Lifestyle – Research Co.

Many Canadians Still Displeased with Drivers as Bad Habits Drop

September 22, 2023September 21, 2023By Mario Canseco

The proportion of Canadians who witnessed a driver turning without signaling fell by 10 points since 2022.

Vancouver, BC [September 22, 2023] – While fewer Canadians recall seeing five improper behaviours on the road, almost half continue to think that drivers in their municipality are not as good as they used to be, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 46% of Canadians believe drivers in their city or town are worse now than five years ago, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2022.

Most residents of Atlantic Canada (52%, -9) think local drivers are not as good as they were in 2018. The proportions are lower in Quebec (47%, +13), Ontario (also 47%, +-9), British Columbia (45%, -12), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (42%, =) and Alberta (41%, -2).

“More than half of Canadians aged 55 and over (56%, -2) are convinced that drivers in their city or town are worse now than five years ago,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (43%, -9) and aged 18-to-34 (37%, +3).”

The annual survey also measures the incidence of specific occurrences on the country’s roads. Over the past month, just under three-in-five Canadians (59%, -10) recall seeing a driver not signalling before a turn, including 66% of Albertans.

Half of Canadians (50%, -4) recently witnessed a car taking up two or more spots in a parking lot, while fewer recall drivers not stopping at an intersection (45%, -4), drivers turning right or left from an incorrect lane (35%, -5) or a close call, such as having to slam the brakes or steer violently to avoid a collision (34%, -3).

For practically three-in-five Canadians (59%, +1), there are specific groups or people in their city or town who are worse drivers than others.

For the third consecutive year, the top four responses offered by Canadians on this open-ended question are “young” (33%, -7), “elderly” (21%, +3), “Asian (16%, -3) and “immigrant” (12%, +4).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 2 to September 4, 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, 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

Financial Stress Rising Markedly for Parents in British Columbia

September 13, 2023September 13, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than two thirds of parents also experience work-related and family-related stress “frequently” or “occasionally”.

Vancouver, BC [September 13, 2023] – Just over two thirds of parents of children aged 0 to 18 in British Columbia are experiencing stress on account of the cost of items such as groceries or gas, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample of parents, 67% acknowledge undergoing financial stress “frequently” or “occasionally”, up 19 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2022.

Compared to last year, there are also significant increases in the proportion of parents across British Columbia who “frequently” or “occasionally” experience family-related stress (66%, +19) and work-related stress (65%, +21).

Conversely, the number of parents across British Columbia who “frequently” or “occasionally” undergo housing-related stress—such as finding a place to live or paying for a mortgage or rent—has dropped by 11 points to 47%

“The current state of affairs, particularly on economic matters, is taking a toll on mothers in British Columbia,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than two-in-five (42%) say they frequently experience financial stress.”

More than half of parents in British Columbia (57%, +17) say it is currently “moderately difficult” or “very difficult” to make ends meet for them and their families.

Two thirds of parents in Northern BC (66%) acknowledge setbacks in making ends meet. The numbers are slightly lower in the Fraser Valley (62%), Southern BC (58%), Metro Vancouver (55%) and Vancouver Island (52%).

More than two-in-five parents in British Columbia (43%, +9) say it is currently difficult to cover the cost of transportation, while a majority (56%, +14) feel the same way about paying for day to day expenses.

Saving money in a bank account is regarded as a difficult task by 80% of parents, up 21 points since February 2022.

Just over half of parents in British Columbia (52%, +3) believe it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that their child (or any one of their children) will have to move away from the municipality where they currently live due to the high cost of living.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2023, among 619 adult parents of children aged 0 to 18 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 +/- 3.7 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

Canadians Deeply Divided on Use of Biometrics for Purchases

September 6, 2023September 5, 2023By Mario Canseco

Smartphone payments are gaining ground among Canadians aged 18-to-34, while those aged 55 and over prefer credit cards.

Vancouver, BC [September 6, 2023] – Support for the notion of paying for goods and services through biometrics has grown in Canada over the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 44% of Canadians say they would like to see people relying on fingerprints, palm recognition or iris scans to make purchases in their lifetime, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022.

More than two-in-five Canadians (45%, -4) say they would not like to see body measurements and calculations being used to buy things, while 11% (-1) are undecided.

“More than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (54%) would welcome a world where payments can be made through biometrics,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (44%) and aged 55 and over (31%) are not as certain.”

Just under one-in-four Canadians (23%, +5) expect to be able to rely on biometrics to make purchases in the next five years, while a third (33%, +1) foresee this option becoming available in the next 10 years.

