Politics – Research Co.

Support for Return of Death Penalty Rises Markedly in Canada

June 18, 2026June 17, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half of supporters of capital punishment (52%) think it would serve as a deterrent for potential murderers.

Vancouver, BC [June 18, 2026] – By a 2-to-1 margin, Canadians are more likely to support the return of the death penalty than to maintain the status quo in murder cases, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 60% of Canadians (+6 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2025) support reinstating the death penalty for murder in Canada, while 30% (-2) are opposed.

Canada eliminated the death penalty for murder in July 1976.

Half of Quebecers (50%, +5) favour the return of capital punishment in murder cases. The proportions are higher in Atlantic Canada (55%, -5), Ontario (62%, +7), Alberta (65%, +6), British Columbia (67%, +8) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 67%, +13).

Two thirds of Canadians who oppose the death penalty (66%, +5) are worried about a person being wrongly convicted and then executed, while almost half (49%, +9) believe murderers should serve their time in prison, as indicated by a judge.

Fewer opponents cite other problems with the return of capital punishment, such as doubting that it would serve as a deterrent (39%, +3), feeling that taking a convicted murderer’s own life is wrong (35%, -6), and stating that murderers can be rehabilitated (18%, =).

A majority of Canadians who support the return of the death penalty say a convicted murderer has taken a life, so the punishment fits the crime (56%, +7) and think it will serve as a deterrent for potential murderers (52%, =).

Fewer supporters of capital punishment cite other reasons for their position, including closure to the families of murder victims (49%, +7), saving taxpayers money and the costs associated with having murderers in prison (46%, =) and a belief that murderers cannot be rehabilitated (31%, +5).

More than half of Canadians (56%, +3) think capital punishment is “sometimes appropriate”, while just under one-in-four (23%, -1) say it is “never” appropriate and 14% (=) consider it “always” appropriate.

A separate question asked Canadians to choose between two different approaches to deal with murder convictions in Canada. Just under half (49%, -4) select life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, while just under two-in-five (39%, +4) choose the death penalty.

In this question, almost half of Albertans (48%, +9) express a preference for the death penalty over life imprisonment after a murder conviction. The proportions are lower in Ontario (40%, +3), British Columbia (also 40%, +2), Quebec (37%, +11), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (36%, -1) and Atlantic Canada (31%, -7).

“The political divide on how to deal with murder cases in Canada is staggering,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While majorities of Canadians who voted for the Liberals or the New Democrats in 2025 (57% and 65% respectively) would maintain life imprisonment without parole, most Conservatives (54%) would bring back the death penalty.”

Respondents of East Asian descent are more likely to prefer the death penalty over life imprisonment for murder convictions (48%) than those whose heritage is European (39%), South Asian (also 39%) or Indigenous (33%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 4 to June 6, 2026, 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.

Current Relationship with Canada Still OK for Most Americans

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026By Mario Canseco

Fewer than two-in-five (38%, -4 since January) approve of Donald Trump’s performance as president.

Vancouver, BC [June 15, 2026] – As the United States, Canada and Mexico host the FIFA World Cup, few Americans would change their relationship with the two other North American nations, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, more than three-in-five Americans (63%, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January) think Canada should remain an independent nation, while 15% (+5) would like to see it become a U.S. territory and 7% (=) would welcome it as an American state.

The views of Americans are similar when pondering Mexico, with 68% (+1) saying it should remain independent, 11% (+1) suggesting it should become a U.S. territory and 5% (=) claiming it should become an American state.

At least half of Americans also think Panama (50%, -4) and Cuba (58%, +1) should stay independent, and a similar proportion (54%, -2) want Greenland to remain an autonomous territory.

Americans are twice as likely to say that Puerto Rico should become an independent nation (28%, -4) than an American state (14%, -3), but more than two-in-five (41%, -2) want it to maintain its status as a U.S. territory.

Across the United States, the approval rating for President Donald Trump stands at 38% (-4 since January), with 57% of Americans (+4) disapproving of his performance.

While 84% of Republicans approve of the way Trump is managing his duties, the proportion is significantly lower among Independents (25%) and Democrats (14%).

The Democratic Party holds a five-point lead over the Republican Party in the race for the House of Representatives (38% to 33%). Fewer than one-in-ten Americans (8%) say they would vote for other candidates and 22% are undecided.

The survey also asked Americans about prospective presidential candidates for each of the two major parties in the 2028 election.

Only six of the names tested are regarded as “good choices” for the Republican Party by more than one-in-five Americans: U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance (31%), Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (29%), Secretary of State Marco Rubio (28%), Texas Senator Ted Cruz (25%), the current president’s son Donald Trump Jr. (23%) and Florida Governor Ron De Santis (22%).

Fewer Americans think eight other possible contenders would be a “good choice” for the Republican Party: commentator Tucker Carlson (18%), former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (also 18%), entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (15%), Texas Governor Greg Abbott (also 15%), Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie (also 15%), Missouri Senator Josh Hawley (13%), former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (also 13%) and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (11%).

Among Republicans, the top choices are Vance (67%), Rubio (54%), Trump Jr. (also 54%), Cruz (48%), Kennedy Jr. (45%) and De Santis (also 45%).

Eight people are regarded as “good choices” to become the Democratic Party’s nominee in 2028: former first lady Michelle Obama (45%), 2024 presidential nominee and former Vice President Kamala Harris (35%), California Governor Gavin Newsom (26%), actor George Clooney (25%), New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (24%), former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (23%), Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (also 23%) and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (21%).

Fewer Americans think six other politicians are “good choices” for the Democrats in 2028: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (19%), Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (17%), Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff (also 17%), sports analyst Stephen A. Smith (also 17%), Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (16%) and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel (15%).

Majorities of Democrats think Obama (73%) and Harris (67%) are “good choices”, followed by Newsom (47%), Buttigieg (44%), Ocasio-Cortez (44%) and Kelly (37%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 4 to June 6, 2026, among 1,001 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Canadians Ponder Trade with China, Joining European Union

June 11, 2026June 10, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than two thirds of Canadians are closely following news related to the tariffs dispute with the United States.

Vancouver, BC [June 11, 2026] – The ongoing dispute over tariffs with the United States has made other international markets more attractive to Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 59% of Canadians think Canada should seriously consider enhancing trade with China, while 28% disagree and 13% are not sure.

