Lifestyle – Page 3 – Research Co.

Views on Immigration in Canada Fluctuate Widely by Age

August 14, 2025August 13, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 26 to July 28, 2025, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

British Columbians Back Tough Limits on Smoking and Vaping

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from July 13 to July 15, 2025, among 814 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Canadians Grow Pessimistic on Eradicating Homelessness

July 31, 2025July 30, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 30 to July 2, 2025, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty..

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

British Columbians Back Mandatory Voting and Spring Ballots

July 24, 2025July 23, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Majorities in Canada and USA Endorse Political Correctness

July 17, 2025July 16, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 30 to July 2, 2025, among 1,001 adults in Canada and 1,000 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, for each country.

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

Noise is Becoming a Bigger Problem Across Canada

July 14, 2025July 14, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Most British Columbians Are Not Saving Enough for Retirement

July 10, 2025July 10, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on May 20 and May 21, 2025, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Flag and Hockey Remain Biggest Sources of Pride for Canadians

June 26, 2025June 25, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 14 to June 16, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Some Canadians Wary of Trump’s Role in Alberta Separation

June 12, 2025June 11, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 1 to June 3, 2025, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Most Canadians Still Avoiding American Products When Possible

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 25 to May 27, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Canadians Express More Confidence in the Health Care System

May 29, 2025May 29, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 4 to May 6, 2025, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

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

May 22, 2025May 21, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Few Canadians Are Meeting the Recommended Sleep Guidelines

May 15, 2025May 14, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conservative Golf Ad Missed Mark with Most Canadian Voters

May 5, 2025May 4, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

Conservative Advertisement

“We can’t afford fore more years”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Liberal Advertisement

“This election is different”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 27 to April 29, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,034 English-speaking Canadians who voted in the 2025 federal election. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Perceptions of the United States Take Drastic Tumble in Canada

May 1, 2025February 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Most Canadians Back Ban on Foreign Real Estate Purchases

April 24, 2025April 30, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

April 17, 2025April 12, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Concerns About Savings and Investments Surge in Canada

April 15, 2025April 12, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canadians Still Think Use of Emergencies Act Was Justified

April 10, 2025April 10, 2025By Mario Canseco

Just over a third think no COVID-19 mandates and restrictions should have been implemented.

Vancouver, BC [April 10, 2025] – More than half of Canadians think the federal government made the right call in invoking the Emergencies Act during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 56% of Canadians think the actions of the federal government were justified (-2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2024), while 31% (-1) consider them unjustified and 13% (+2) are not sure.

Public support for the federal government’s decision is higher among Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in 2021 (73%) than among those who supported the New Democratic Party (NDP) (67%) or the Conservative Party (47%) in the last federal ballot.

In January and February 2022, a series of protests and blockades against restrictions and mandates related to the COVID-19 pandemic took place in Ottawa and other parts of Canada. Almost seven-in-ten Canadians (69%, -2) say they followed news stories related to the protests and blockades “very closely” or “moderately closely.”

Canadians are divided when assessing the protests and blockades, with 46% (-4) saying they opposed them and 43% (+2) saying they supported them.

“Opposition to the anti-mandate protests varies greatly by age,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While only 39% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 were opposed, the proportions grow to 41% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 61% among those aged 55 and over.”

Half of Canadians (50%, +5) say the people protesting against restrictions and mandates were fighting for freedom. More than two-in-five (43%, +1) think the actions of the people protesting against restrictions and mandates were justified.

Fewer Canadians agree with two other statements: that the federal government should be overthrown (35%, +1) and that no COVID-19 mandates and restrictions should have been implemented (34%, =).

More than three-in-five Canadians (61%, +2) are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about Canada’s image in the world being negatively affected by the protests and the federal government’s actions.

Larger proportions of Canadians are worried about three other issues: the federal government relying on the Emergencies Act to end other protests in the future (64%, -1), foreign money being used to fund the activities of protestors (70%, +5) and violence breaking out at the site of protests and blockades (77%, +1).

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

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

Appetite for Pandemic Inquiries Remains High Across Canada

April 3, 2025April 3, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than half of Canadians believe we were right to have strict public health measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Vancouver, BC [April 3, 2025] – More than three-in-five Canadians believe the country should take a deeper look at the decisions made during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The Government of the United Kingdom is undergoing 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.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 64% of Canadians support holding a public inquiry into the way the COVID-19 pandemic was managed by the federal government, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2023.

Public backing for a federal inquiry on COVID-19 encompasses majorities of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (74%), the Liberal Party (70%) and the Conservative Party (58%) in the 2021 federal election.

Similar proportions of Canadians believe public inquiries into pandemic management are warranted at the provincial (65%, +5) and municipal (62%, +5) levels.

Support for an inquiry into the provincial management of the pandemic is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (74%), followed by Ontario (67%), British Columbia (65%), Atlantic Canada (64%), Alberta (also 64%) and Quebec (59%).

More than half of Canadians (53%) believe we were right to have strict public health measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. Three-in-ten (30%) think the response to the pandemic was probably too heavy-handed, while one-in-ten (10%) say COVID-19 was a hoax and we never should have altered our lives.

“Almost two thirds of Canadians aged 55 and over (65%) believe the response to the pandemic from a public health standpoint was correct,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer Canadians aged 18-to-34 (50%) and aged 35-to-54 (46%) share this view.”

More than half of Canadians brand the way the federal government (52%, +2), their provincial governments (54%, +5) and their municipal governments (52%, +1) managed the pandemic as a “success”. Just under two-in-five feel the same way about the official opposition in Canada (39%, +4) and the official opposition in their province (also 39%, +1).

Our collective perceptions about the media’s performance during COVID-19 have not gone through significant shifts, with about half of Canadians saying television news (53%, +1), radio news (51%, =) and newspapers (49%, =) were successful. The rating is lower for non-governmental organizations (46%, -1), unions (39%, -1) and trade associations (37%, +2).

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