Lifestyle – Page 5 – Research Co.

Metro Vancouverites Blame Housing Crisis Mostly on Immigration

October 17, 2024October 16, 2024By Mario Canseco

Communities react differently to the possible construction of housing that is six storeys or higher on their block.

Vancouver, BC [October 17, 2024] – Just over two-in-five residents of Metro Vancouver believe the federal government has a role to play to alleviate the housing shortage in the region, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative regional sample, 41% of Metro Vancouverites think significantly reducing immigration to Canada would be the most effective solution to the housing crisis.

Fewer Metro Vancouverites support two other solutions: government construction of new housing via a public builder (28%) and the rezoning of cities to allow for the construction of new housing (20%).

More than half of Metro Vancouverites (52%) feel housing is the top issue facing their municipality, followed by crime and public safety (19%), the economy and jobs (also 19%), the environment (4%) and education (4%).

Housing is decidedly the most important municipal issue in the North Shore (65%) and Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities (59%). The proportions of residents who feel this way are lower in Surrey and White Rock (50%), Richmond and Delta (49%) and Vancouver (42%).

“Most Metro Vancouverites aged 35-to-54 (57%) and aged 55 and over (58%) look at housing as the biggest municipal challenge,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Those aged 18-to-34 are worried about both housing (39%) and the economy and jobs (30%).”

When asked which factors contributed the most to the housing crisis, just under three-in-ten Metro Vancouverites (29%) point to immigration.

Fewer than one-in-five residents select any of five other options: interest rates and bank policy (18%), foreign speculators (17%), the policies of the Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark BC Liberal provincial governments (10%), the policies of the John Horgan and David Eby BC NDP provincial governments (also 10%) and obstruction from municipal governments (6%).

The perception of immigration amplifying the housing crisis is particularly high in Surrey and White Rock (38%). Fewer residents of Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities (30%), the North Shore (also 30%), Richmond and Delta (26%) and Vancouver (22%) express the same view.

When asked to assign blame for the housing crisis, Metro Vancouverites think the federal government is primarily responsible (44%), followed by the provincial government (33%) and municipal governments (23%).

Animosity towards the federal government on this question is highest among Metro Vancouverites aged 35-to-54 (46%) and residents of the North Shore (51%).

Respondents to this survey were asked to use an emotion to express their feelings about the provincial government setting specific homebuilding targets for their municipality or risk having funding for amenities be withheld.

The emotions mentioned the most are anticipation (16%), surprise (15%), trust (12%) and fear (11%). Fewer Metro Vancouverites said the policy evoked feelings of disgust (8%), sadness (also 8%), anger (6%) or joy (5%).

Just under three-in-five Metro Vancouverites (59%) say they would be “very comfortable” (23%) or “somewhat comfortable” (36%) with the construction of housing that is six storeys or higher on their block.

The level of comfort with these buildings is highest among Metro Vancouverites aged 18-to-34 (68%), and drops among those aged 35-to-54 (61%) and those aged 55 and over (46%).

Only 41% of respondents in the North Shore would be comfortable with the construction of housing that is six storeys or higher on their block. The proportions are higher in Richmond and Delta (58%), Surrey and White Rock (59%), Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities (also 59%) and Vancouver (66%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from October 10 to October 14, 2024, among a representative sample of 700 adults in Metro Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Metro Vancouver. 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.

Canadians Growing Skeptical of Childhood Vaccinations

October 16, 2024October 15, 2024By Mario Canseco

Just over three-in-ten continue to believe the debunked idea that there is a connection between the MMR vaccine and autism.

Vancouver, BC [October 16, 2024] – Practically three-in-ten Canadians are opposed to a mandate related to childhood vaccinations, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 29% of Canadians think parents “definitely” or “probably” should be the ones deciding on whether their children should be vaccinated, up nine points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2022.

Just over two thirds of Canadians (67%, -8) say vaccinations for children should “definitely” or “probably” be mandatory in their province.

Support for allowing parents to decide on vaccinations for children is highest in Alberta (34%, +18), followed by Quebec (31%, +16), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (30%, +11), British Columbia (also 30%, +9), Ontario (28%, +3), and Atlantic Canada (also 28%, +3).

In the late 1990s, a study published in the weekly medical journal The Lancet—which has since been discredited and retracted—attempted to link childhood vaccination and autism.

More than three-in-ten Canadians (31%, +12) believe there is a connection between the childhood vaccine for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and autism.

“The long-debunked nation of a link between childhood vaccinations and autism is a reality for two-in-five Canadians aged 18-to-34 (40%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer Canadians aged 35-to-54 (36%) and aged 55 and over (19%) hold the same misguided belief.”

Almost three-in-five Canadians (59%, +8) think everyone should be allowed to decide if they want to get vaccinations for seasonal diseases, while almost two-in-five (38%, -3) think the flu vaccine should be mandatory in their province.

Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in 2021 are more likely to support a mandate for the flu vaccine in their province (46%) than those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (41%) or the Conservative Party (32%) in the last federal election.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from October 7 to October 9, 2024, among 1,001 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.

British Columbians Worried About Shortage of Doctors and Nurses

October 9, 2024October 9, 2024By Mario Canseco

Almost half of residents endorse the use of SOGI-Inclusive Education, while 77% agree with the K-12 mobile phone ban.

Vancouver, BC [October 9, 2024] – The concerns of British Columbians when pondering the health care system have not varied greatly over the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than two-in-five British Columbians (42%, +2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in November 2023) say the biggest problem facing the health care system right now is a shortage of doctors and nurses, followed by long waiting times (23%, +1) and inadequate resources and facilities (11%, +1).