Canadians were also asked how much have they have used specific methods to buy things over the course of the past month.

Fewer than one-in-five financial transactions in Canada (18%) involved the use of cash, while two-in-five (40%) were made through a credit card and just under three-in-ten (28%) entailed a debit card.

Canadians across the country were less likely to make payments through a smartphone (7%), an e-transfer (6%) or a cheque (2%).

Credit cards are the method used in half of all purchases made by Canadians aged 55 and over (50%). Reliance on this method is lower among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (41%) and aged 18-to-34 (31%).

Fewer than three-in-ten transactions across all age groups are handled with a debit card. Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to use their smartphone to make purchases (10%) than their older counterparts.

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%, =) say there was a time in the past month when they did not have any paper money with them and had to make a purchase of less than $10 with their credit or debit card.

Ontarians (71%) and Albertans (70%) are more likely to report having made a small purchase with a credit or debit card in the past month.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from August 17 to August 19, 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

Negative View of Using Animals in Rodeos Increases in Canada

September 1, 2023August 31, 2023By Mario Canseco

Majorities of Canadians are also opposed to keeping animals in zoos or aquariums, killing animals for their fur and trophy hunting.

Vancouver, BC [September 1, 2023] – Just over two thirds of Canadians are against the use of animals in rodeos, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 67% of Canadians are opposed to the practice, up six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022.

Just under one-in-four Canadians (24%, -5) are in favour of using animals in rodeos—a proportion that rises to 31% in Alberta and to 30% in Atlantic Canada.

“Since 2019, the proportion of Canadians who approve of the use of animals in rodeos has fallen by 10 points,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of women (73%) and men (59%) are currently opposed to this type of entertainment.”

As was the case last year, most Canadians are in favour of eating animals (75%, +3) and hunting animals for meat (63%, +1).

The issue of keeping animals in zoos and aquariums is decidedly more contentious, with 35% of Canadians (-4) saying they are in favour of this practice and 56% (+3) voicing opposition to it.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to be against keeping animals in zoos and aquariums (63%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (54%) and aged 55 and over (53%).

Fewer than one-in-five Canadians are in favour of killing animals for their fur (18%, +1) or hunting animals for sport (trophy hunting) (14%, =).

Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the 2021 federal election are slightly more likely to have no problem with trophy hunting (20%) than those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (15%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (13%).

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

Enthusiasm Still High in British Columbia for Home MLB Team

August 30, 2023August 29, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than half of BC residents aged 18-to-34 would purchase merchandise or apparel featuring the team’s logo.

Vancouver, BC [August 30, 2023] – Three-in-five British Columbians remain open to establishing a Major League Baseball (MLB) team in Vancouver, a new Research Co. poll has found.

For the past three years, MLB has contemplated an expansion and there have been discussions about relocating the existing Oakland Athletics franchise to a different city in North America.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 60% of British Columbians believe it is a “very good” or “good” idea for Vancouver to host an MLB team, down one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2021.

Positive views on the idea of an MLB team playing in Vancouver are highest in the Fraser Valley (67%), followed by Metro Vancouver (60%), Southern BC (57%), Vancouver Island (also 57%) and Northern BC (53%).

Just over two-in-five British Columbians (41%, +3) already have a favourite team in MLB, with most selecting the Toronto Blue Jays (32%, +4). The Seattle Mariners are second in popularity (6%, -1) followed by various other MLB franchises (3%, +1).

Among all of the British Columbians who currently have a favourite MLB team, more than three-in-five (62%, -7) say they would stop rooting for it to support the Vancouver squad.

Compared to 2021, there is no fluctuation on the proportions of British Columbians who are likely to watch the Vancouver MLB team’s games at home (51%) or at a bar or pub (37%) if a franchise is established.

“If Vancouver eventually hosts an MLB team, there would be no major fights over the remote control in British Columbia,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion of men and women who are likely to watch the games at home is similar (53% and 49% respectively).”

Just under two-in-five British Columbians (39%, -1) are likely to purchase apparel or merchandise with the logo of Vancouver’s MLB team, including 51% of those aged 18-to-34.

There are drops in the number of Metro Vancouverites who are likely to attend at least one home game a year (47%, -5) or buy season tickets (19%, -3) if an MLB club is established in Vancouver.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 29 to August 1, 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

Phone Calls to Strangers Cause Anxiety for Half of Canadians

August 25, 2023August 24, 2023By Mario Canseco

Residents of the country remain divided on whether text messages or emails are impersonal as modes of communication.

