversations about climate change with their child (or children) motivated them to recycle more.

Fewer residents took action on other issues after a conversation with their children, including taking shorter showers (25% in the United States and 29% in Canada), driving less than usual (22% in the United States and 30% in Canada), reducing their consumption of meat (17% in the United States and 21% in Canada), changing their vote in a local election (13% in the United States and 15% in Canada) or changing their vote in a federal election (15% in each country).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 22 to March 24, 2026, among 1,001 adults in Canada and 1,002 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.

Similar Views on Animals in Canada and the United States

December 4, 2025December 5, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Metro Vancouver Governments Score High on Some Key Services

December 1, 2025December 2, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fewer Than One-in-Five Canadians View Trump Favourably

November 6, 2025November 19, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amid Threats, British Columbians Would Maximize Food Production

September 3, 2025September 2, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from August 9 to August 11, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Noise is Becoming a Bigger Problem Across Canada

July 14, 2025July 14, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 17 to June 19, 2025, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

British Columbians Would Lower Speed Limit on Residential Streets

December 13, 2024December 12, 2024By Mario Canseco

The use of speed-on-green intersection cameras is endorsed by more than seven-in-ten of the province’s residents.

Vancouver, BC [December 13, 2024] – More than three-in-five British Columbians would personally like to see the speed limit reduced to 30 km/h on all residential streets in their own municipality, while keeping the speed limit on arterial and collector roads at 50 km/h, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 63% of British Columbians are in favour of this directive, up two points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in November 2023.

Support for reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h on all residential streets, while keeping the speed limit on arterial and collector roads at 50 km/h, is highest in Metro Vancouver (65%), followed by the Fraser Valley (62%), Northern BC (61%), Vancouver Island (59%) and Southern BC (58%).

In 2019, Vancouver City Council unanimously passed a motion to establish a pilot project to reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h on select residential streets in the city. The pilot project was first implemented in the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood.

Just over two thirds of British Columbians (67%, -2) believe the pilot project in Vancouver is a “very good” or “good” idea—including 70% of Metro Vancouverites and 69% of residents of Southern BC.

Two-in-five British Columbians (40%, -3) see a car that they perceive is circulating above the speed limit of 50 km/h on the street where they live “at least once a day”, while 30% (+2) experience this “a few times a week”.

The survey also asked British Columbians about automated speed enforcement, which works by using cameras or sensors to pick up a vehicle speeding. A ticket is then issued to the owner of the vehicle. Driver’s license points are not issued as the driver of the vehicle cannot be identified.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians approve of three kinds of automated speed enforcement: speed-on-green intersection cameras, or red light cameras that also capture vehicles that are speeding through intersections (72%, =), fixed speed cameras, which stay in one location and measure speed as a vehicle passes (71%, -2), and point-to-point enforcement, which uses cameras at two or more distant points on a road to issue tickets to vehicles whose average speed over the distance was excessive (also 71%, +14).

“The use of speed-on-green cameras, which is currently in place in British Columbia, remains popular across the province,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of residents aged 18-to-34 (72%), aged 35-to-54 (also 72%) and aged 55 and over (also 72%) are in favour of this type of automated speed enforcement.”

More than three-in-five British Columbians approve of one other kind of automated speed enforcement: mobile speed cameras, which can be moved from place to place (64%, =).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 27 to November 29, 2024, among a representative sample of 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Canadians and Americans Clearly at Odds on Climate Change

November 20, 2024November 19, 2024By Mario Canseco

Residents of the United States are less likely to describe the current situation as a “major crisis” than their Canadian counterparts.

Vancouver, BC [November 20, 2024] – While just over three-in-five Canadians believe climate change is real and caused by human activity, the proportion of Americans who feel the same way has dwindled over the past two years, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, 61% of Canadians say climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2023.

In the United States, just over half of residents (51%, -9 since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in August 2022) believe global warming is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities.

About a quarter of Americans and Canadians (27% and 25% respectively) think climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by natural changes, while smaller proportions (12% in the United States and 10% in Canada) say global warming is a theory that has not been proven.