More than seven-in-ten Canadians are in favour of enhancing trade with other countries and groups, such as Japan (71%, -6 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February), Mexico (74%, +1), Australia and New Zealand (also 74%, -3), the United Kingdom (76%, -1) and the European Union (EU) (also 76%, -1).

Half of Canadians (50%, +2) would seriously consider initiating a formal process for Canada to join the European Union, while only 20% (=) think it is time to seriously ponder a formal process for Canada to become an American state.

Almost three-in-five Canadians (59%, +3) want Canada to seriously consider requesting an independent dispute settlement panel under the terms of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

More than two thirds of Canadians (68%, +2) are “very closely” or “moderately closely” following news related to the tariffs dispute with the United States.

More than a third of Canadians (37%, -9) think the tariffs on Canadian products will be expanded by the U.S. government in the next six months, while a slightly smaller proportion (31%, +11) believe the tariffs will be rescinded.

There is little change in the purchasing behaviour of Canadians when it comes to American products. A majority (55%, =) continue to avoid buying goods originated from the United States, if a non-American alternative is available.

About a third of Canadians (32%, -2) have cancelled a planned trip to the United States, while fewer are not relying on American restaurant franchises in Canada (27%, -6) or American entertainment options (25%, =).

More than four-in-five Canadians (82%, +6) continue to deem the American tariffs as a threat to Canada, while half (50%, -3) believe the United States is a military threat to Canada at this point.

Three-in-five Canadians (60%, +3) are satisfied with how Prime Minister Mark Carney has managed the tariffs dispute, while two-in-five (40%, +10) approve of the way Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has handled this matter.

“There is a significant difference when Canadians aged 55 and over evaluate the performance of two key federal politicians on tariffs,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 69% are satisfied with Carney, only 30% feel the same way about Poilievre.”

More than two-in-five Canadians (42%, +7) think a Conservative federal government would be better positioned at this point to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States, while almost half (47%, -7) disagree with this assessment.

Fewer than half of Canadians (46%, -8) approve of the way their premier has managed the tariffs dispute. Among the four most populous provinces, the rating is highest in Ontario (51%, +6) and British Columbia (also 51%, -8), followed by Quebec (45%, +3) and Alberta (36%, =).

One third of Canadians (33%, +2) are satisfied with how the Official Opposition leader in their province is managing this file. The numbers are highest in Ontario (38%, +5), followed by Quebec (37%, +8), British Columbia (25%, +1) and Alberta (24%, -21).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 1 to June 3, 2026, 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.

Surging Conservatives Tie New Democrats in British Columbia

June 8, 2026June 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

Almost half of residents (47%) think the province needs a centre-right party to serve as an alternative to the two dominant ones.

Vancouver, BC [June 6, 2026] – British Columbia’s political scene has tightened following the conclusion of the Conservative Party of BC’s leadership race, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 42% of decided voters (+4 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2025) would support the opposition BC Conservatives in a provincial election, while 42% (-2) would cast a ballot for the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP).

The BC Green Party is third with 9% (-3), followed by Centre BC with 3% (=) and OneBC with 2% (+1).

The BC Conservatives are ahead of the governing party among men (46% to 40%), voters aged 35-to-54 (44% to 39%) and voters aged 18-to-34 (40% to 38%). The BC NDP leads the Official Opposition among women (42% to 39%) and voters aged 55 and over (47% to 42%).

On a regional basis, the BC NDP leads in Southern BC (50% to 41%), Metro Vancouver (43% to 39%) and Vancouver Island (42% to 39%), while the BC Conservatives are first in Northern BC (57% to 23%) and the Fraser Valley (56% to 36%).

“This month, the BC NDP is holding on to 84% (-2) of its voters in the 2024 provincial election,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The retention rate is superior for the BC Conservatives (89%, +11).”

More than half of British Columbians (52%, -7) would “definitely” or “probably” consider casting a ballot for the BC New Democrats in the next provincial election. Consideration is lower for the BC Conservatives (42%, -3), the BC Greens (36%, -7), OneBC (24%, -1) and Centre BC (23%, -5).

The approval rating for Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby has dropped below the 50% threshold (48%, -5). About a third of British Columbians (32%) are satisfied with the way incoming BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay is handling her duties. The numbers are slightly higher for BC Green Party leader Emily Lowan (34%, =) and lower for OneBC leader Dallas Brodie (20%, -6) and Centre BC leader Karin Kirkpatrick (19%, -8).

Just over a third of British Columbians (36%) say they are happy that Findlay was chosen as leader of the Conservative Party of BC—a proportion that rises to 63% among BC Conservative voters in the 2024 provincial election.

Slightly smaller proportions of British Columbians think the Conservative Party of BC is a “free enterprise coalition” (33%, -4 since April 2026) or regard Findlay as a “premier-in-waiting” (30%).

Housing, poverty and homelessness remains the most important issue facing the province (29%, -1), followed by the economy and jobs (26%, +3), health care (21%, -2), crime and public safety (8%, +3), the environment (3%, -3) and accountability (2%, -2).

Almost half of British Columbians (47%, -5) believe the province needs a centre-right party to serve as an alternative to the BC New Democrats and the BC Conservatives, and just over two-in-five (41%) believe it’s time to bring back the BC Liberals as a provincial political party—including 58% of British Columbians who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2025 Canadian federal election.

The survey asked an additional voting intention question in which the BC Liberals were included as a choice. In this scenario, the BC NDP is first with the support of 35% of decided voters, followed by the BC Conservatives (34%), the BC Liberals (15%), the BC Greens (9%), Centre BC (3%) and OneBC (also 3%).

More than one-in-four British Columbians who voted for the federal Liberals in 2025 (27%) would cast a ballot for the BC Liberals in a provincial election.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 3 to June 5, 2026, among 803 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

British Columbians Are Pessimistic on Financial Matters

May 28, 2026May 27, 2026By Mario Canseco

Fewer than one-in-five residents expect a recovery for both the province’s economy and their own household’s finances.

Vancouver, BC [May 28, 2026] – Only a third of British Columbians are happy with the economic standing of the province, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 33% of British Columbians rate the economic conditions in the province as “very good” or “good”, while 62% consider them “bad” or “very bad”.

Residents of the province are almost evenly split when assessing their own household’s finances, with 49% saying they are “very good” or “good” and 48% deeming them “bad” or “very bad”.

Positive perceptions of the provincial economy are higher among British Columbians who voted for the BC Green Party (47%) or the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (43%) in the 2024 provincial election than among those who cast ballots for candidates representing the Conservative Party of British Columbia (17%).