Fewer British Columbians cite other concerns, such as bureaucracy and poor management (9%, -3), lack of a wider range of services for patients (4%, =), little focus on preventive care (also 4%, -2), vague legal rights of patients (2%, +1) and insufficient standards of hygiene (also 2%, +1).

Health Care

Just under half of British Columbians (49%, -6) say there are some good things in health care in the province, but some changes are required. Smaller proportions of residents hold differing views: that health care in British Columbia has so much wrong with it that we need to completely rebuild it (31%, +1) or that health care in British Columbia works well, and only minor changes are needed to make it work better (16%, +6).

About two-in-five British Columbians say they would be willing to pay out of their own pocket (41%, -5) or travel to another country to have quicker access to medical services that currently have long waiting times (39%, +1).

“Almost half of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (49%) would consider paying for medical services,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (39%) and aged 55 and over (38%).”

Child Care

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%) think the provincial government should continue to invest in building a flexible child care system that costs families no more than $10 a day—a proportion that rises to 82% in Southern BC and to 80% in Vancouver Island.

Just under four-in-five British Columbians (78%)—and 90% of those aged 55 and over—agree that employers benefit from investments in child care because more parents can go to work.

Education

Some school districts in British Columbia have relied on “SOGI-Inclusive Education”, which raises awareness of and welcomes students of all sexual orientations, gender identities and family structures.

Just under half of British Columbians (49%) agree with the use of “SOGI-Inclusive Education” in the province, while 34% disagree and 16% are not sure.

Support for “SOGI-Inclusive Education” is highest among British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (61%) and residents of Metro Vancouver (52%).

More than three-in-four British Columbians (77%) agree with banning the use of mobile phones during instructional time in K-12 classrooms.

The policy is endorsed by majorities of British Columbians who voted for the BC Liberals (86%), the BC NDP (83%) or the BC Greens (78%) in the 2020 provincial election.

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

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

Making Ends Meet Harder for Three-in-Four British Columbians

October 2, 2024October 1, 2024By Mario Canseco

Only 14% think their municipal government should reject the provincial government’s demand to build more housing units.

Vancouver, BC [October 2, 2024] – British Columbians head to this year’s provincial election voicing significant support for the current government’s housing plans, and severe dissatisfaction with economic matters, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample, 75% of British Columbians say it is “considerably harder” or “moderately harder” now to make ends meet than two years ago—a proportion that rises to 77% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 78% among renters.

More than half of British Columbians say four tasks are now harder than they were two years ago: finding a job (54%), paying for post-secondary education (59%), saving money for retirement (75%) and buying a house (79%).

“Sizeable majorities of British Columbians who reside in Metro Vancouver (59%) and Southern BC (58%) say finding a job is more complicated now than in 2022,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than four-in-five British Columbians aged 55 and over (82%) say it is harder now to save money for retirement.”

Most British Columbians remain supportive of the housing policies implemented during the tenure of John Horgan as Premier of British Columbia: increasing the foreign buyers tax from 15% to 20% (72%, -2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2024), expanding the foreign buyers tax to areas located outside of Metro Vancouver (69%, -2), introducing a “speculation tax” in specific urban areas targeting foreign and domestic homeowners who pay little or no income tax in BC, and those who own second properties that aren’t long-term rentals (66%, -3), introducing a tax of 0.2% on the value of homes between $3 million and $4 million, and a tax rate of 0.4% on the portion of a home’s value that exceeds $4 million (62%, =) and increasing the property transfer tax from 3% to 5% for homes valued at more than $3 million (61%, -1).

The housing policies that came into place after David Eby became Premier of British Columbia are also endorsed my majorities of the province’s residents: building more modular supportive homes in areas where people are experiencing homelessness (75%, =), capping rent increases in 2024 at 3.5% (70%), raising the fines for short-term rental hosts who break local municipal by-laws to $3,000 per day per infraction (64%, -5), implementing a three-business-day protection period for financing and home inspections (63%, -6), ending most strata age restrictions (59%, -1), removing strata rental restrictions (56%, +4) and banning homeowners from operating a short-term rental business unless it is located on their principal residence and/or on a different unit on their property (53%, -5).

Just under three-in-four British Columbians (74%) think their municipal government should accept the provincial government’s demand to build more housing units, while 14% disagree and 12% are undecided.

Residents of the Fraser Valley are slightly more likely to support the provincial government’s call to build more housing units (78%) than their counterparts who reside in Vancouver Island (76%), Metro Vancouver (73%), Southern BC (72%) and Northern BC (also 72%).

British Columbians are evenly divided on what the actions of the provincial government will bring, with 43% (+2) thinking they will be “effective” in making housing more affordable, and 43% (-4) believing they will be “ineffective”.

More than half of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (55%) expect the provincial government to succeed in making housing more affordable. Fewer residents aged 35-to-54 (45%) and aged 55 and over (31%) share this point of view.

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

British Columbians Keen on Climate Change, Not on Carbon Tax

September 27, 2024September 26, 2024By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbians Troubled by Antisemitic Incidents in Schools

September 13, 2024October 2, 2024By Mario Canseco

Almost two thirds believe that Canadian Jews are being unfairly targeted for what is happening in Israel and Gaza.

Vancouver, BC [September 13, 2024] – British Columbians are dismayed upon learning of specific incidents of antisemitism that reportedly took place in public schools, a new Research Co. poll conducted during the first week of classes has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than four-in-five British Columbians (81%) are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about the emotional and physical safety of students in the public school system.

“More than three-in-five British Columbians (64%) are not particularly confident about sending a Jewish student to a public school upon learning about these incidents,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion rises to 68% among women and to 74% among British Columbians aged 55 and over.”