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%, =) describe climate change as a “major crisis”, compared to 55% of Americans (-5).

Fewer respondents in the two countries refer to global warming as a “minor crisis” (23% in the United States and 24% in Canada) or “not a crisis at all” (13% in the United States, 9% in Canada).

Americans who voted for Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump in 2024 are significantly more likely to say climate change is “not a crisis at all” (25%) than those who cast ballots for Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party (3%).

In Canada, fewer than one-in-twenty Canadians who supported the Liberal Party or the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2021 federal election (4% and 3% respectively) think climate change is “not a crisis at all”. Among those who voted for Conservative Party candidates, the proportion rises to 21%.

Majorities of Canadians and Americans believe three entities should be doing more to deal with issues related to climate change that are happening or impacting people directly now: companies and corporations (71% in Canada and 63% in the United States), governments (64% in Canada and 62% in the United States) and individuals and consumers (55% in Canada and 58% in the United States).

The results are similar when Canadians and Americans are asked about issues related to climate change that may happen or impact people directly in the future. Majorities believe governments (69% in Canada and 63% in the United States), companies and corporations (68% in Canada and 63% in the United States) and consumers (57% in Canada and 58% in the United States) should be more active.

A final question asked Canadians and Americans about their willingness to pay higher taxes to adequately address seven issues.

More than half of Americans (55%) say they would be willing to pay higher taxes to deal with climate change. This includes three-in-four Democrats (76%), but significantly fewer Independents (45%) and Republicans (42%).

More than half of Americans expressed a willingness to pay higher taxes to adequately address schools (66%), homelessness (62%), floods (57%), forest fires (56%), housing improvements (54%) and transit improvements (51%).

In Canada, 55% of respondents are also willing to pay more to deal with global warming. More than three-in-four Canadians who voted for the Liberals or the NDP In 2021 (66% and 64% respectively) agree on this issue, but only 45% of Conservative supporters concur.

Compared to Americans, Canadians are more reticent about paying higher taxes to adequately address schools (56%), forest fires (54%), housing improvements (53%), homelessness (53%), floods (52%) and transit improvements (47%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 8 to November 10, 2024, among 1,000 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 Keen on Climate Change, Not on Carbon Tax

September 27, 2024September 26, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than half of the province’s residents (54%) think global warming is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions.

Vancouver, BC [September 27, 2024] – While most British Columbians believe climate change is real and human-made, support for keeping the provincial carbon tax in the event of a Conservative Party victory in Canada’s next federal election has dropped over the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample, just over half of British Columbians (52%) think the provincial government should scrap the provincial carbon tax if the federal Conservatives follow through with their pledge to abolish the federal carbon tax upon forming the government, up nine points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2023.

Just over a third of British Columbians (35%, -5) would keep the provincial carbon tax even if the federal version is abandoned, while 13% (-3) are not sure.

“Most British Columbians who voted for the BC Green Party in 2020 (54%) would retain the provincial carbon tax,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer residents who cast ballots for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (44%) or the BC Liberals (30%) four years ago feel the same way.”

Just under two-in-five British Columbians (39%, +11) think the introduction of the carbon tax has led people to be more mindful of their carbon consumption and change their behaviour—a proportion that reaches 55% among those aged 18-to-34.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (63%, +1) say the carbon tax that was introduced in July 2008 has negatively affected the finances of their household.

Residents of the Fraser Valley (75%) and Northern BC (67%) are more likely to report a detrimental impact from the carbon tax than their counterparts in Metro Vancouver (62%), Vancouver Island (60%) and Northern BC (58%).

More than half of British Columbians (54%) think climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities. Fewer of the province’s residents believe climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by natural changes (25%) or a theory that has not yet been proven (13%).

More than two-in-five British Columbians (44%) believe we all need to do “much more” to deal with climate change, while just over three-in-ten (31%) feel the community needs to do “a bit more” to address it.