Vancouver, BC [August 25, 2023] – Many Canadians are not thrilled at the prospect of having to connect by phone with a stranger, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 53% of Canadians say they feel anxious when they have to make a phone call to a person they do not know, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022.

“Two thirds of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (66%) dread a telephone conversation with a stranger,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (55%) and aged 55 and over (40%).”

As was the case last year, Canadians remain split in their assessment of text messages and emails, with 46% believing this form of communication is impersonal and 47% disagreeing with this notion.

Canadians who reside in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (49%), Ontario (48%) and British Columbia (47%) are more likely to consider text messages and emails as impersonal than their counterparts in Quebec (44%), Atlantic Canada (42%) and Alberta (41%).

Just over two-in-five Canadians (43%) say they would have no problem giving a speech in front of other people—a proportion that drops to 39% among women.

Compared to last year, there is some movement in the preferred modes of communications chosen by Canadians for various tasks.

Just over a third of Canadians (35%, +2) would place a phone call if they had to ask a question to their municipality or City Hall, while 31% (-8) would send an e-mail and 22% (+2) would schedule a meeting in person.

Two-in-five Canadians (41%, +4) would place a phone call if they had to ask a question to their bank, while three-in-ten (31%, -1) would have an in person meeting. Significantly fewer Canadians would communicate with their financial institution via email (11%, -4), app (9%, -2) or text message (7%, +2).

More than three-in-four Canadians (77%, -5) think the best way to end a relationship with someone is in person. For 9% (+2), a text message would be a reasonable way to break up—a proportion that rises to 13% among those aged 18-to-34.

Two thirds of Canadians (68%, -5) would prefer to quit a job in person, while 13% (-2) would leave a position after sending an email, including 19% of Canadians aged 35-to-54.

Canadians remain divided on their preferred way to order food delivery to their home, with very similar proportions opting for a phone call (40%,+1) or an app (38%, -1).

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

Positive Momentum for Lions and Whitecaps in British Columbia

August 23, 2023August 22, 2023By Mario Canseco

Interest in the two professional sports franchises has increased since 2021 across the province.

Vancouver, BC [August 23, 2023] – More residents of British Columbia are paying attention to two of the province’s football and soccer teams, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 12% of British Columbians say they are now more interested in the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer (MLS), up four points for each franchise since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2021.

Increased interest in the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL) stands at 14% (-1) in British Columbia. The proportion is lower for the Vancouver Canadians of Northwest League baseball (6%, +2) and the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL) (4%, -1).

Interest in the Lions has risen by double digits across all age groups: 15% among British Columbians aged 18-to-34, 13% among those aged 55 and over and 10% among those aged 35 to 54.

The Whitecaps score higher among British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (17%) but drop to 11% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 9% among those aged 55 and over.

More than half of British Columbians (55%, -8) select the Canucks when asked which sports team more accurately represents the province. The Lions are second with 16% (+6), followed by the Whitecaps (7%, +3), the Giants (2%, =) and the Canadians (1%, =).

Just over a third of British Columbians (34%, -3) own apparel or merchandise from the Canucks. Only two other teams are in double digits: the Lions (14%, +1) and the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB) (13%, +2).

Fewer British Columbians possess apparel or merchandise from the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL) (8%, -1), the Whitecaps (also 8%, +1), the Canadians (4%, -1), the Seattle Mariners of MLB (also 4%, -1) or the Giants (3%, -2).

“Almost one-in-four residents of the Fraser Valley (23%) own apparel or merchandise from the Lions,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than one-in-five residents of Northern BC (21%) possess something that features the Blue Jays logo.”

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.

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

English-Speaking Canadians Split on More “O Canada” Changes

August 11, 2023August 10, 2023By Mario Canseco

Younger respondents would welcome a different first line for the national anthem, but their older counterparts are not on board.

Vancouver, BC [August 11, 2023] – The notion of once again altering the lyrics of Canada’s national anthem again is divisive among English-speaking Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 41% of English-speaking Canadians would agree to change the first line of “O Canada” from “Our home and native land” to “Our home on native land”, while 44% disagree with the proposed modification.

In February, Canadian artist Jully Black sang “O Canada” with the line “Our home on native land” during the National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah.

More than half of English-speaking Canadians aged 18-to-34 (55%) agree with amending the lyrics to “O Canada” to swap “and” for “on”, but are joined by just 42% of those aged 35-to-54 and 28% of those aged 55 and over.

“Majorities of English-speaking Canadians of South Asian (68%), Indigenous (64%) and East Asian heritage (51%) endorse the proposed change to the national anthem,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 36% of English-speaking Canadians of European descent concur.”