Just over two-in-five British Columbians (41%) expect the economic conditions in the province to decline in the next six months, while 38% foresee no change and only 14% predict an improvement.

The assessment is slightly better for household finances, with just over half of British Columbians (51%) predicting no changes, 26% expecting a decline and 16% anticipating an improvement.

About a third of British Columbians (32%) think the provincial economy is worse than that of other Canadian provinces, while 41% consider it “about the same” and 14% claim it is performing better.

Half of British Columbians (50%) expect BC’s economy to improve because of the way the federal government under Mark Carney is treating the province, while 61% agree that many of the setbacks that BC’s economy has experienced can be blamed on the fact that Donald Trump is the President of the United States.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (64%) want the provincial government to devote more resources to expediting permits and dealing with bureaucracy and red tape—a proportion that rises to 75% among BC Conservative voters.

The provincial government’s latest budget projects a $13.3 billion deficit for British Columbia in the 2026-27 fiscal year. When asked their preferred way to deal with the budget deficit, 45% of British Columbians call for cuts to programs, while 33% favour raising taxes and 21% are undecided.

“There is a significant political divide when British Columbians ponder the budget deficit,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Almost half of those who voted for the New Democrats in 2024 (46%) would raise taxes, while more than two thirds of those who supported the BC Conservatives (68%) would cut programs.”

The provincial government has traditionally classified the economy into 13 major sectors. Right now, only five of these sectors garner positive reviews from about half of the province’s residents: tourism (59%), film and television (50%), technology and innovation (also 50%), clean technology (49%) and agriculture (48%).

The level of satisfaction with the way the government is managing eight other sectors is lower: construction (46%), cannabis (also 46%), high technology (45%), fisheries and aquaculture (also 45%), mining (44%), manufacturing (42%), maritime (41%) and forestry (also 41%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 12 to May 14, 2026, 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.

Little Movement in Canada’s Federal Political Scene

May 11, 2026May 13, 2026By Mario Canseco

The governing Liberals maintain a significant advantage over the opposition Conservatives.

Vancouver, BC [May 11, 2026] – Public support for the governing Liberal Party is still high in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 46% of decided voters across Canada would back the Liberal candidate in their riding in a federal election, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2026.

The Conservative Party is second with 31% (-1), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 11% (+1), the Bloc Québécois with 7% (=), the Green Party with 3% (=), the People’s Party with 1% (-1) and other parties and independent candidates with 1% (=).

More than half of decided voters in Ontario (54%) and Atlantic Canada (51%) would vote for the Liberals in a federal election. The governing party is ahead of the Conservatives in British Columbia (44% to 37%) and leads the Bloc in Quebec (44% to 27%). The Conservatives hold a 16-point advantage over the Liberals in Alberta (46% to 30%).

This month, the Liberals are leading the Conservatives among Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (55% to 26%), Generation X (50% to 35%) and Generation Z (40% to 27%). The race is tied among Millennials (37% for each party).

There is no discernible gender gap on voting intention, with the Liberals amassing significant advantages over the Conservatives among men (47% to 30%) and women (46% to 32%).

The economy and jobs is the most important issue facing the country for 22% of Canadians (+1), followed by housing, homelessness and poverty (20%, +2), Canada-U.S. Relations (16%, =), health care (15%, -1) and immigration (8%, -3).

Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney continues to hold the highest approval rating among all federal leaders at 56% (+1). The numbers remain lower for Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (38%, -1), Green leader Elizabeth May (32%, =), NDP leader Avi Lewis (31%), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (25%, +2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (20%, =).

“Practically seven-in-ten Baby Boomers in Canada (69%) approve of Mark Carney’s performance,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 30% feel the same way about Pierre Poilievre.”

On the “Preferred Prime Minister” question, Carney maintains a 19-point advantage over Poilievre (45% to 26%).

When Canadians are asked which of the two main party leaders would be the best to handle 11 different issues, Carney is ahead of Poilievre on every single one.

More than two-in-five Canadians prefer Carney over Poilievre to manage foreign affairs (51% to 24%), Canada-U.S. Relations (49% to 28%), national unity (47% to 27%), accountability and leadership (46% to 30%), the economy and jobs (46% to 31%), energy and pipelines (42% to 34%) and the environment (41% to 26%).

Carney holds smaller leads over Poilievre on four other issues: health care (40% to 30%), immigration (40% to 32%), housing, homelessness and poverty (39% to 33%), and crime and public safety (39% to 35%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 6 to May 8, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,003 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Conservative Leadership Change Heralds Close Election in BC

April 30, 2026April 26, 2026By Mario Canseco

Sizeable majorities of the province’s residents want the Official Opposition to focus on health care and economic growth.

Vancouver, BC [April 30, 2026] – The perceptions of British Columbians on the five contenders in the Conservative Party of BC’s leadership race have not changed dramatically over the past two months, and no candidate would award the party a significant advantage over the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) in a snap election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, the favourability rating for the five people seeking to lead the Official Opposition is similar. Caroline Elliott is in first place (19%, +6 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February), followed by Kerry-Lynne Findlay (18%, +4), Peter Milobar (17%, +4), Yuri Fulmer (15%, +3) and Iain Black (14%, =).

At least one-in-five British Columbians who voted for the BC Conservatives in the 2024 provincial election hold favourable views on Elliott (27%, +9), Milobar (25%, +9), Findlay (23%, +7), Black (22%, =) and Fulmer (20%, +4).

The favourability rating is higher for John Rustad, who served as leader of the BC Conservatives from March 2023 to December 2025 (23% among all British Columbians and 39% among BC Conservative voters in 2024).

The “vote consideration” question also shows no decisive frontrunner among all British Columbians. Just under one-in-four say they would “definitely” or “probably” cast a ballot for the BC Conservatives with Milobar (24%, +4) or Elliott (also 24%, +2) as leaders, with slightly lower numbers for Findlay (21%, =), Fulmer (20%, +1) and Black (19%, -1).

When the perceptions of BC Conservative voters in 2024 are assessed exclusively, Milobar is ahead in “vote consideration” with 46% (+13), followed by Elliott (44%, +5), Findlay (41%, +7), Fulmer (38%, +6) and Black (37%, +2).