Fewer than one-in-five British Columbians (17%) think we do not need to do anything to deal with climate change—a group that includes 23% of men, 19% of British Columbians aged 35-to-54 and 23% of BC Liberal voters in the 2020 provincial election.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from September 5 to September 7, 2024, among a representative sample of 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty..

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

Exposing Egg Carton Deception at Loblaw

June 4, 2024June 3, 2024By Mario Canseco

Download the full report and data tables.

We polled 1,000 Loblaw customers from May 7 to May 10 and the results show that due to egg carton designs and marketing claims, Loblaw customers are being misled into believing that eggs from caged chickens are cage-free.

For context, the cage confinement of egg-laying chickens has emerged as a prominent issue for Canadians. Heightened consumer familiarity, catalyzed by comprehensive media scrutiny and undercover exposés documenting severe food safety, quality, and animal welfare problems has prompted an avalanche of corporate cage-free egg commitments.

In 2016, Loblaw announced it would transition exclusively to selling cage-free eggs by 2025. Its rationale was articulated in its Corporate Responsibility Report that year, where the company stated, “Our customers expect that the products we sell are safe, of high quality, responsibly sourced, and produced in a humane way.”

While the company has since abandoned the 2025 timeline, it continues to assure customers that its ultimate goal remains to eventually only sell cage-free eggs. However, it recently disclosed that in 2023, a staggering 83% of the eggs it sold still came from chickens confined in cages. So, we polled Loblaw customers.

Respondents were shown images of various cartons of eggs from caged hens that depict farm scenes and asked whether they think the eggs are cage or cage-free. Overwhelmingly, far more respondents (in every single demographic group) mistakenly thought they come from cage-free hens than correctly identified them as coming from caged hens.

For example, our poll found that nearly half of Loblaw customers (46%) inaccurately believe that egg cartons with the term “Nestlaid” contain cage-free eggs, even though those eggs actually come from caged hens. Similarly, our poll found that 45% of Loblaw customers inaccurately believe that egg cartons with the term “Nature’s Best” contain cage-free eggs, even though those eggs come from caged hens.

Perhaps most strikingly, 82% of Loblaw’s customers would favour the company adding colour-coded shelf tags that identify which eggs are cage-free and which are not. As well, over three quarters of Loblaw customers (76%) favour open barns to cage confinement. That number is nearly identical (73%) when given the choice between open barns and so-called “enriched cages” (a type of cage used by some egg producers in Canada).

Along with the vast confusion over egg carton marketing, the results indicate that Loblaw consumers support open housing for hens and think they’re already buying cage-free eggs but are, in fact, being misled into purchasing eggs from caged hens.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study commissioned by The Accountability Board and conducted by Research Co. from May 7 to May 9, 2024, among 1,000 adult Canadians who have gotten groceries at Loblaws or Loblaws-affiliates in the last three months. 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.

Download the full report and data tables.

Even After Court Ruling, British Columbians Back Plastics Ban

February 14, 2024February 13, 2024By Mario Canseco

Just under half of the province’s residents say they go out of their way to recycle “all of the time”.

Vancouver, BC [January 14, 2024] – Most British Columbians remain in favour of a ban on single use plastics, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The ban—which includes grocery checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, plastic cutlery and food takeout containers made from hard-to-recycle plastics—was originally introduced by the federal government in December 2022.

In November 2023, the Federal Court overturned the ban, considering the policy “unreasonable and unconstitutional.”

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 71% of British Columbians support banning single-use plastics in Canada, while 24% are opposed and 6% are undecided.

Two thirds of residents of Northern BC (66%) are in favour of the ban on single use plastics. The proportions are higher in the Fraser Valley (69%), Metro Vancouver (70%), Vancouver Island (71%) and Southern BC (72%).

Across British Columbia, more than four-in-five residents (81%) say they transport groceries out of a store after purchasing them in their own re-usable bag, down four points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in January 2023.

“About two thirds of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (65%) rely on re-usable bags at the grocery store,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are higher among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (78%) and aged 55 and over (95%).”

When it comes to other behaviours, just under half of British Columbians (48%, -1) say they go out of their way to recycle “all of the time”, such as holding on to bottles and cans until they can be placed into a proper recycling bin.