The survey described seven incidents that reportedly happened in K-12 schools in British Columbia that have been shared by educators and parents.

Sizeable majorities of British Columbians find all incidents “very troubling” or “moderately troubling”, including a teacher in a Science 9 class referring to Jews as “genocidal murderers” (81%) and a teacher using the district email list to invite teachers and families to anti-Israel rallies (78%).

More than four-in-five British Columbians (84%) think these recent events mean that more should be done to ensure that teachers in British Columbia are adequately prepared to educate students of different ethnicities and creeds.

Almost two thirds of British Columbians (65%, -1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June) think Canadian Jews are being unfairly targeted for what is happening in Israel and Gaza.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians are still concerned about four issues when thinking about the conflict in the Middle East and its impact here in Canada right now: attacks, including gunfire and firebombs, on synagogues, Jewish schools and businesses (74%, -5), protests targeting Jewish neighbourhoods and Jewish owned businesses (71%, -5), rising prejudice against Jewish Canadians (antisemitism) (also 71%, -4) and aggressive behaviour by Pro-Palestinian Protestors (also 71%, -3).

As was the case two months ago, just two-in-five British Columbians (40%, -1) believe police and governments are doing enough to combat antisemitism in their communities.

Confidence in the current ability of police and governments to combat antisemitism is highest in Northern BC (46%), followed by Metro Vancouver (44%), the Fraser Valley (38%), Vancouver Island (33%) and Southern BC (25%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 5 to September 7, 2024, 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 +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Half of Canadians Endorse UK-Style Mandatory National Service

August 28, 2024August 27, 2024By Mario Canseco

Fewer than one-in-five of the country’s residents think provincial legislatures should begin their sessions with a Christian prayer.

Vancouver, BC [August 28, 2024] – A sizeable proportion of Canadians would welcome a proposal to create a mandatory national service for all 18-year-old residents of the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

Earlier this year, the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom suggested bringing back mandatory national service. The proposal called for all 18-year-old residents of the United Kingdom to either take a full-time military placement for one year, or to volunteer one weekend a month performing community service for one year.

Half of Canadians (50%) support implementing a similar mandatory national service for all 18-year-old residents of Canada, while 41% disagree and 8% are not sure.

“More than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (55%) would like to see a form of mandatory national service in the country,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (47%) and aged 55 and over (48%).”

The notion of having a mandatory national service in Canada is more popular in Ontario (60%), British Columbia (58%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (54%). Fewer than half of residents of Atlantic Canada (46%), Alberta (44%) and Quebec (42%) concur.

The perceptions of Canadians change when asked about the return of conscription, or the compulsory enlistment of young adults for full-time military service.

In Canada, conscription has not been practiced since the end of the Second World War in 1945. Some European and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries—including Norway, Sweden and Latvia—have recently reintroduced conscription.

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%) are in favour of reintroducing conscription for adults of both genders aged 18-to-27 in Canada, while 50% are opposed.

Similar proportions of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (44%), the Conservative Party (43%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (40%) in the 2021 federal election support the implementation of conscription for Canadians aged 18-to-27, regardless of their gender.

Public backing for the return of conscription is lower if a directive called for its implementation exclusively for men (31%) or women (25%).

In the United States, the “Pledge of Allegiance” is recited during Congressional sessions and other government meetings. Just over half of Canadians (52%) think Canada should implement a similar directive, where lawmakers and government workers state their allegiance to the country.

The creation of a “Canadian pledge” is more popular among men (55%), Canadians aged 18-to-34 (56%), Ontarians (57%) and Albertans (55%).

In Canada, some provincial legislatures begin their sessions with moments of silent reflection, non-denominational prayers, and/or Christian prayers.

Just under two-in-five Canadians (39%) would prefer to start legislative sessions in their province with a moment of silent reflection, while fewer select a Christian prayer (19%) or a non-denominational prayer (13%).

More than one-in-five Canadians (22%) believe provincial legislatures should not start sessions with moments of reflection or prayers—a proportion that reaches 28% in British Columbia and 27% in Quebec.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 24 to July 26, 2024, 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.

Politically, Most Canadians See Themselves at or Near Centre

August 23, 2024August 23, 2024By Mario Canseco

While 44% regard the Conservatives as “right” or “extreme right”, 33% say the Liberals as “left” or “extreme left”.

Vancouver, BC [August 23, 2024] – Few Canadians look at their own political views as extreme, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, fewer than one-in-twenty Canadians place themselves in the political spectrum as extreme right (4%) or extreme left (3%).

Fewer than one-in-ten Canadians brand themselves politically as right (9%) or left (also 9%). The bulk of responses from Canadians appear in three categories: centre (33%), centre left (15%) and centre right (14%).

“Almost two-in-five Canadians aged 55 and over (39%) say their political views are at the centre,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (34%) and aged 18-to-34 (27%).”

Just under a third of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (31%) describe themselves as extreme right, right or centre right. Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians aged 35-to-54 (27%) and aged 55 and over (23%) rely on any of the same three categories.

Similar proportions of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (28%), aged 35-to-54 (27%) and aged 55 and over (also 27%) say they are centre left, left or extreme left.

When asked to place the six main federal political parties on the spectrum, more than two-in-five Canadians (44%) say the Conservative Party is extreme right or right.

One third of Canadians (33%) place the Liberal Party as extreme left or left, and a slightly higher proportion (36%) feel the same way about the New Democratic Party (NDP). The Green Party is regarded as extreme left or left by 29% of Canadians.

About a third of Canadians (32%) are undecided when asked to place both the Bloc Québécois and the People’s Party on the political spectrum. Respondents were more likely to brand each of the two parties as extreme right or right (18% for the Bloc Québécois and 26% for the People’s Party) than as extreme left or left (15% and 10% respectively).