In head-to-head contests against the BC NDP in a provincial election, Elliott places the BC Conservatives two points ahead of the governing party (23% to 21%). Milobar and Black are one-point ahead (22% to 21% in each matchup), while Findlay and Fulmer are two points behind (23% to 21%, and 22% to 20% respectively).

In each of these five hypothetical scenarios, two-in-five British Columbians (40%) are undecided, support for the BC Green Party fluctuates between 6% and 8%, and CentreBC and OneBC are each below 5%.

When asked what is the most important issue facing the province, 30% of British Columbians (+5 since October 2025) mention housing, homelessness and poverty, followed by the economy and jobs (26%, +4), health care (23%, =) and crime and public safety (7%, +2).

The survey also asked British Columbians about specific issues the Conservative Party of BC should focus on during the next three years.

More than three-in-five respondents want the Official Opposition to get the government to invest more on health care (81%, +1 since March 2025), foster economic growth in all areas of the province (78%, -2), develop a housing policy that rivals what the provincial government is doing (65%, -5) and get more pipelines built and more energy projects approved (61%, +2).

Fewer British Columbians want the BC Conservatives to focus on banning transgender women from taking part in women’s sports leagues competitions (49%, +7), ending “SOGI-Inclusive Education” (44%), repealing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) (40%) or reverting the ban on plastic straws (37%, +2).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 16 to April 18, 2026, among 802 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

British Columbians Ponder Future of Provincial Conservatives

April 27, 2026April 26, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half think the province needs a centre-right party to serve as an alternative to New Democrats and Conservatives.

Vancouver, BC [April 27, 2026] – British Columbians are divided when asked what the party that is currently serving as the Official Opposition should resemble in the future, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 19% of British Columbians would like the Conservative Party of BC to look like the current Liberal Party of Canada, while 18% want it to be similar to the current Conservative Party of Canada.

Fewer British Columbians would like the BC Conservatives to emulate the BC Liberals (13%), the Progressive Conservatives (10%), Social Credit (5%) or the Reform Party / Canadian Alliance (2%).

“More than two-in-five British Columbians who voted for the provincial Conservatives in 2024 (42%) want the party to look like the federal Official Opposition,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 9% think it should attempt to emulate the BC Liberals.”

British Columbians are divided on the legacy of the BC Liberals under Gordon Campbell (1993-2011). While 41% have a favourable opinion of this party, a similar proportion (38%) hold unfavourable views.

The favourability rating is lower for the BC Liberals under Christy Clark (2011-2017) (35%), the BC Liberals under Andrew Wilkinson (2018-2020) (26%) and BC United under Kevin Falcon (2022-2024) (23%).

More than a third of British Columbians (37%, -3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2025) think the Conservative Party of BC is a “free enterprise coalition”, and almost two-in-five (39%, +5) believe the party’s next leader is a “premier-in-waiting”.

As was the case last year, British Columbians are more likely to trust the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) to stand up to the threats generated by U.S. President Donald Trump (51%, -8) than the opposition Conservative Party of BC (44%, -4).

Most British Columbians (52%, +4) think British Columbia needs a centre-right party to serve as an alternative to the BC New Democrats and the BC Conservatives.

More than three-in-five British Columbians who in 2024 voted for the BC Greens (62%) or the BC Conservatives (61%) would welcome a new centre-right party, along with just over half of those who cast ballots for BC NDP candidates (51%).

Just over two-in-five British Columbians (42%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea for the BC NDP and the BC Greens to merge into a single political party.

Support for three other mergers is slightly lower: 39% for a party featuring the BC Conservatives and OneBC, 38% for a party encompassing the BC Conservatives and Centre BC and 38% for a party featuring all three organizations: the BC Conservatives, One BC and Centre BC.

More than one-in-four British Columbians (27%) favour the Conservative Party of BC not running candidates in constituencies where OneBC has nominated a candidate, while 34% are opposed and 39% are not sure.

Respondents to this survey were also asked to choose a position that a political party should take based on five contrasting statements.

Almost four-in-five British Columbians (79%, +4) prefer parties where all members are free to vote individually, and just over seven-in-ten (71%, +1) choose parties that acknowledge and help the less fortunate.

Majorities of the province’s residents also select parties that are anti-American (67%, +3), that advocate for more economic and personal freedoms (64%, =) and that acknowledge Indigenous reconciliation (63%, -3).

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

Close Race to the Top as Canadians Ponder Best Prime Ministers

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026By Mario Canseco

Almost half (47%) include Justin Trudeau on their list of the worst heads of the federal government.

Vancouver, BC [April 23, 2026] – There is no clear favourite when Canadians are asked to pick the best stewards of the federal government, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians to select up to four of Canada’s 24 prime ministers as the best—and worst—the country has ever had.

Five men are included as the list of “best ever” prime ministers by more than one-in-four Canadians: Pierre Trudeau (30%), Mark Carney (29%), Stephen Harper (also 29%), John A. Macdonald (27%) and Jean Chrétien (27%).

The ranking among male respondents featured Macdonald in first place (31%), followed by Harper (30%), Pierre Trudeau (27%), Chrétien (also 27%) and Wilfrid Laurier (24%). Among women, Carney (36%) is ahead of Pierre Trudeau (33%), Harper (28%), Chrétien (27%) and Macdonald (25%).

Pierre Trudeau receives the largest proportion of “votes” from Baby Boomers (34%), followed by Brian Mulroney with 32% and Lester Pearson with 31%). Generation X puts Harper in first place with 37%, followed by Pierre Trudeau with 34% and Chrétien and Mulroney each with 33%.

Just over three-in-ten Millennials (31%) include Chrétien on their ballot, followed by Carney with 28% and Pierre Trudeau with 27%. Generation Z has Carney in first place (32%), followed by Justin Trudeau (28%) and Macdonald (27%).

On the “worst ever” question, 47% of Canadians give Justin Trudeau one of their four votes. Harper and Pierre Trudeau are tied with 23%, followed by Carney (21%) and Kim Campbell (20%).

Justin Trudeau is at the top of this list among all gender and age groups—and reaches 51% in Ontario and 63% in Alberta.

The survey also asked the questions that Research Co. has tracked since July 2020, which focus on the prime ministers and opposition leaders of the past 58 years.

Harper (17%, +1 since August 2024) is slightly ahead of Pierre Trudeau (16%, -1) and Carney (15%, new) as the best prime minister since 1968, followed by Chrétien (10%, +1) and Mulroney (8%, -7).