Just over one-in-five British Columbians (21%, +2) claim to limit hot water usage in their home “all the time” by taking shorter showers or running washing machines or dishwashers with full loads only.

Fewer British Columbians always unplug electrical devices in their home—such as TVs, computers and cell phone chargers—when they are not in use (15%, +3), eat organic or home-grown foods (9%, +4) or buy biodegradable products (9%, =).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on February 5 to February 7, 2024, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

British Columbians Skeptical About Move to “Zero Emission” Cars

January 18, 2024January 30, 2024By Mario Canseco

Half of the province’s drivers (50%) foresee their next vehicle being electric, down nine points since April 2022.

Vancouver, BC [January 18, 2024] – More than half of British Columbians question whether the new goal of the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act will ultimately be met, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In May 2019, the Government of British Columbia passed the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, which sought to ensure that, by the year 2040, all light-duty cars and trucks sold in the province will be “zero emission.” In October 2023, the provincial government amended the legislation, which now calls for the sale of gas-powered light-duty cars and trucks to be phased-out by 2035—five years earlier than originally proposed.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, only 37% of British Columbians think the goal of ensuring that, by the year 2035, all light-duty cars and trucks sold in the province will be “zero emission” is achievable, down 16 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022.

More than half of British Columbians (54%, +15) think the new goal is not achievable—a proportion that reaches 66% among those aged 55 and over and 69% in Southern BC.

A majority of British Columbians (57%, -16) agree with the provincial government’s decision to ensure that, by the year 2035, all light-duty cars and trucks sold in the province will be “zero emission”, while one third (34%, +14) disagree and 9% (+3) are undecided.

Half of British Columbians who drive their own cars in (50%, -9) say it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that the next vehicle they acquire for themselves or their household will be electric.

“Most drivers in Metro Vancouver (58%, -6) continue to believe that their next car will be electric,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among drivers who reside in the Fraser Valley (49%, -13), Southern BC (48%, -6), Vancouver Island (45%, -8) and Northern BC (42%, +6).”

More than half of drivers in British Columbia (58%, -1) say they would be less likely to purchase an electric vehicle because it is too expensive compared to non-electric options.

At least two-in-five drivers in British Columbia cited three other possible deterrents: fear of becoming stranded if they are unable find a charging station (47%, -7), not having enough places to charge the vehicle in the areas where they usually drive (45%, -5) and not having a place to charge the vehicle where they currently live (such as a strata) (40%, -4). Significantly fewer drivers (15%, +2) mention the “feel” of the vehicle compared with a non-electric option.

Compared to 2022, the proportion of drivers in British Columbia aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54 who express a fear of becoming stranded as a possible reason to avoid purchasing an electric vehicle has dropped, from 44% to 35% among those aged 18-to-34 and from 55% to 45% among those aged 35-to-54.

There is little change in the proportion of drivers aged 55 and over who express a fear of becoming stranded as a possible reason to avoid purchasing an electric vehicle, going from 60% in 2022 to 59% in 2024.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 8 to January 10, 2024, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

B.C. Coastal Issues Poll Finds Strong Consensus on Future of Coastal Economy

November 22, 2023November 22, 2023By Mario Canseco

A recent survey on coastal issues conducted by Research Co. finds marine conservation viewed as a priority for the future of the B.C. coastal economy.

Asked to rate the importance of various activities to the economic future of the B.C. coast, including commercial fishing, tourism, and oil & gas development, respondents across all regions and demographics put “marine conservation” on top.

“Marine conservation” is rated by 93% as important to the future coastal economy, followed by “renewable energy” (86%), and “outdoor recreation” (82%). Rounding out the top five priorities are “small-scale community fisheries” (83%) and “ecotourism” (79%). At the bottom of the list are “fish farming” (69%) and “deep sea mining” (44%).

On issues of concern to B.C. coastal communities, “declining fish stocks” tops the list, with 92% of British Columbians concerned, including 68% who are “very concerned”.