A separate question asked Canadians to place the six main federal party leaders on the political spectrum. More than a third (35%) regard People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier as extreme right, right or centre right, while fewer (28%) use the same categories for Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet.

Elizabeth May of the Green Party and Jagmeet Singh of the NDP are regarded as centre left, left or extreme left by 40% and 41% of Canadians respectively.

Half of Canadians (50%) describe Justin Trudeau of the Liberal Party as centre left, left or extreme left, while a larger proportion (55%) brands Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party as extreme right, right or centre right.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from August 12 to August 14, 2024, among 1,002 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.

Appetite for Abortion Debate Hits Lowest Point in Canada

August 9, 2024August 6, 2024By Mario Canseco

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians think the discussion about abortion should be re-opened.

Vancouver, BC [August 9, 2024] – Most Canadians remain skeptical about reigniting a debate on abortion in the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost three-in-five Canadians (58%) believe there is no point in re-opening a debate about abortion in Canada right now, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022.

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians (23%, -3) think a debate about abortion is long overdue in Canada and the discussion should be re-opened, while 20% (-1) are not sure.

“In July 2019, more than a third of Canadians (37%) were ready to have a debate over abortion,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion has fallen by 14 points since then.”

Majorities of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (68%), the Liberal Party (63%) and the Conservative Party (58%) in the 2021 federal election believe there is no point in re-opening a debate about abortion in Canada right now.

Almost half of Canadians (46%, +2) think abortion should be legal under any circumstances, while just over a third (35%, -2) would allow the procedure only under certain circumstances. Fewer than one-in-ten Canadians (7%, -3) believe abortion should be illegal in all circumstances.

Women are more likely to favour the legality of abortion in all circumstances (49%) than men (44%).

In Canada, abortions are provided on request to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and are funded by the health care system.

Almost half of Canadians (46%) think the health care system should fund abortions whenever they are requested, while more than a third (36%) believe the health care system should only fund abortions in the event of medical emergencies. Only 7% of Canadians think the health care system should not fund abortions at all.

Majorities of Quebecers (52%) and British Columbians (51%) support the health care system funding abortions whenever they are requested. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (44%), Ontario (42%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (40%) and Alberta (38%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from August 5 to August 7, 2024, among 1,001 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.

Canadians Ponder the Appropriateness of “No-Show Fees”

August 7, 2024August 6, 2024By Mario Canseco

Majorities endorse them for medical and grooming appointments, but there is a split on their use in restaurants.

Vancouver, BC [August 7, 2024] – Canadians are divided on whether restaurants should be allowed to charge a “no-show fee” when booked appointments are not kept, a new Research Co. has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 44% of Canadians say charging a “no-show fee” if a reservation is missed at a restaurant is “justified”, while 48% believe the practice is “unjustified”.

On a regional basis, most Quebecers (52%) think restaurants are “justified” in charging a “no-show fee”. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (44%), British Columbia (43%), Ontario (42%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (41%) and Alberta (33%).

More than half of Canadians think “no-show fees” are justified if appointments are missed with the dentist (59%), a doctor or medical specialist (57%), the barber or hair salon (53%) or for pet grooming (51%).

Over the course of the past year, just over one-in-four Canadians (26%) say they have missed a reservation or appointment, while 74% have not.

“More than two-in-five Canadians aged 18-to-34 (43%) missed a booked appointment over the past year,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are significantly lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (27%) and aged 55 and over (9%).”

The most missed appointments belong to doctors and medical specialists (15%), followed by dentists (11%), restaurants (9%), barbers or hair salons (8%) and pet grooming (3%).

Canadians who were unable to meet a reservation or appointment cite personal issues (40%) as their main reason for not arriving. Other excuses mentioned by these respondents are scheduling (27%), transportation (26%), work (25%), family (24%) and the weather (21%).

More than four-in-five Canadians (85%) have not paid a “no-show fee” in the past year, while 15% had to cover a charge after missing an appointment. Dentists and doctors were the main recipients of “no-show fees” (7% each), followed by restaurants (6%), barbers and hair salons (4%) and pet grooming establishments (also 4%).

More than one-in-four Canadians aged 18-to-34 (27%) had to pay a “no-show fee” in the past year, compared to 13% among those aged 35-to-54 and 5% among those aged 55 and over.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 5 to July 7, 2024, among 1,001 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 20.

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

Mail Vote, Crucial in 2020, Shunned by British Columbians in 2024

August 2, 2024July 27, 2024By Mario Canseco

Most of the province’s residents say they will cast their ballots on Election Day in October, up significantly from four years ago.

Vancouver, BC [August 2, 2024] – Few British Columbians are thinking of relying on mail-in ballots to vote in this year’s provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative provincial sample asked British Columbians how they voted in the 2020 democratic process—which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic—and how they intend to vote in 2024.

More than half of British Columbians (52%) say they plan to cast their ballot in person on Election Day (October 19). Fewer than one third of the province’s residents (28%) voted this way in 2020.

Just over one-in-five British Columbians (21%) intend to vote in person during Advance Voting, down from 32% who chose this method four years ago.

Fewer than one-in-ten British Columbians (8%) will request a mail-in ballot in 2024, down from 28% who voted this way in the last provincial election.

Once the provincial campaign begins, more than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%) say they will “definitely” or “probably” watch, listen or read news about the campaign in the media.

More than three-in-five British Columbians also intend to read the platforms and policy positions of political parties on their websites (68%) and review the background of candidates who are running in their constituency (65%).