Just over a third of Canadians (34%, -4) pick Justin Trudeau as the worst prime minister since 1968, followed by Harper (11%, -3), Pierre Trudeau (9%, +2) and Carney (8%, new).

When assessing recent opposition leaders, more than a third of Canadians believe three of them would have made “very good” or “good” prime ministers: Jack Layton (47%, -5), Pierre Poilievre (39%) and Robert Stanfield (34%, +1).

The rating is lower for Preston Manning (32%, -1), Tom Mulcair (30%, -4), Andrew Scheer (29%, +2), Erin O’Toole (28%, -3), Michael Ignatieff (24%, +2), Stockwell Day (also 24%, -2), Stéphane Dion (23%, -1) and Rona Ambrose (also 23%, -4).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 11 to April 13, 2026, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Residents Ready for Governance Reform in Metro Vancouver

April 16, 2026April 12, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-four would conduct a full public inquiry into the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Vancouver, BC [April 16, 2026] – Residents of 21 municipalities would like to see changes in the way the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD)—or Metro Vancouver—currently operates, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative regional sample outlines widespread confusion among residents about both what Metro Vancouver is actually responsible for and its current governance structure.

About two-in-five residents know that Metro Vancouver operates and maintains solid waste facilities (41%), operates and maintains liquid waste facilities (40%) and provides drinking water (39%), while fewer are aware that it oversees the development and maintenance of regional parks (29%) and establishes policies and plans to improve air quality (22%).

When asked how many directors serve in the Metro Vancouver Board, the average response from residents is 10. The Metro Vancouver Board currently consists of 41 Directors representing 21 Municipalities, one Electoral Area and one treaty First Nation.

Upon learning of the size of the Metro Vancouver Board, majorities of residents agree with two separate proposals: electing the directors the Metro Vancouver Board directly, instead of appointing members of Municipal or First Nation councils (65%) and creating a smaller, directly elected “Mayors Council” that can oversee Metro Vancouver, TransLink and E-Comm 9-1-1 (67%).

Support for direct elections to the Metro Vancouver Board is highest among residents of the City of Langley, the Township of Langley, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows (74%), followed by those in Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities (69%), Richmond and Delta (66%), the North Shore (also 66%), Vancouver (65%) and Surrey and White Rock (62%).

“Seven-in-ten Metro Vancouverites aged 35-to-54 (70%) think the region needs a directly elected Metro Vancouver Board,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of residents aged 18-to-34 (64%) and aged 55 and over (63%) concur.”

Two thirds of residents (66%) believe that, in its current form, Metro Vancouver is overseen by politicians who are only accountable to a particular municipality and not to the region as a whole. Similar proportions of respondents think a directly elected Metro Vancouver Board would be more accountable, efficient and responsive (71%) and would simplify political decision-making (67%).

Just over three-in-four Metro Vancouverites (76%) are in favour of conducting a full public inquiry into the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant—including 79% of those aged 55 and over and 83% of those who live in the North Shore.

Majorities of residents also support holding a regional referendum to establish the operating and capital budgets of the Metro Vancouver Board (72%) and Mayors and Councillors not receiving any stipends or honoraria for their participation in regional boards (64%).

A separate question gauged the public’s appetite for the privatization of Metro Vancouver’s core services. Majorities of respondents support privatizing the operation and maintenance of solid waste facilities (56%), the operation and maintenance of liquid waste facilities (55%), the development and maintenance of regional parks (55%), policies and plans to improve air quality (54%) and the provision of drinking water (53%).

There is a significant age gap on the privatization question, with support for this course of action dropping dramatically among residents aged 55 and over.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 5 to April 7, 2026, among 1,203 adults in Metro Vancouver. 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 2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

By 3-to-1 Margin, Niagara Region Residents Reject Amalgamation Push

April 13, 2026April 21, 2026By Mario Canseco

Two thirds of residents think the issue should be put to a special vote in this year’s municipal elections.

St. Catharines, ON [April 13, 2026] – Residents of the 12 cities, towns and townships that form the Niagara Region are unconvinced about an amalgamation proposal, a new Research Co. poll conducted for CUPE Ontario has found.

In the mixed mode survey of a representative regional sample, conducted in early March, more than three-in-five respondents (62%) thought Premier Doug Ford and his provincial government should back off from meddling in Niagara’s local democracy though his hand-picked Regional Chair, Bob Gale and want the people of Niagara to have their say on possible amalgamation based on who they elect as mayors and councillors in October.

Only 19% of respondents think Premier Ford and his provincial government should continue pushing for amalgamation through Gale, who they appointed, and want this decision to be made by the provincial government and the current mayors of Niagara’s 12 municipalities.

The survey was conducted prior to Gale’s resignation as chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara on March 12, following a controversy regarding his alleged ownership of a signed copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf.

Majorities of both men (58%) and women (66%) in the Niagara Region want to place the decision on amalgamation away from the provincial government—a view that is shared by 60% of Niagara Region residents aged 18-to-34, 61% of those aged 35-to-54 and 65% of those aged 55 and over.

Two thirds of respondents (66%) think the possible amalgamation of cities, towns and townships in the Niagara Region should be put to a special vote during the municipal elections already scheduled for this October—a proportion that rises to 76% among respondents aged 55 and over.

Methodology: Results are based on a mixed-mode (online and telephone) survey conducted from March 5 to March 10, 2026, among 934 adults in the Niagara Region. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age and gender in the Niagara Region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.2 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty..

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

Climate Change Divide Grows Between Americans and Canadians

April 2, 2026April 2, 2026By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 22 to March 24, 2026, among 1,001 adults in Canada and 1,002 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, for each country.

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

Canadians Still Think Use of Emergencies Act Was Justified

March 26, 2026April 8, 2026By Mario Canseco

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

Vancouver, BC [March 26, 2026] – Four years after the invocation of the Emergencies Act, a majority of Canadians continue to agree with the decision taken by the federal government, a new Research Co. poll has found.

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.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, more than seven-in-ten Canadians (71%, +2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2025) say they “very closely” or “moderately closely” followed news stories related to the protests and blockades.

Practically three-in-five Canadians (59%, +3) think the federal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with the protests and blockades was justified.

Sizeable majorities of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party or the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2025 federal election (78% and 66% respectively) side with the federal government’s decision. Conservative Party voters are divided: 44% think the actions were justified, while 46% consider them unjustified.