Reflecting a marked contrast between generations, respondents aged 65+ are 20 points more likely to say they are “extremely/very” concerned (77%) about declining fish stocks compared to those aged 18-34 (56%).

“Open-net fish farms” (90%) and “bottom trawling” (90%) are the second highest on the list of concerns, followed by climate change (84%). Residents of Vancouver Island, the Southern Interior, and respondents aged 65+ express the greatest concern about these issues, while residents in the North are significantly less worried. A strong majority of all party supporters are “very concerned” about open-net fish farms and bottom trawling, with supporters of the federal Conservatives and People’s Party being exceptions on the issue of climate change.

Lowest on the list of coastal concerns are “loss of commercial fishing jobs” (78%), “excessive government restrictions on fishing” (65%), and “too many seals and sea lions” (55%).

The survey finds strong support for a plan by Ottawa, B.C., and coastal First Nations to establish a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in BC’s northern coastal waters.

Nearly eight in ten (79%) of B.C. residents support this collaborative inter-governmental project, which proposes to protect nearly one third of waters off the province’s north and central coast. Just 9% of British Columbians are opposed.

Politically, 78% of federal Conservative voters support the MPA network, versus 14% who oppose it. Among federal Liberals, there is 87% support, and among federal NDPers, there is 88% support.

MPAs are apparently one issue that transcends partisan politics in a province known for polarization.

British Columbians have confidence in scientists and environmental groups as sources of information on marine issues. Confidence in the salmon farming industry and fishing companies is weak.

The general public has the most confidence in scientists (77%), environmental groups (67%), and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (61%) as sources of information on issues like marine protected areas (MPAs).

A majority also have confidence in local First Nations communities (54%), the provincial government (54%), and whale watching guides (51%).

British Columbians have the least confidence in the fishing industry (39%), the salmon farming industry (32%), and fishing companies like Jimmy Pattison’s Canfisco (25%).

Methodology: The findings reported here are based on a province-wide online survey of n=1,603 British Columbians conducted October 31 through November 8, 2023 by Research Co. The Bayesian credibility interval or margin of error equivalent for a sample of this size is ±2.4% 19 times out of 20.

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

British Columbians Divided on Future of Provincial Carbon Tax

October 25, 2023October 24, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five (62%) say the carbon tax has negatively affected the finances of their household, up 26 points since 2020.

Vancouver, BC [October 25, 2023] – Residents of British Columbia are split on what should happen to the provincial carbon tax in the event of a Conservative Party victory in the next Canadian federal election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The carbon tax was implemented in British Columbia by the provincial government—headed by Gordon Campbell of the BC Liberals—in July 2008, a decade before the federal government brought in a federal carbon tax. The federal Conservative Party has pledged to abolish the federal carbon tax if it forms the government after the next election.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 43% of British Columbians think the provincial carbon tax should be scrapped if the federal version is abandoned, while 40% would prefer to keep it.

Support for keeping the provincial carbon tax is highest among British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (54%), but drops among those aged 35-to-54 (44%) and those aged 55 and over (36%).

Fewer than three-in-ten British Columbians (28%) think the introduction of the carbon tax has led people to be more mindful of their carbon consumption and change their behaviour, down nine points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2020.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (62%, +26) say that the carbon tax has negatively affected the finances of their household.

“The notion of the British Columbia carbon tax causing financial strife is more prevalent in Northern BC (65%), Metro Vancouver (64%) and the Fraser Valley (also 64%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are slightly lower in Southern BC (56%) and Vancouver Island (also 56%).”

At least two thirds of British Columbians say they are personally concerned about four environmental problems: global warning or climate change (71%, +8), the pollution of rivers, lakes and reservoirs (70 %, +4), the pollution of drinking water (69%, +4) and air pollution (66%, +1).

Majorities of British Columbians are also personally worried about six other problems: the contamination of soil and water by toxic waste (64%, +4), the extinction of plant and animal species (63%, +5), deforestation (62%, +4), the maintenance of the supply of fresh water for household needs (also 62%, +7), the depletion of fish stocks through overfishing (61%, +3) and the loss of tropical rain forests (58%, +3).