Fewer British Columbias plan to attend (or watch) a debate featuring the main party leaders (52%), attend (or watch) a debate featuring candidates from their constituency (48%) or meet candidates who knock on their door (29%).

“More than a third of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (35%) will meet candidates who knock on their door during the campaign,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (29%) and aged 55 and over (25%).”

When asked which feelings they have about this year’s provincial election, more than three-in-ten British Columbians (31%) mention “indifference” while one-in-four (25%) say the ballot elicits “enthusiasm”.

Other words used by British Columbians to describe this year’s provincial democratic process are “trust” (18%), “fear” (15%), “pride” (11%), “anger” (also 11%), “joy” (10%), “sadness” (8%), “disgust” (7%) and “shame” (5%).

Voters in British Columbia who are currently supporting the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) mention four specific emotions: “enthusiasm” (32%), “indifference” (29%), “trust” (26%) and “fear” (13%).

Those who plan to vote for the Conservative Party of BC rely on the same emotions, but at different levels: “enthusiasm” (33%), “indifference” (25%), “fear” (22%) and “trust” (17%).

Supporters of the BC Green Party put “indifference” at the top of their list (37%), followed by “enthusiasm” (20%), “fear” (19%) and “anger” (19%).

The top four emotions for British Columbians who plan to vote for BC United are “enthusiasm” (28%), “indifference” (27%), “trust” (19%) and “joy” (18%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 23 to July 25, 2024, among 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Animosity Towards Trophy Hunting Keeps Rising in Canada

July 26, 2024July 25, 2024By Mario Canseco

Just over a third of Canadians are in favour of keeping animals in zoos or aquariums.

Vancouver, BC [July 26, 2024] – More than four-in-five Canadians are against the practice of hunting animals for sport, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 84% of Canadians are opposed to trophy hunting (+3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2023), while 11% (-3) are in favour of the practice.

“Fewer than one-in-ten residents of British Columbia (7%) and Alberta (8%) are in favour of hunting animals for sport,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The numbers are slightly higher in Quebec (11%), Ontario (13%), Atlantic Canada (15%) and Manitoba and Saskatchewan (17%).”

Three-in-five Canadians (60%, -3) are in favour of hunting animals for meat, and just under seven-in-ten (69%, -6) are in favour of eating animals.

Canadians of Indigenous descent are more likely to say they are supportive of hunting animals for meat (78%) than those whose heritage is European (66%), East Asian (58%) and South Asian (29%).

At least two thirds of Canadians are opposed to two other practices: killing animals for their fur (78%, +1) and using animals in rodeos (67%, =).

Support for killing animals for their fur is highest in Atlantic Canada (26%). While 23% of men have no problem with this practice, only 11% of women feel the same way.

Using animals in rodeos is more accepted in Alberta (37%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 37%). The practice is also viewed more favourably by Conservative Party voters in the last federal election (40%) than among those who voted for the Liberal Party (23%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (21%) in 2021.

Keeping animals in zoos or aquariums remains a contentious issue. Just over a third of Canadians (36%, +1) are in favour of this practice, while fewer than three-in-five (57%, +1) are opposed.

Support for zoos and aquariums is highest among Canadians aged 55 and over (42%), but drops among those aged 35-to-54 (37%) and those aged 18-to-34 (29%).

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

Japan is the Country Viewed Most Positively by Canadians

July 24, 2024April 30, 2025By Mario Canseco

Favourable perceptions of both the United States and Mexico have dropped by 10 points since the start of 2024.

Vancouver, BC [July 24, 2024] – More than seven-in-ten Canadians have a favourable view of Japan—the highest among 15 different nations—a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 71% of Canadians have a positive opinion of Japan, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January 2024.

“More than four-in-five British Columbians hold a favourable view of Japan,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are also particularly high in Ontario (75%) and Alberta (74%).”

More than three-in-five Canadians hold a positive opinion of four other members of the G7: the United Kingdom (70%, -6), Italy (68%, -4), Germany (67%, -2) and France (65%, -4).

The favourable rating for France is higher in Atlantic Canada (72%), followed by Ontario (68%), British Columbia (67%) and Quebec (64%).

More than half of Canadians have positive views of South Korea (57%, -4) and the United States (54%, -10). Favourable perceptions on the U.S. are still significantly higher than the all-time low of 32% observed in July 2020.

Two thirds of Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the last federal election (68%) have a positive opinion of the United States. The proportions are lower among those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (57%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (44%) in 2021.

Fewer than half of Canadians (44%, -10) express a favourable view of Mexico, with positive perceptions falling markedly among Canadians aged 55 and over (41%) and Quebecers (also 41%).

Fewer than a third of Canadians hold favourable views of India (30%, -7), Venezuela (26%, -6), Saudi Arabia (25%, -2) and China (22%, -6).

At least three-in-ten residents of Atlantic Canada (35%), Ontario (31%), Quebec (30%) and British Columbia (also 30%) hold a positive opinion of India. The rating is lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (25%) and Alberta (22%).

The favourable rating for China is highest in Ontario (26%), and drops in Quebec (24%), British Columbia (19%), Atlantic Canada (also 19%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (18%) and Alberta (15%).

Fewer than one-in-five Canadians express a positive view of Russia (17%, +2), Iran (12%, -4) and North Korea (11%, -3).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 17 to July 19, 2024, among 1,001 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.

Dissent Over Changing Province’s Name Rises in British Columbia

July 17, 2024July 16, 2024By Mario Canseco

Just over half of the province’s residents disagree with modifying the provincial flag to remove the Union Jack.

Vancouver, BC [July 17, 2024] – The proportion of British Columbians who are against changing the province’s name has risen over the past year and a half, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 60% of British Columbians disagree with changing the name of the province to acknowledge its Indigenous heritage, up seven points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2022.

Fewer than three-in-ten British Columbians (29%, -3) think a name change is warranted, while 10% (-5) are not sure.

British Columbians aged 18-to-34 are significantly more likely to endorse changing the province’s name (52%, +2) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (32%, -1) and aged 55 and over (11%, -6).

The possibility of a name change is more popular in Northern BC (38%, +6), followed by Metro Vancouver (32%, +1), Vancouver Island (31%, -6), the Fraser Valley (21%, -9) and Southern BC (20%, -6).

“Most British Columbians of Indigenous descent (61%) would welcome changing the province’s name,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among residents whose heritage is South Asian (38%), European (29%) or East Asian (also 29%).”

Almost two thirds British Columbians (65%, +3) say nothing bothers them about the name “British Columbia” for the province. Fewer than one-in-five are upset about the “British” part (18%, -1), the absence of an acknowledgement to Indigenous peoples (17%, -3) and the “Columbia” part (6%, -2).

Fewer than a third of British Columbians (31%, =) agree with changing the flag of the province to remove the Union Jack, while just over half (51%, +5) disagree and 19% (-4) are not sure.

Appetite for removing the Union Jack from British Columbia’s flag is highest among residents whose origins are Indigenous (51%) and South Asian (48%) but drops among those whose heritage is East Asian (35%) and European (26%).

In 2010, the Queen Charlotte Islands were renamed as Haida Gwaii. As was the case in 2022, most British Columbians (57%, -1) believe this was the correct decision, while 23% (+3) disagree and 20% (-3) are not sure.

Agreement with this particular name change is highest among British Columbians who voted for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) in the last provincial election (72%), followed by those who cast ballots for the BC Green Party (60%) and the BC Liberals (47%) in 2020.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 24 to June 26, 2024, among 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Concerns About Antisemitism and Protests Rise in British Columbia

July 15, 2024July 14, 2024By Mario Canseco

Practically seven-in-ten residents think dismantling the campus protests and encampments was the correct course of action.

Vancouver, BC [July 15, 2024] – Many British Columbians are dissatisfied with the way the current conflict in Israel and Gaza is affecting Jewish Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, two thirds of British Columbians (66%) believe that Canadian Jews are being unfairly targeted for what is happening in Israel and Gaza. This includes majorities of residents who voted for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (78%), the BC Liberals (77%) and the BC Green Party (55%) in the 2020 provincial election.

Concerns about specific domestic ramifications of the current conflict in Israel and Gaza have increased since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in February.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians are currently “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about attacks, including gunfire and firebombs, on synagogues, Jewish schools and businesses (79%), protestors targeting Jewish neighbourhoods and Jewish-owned businesses (76%, +4), rising prejudice against Jewish Canadians (antisemitism) (75%, +6) and aggressive behaviour by Pro-Palestinian Protestors (74%, +4).

“The perception of antisemitism as a significant issue does not vary greatly by political allegiance,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of British Columbians who voted for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (84%), the BC Liberals (81%) and the BC Green Party (64%) in the 2020 provincial election are worried about prejudice rising against Jewish Canadians.”

More than half of British Columbians (57%) are familiar with the protests and encampments that have been happening at college and university campuses in Canada and the United States.

In some cases, protestors barricaded areas of campuses and refused to allow Jewish students and professors to enter or make their way to classes. The encampments were eventually dismantled by police and arrests were made.

Practically seven-in-ten British Columbians (69%) think universities were right to rely on the police to dismantle the protests and encampments, while only 14% believe they were wrong to do so.

Only 41% of British Columbians think police and governments are doing enough to combat antisemitism in their communities. Women (36%) are particularly skeptical of the way the situation has evolved.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 8 to June 10, 2024, among 1,001 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.

Canadians Question Effect of Proposed Sexual Education Policies

July 12, 2024July 11, 2024By Mario Canseco

Support for “SOGI-Inclusive Education” is strong among all Canadians and parents or guardians of children aged 0-to-18.

Vancouver, BC [July 12, 2024] – Practically half of Canadians endorse the use of “SOGI-Inclusive Education” in their province’s classrooms, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 48% of Canadians support this type of sexual education in schools. Just over three-in-ten Canadians (31%) are opposed to it, and 21% are undecided.

“SOGI-Inclusive Education” raises awareness of and welcomes students of all sexual orientations, gender identities and family structures. More than half of Canadian parents or guardians of children aged 0-to-18 (52%) support “SOGI-Inclusive Education”, while a third (33%) are opposed and 15% are not sure.

On average, Canadians think children should begin to learn about sexuality at the age of 12 and a half (12.51 years).

Canadians of European descent believe sexual education should start earlier (11.83 years) than their counterparts whose origins are Indigenous (12.47 years), East Asian (12.53 years) and South Asian (14.58 years).

On this question, the differences are slight in the average age provided by Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (12.03 years), the Liberal Party (12.24 years) and the Conservative Party (12.74 years) in the 2020 federal election.

Respondents were asked to weigh in on eight different policies that were introduced this year by the Government of Alberta. At least three-in-five Canadians agree with three of these ideas: banning top and bottom surgeries for minors aged 17 and under (66%, and 70% among parents), banning hormone therapies for gender affirmation and puberty blockers for minors aged 15 and under (61%, and 67% among parents) and compelling schools to advise parents and obtain their consent if a minor aged 15 and under wishes to alter their name or pronouns (60%, and 61% among parents).