When asked to look back at their feelings during the protests and blockades against restrictions and mandates related to the COVID-19 pandemic, just over two in five Canadians (41%, -2) claim to have supported them while almost half (47%, +1) say they opposed them.

The anti-mandate protests found the support of just 33% of Canadians aged 55 and over. The proportions are larger among Canadians aged 35 to 54 (45%) and Canadians aged 18-to-34 (50%).

More than a third of Canadians (36%, +2) believe no COVID-19 mandates and restrictions should have been implemented, while more than half (54%, -5) disagree with this idea.

“A significant gender gap remains when Canadians assess COVID-19 mandates and restrictions six years after the pandemic was declared,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 32% of women would have preferred to have avoided these measures, the proportion rises to 41% among men.”

The survey continues to show a divided country on two additional aspects of the protests and blockades.

Canadians are almost evenly split on whether the actions of the people protesting against restrictions and mandates were justified (Agree 43%, Disagree 45%).

The notion that the people protesting against restrictions and mandates were fighting for freedom resonates positively with 45% of Canadians and negatively with 41%.

The numbers are not as close on whether the federal government should be overthrown. Just over a third of Canadians (34%, -1) agree with this contention, while more than half (51%, =) disagree with it.

At least seven-in-ten Canadians are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about violence breaking out at the site of protests and blockades (74%, -3) and foreign money being used to fund the activities of protestors (70%, =).

Fewer Canadians—but still majorities— are also worried about the federal government relying on the Emergencies Act to end other protests in the future (62%, -2) and Canada’s image in the world being negatively affected by the protests and the federal government’s actions (59%, -2).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 15 to March 17, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Six Years Later, Canadians Feel COVID-19 Was Properly Handled

March 23, 2026March 22, 2026By Mario Canseco

Majorities support holding public inquiries similar to the one currently taking place in the United Kingdom.

Vancouver, BC [March 23, 2026] – The performance of the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic remains satisfactory for a majority of Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 56% of Canadians think the way the federal government in Ottawa dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic can be described as “a success”, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2025.

“Satisfaction with the way the federal government managed the COVID-19 pandemic is lowest among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (45%)”, says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are higher among Canadians aged 55 and over (59%) and aged 18-to-34 (58%).”

Most Canadians also think their provincial government (56%, +2) and their municipal government (55%, +3) were successful in managing COVID-19. The rating is lower for the official opposition in Ottawa (38%, -1) and provincial official opposition parties (41%, +2).

At least half of Canadians think the media was successful in dealing with the pandemic: 56% for television news (+3), 55% for radio news (+4) and 50% for newspapers (+1). The rating is similar for non-governmental organizations (51%, +5) and lower for unions (44%, +5) and trade associations (41%, +4).

As was the case in 2025, Canadians can be divided into three distinct camps when asked about the pandemic.

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

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

About three-in-five Canadians support holding public inquiries into the way the COVID-19 pandemic was managed by the federal government (62%, -2), their provincial government (61%, -4) and their municipal government (58%, -4).

Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party or the New Democratic Party (NDP) in last year’s federal election are more likely to support holding a public inquiry into the federal government’s response to COVID-19 (71% and 69% respectively) than those who cast ballots for Conservative Party candidates (55%).

Majorities of residents in the four most populous provinces would welcome an inquiry into the way provincial governments managed the pandemic: 67% in Alberta, 64% in British Columbia, 61% in Ontario and 58% in Quebec.

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

Public Appetite for a Republic Dwindles Across Canada

March 19, 2026March 20, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half of Canadians continue to expect the country to remain a monarchy twenty years from now.

Vancouver, BC [March 19, 2026] – Canadians are divided when assessing the constitution of the country, a new Research Co, poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 33% of Canadians (-7 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2025) say they would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 29% (-2) would like Canada to remain a monarchy.

Almost one-in-four Canadians (23%, +5) say they do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.

“In March 2024, a 23-point gap separated the group of Canadians that called for a republic from those who argued in favour of keeping the monarchy,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “This year, the difference between the two camps is just four points.”

Public support for the continuation of the monarchy in Canada is highest among Baby Boomers (36%), dropping to 31% among Generation X, to 26% among Generation Y, and to 24% among Millennials.

On a regional basis, support for the continuation of the monarchy is highest in Atlantic Canada (38%), followed by British Columbia (37%), Ontario (30%), Alberta (28%), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (27%) and Quebec (22%).

Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2025 federal election are more likely to favour keeping the monarchy (37%) than those who cast ballots for candidates representing the Conservative Party (29%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (27%).

As was the case last year, a majority of Canadians (52%, -1) expect Canada to “definitely” or “probably” remain a monarchy in 20 years, while just over one-in-four (26%, -6) believe the country will “definitely” or “probably” have an elected head of state.

More than two-in-five Canadians (44%, +4) hold favourable views on King Charles III. The rating is higher for Princess Kate (57%, +1), Prince William (55%, +1) and Prince Harry (47%, =), and lower for Duchess Meghan (38%, -2) and Queen Consort Camilla (29%, -1).

The reigning monarch’s favourability rating is highest among Baby Boomers (59%) but falls below the 50% mark among Generation X (40%), Millennials (40%) and Generation Y (35%).

Almost three-in-five Canadians (59%, +15) say they have no problem with King Charles III being featured on coins and bills that are being used in Canada.

Two thirds of Canadians (67%, +17) would like to see a commitment from King Charles III to reduce the carbon footprint of the entire Royal Family, and practically three-in-five (59%, +15) think the monarch should advance the cause of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Almost half of Canadians (49%, +9) say they would have liked to see Prince William become King of the United Kingdom and the other 14 Commonwealth realms, including Canada.

The notion of Prince William taking over as King in 2022 is particularly popular in Alberta (58%), followed by British Columbia (54%), Ontario (51%), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (49%), Atlantic Canada (47%) and Quebec (40%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 7 to March 9, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Existing Electoral System OK for Almost Two Thirds of Canadians

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half would welcome a move to proportional representation for elections to the House of Commons.

Vancouver, BC [March 12, 2026] – The perceptions of Canadians on the way federal politicians are elected have not gone through a significant shift in the past two years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

Canadians elect the members of the House of Commons through a system called “first-past-the-post”, where a candidate wins a constituency by receiving more votes than any others.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 65% of Canadians say they are satisfied with the “first-past-the-post” system (+3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2024), while 20% (-7) are dissatisfied and 16% (+5) are not sure.

Satisfaction with “first-past-the-post” is highest among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (67%, =) and also encompasses majorities of those aged 55 and over (64%, +3) and aged 35-to-54 (61%, +4).

More than two thirds of British Columbians (67%) and Atlantic Canadians (also 67%) are satisfied with the electoral system currently used in Canadian federal elections, along with 65% of respondents who reside in Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The proportion is lower, albeit still a majority, in Alberta (54%).

Almost two thirds of Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party (65%, +7) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 65%, +3) in the 2025 federal election are satisfied with “first-past-the-post”—along with 74% (-2) of Liberal Party voters.

Respondents to this survey were provided with the definitions of three electoral systems that are used in other countries.

A majority of Canadians (55%, -1) are in favour of electing all members of the House of Commons through Party-List Proportional Representation, a system in which parties make lists of candidates to be elected, and seats get allocated to each party in accordance with the number of total votes the party receives.

While almost two thirds of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (65%, +3) agree with adopting Party-List Proportional Representation for federal elections, the proportion drops to 55% (-2) among those aged 35-to-54 and to 45% (-4) among those aged 55 and over.

Atlantic Canada is home to the lowest proportion of respondents who are in favour of relying on Party-List Proportional Representation for federal elections (43%). The numbers are higher in British Columbia (54%, -6), Alberta (55%, +4), Quebec (56%, +2), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 56%, +5) and Ontario (57%, =).

Fewer than half of Canadians (48%, +2) would support adopting the Single Transferable Vote system, where votes are initially allocated to a voter’s most preferred candidate, and as the count proceeds and candidates are either elected or eliminated, they are transferred to other candidates in accordance to the voter’s stated preferences.

Once again, Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more open to electoral reform, with 56% endorsing a move to Single Transferable Vote. Fewer Canadians aged 35-to-54 (51%) and aged 55 and over (38%) share this view.

More than two-in-five Canadians (46%, +5) would choose to elect the members of the House of Commons through Mixed Member Proportional Representation MMP—a hybrid method that would use Party-List Proportional Representation for a portion of the legislature, and first-past-the-post for another portion.

Support for this system is lowest among Conservative voters (48%) and rises among those who cast ballots for candidates belonging to the Liberals (50%) or the NDP (53%) in 2025.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 11 to February 13, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Low Name Recognition for Leadership Hopefuls in British Columbia

March 5, 2026March 4, 2026By Mario Canseco

Darrell Jones, Caroline Elliott, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Iain Black and Peter Milobar are slightly ahead on vote consideration.

Vancouver, BC [March 5, 2026] – There is no clear frontrunner when British Columbians—and past BC Conservative voters—assess the 11 candidates who expressed interest in taking over as leader of the Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 23% of British Columbians say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider voting for the BC Conservatives with former leader John Rustad at the helm.

Only four leadership candidates can count on the consideration of at least one-in-five British Columbians: Darrell Jones (25%), Caroline Elliott (22%), Kerry-Lynne Findlay (21%), Iain Black (20%) and Peter Milobar (also 20%).

The proportions are lower on this question for Sheldon Clare (19%), Yuri Fulmer (also 19%), Bruce Banman (also 19%), Warren Hamm (also 19%), Steve Kooner (17%) and Harman Bhangu (17%). The poll was conducted in February, when Clare and Kooner were still in the running.

Among British Columbians who voted for the BC Conservatives in the 2024 provincial election, Jones and Rustad are tied at 41%, followed by Elliott at 39%, Black at 35%, Findlay at 34% and Milobar at 33%. The numbers are slightly lower for Clare and Fulmer (32% each), Banman (31%), Hamm and Kooner (30% each) and Bhangu (29%).

Just over one-in-five British Columbians (21%) say they have a favourable opinion of Rustad, while 38% hold unfavourable views.

Jones has the highest favourability rating among the 11 original leadership candidates at 20%. The rating for the remaining candidates fluctuates between 11% and 14%.

“Most British Columbians do not know enough about the BC Conservative leadership contenders to have an opinion on them,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Darrell Jones has the highest awareness at 44%, while Warren Hamm and Harman Bhangu have the lowest at 33% each.”

Respondents to this survey were asked if nine issues would be better managed under the current BC New Democratic Party (NDP) government under David Eby or under a BC Conservative government led by Rustad.

A Rustad-led provincial administration is regarded as better positioned to manage the budget deficit (31% to 26%) and crime and public safety (31% to 28%).

The Eby-led BC NDP government is slightly ahead on the economy and jobs (31% to 28%) but holds larger leads on six other areas: housing, homelessness and poverty (31% to 24%), energy (33% to 26%), accountability (33% to 26%), education (36% to 23%), health care (37% to 25%) and the environment (37% to 23%).

On the economy and jobs, men are more likely to express a preference for the Rustad Conservatives (34% to 30%), while women pick the Eby New Democrats (33% to 23%).

The numbers are close on this question among British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (Rustad 28%, Eby 26%) and among those aged 35-to-54 (Rustad 32%, Eby 31%). The current government is clearly ahead among those aged 55 and over (36% to 25%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 22 to February 24, 2026, among 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Perceptions on National Economy Mostly Stagnant in Canada

February 26, 2026February 25, 2026By Mario Canseco

Canadians are more likely to trust Mark Carney on economic matters than Pierre Poilievre.

Vancouver, BC [February 26, 2026] – The views of Canadians on the country’s financial standing did not go through severe fluctuations over the past five months, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 60% of Canadians rate the economic conditions in Canada as “poor” or “very poor”, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2025.

More than a third of Canadians (35%, =) continue to say the country’s financial standing is “very good” or “good” today.

Just under a third of residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (32%, -8) and Atlantic Canada (32%, -17) say Canada’s economic conditions are “very good” or “good”. The proportions are higher in Ontario (33%, -3), British Columbia (34%, +5), Alberta (36%, +8) and Quebec (38%, -5).

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%, +2) expect no changes to Canada’s financial standing over the next six months. More than a third (35%, -4) predict a decline, while 15% (=) foresee an improvement.

As was the case in September 2025, similar proportions of Canadians describe their own personal finances as “very good” or “good” (49%, -1) or “poor” or “very poor” (46%, -1).

“There is a significant gender gap when Canadians ponder their personal finances,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 58% of Canadian men feel their current situation is positive, only 41% of women concur.”

Just under two-in-five Canadians (38%, -2) express confidence in Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem to do the right thing to help the economy.

More than half of Canadians (53%, -5) trust Prime Minister Mark Carney on economic matters—a proportion that rises to 59% among Canadians aged 55 and over, 59% in Quebec and 57% in British Columbia.

Two-in-five Canadians (40%, -4) trust federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre to do the right thing to help the economy. Poilievre’s numbers are higher in Alberta (44%) and among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (also 44%).

Three-in-four Canadians (75%, -1) believe the price of a week’s worth of groceries will go up in the next six months. Majorities feel the same way when assessing the costs of a new car (65%, -3) and gasoline (57%, -10).

Fewer Canadians believe they will have to pay more for a new television set (50%, -5) or real estate (48%, -4) in the next six months.

There is stability on the question about financial setbacks, with almost half of Canadians saying they have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” in the past couple of months about the safety of their savings (48%, -2) and the value of their investments (also 48%, -1).

Fewer Canadians have been concerned about being able to pay their mortgage or rent (42%, +3), unemployment affecting their household (40%, +1) or their employer running into serious financial trouble (33%, +1).

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

Canadians Now Expect the Worst from American Tariffs

February 16, 2026June 10, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half of Canadians are still endeavouring to avoid purchasing goods from the United States.

Vancouver, BC [February 16, 2026] – The perceptions of Canadians on the reach of the tariffs implemented by the United States has shifted dramatically over the past nine months, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, more than two-in-five Canadians (46%, +19) think the tariffs on Canadian products will be expanded by the U.S. government—a 19-point increase since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2025.

Conversely, the proportion of Canadians who believe the tariffs will be rescinded by the U.S. government fell to 20% (-20).

Two thirds of Canadians (66%, -3) are following news related to the tariffs dispute “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

More than half of Canadians (55%, -5) have avoided purchasing goods originated from the United States, if a non-American alternative was available.

Just over a third of Canadians (34%, -1) have cancelled a planned trip to the United States, while fewer have steered clear of American restaurant franchises in Canada (30%, -6) or shunned American entertainment options (25%, -5).

Just over three-in-four Canadians (76%) think the American tariffs are still a threat to Canada, and more than half (53%) consider the United States a military threat to Canada at this point.

“Majorities of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (56%) and aged 35-to-54 (54%) think the United States currently represents a military threat,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion is lower among Canadians aged 55 and over (47%).”

Fewer than half of Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in last year’s federal election (46%) believe the U.S. is a military threat. The proportion rises to 60% among Liberal Party voters and to 68% among New Democratic Party (NDP) voters.

Most Canadians (57%, -7) approve of the way Prime Minister Mark Carney has dealt with the tariffs, while three-in-ten (30%, -9) feel the same way about Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre.

More than half of Canadians (54%, +8) disagree with the notion that a Conservative federal government would be better positioned at this point to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States.

Most Canadians (54%, -6) approve of the way their premier has managed the tariffs dispute, while 31% (-7) express a similar opinion of their provincial official opposition leader.

Among the four most populous provinces, Albertans provide the lowest approval rating for their premier on the issue of tariffs (36%, -11). The proportions are higher in Quebec (42%, -7), Ontario (45%, -13) and British Columbia (59%, +3).

The lowest rated provincial opposition leader on tariffs resides in British Columbia (24%, -10). The rating is superior among residents of Quebec (29%, -10), Ontario (33%, -6) and Alberta (45%, +8).

More than seven-in-ten Canadians continue to endorse the notion of Canada enhancing trade with the United Kingdom (77%, -1), Japan (also 77%, +2), the European Union (EU) (also 77%, =), Australia and New Zealand (also 77%, -2) and Mexico (73%, -3).

More than half of Canadians (56%, -1) think Canada should seriously consider requesting an independent dispute settlement panel under the terms of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

The idea of initiating a formal process for Canada to become an American state is backed by one-in-five Canadians (20%, =).

Only 8% of Canadians aged 55 and over are in favour of seriously considering Canada becoming an American state. The proportion is higher among those aged 35-to-54 (22%) and those aged 55 and over (30%).

Just under half of Canadians (48%, +2) support initiating a formal process for Canada to join the European Union (EU).

More than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (52%) would welcome Canada seriously considering an application to become an EU member, along with 45% of those aged 35-to-54 and 41% of those aged 55 and over.

Majorities of Canadians agree with four measures that have been tested since early 2025: 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 (62%, -3), Canada’s prime minister and provincial premiers shutting off all energy exports to the United States (59%, -4), Canada officially demanding an apology from Trump for his statements related to Canada becoming an American state (57%, -3) and Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs recalling the Canadian ambassador to the United States in response to Trump’s statements (51%, =).

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

Canadians Maintain Favourable Ratings for Italy, Japan and UK

February 12, 2026February 12, 2026By Mario Canseco

Positive opinions are up for both China (39%, +9) and the United States (30%, +4).

Vancouver, BC [February 12, 2026] – More than seven-in-ten Canadians hold favourable views on five nations, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 77% of Canadians have a positive opinion of Italy, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2025.

The favourable rating is also high for Japan (76%, +5), the United Kingdom (also 75%, +3), France (72%, +5) and Germany (71%, +5).

Two other countries garner positive mentions from more than half of Canadians: South Korea (63%, +6) and Mexico (58%, -1).

The biggest gainer since April 2025 is China. Practically two-in-five Canadians (39%) have as favourable opinion of this country, up nine points in 10 months. The rating is slightly lower for India (35%, +2) and Venezuela (32%, -2).

“More than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (54%) express a positive opinion of China,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (36%) and aged 55 and over (27%).”

On a regional basis, at least two-in-five residents of Ontario (43%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (41%) and Atlantic Canada (40%) hold favourable views on China. The rating is lower in Quebec (38%), Alberta (34%) and British Columbia (31%).

Three-in-ten Canadians (30%) have a positive opinion of the United States, up four points since the all-time low recorded in April 2025.

Just under one-in-four Canadians aged 55 and over (23%) hold favourable views on the United States. The rating rises to 29% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 38% among those aged 18-to-34.

About a third of residents of Ontario (34%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 34%) and Alberta (33%) provide a positive assessment of the United States. Fewer residents of British Columbia (25%), Quebec (24%) and Atlantic Canada (22%) concur.

Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians express favourable views on four other countries: Saudi Arabia (29%, -2), Russia (23%, +4), Iran (19%, +2) and North Korea (16%, -1).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 4 to February 6, 2026, among a representative sample of 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.