More than two-in-five British Columbians believe three levels of government are not paying enough attention to the environment: federal (46%, +5), municipal (44%, +6) and provincial (43%, +8).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from October 12 to October 14, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians Reject Return of Grizzly Bear Trophy Hunt

October 4, 2023October 4, 2023By Mario Canseco

Most are opposed to hunting grizzly bears for sport / trophy and want to pass a law to ensure the existing ban remains in place.

Vancouver, BC [October 4, 2023] – Across the province, 84% of British Columbians disapprove of the sport / trophy hunting of grizzly bears, a new Research Co. poll conducted in partnership with Pacific Wild Alliance has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 70% of British Columbians disagree with the Government of British Columbia reinstating the grizzly bear sport / trophy hunt, that was banned by the provincial government in 2017.

Opposition to the return of the grizzly bear trophy hunt is highest on Vancouver Island (79%), followed by Southern BC (75%), the Fraser Valley (74%), Northern BC (70%) and Metro Vancouver (66%).

More than three-in-four British Columbians (77%) think it is time for the provincial government to pass a law ensuring that the ban on the trophy/sport hunting of grizzly bears implemented in December 2017, remains in place.

“The notion of enshrining the ban on grizzly bear trophy hunting in legislation is popular across the political spectrum,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At least two thirds of British Columbians who voted for the BC Liberals (66%), the BC Greens (68%) and the BC NDP in 2020 (73%), support this idea.”

More than three-in-four British Columbians (76%) agree that decisions about the stewardship of grizzly bears should remain in the hands of the provincial government, with grizzly bears held in trust for all British Columbians.

“Grizzly bears, like countless other transboundary species, need a coordinated conservation strategy at the provincial and national level working with Indigenous governments,” says Karen McAllister, the executive director of Pacific Wild, “The B.C. government appears to be going in the opposite direction, preferring to offload its wildlife management responsibilities to regional and local committees.”

More than four-in-five British Columbians think it is inappropriate for humans to hunt four different species for sport / trophy in the province: grizzly bears (84%), wild cats (also 84%), black bears (83%) and wolves (81%).

Just under three-in-four British Columbians (74%) disagree with the notion that natural predators (such as bears, cougars and wolves), should be killed to decrease competition with hunters for moose, deer and elk.

The B.C. government is currently seeking feedback on its draft Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework with a deadline of October 6th. Pacific Wild Alliance is encouraging people to let the government know—either by filling out the survey or contacting government directly—that the ban on grizzly hunting should be continued and legislated.

For more information on the Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework visit www.pacificwild.org.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 23 to September 25, 2023, among 1,000 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Karen McAllister, Executive Director, Pacific Wild.

250-957-7400

[e] karen@pacificwild.org

Photo Credit: Ian McAllister

Three-in-Five Canadians Side with Human-Made Climate Change

August 18, 2023August 17, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than one-in-four believe global warming is a fact and is mostly caused by natural changes.

Vancouver, BC [August 18, 2023] – The proportion of Canadians who think humans are responsible for global warming has dropped over the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 60% of Canadians think climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities, down nine points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2022.

More than one-in-four Canadians (27%, +7) think global warming is a fact and is mostly caused by natural changes, while 8% (+3) say climate change is a theory that has not yet been proven.

“More than four-in-five Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (82%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (81%) in the 2021 federal election say climate change is mostly caused by emissions,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 47% of Conservative Party voters feel the same way.”

More than tree-in-five residents of Atlantic Canada (63%), Quebec (also 63%) and Ontario (61%) think global warming is human-made. The proportions are lower in British Columbia (58%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (55%) and Alberta (52%).

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%, -5) describe climate change as a “major crisis”—a proportion that rises to 71% among Canadians aged 55 and over and to 74% among Quebecers.

When it comes to dealing with issues related to climate change that are happening or impacting people directly now, two thirds of Canadians think governments (68%, -1), as well as companies and corporations (also 68%, -7), should be doing more. Significantly fewer (58%, -9) believe individuals and consumers should also be playing a larger role.