Most Canadians and parents also voice agreement with three other policies: compelling schools to advise parents if a minor aged 16 or 17 wishes to alter their name or pronouns (59%, and 62% among parents), ensuring that parents “opt-in” any minors every time topics such as gender identity, sexual orientation or sexuality are discussed in the classroom (55%, and 61% among parents) and banning transgender women from taking part in women’s sports leagues competitions (54%, and 58% among parents).

Agreement is lower for two other policies: the provincial education ministry approving all third-party teaching materials on gender identity, sexual orientation or sexuality that are used in the classroom. (48%, and 50% among parents) and allowing minors aged 16 and 17 to start hormone therapies for gender affirmation if they have the approval of their parents, a physician and a psychologist (45%, and 44% among parents).

Canadians are not convinced that the outcome of these policies will be universally positive. Just under half think it is likely that parents will be in full control of the way their children learn about sexuality (48%) and that gender-diverse youth will be placed at risk (also 48%).

More than a third of Canadians also foresee medical practitioners (such as doctors and psychologists) being unable to assess the ethical and medical implications of individual cases (43%), gender-diverse youth being unable to seek support from teachers or school staff (also 43%), an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (40%) and an increase in teenage pregnancies (35%).

“Canadian parents are more likely to predict a negative outcome from some of Alberta’s proposed sexual education policies,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than half (51%) think their implementation will place gender-diverse youth at risk.”

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

Canadians Becoming Less Proud of Economy and Multiculturalism

July 5, 2024June 25, 2025By Mario Canseco

The flag, the Armed Forces and hockey remain at the top the list of sources of pride for the country’s residents.

Vancouver, BC [July 5, 2024] – Over the past year, the perceptions of Canadians on two institutions and features of the country have become significantly more negative, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 65% of Canadians say multiculturalism makes them proud, down nine points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in June 2023.

Canadians of European descent are less likely to be proud of multiculturalism (64%) than their counterparts whose origins are Indigenous (73%), East Asian (also 73%) and South Asian (84%).

Only 34% of Canadians (-8) say the Canadian economy makes them proud. Almost half of those who voted for the Liberal Party in 2021 (48%) are proud of the Canadian economy, compared to 32% among New Democratic Party (NDP) voters and 31% among Conservative Party voters in the last federal election.

“In 2019, four-in-five Canadians (80%) said they were proud of the national economy,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion has fallen by 46 points since then.”

More than four-in-five Canadians (82%, +2) say the Canadian flag makes them proud, and more than seven-in-ten feel the same way about the Canadian Armed Forces (72%, +2) and hockey (71%, -1).

More than half of Canadians are proud of Indigenous culture (63%, -3), bilingualism (58%, -6) and the state of democracy in Canada (55%, -6).

Bilingualism is more likely to be a source of pride for Canadians aged 18-to-34 (69%) than for their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (53%) and aged 55 and over (51%).

Fewer than half of Canadians are proud of the Canadian justice system (48%, -2) and the health care system (also 48%, -2).

Fewer than half of residents of Atlantic Canada (28%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (34%) and Quebec (46%) say the health care system makes them proud. The proportions are higher in Alberta (50%), British Columbia (52%) and Ontario (57%).

Fewer than two-in-five Canadians are proud of Parliament (38%, -7) and the monarchy (35%, -8).

Only 28% of Canadians who voted for the Conservatives in 2021 are proud of Parliament, compared to 28% for those who supported the New Democrats and 43% for those who voted for the Liberals.

The monarchy is more likely to be a source of pride for residents of British Columbia (45%). The proportions are lower in Ontario (39%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (35%), Alberta (29%), Quebec (32%) and Atlantic Canada (25%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 23 to June 25, 2024, 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.

British Columbia is the Most Popular Destination for Relocation

June 19, 2024June 18, 2024By Mario Canseco

When asked where they would go if they had to move, British Columbians prefer Alberta and Quebecers look to Ontario.

Vancouver, BC [June 19, 2024] – British Columbia is a “top of mind” destination for residents of four Canadian provinces if they had to relocate within the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of representative samples in six Canadian provinces asked respondents to ponder a scenario in which they needed to move out and live in another region of Canada.

“British Columbia is in first place as a possible relocation destination in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Quebecers prefer Ontario and British Columbians put Alberta on top.”

In British Columbia, just under one-in-four residents (24%, -2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2019) choose Alberta for relocation, followed by Ontario (19%, +3), Nova Scotia (8%, =) and Yukon (5%, +2).

British Columbians aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54 favour Alberta over Ontario (33% to 19% and 31% to 18% respectively). Their counterparts aged 55 and over prefer Ontario to Alberta (19% to 14%).

In Alberta, half of respondents (50%, +3 since August 2019) select British Columbia, followed by Saskatchewan (11%, =), Ontario (10%, -1), Nova Scotia (4%, =) and Newfoundland and Labrador (3%, +1).

Majorities of respondents of both the Edmonton (56%) and Calgary (52%) metropolitan areas pick British Columbia as their destination, along with 62% of those who voted for the United Conservative Party (UCP) in the last provincial election.

In Saskatchewan, almost three-in-ten residents (29%) choose British Columbia, followed by Alberta (26%), Ontario (13%), Manitoba (7%) and Nova Scotia (4%).

Saskatchewanians aged 55 and over are particularly fond of British Columbia (42%), while those aged 35-to-54 prefer Alberta (33%) and those aged 18-to-34 pick Ontario (28%).

In Manitoba, 27% of residents choose British Columbia, followed by Alberta (24%), Ontario (11%), Saskatchewan (7%) and Nova Scotia (5%).

British Columbia is a popular destination for Manitobans aged 35-to-54 (31%) and aged 55 and over (26%), while those aged 18-to-34 prefer Alberta (31%).