The lyrics to the national anthem in English were modified in 2018. The second line of “O Canada” was changed from “in all thy sons command” to “in all of us command”.

Across the country, 48% of English-speaking Canadians agree with this modification (+6 since a similar survey conducted in February 2018), while 34% (-14) disagree and 17% (+7) are undecided.

When asked which of the two versions of the national anthem they prefer, almost half of English-speaking Canadians (47%, -7) choose “in all thy sons command”, while 38% (+4) select “in all of us command”.

English-speaking men (52%) are more likely than English-speaking women (43%) to express a preference for the previous version of “O Canada”.

English-speaking Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the 2021 federal election are more likely to prefer the “sons” version of the national anthem (67%) than those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (43%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (36%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 20 to July 24, 2023, among 1,572 English-speaking 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 +/- 2.5 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

Most British Columbians See Province as Unique Within Canada

August 9, 2023August 8, 2023By Mario Canseco

Four-in-five residents are proud of where they live, but only one-in-five believe BC would be better off as its own country.

Vancouver, BC [August 9, 2023] – British Columbians continue to see themselves as fundamentally different from residents of other Canadian provinces, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 80% of British Columbians say they are very proud of the province that they live in, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2022.

A majority of British Columbians (57%, -2) believe their views are different from the rest of Canada, but only one-in-five (20%, +1) think the province would be better off as its own country.

Almost three-in-five British Columbians (58%, -4) think the province’s residents have more in common with the people of Seattle and Portland than with those in Toronto or Montreal.

“There is no generation gap in the affinity of British Columbians towards Cascadia,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of residents aged 18-to-34 (57%), aged 35-to-54 (58%) and aged 55 and over (59%) feel the same way about their counterparts in Washington State and Oregon.”

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (73%, +1) think they will stay in the province for the rest of their lives. The proportion is lower among those aged 18-to-34 (59%).

Compared to 2022, there is little fluctuation in a question related to nationality. More than three-in-five respondents (62%, -1) say they are “Canadians first, and British Columbians second”, while 21% (-1) consider themselves “British Columbians first, and Canadians second.”

When asked about the best premier the province has had since 1986, three-in-ten British Columbians (30%, =) select John Horgan. Gordon Campbell is second with 8% (+1), followed by Christy Clark (7%, =) and Mike Harcourt (6%, =).

Christy Clark is the worst recent head of government for British Columbians (19%, =), followed by Campbell (13%, +3), Glen Clark (8%, =) and Bill Vander Zalm (7%, -1).

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

Canadians Hold Mixed Views on Gender Identity in the Classroom

August 4, 2023August 3, 2023By Mario Canseco

At least three-in-five Canadians endorse both same-sex marriage and the federal government’s ban on “conversion therapy”.

Vancouver, BC [August 4, 2023] – Almost half of Canadians believe there is no need for teachers to advise parents in the event a child aged 16 and under chooses a new name or pronoun, a new Research Co. poll has found.

New Brunswick’s Policy 713 seeks to prohibit teachers from using the preferred names and pronouns of students aged 16 and under without the consent of their parents.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 49% of Canadians think it should be mandatory for teachers to address students aged 16 and under using their preferred pronouns or names without having to inform their parents.

“Almost three-in-five Canadians aged 18-to-34 (59%) believe that a name or pronoun change in the classroom should be permitted without parental disclosure,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (45%) and aged 55 and over (44%).”

More than half of Canadians (54%) believe a specific situation does merit a conversation between a teacher and a child’s parents: a student aged 16 and under expressing a desire to change his or her gender.

Canadians aged 55 and over (60%) and Albertans (61%) are more likely to believe that a conversation about affirmation or reassignment between a teacher and a student aged 16 and under should be revealed to his or her parents.

In January 2022, legislation that came into effect that makes it illegal to promote, advertise, or profit from providing “conversion therapy”, or to subject a person, consenting or not, to “conversion therapy” in Canada.

Proponents of “conversion therapy” believe that individuals who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, queer, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2+) can be “converted” into heterosexuals through psychological or spiritual intervention.

More than half of Canadians (52%, -5 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022) think “conversion therapy” is impossible and three-in-five (60%, -2) agree with the government’s decision to outlaw the practice in the country.

The ban on “conversion therapy” is supported by 70% of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2021 federal election, 73% of those who backed the New Democratic Party (NDP) and 56% of those who cast ballots for Conservative Party candidates.

Just under two thirds of Canadians (64%, -2) think same-sex couples should continue to be allowed to legally marry in the country.