When asked about actions that could be taken now to curb the impact of climate change in the future, the responses are similar. About two thirds of Canadians want companies and corporations (68%, -8) and governments (67%, -5) to do more, while fewer (60%, -8) think this is also the responsibility of individuals and consumers.

Just over three-in-five parents (61%, -24) claim to recycle more after conversations with their children motivated them to do so. Fewer parents are engaging in other behaviours, such as taking shorter showers (36%, -11) or driving less than usual (35%, -20).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 22 to July 24, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Some Canadians Willing to Pay Higher Taxes to Deal with Issues

August 16, 2023August 15, 2023By Mario Canseco

Fewer than half of Canadians would welcome paying more in order to fund transit improvements.

Vancouver, BC [August 16, 2023] – More than half of Canadians are willing to pay higher taxes to tackle specific challenges, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 57% of Canadians say they would “definitely” or “probably” be willing to pay higher taxes to adequately address homelessness and climate change.

“Support for additional tax revenue to deal with homelessness is highest in Atlantic Canada and Quebec (61% each),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower in Alberta (60%), Ontario (58%), British Columbia (51%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 51%).”

Almost two thirds of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (65%) are willing to pay higher taxes to adequately address climate change, along with 54% of those aged 35-to-54 and 53% of those aged 55 and over.

Slightly fewer Canadians would be willing to pay higher taxes in exchange for adequate action on schools (56%), forest fires (55%), housing improvements (54%) and floods (52%).

Fewer than half of Canadians (46%) would be willing to pay higher taxes to adequately deal with transit improvements.

More than three-in-five Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (62%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 62%) in the 2021 federal elections are willing to pay higher taxes for housing improvements. The proportion drops to 41% among those who cast ballots for the Conservative Party.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Majorities in British Columbia and Alberta Agree on TMX Pipeline

June 21, 2023July 3, 2023By Mario Canseco

The proportion of British Columbians who think the provincial government should stop the project has dropped to 28%.

Vancouver, BC [June 21, 2023] – More than half of British Columbians and two thirds of Albertans believe the federal government was right in re-approving the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative provincial samples, 54% of British Columbians agree with the decision, up three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2022. Two thirds of Albertans (67%, -2) also agree with the re-approval of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.

In British Columbia, support for the project is highest in Northern BC (62%), followed by Southern BC (61%), the Fraser Valley (58%), Metro Vancouver (53%) and Vancouver Island (52%).

In Alberta, there is virtually no variation in the perceptions of residents of the Calgary CMA (67%), Edmonton CMA (also 67%) and the rest of the province (68%).

Significant majorities of Albertans (79%, +1) and British Columbians (71%, =) believe the Trans Mountain pipeline will create hundreds of jobs for residents of their province.

The public is decidedly more skeptical about the effect the Trans Mountain pipeline will have on fuel costs. Fewer than two-in-five Albertans (37%, -3) and British Columbians (36%, -1) expect to experience lower gas prices as a result of the project’s re-approval.

“Albertans are particularly critical of the federal government on the Trans Mountain file, with 60% (-1) saying they are disappointed with Ottawa’s performance,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer than half of British Columbians (48%, -3) share this feeling.”

Only 20% of Albertans (-5) and 28% of British Columbians (-5) think their provincial government should do anything necessary to ensure that the Trans Mountain expansion does not happen. This is a significant change in British Columbia from a Research Co. survey conducted in June 2019, when 41% of the province’s residents called for government action to stop the project.

One-in-four Albertans (25%, -3) and more than a third of British Columbians (36%, -4) believe the Trans Mountain expansion threatens the health and safety of residents.

British Columbians remain divided on whether this would be a good time to reconsider the Enbridge Northern Gateway—a proposal to build a new pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia’s north coast, to export oil on tankers to Asian markets—which was rejected by the federal government in November 2016.

Fewer than half of British Columbians (44%, -2) would agree to take a second look at the proposal, while three-in-ten (30%, +4) disagree.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 10 to June 12, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia and 800 adults in Alberta. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in each province. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.5 percentage points for each province, 19 times out of 20.