In Ontario, practically a third of residents (32%) pick British Columbia, followed by Nova Scotia (15%), Alberta (12%), Quebec (6%) and Prince Edward Island (5%).

While British Columbia is the first choice for Ontarians among all three age groups, those aged 55 and over and aged 35-to-54 are more fond of Nova Scotia (18% and 16% respectively) than their counterparts aged 18-to-34 (6%).

In Quebec, more than a third of residents (34%) select Ontario, followed by British Columbia (19%), New Brunswick (9%), Alberta (8%) and Prince Edward Island (4%).

New Brunswick is a popular destination for Quebecers aged 35-to-54 and aged 55 and over (12% each), as well as among those who voted for the Parti Québécois (PQ) (16%) or the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) (12%) in the last provincial election.

Methodology: Results are based on online surveys conducted from March 29 to March 31, 2024, among 800 adults in British Columbia, 600 adults in Alberta, 600 adults in Saskatchewan, 600 adults in Manitoba, 600 adults in Ontario and 600 adults in Quebec. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region for each province. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.5 percentage points for British Columbia and +/- 4.0 percentage points for the remaining provinces, 19 times out of 20.

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

Acceptability of Pornography and Prostitution Drops in Canada

June 14, 2024June 13, 2024By Mario Canseco

Almost three-in-five Canadians (58%, +5 since 2023) think abortion is “morally acceptable”.

Vancouver, BC [June 14, 2024] – Canada’s moral compass has experienced sizeable changes on two issues related to human sexuality, in spite of a pronounced gender gap, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians whether they considered 21 different issues as “morally acceptable” or “morally wrong.”

Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians believe pornography (28%, -4 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2023) and prostitution (25%, -7) are “morally acceptable”.

“Only 20% of Canadian women think pornography is morally acceptable, and 17% feel the same way about prostitution,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In stark contrast, pornography is morally acceptable for 39% of Canadian men, and 34% have no moral qualms about prostitution.”

The numbers did not shift drastically on other issues, with more than two thirds of Canadians finding four issues as “morally acceptable”: contraception (76%, +1), divorce (72%, +1), sexual relations between an unmarried man and woman (70%, +1) and having a baby outside of marriage (67%, -2).

Almost three-in-five Canadians (58%, +5) say abortion is “morally acceptable”—a proportion that rises to 66% among Canadians aged 55 and over, 65% in British Columbia and 64% in Quebec.

More than half of Canadians see three other issues as “morally acceptable”: physician-assisted death (57%, -1), sexual relations between two people of the same sex (55%, -2) and medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos (also 55%, =).

Sizeable majorities of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (70%) and the Liberal Party (64%) in the last federal election have no moral reservations about same-sex relations. Among Conservative Party voters in 2021, the proportion stands at 39%.

More than a third of Canadians regard three issues as “morally acceptable”: gambling (49%, -3), the death penalty (40%, +1) and buying and wearing clothing made of animal fur (34%, +4).

Canadians aged 35-to-54 are more likely to believe gambling is morally acceptable (53%) than their counterparts aged 55 and over (48%) and aged 18-to-34 (46%).

Canadian men are less likely to have moral reservations about buying and wearing clothing made of animal fur (43%) than their female counterparts (27%).

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians believe eight other issues are “morally acceptable”: medical testing on animals (23%, +1), cloning animals (19%, -1), polygamy (17%, -4), suicide (also 17%, -3), married men and/or women having an affair (16%, -2), using illegal drugs (14%, -5), cloning humans (13%, +2) and paedophilia (5%, -2).

One-in-four Quebecers (25%) think married men and/or women having an affair is “morally acceptable”. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (16%), British Columbia (also 16%), Ontario (15%), Atlantic Canada (8%) and Alberta (6%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on June 1 to June 3, 2024, 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 plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Almost Half of Canadians Would Decrease Legal Immigration

June 12, 2024June 11, 2024By Mario Canseco

The perception of immigration having a negative effect in Canada has increased for the second consecutive year.

Vancouver, BC [June 12, 2024] – The views of Canadians on immigration have become more negative over the past few months, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 44% of Canadians think immigration is having a mostly negative effect in the country, up six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2023.

A slightly smaller proportion of Canadians (42%, -3) say immigration is having a mostly positive effect in the country, while 14% (-3) are undecided.

While more than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 hold positive views on immigration (55%, -3), the proportions are significantly lower among their counterparts aged 55 and over (37%, -12) and aged 35-to-54 (32%, -12).

This month, 46% of Canadians (+7) think the number of legal immigrants who are allowed to relocate in Canada should decrease. Just over three-in-ten (31%, -6) think there should be no change, while 15% (-2) want to increase legal immigration levels.

Majorities of Atlantic Canadians (53%) and Ontarians (also 53%) are in favour of reducing legal immigration levels in Canada. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (50%), British Columbia (48%), Alberta (42%) and Quebec (34%).

“About two-in-five Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (41%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (39%) in the last federal election would decrease legal immigration to Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion jumps to 63% among Canadians who supported the Conservative Party in 2021.”

Two thirds of Canadians (66%, -9) believe the hard work and talent of immigrants makes Canada better, while 65% (=) think immigrants should only be allowed in Canada if they adopt Canadian values.

As was the case last year, Canadians remain split when assessing two different concepts related to immigration. While 44% (-1) would prefer for Canada to be a mosaic, where cultural differences within Canadian society are valuable and should be preserved, 42% (=) would embrace the concept of the melting pot, where immigrants assimilate and blend into Canadian society.

There are some striking gender and ideological differences on this question. Men (50%) and Conservative voters (58%) favour the melting pot, while women (48%), Liberals (also 48%) and NDP voters (54%) are fonder of the mosaic.

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