Fewer Canadians would prefer to bring back the concept of civil unions for same-sex couples (14%, +2), and one-in-ten (10%, =) would not allow for any kind of legal recognition for same-sex couples.

Support for same-sex marriage is highest in Atlantic Canada (71%), followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba (68%), Ontario (65%), Quebec (64%), Alberta (61%) and British Columbia (59%).

On one question, Canadians are more divided now than in 2022. Just over a third (34%, +6) believe people choose to identify as LGBTQ2+, while 36% (-6) think people are born as LGBTQ2+ and 30% (-1) are undecided.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 20 to July 22, 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

Most Young Canadians Experience “Ghosting” in Life and Work

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than four-in-five Canadians aged 18-to-34 say someone abruptly ended communication with them without explanation.

Vancouver, BC [August 2, 2023] – More than half of Canadians have endured “ghosting” from a person they know or had a conversation with, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 55% of Canadians acknowledge having been “ghosted” over the course of their lives—including 81% of those aged 18-to-34.

The term “ghosting” has been used to refer to people who abruptly end communication with someone without explanation. Almost four-in-five Canadians (79%) are familiar with the term, including 83% of women and 91% of those aged 18-to-34.

Most instances of “ghosting” endured by Canadians are related to a friend (32%), a person they went out with (23%) or a relative (17%).

Fewer Canadians have been “ghosted” by a person they talked to during a job interview or hiring process (15%), a person they had a telephone conversation with for work-related purposes (9%) or a prospective client who sought information about their business (8%).

There is a significant generational gap when it comes to “ghosting”, particularly on friendship. While practically half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (49%) have been unable to connect with a friend they sought out, the proportion is lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (34%) and aged 55 and over (16%).

More than two-in-five Canadians (45%) have “ghosted” someone over the course of their lives, including friends (25%), someone they went out with (21%) or relatives (13%).

More than three-in-five Canadians say they would prefer to be told what happened—and not endure “ghosting”—when looking for a job (63%), dating (64%) or during work-related interactions (73%).

Canadians are divided on whether everyone should rely on “ghosting” if they so desire, with 44% saying the practice is sometimes appropriate, and 42% believing it is never appropriate. Only 2% of Canadians think “ghosting” is always appropriate.

“Just over three-in-five Canadians aged 18-to-34 (61%), who rely more often on electronic modes of communication, say that ‘ghosting’ is sometimes appropriate,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Conversely, more than half of Canadians aged 55 and over (56%) think the practice is never appropriate.”

Residents of three provinces are more likely to brand “ghosting” as sometimes appropriate: Alberta (54%), British Columbia (49%) and Ontario (48%). Those who reside in three other regions of Canada are more likely to say the practice is never appropriate: Quebec (47%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 47%) and Atlantic Canada (46%).

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

United Kingdom and Japan Most Liked Countries for Canadians

July 28, 2023July 27, 2023By Mario Canseco

Fewer than one-in-five currently have a positive opinion of Iran, Russia and North Korea.

Vancouver, BC [July 28, 2023] – Practically three-in-four Canadians have a favourable view of two G7 nations, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 74% of Canadians have a positive opinion of the United Kingdom (unchanged since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January 2023) and Japan (up four points).

Nine-in-ten Canadians aged 55 and over (90%) hold favourable views on the United Kingdom, along with 71% of those aged 35-to-54 and aged 18-to-34.

On a regional basis, positive opinions on the United Kingdom are highest in British Columbia (82%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 82%), followed by Atlantic Canada (77%), Alberta (71%), Ontario (71%) and Quebec (70%).

Just over three-in-four Canadians aged 18-to-34 (76%) hold favourable views on Japan. The rating is similar among Canadians aged 55 and over (75%) and slightly lower among those aged 35-to-54 (69%).

At least two thirds of Canadians have a positive opinion of three European nations: Italy (73%, +2), Germany (72%, +3) and France (68%, -2).

More than half of Canadians hold favourable views on South Korea (58%, +1) and the United States (54%, =). The rating is lower for Mexico (47%, -2), India (39%, -2) and Venezuela (28%, -2).

There is a significant gender gap when it comes to the way Canadians feel about the United States right now. While 59% of men have a positive opinion of the country, only 50% of women concur.

Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party or the Liberal Party in the 2021 federal election are more likely to hold favourable views on the United States (62% and 60% respectively) than those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (44%).

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians have a positive opinion on Saudi Arabia (22%, -1) and China (20%, +2). As was the case in January, three countries are at the bottom: Iran (13%, =), Russia (also 13%, +2) and North Korea (11%, =).

“In December 2019, more than one-in-four Canadians (26%) had a positive opinion of the Russian Federation,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The favourability rating is 13 points lower in 2023.”

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

Almost Two Thirds of Canadians Content with COVID-19 Measures

July 26, 2023July 25, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five support holding a public inquiry into the way the federal government managed the pandemic.

Vancouver, BC [July 26, 2023] – Most Canadians believe the country is currently in a good situation when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 64% of Canadians believe we are in a different moment and there is no need for additional public health measures related to COVID-19.

Just over one-in-five Canadians (22%) think we should continue to have strict public health measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, while fewer than one-in-ten (10%) say COVID-19 was a hoax and we never should have altered our lives.

“In November 2021, two thirds of Canadians were in favour of vaccine passports for office workers,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “This month, a similar proportion believe no supplementary actions are required anymore to deal with COVID-19.”

About half of Canadians believe the federal government (50%), their provincial governments (49%) and their municipal governments (51%) were successful in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The rating is lower for the official opposition in Canada (35%) and the official opposition in their province (38%).

While 74% of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in 2021 think the federal government’s pandemic management was a success, the rating is lower among those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (53%) or the Conservative Party (32%).

About half of Canadians also think the media was successful in dealing with the pandemic, in the form of television news (52%), radio news (51%) and newspapers (49%). Fewer Canadians think non-governmental organizations (47%), unions (40%) and trade associations (35%) were successful in managing COVID-19.

The Government of the United Kingdom has announced a public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic. The terms of reference intend to cover preparedness, the public health response, the response in the health care sector and the economic response.

More than half of Canadians believe similar public inquiries are warranted at three different levels: federal (62%, -4 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022), provincial (61%, -3) and municipal (57%, -4).

Support for a federal public inquiry into pandemic management is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (74%), followed by Ontario (65%), Alberta (62%), Quebec (61%), Atlantic Canada (56%) and British Columbia (53%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 16 to July 18, 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

Home Office Still Desirable for Young Workers in British Columbia

July 19, 2023July 18, 2023By Mario Canseco

One-in-five British Columbians who worked from home during the pandemic have left a job over work-from-home guidelines.

Vancouver, BC [July 19, 2023] – The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on the way British Columbians perceive work, with a significant proportion of young adults interested in avoiding the office, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 19% of British Columbians who worked from home at some point during the COVID-19 pandemic say they left a position because their company did not allow them to work from home as often as they wanted.

“Few British Columbians aged 35-to-54 and aged 55 and over have quit after a disagreement over work-from-home regulations (9% and 2% respectively),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In stark contrast, 39% of pandemic home workers aged 18-to-34 have switched jobs at least once since 2020 to be able to work from home more often.”

Across the province, 49% of employed adults say they had to work from home at least temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fewer than one-in-five of British Columbia’s pandemic home workers (17%) are no longer working from home at all. This leaves 32% who are able to labour from home once or twice a week, 19% who do so three or four days a week, and 32% who do so five days a week.

The proportion of British Columbia’s pandemic home workers who are no longer commuting to an office reaches 36% in Metro Vancouver, 29% in the Fraser Valley and 27% in Vancouver Island.

More than three-in-five of British Columbia’s pandemic home workers (63%, unchanged since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022) are happy with their current arrangements. Just under one-in-four (23%, -4) say they are working from home less often than they would like to, and 14% (+4) say they are working from home more often than they would like to.

More than half of British Columbia’s pandemic home workers (55%, +2) say they are “very likely” or “moderately likely” to seek a different job if their current company does not allow them to work from home as often as they want.

Sizeable proportions of British Columbia’s pandemic home workers would also consider new positions in their own metropolitan area (64%, -2), their own province (58%, -1) or a different province (46%, +1) to work from home more often.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 3 to July 8, 2023, among 1,000 adults who work in British Columbia, including 492 who worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 for all workers and +/- 4.4 percentage points for home workers, 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

Few Canadians Are Paying Attention to Online News Act

July 12, 2023July 12, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than two-in-five consumers of online news would try a different search engine if Bill C-18 restricts access to platforms.

Vancouver, BC [July 12, 2023] – Fewer than half of Canadians are monitoring the discussions related to Bill C-18, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 41% of Canadians are following news stories related to the Online News Act “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

Men (47%), Canadians aged 18-to-34 (50%) and British Columbians (also 50%) are more likely to be currently paying attention to Bill C-18.

The Online News Act seeks to compel Internet companies—such as Meta or Google—to negotiate deals and ultimately pay Canadian media companies for the content they preview and link to on their platforms.

At this point, just over two-in-five Canadians (43%) agree with the idea behind Bill C-18, while 35% disagree and 23% are undecided.

“Support for the Online News Act is highest among Liberal Party voters in the 2021 federal election (56%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 40% of Conservative Party voters and 38% of New Democratic Party (NDP) voters hold positive views on Bill C-18.”

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%) access news online (on a smartphone, computer, or tablet) at least four days a week. The proportions are lower for television news (51%), radio news (34%) and print (15%).

More than half of Canadians aged 55 and over (56%) watch television news every day, compared to 28% among those aged 35-to-54 and 19% among those aged 18-to-34.

About half of Canadians aged 35-to-54 (51%) and aged 55 and over (49%) are daily consumers of online news, along with 37% of those aged 18-to-34.

Canadians who access news online were asked about the way they seek content. More than a third say they access specific stories through a news aggregator (such as Google News) (42%), through a search engine, seeking information about a specific event (38%) or clicking on a link they saw on social media (35%) at least four days a week.

Fewer Canadians who access news online at least four days a week rely on three other methods: typing the URL of a specific website (28%), through newsletters they have subscribed to (21%) or through podcasts (15%)

Bill C-18 has the potential to restrict content that Canadians can find online on news aggregators. At least two-in-five Canadians who access news online say they would be likely to try a different search engine (43%) or access news on television (40%) if their ability to find content is limited.

Fewer Canadians who access news online are willing to try a different news aggregator (29%), bookmark news websites (28%), access news on the radio (also 28%) or access news on a print publication (18%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on July 4 and July 5, 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

Canadians Cautiously Optimistic About Economic Conditions

July 5, 2023July 4, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than seven-in-ten Canadians expect to pay more for groceries and gasoline in the next six months.

Vancouver, BC [July 5, 2023] – While most Canadians consider the country’s economic conditions as “bad” or “very bad”, the proportion is lower than it was at the start of the year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 56% of Canadians hold negative views when asked about the country’s financial standing, down six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January 2023.

Two-in-five Canadians (41%, +6) consider the country’s current economic conditions as “very good” or “good”.

Only 30% of Albertans (+3) have a positive opinion of Canada’s economy. The proportion is higher in Ontario (41%, +4), British Columbia (42%, +7), Atlantic Canada (also 42%, +13), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (43%, +15) and Quebec (45%, +4).

About a third of Canadians (32%, -12) foresee a decline in the nation’s finances over the next six months. Only 16% (+3) expect an improvement, while 45 (+7) predict no changes.

The survey shows little movement on the question related to personal finances. More than half of Canadians (52%, +1) consider their situation as “very good” or “good”, while 46% (-1) regard it as “poor” or “very poor.”

There is a drop in the proportion of Canadians who have worried “frequently” or “occasionally’ in the last two months about the value of their investments (48%, -4) and the safety of their savings (47%, -5).

Fewer Canadians have been concerned recently about unemployment impacting their household (34%, -3), being able to cover their mortgage or rent payments (also 34%, =) or their employer running into serious financial trouble (27%, -2).

This month, 43% of Canadians (+1) have confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to do the right thing to help the economy. The numbers are lower for federal Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre (36%, +3) and Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem (33%, -1).

“Justin Trudeau gets a higher favourability rating as an economic manager in Ontario (48%), Atlantic Canada (also 48%), Quebec (43%) and British Columbia (also 43%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Pierre Poilievre fares best in Alberta (50%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (46%).”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on June 26 to June 28, 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

Pride in Armed Forces and Indigenous Culture Grows in Canada

June 30, 2023July 9, 2023By Mario Canseco

Fewer than half of Canadians say Parliament, the Canadian economy and the monarchy make them proud.

Vancouver, BC [June 30, 2023] – The feelings of pride expressed by Canadians on Indigenous culture, multiculturalism, the Armed Forces and bilingualism have increased over the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asks Canadians to say if 12 institutions and features elicit feelings of pride among them.

At least seven-in-ten Canadians say that the Canadian flag (80%, +2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in 2022), multiculturalism (74%, +5), hockey (72%, +4) and the Canadian Armed Forces (70%, +5) make them proud.

More than three-in-five Canadians say Indigenous culture (66%, +8), bilingualism (64%, +5) and the state of democracy in Canada (61%, +4) elicit feelings of pride.

The rating is lower for five other institutions and features: the health care system (52%, -6), the Canadian justice system (50%, +1), Parliament (45%, =), the Canadian economy (42%, -7) and the monarchy (34%, -3).

The survey outlines some significant gender differences. Canadian men are more likely to say that hockey (76%), the health care system (57%) and the Canadian economy (47%) make them proud. The results are lower among women (68% for hockey, 47% for the health care system and 36% for the Canadian economy).

Conversely, Canadian women are more likely to be proud about Indigenous culture (70%) and bilingualism (68%) than men (63% and 59% respectively).

“Following a year that featured a coronation, perceptions of the monarchy as a source of pride for Canadians are still the lowest of all 12 items included in the survey,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “About a third of Canadians of all genders and age groups say the monarchy makes them proud.”

The rating for Canada’s heath care system dropped again to 52%, from a high of 77% in 2019. Fewer than half of Atlantic Canadians (46%) and Quebecers (43%) say the health care system makes them proud.

Perceptions about the state of democracy in Canada as a source of pride are significantly higher among Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2021 federal election (82%) than among those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (60%) or the Conservative Party (48%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 23 to June 25, 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, 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

Photo Credit: Suwannee.payne

Canadian Police Officers Do Well on Friendliness, Low on Fairness

June 28, 2023July 9, 2023By Mario Canseco

One-in-four Canadians have lost confidence in the internal operations and leadership of the RCMP over the last five years.

Vancouver, BC [June 28, 2023] – More than two thirds of Canadians hold police officers in high regard on approachability and promptness, but perceptions are markedly lower on impartiality, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians to say whether the police officers who operate in their community possess five characteristics.

More than two thirds of Canadians believe the police officers who serve their communities are approachable (69%) and respond to calls promptly, while more than half say they can be trusted (64%) and are a source of pride (57%).

Only 50% of Canadians think the police officers who operate in their community treat every person fairly.

More than half of Canadians who reside in Alberta (58%) and British Columbia (52%) believe the police officers who serve their communities treat every person fairly, along with fewer than half of those who live in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (49%), Ontario (also 49%), Quebec (48%) and Atlantic Canada (43%).

“Fewer than half of Canadians of Indigenous and European descent (48% and 49% respectively) think police officers are fair to everyone,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion is slightly higher among East Asians (51%) and superior among South Asians (61%).”

Two thirds of Canadians (67%) have confidence in the internal operations and leadership of their local police force. More than three-in-five feel the same way about the Supreme Court of Canada (65%) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) (64%). Respondents hive the lowest rating to the criminal courts in their province (58%).

On a regional basis, confidence in the RCMP is highest in Quebec (68%), followed by Ontario (65%), Alberta (also 65%), British Columbia (63%), Atlantic Canada (60%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (57%).

More than half of Canadians (54%) say their confidence in the internal operations and leadership of the RCMP has stayed the same over the last five years. One-in-four (26%) have lost confidence, while 12% say it has increased.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 17 to June 19, 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, 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

Photo Credit: Suwannee.payne

Distracted Driving on the Rise Across British Columbia

June 23, 2023July 12, 2023By Mario Canseco

Public support for three proposed penalties for offenders is up markedly since 2022.

Vancouver, BC [June 23, 2023] – More than three-in-five British Columbians noticed a distracted driver on the road over the past four weeks, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 62% of British Columbians say they witnessed a driver talking on a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving over the past four weeks, up 16 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022.

On a regional basis, residents of the Fraser Valley are more likely to report seeing a distracted driver recently (82%) than their counterparts in Northern BC (66%), Vancouver Island (63%), Southern BC (59%) and Metro Vancouver (57%).

Drivers caught emailing, texting, or using an electronic device while driving in British Columbia face a fine of $368 and four penalty points (currently equivalent to $214) in their insurance penalty point premium. This means a total of $582 for a first-time infraction.

More than half of British Columbians (54%, -2) believe the current fine for distracted driving in the province is “about right”, while 29% (+5) consider it “too low” and 12% (-3) deem it “too high.”

Since 2022, support for three possible penalties for drivers caught emailing, texting, or using an electronic device in British Columbia has risen across the province.

Just over two thirds of British Columbians (67%, +3) are in favour of seizing the electronic devices of repeat offenders—a proportion that rises to 79% among those aged 55 and over.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (62%, +7) support doubling the current fine for distracted driving to $1,240.

“Most British Columbians who voted for each of the three major parties in the 2020 provincial election believe it is time to implement steeper fines for distracted drivers,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Three-in-five residents who cast ballots for the BC Liberals or the BC Green Party (60% each), along with 68% of those who voted for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP), agree on this issue.”

More than half of British Columbians (56%, +4) are in favour of suspending distracted drivers for a year. Support for this course of action rises to 59% in Metro Vancouver.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 10 to June 12, 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