Find our data tables for British Columbia here, our data tables for Alberta here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

BC NDP Extends Advantage in British Columbia’s Political Scene

May 9, 2023May 8, 2023By Mario Canseco

Crime and public safety rise markedly as issues of concern for residents, going from 5% in February to 14% in May.

Vancouver, BC [May 9, 2023] – Public backing for the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) has increased over the past three months in British Columbia, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 46% of decided voters would support the BC NDP candidate in their constituency if an election took place today, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February.

BC United is in second place with 33% (-3 since the previous survey as BC Liberals), followed by the BC Green Party with 16% (=) and the Conservative Party of BC with 4% (+2).

“Female decided voters in British Columbia pick the BC New Democrats over BC United by a two-to-one margin (50% to 24%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The two parties are practically tied among male decided voters (42% for the BC NDP and 41% for BC United).”

Respondents to this survey were asked if they would consider voting for each of the four main parties if they ran a candidate in their constituency in the next provincial election. The BC Conservatives featured candidates in 10 of 87 constituencies in the 2017 provincial election, and in 19 of 87 ridings in the 2020 ballot.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (61%) say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider casting a ballot for the BC NDP candidate in their riding. The rating is lower for BC United (46%), the BC Greens (37%) and the BC Conservatives (25%).

Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby maintains an approval rating of 59% across the province. The numbers are lower for BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau (40%, -2), BC United leader Kevin Falcon (38%, -6) and BC Conservative leader John Rustad (18%).

Just under a third of British Columbians (32%, -2) select housing, homelessness and poverty as the most important issue facing the province, followed by health care (28%, -1), crime and public safety (14%, +9), the economy and jobs (12%, -1) and the environment (4%, -2).

Housing, homelessness and poverty is the prevalent concern for residents of the Fraser Valley (41%), Southern BC (35%) and Metro Vancouver (33%). Health care is the main worry for residents of Vancouver Island (32%), while the economy and jobs dominates in Northern BC (28%).

Public safety is a greater concern for residents of Metro Vancouver (16%), Vancouver Island (15%) and Southern BC (12%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from May 1 to May 3, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. 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 plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most Canadians Oblivious to the “15-Minute City” Concept

March 31, 2023March 30, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five Canadians like what they have learned about the urban planning concept.

Vancouver, BC [March 31, 2023] – Only a third of Canadians are aware of the “15-minute city” concept that has been implemented in some municipalities around the world, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 33% of Canadians had heard about the “15-minute city”, while 57% had not and 9% were not sure.

The “15-minute city” is an urban planning concept in which daily necessities and services—such as work, shopping, education, health care and entertainment—can be reached through a 15-minute walk or bike ride from any point in the city.

“Awareness of the 15-minute city concept is highest in Alberta (41%), where the City of Edmonton has discussed the matter prominently in recent weeks,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion of informed residents is lower in British Columbia (37%), Ontario (36%), Quebec (32%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (29%) and Atlantic Canada (22%).”

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%) support the “15-minute city” concept, while 16% oppose it and 22% are undecided.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to be in favour of the “15-minute city” (66%) than their counterparts aged 55 and over (60%) and aged 35-to-54 (51%).

Among Canadians who were aware of the concept before taking the survey, support for the “15-minute city” rises to 72% and opposition jumps to 23%.

Respondents to this poll were asked about the possibility of five things happening if the “15-minute city” is implemented in their communities.

Majorities of Canadians believe the “15-minute city” will lead to a reduction in the use of personal automobiles (63%) and an increase in the mental health and well-being of residents (53%).

More than two thirds of Canadians who currently drive to school or work on weekdays (68%) think the municipalities that implement the “15-minute city” concept will experience a reduction in the use of personal automobiles.

For more than two-in-five Canadians (43%), the “15-minute city” will bring an increase in government surveillance and control, while 37% expect a reduction in personal freedoms and 27% foresee that residents will be fined if they leave their “home” districts.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from March 18 to March 20, 2023, among 1,000 Canadian adults. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca