Public Policy – Research Co.

Similar Views on Animals in Canada and the United States

December 4, 2025December 5, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 21 to November 23, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada and 1,001 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, for each country.

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

Metro Vancouver Governments Score High on Some Key Services

December 1, 2025December 2, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Metro Vancouverites Evenly Split on “Mega-Amalgamation”

November 27, 2025November 28, 2025By Mario Canseco

Support is higher for smaller mergers involving fewer cities, particularly those located in the Fraser Valley.

Vancouver, BC [November 27, 2025] – The creation of a “mega-city” encompassing all of Metro Vancouver’s existing municipalities is a contentious proposal, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative regional sample, 42% of Metro Vancouverites think the amalgamation of all municipalities into one is a “very good” or “good” idea, while the same proportion (42%) consider it “bad” or “very bad”.

“Residents of the City of Vancouver boast the highest level of support for the creation of an amalgamated Metro Vancouver (46%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The appetite for full amalgamation drops across all other regions.”

More than two-in-five residents of Surrey and White Rock (44%), the North Shore (43%) and four Fraser Valley municipalities (41%) regard the “mega-city” idea positively. The results are lower in Richmond and Delta (39%) and in Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities (32%).

Metro Vancouverites aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54 are more supportive of the creation of a “mega-city” (47% each) than their counterparts aged 55 and over (34%).

The survey also asked Metro Vancouverites about six smaller amalgamation proposals.

Seven-in-ten Metro Vancouverites (70%) think it is a “very good” or “good” idea for the Township of Langley and the City of Langley to merge into one municipality, while 62% feel the same way about a city encompassing Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.

Residents of these four Fraser Valley municipalities are particularly welcoming of these two amalgamation proposals, with 68% being in favour of uniting the Township of Langley and the City of Langley and 67% supporting a merger involving Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.

More than half of Metro Vancouverites (54%) view a possible merger of the City of Surrey and the City of White Rock in a positive light—including 57% of respondents who reside in these two cities.

Just under three-in-five Metro Vancouverites (57%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea to combine the City of North Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver, the District of West Vancouver, the Village of Lions Bay and Bowen Island Municipality into a single municipality.

Among residents of these five entities, support for a purported “North Shore” city stands at 47%, with a slightly higher proportion (51%) voicing opposition to the concept.

More than half of Metro Vancouverites (56%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea to merge the Village of Anmore. the Village of Belcarra, the City of Coquitlam, the City of Port Coquitlam and the City of Port Moody into one municipality, while fewer than half (47%) would entertain uniting the City of Burnaby and the City of New Westminster.

Residents of these municipalities are not keen on amalgamation, with 44% saying they favour uniting the Tri-Cities and the two villages and 36% supporting a union between Burnaby and New Westminster.

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

High Concern in British Columbia After Cowichan Tribes Ruling

November 24, 2025November 25, 2025By Mario Canseco

Territory acknowledgements are supported by most of the province’s residents; fewer think the word “settler” is adequate.

Vancouver, BC [November 24, 2025] – While a sizeable majority of British Columbians are anxious about a recent court decision, most also express positive views about the right of self-determination for Indigenous peoples and find territory acknowledgements adequate, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 44% of British Columbians say they are following news related to the recent B.C. Supreme Court decision “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

The B.C. Supreme Court ruled that the Cowichan Tribes had “established Aboriginal title” to more than 5.7 square kilometres of land in Richmond and stated that Aboriginal title is a “prior and senior right” to other property interests, regardless of whether the land in question is public or private.

More than two thirds of British Columbians (68%) think property owners in British Columbia should be concerned about the consequences of the court’s decision, including 79% of those aged 55 and over and 75% who own their primary residence.

More than half of British Columbians (52%) believe all negotiations related to Aboriginal title agreements in British Columbia should be paused until the Cowichan Tribes case is settled.

Fewer than half of British Columbians agree with two other statements: that fee simple title in private property should always be superior to Aboriginal title (47%) and that the B.C. Supreme Court’s recent decision erases private property ownership (45%).

Just under half of British Columbians (48%)—and 45% of property owners—say they believe the Cowichan Tribes when they say they are not looking to displace any individual from the properties they own.

Most British Columbians (54%) think the City of Richmond took the correct course of action by sending an official letter to property owners in the claimed area, warning them that the decision “may compromise the status and validity” of their ownership. Fewer than three-in-ten British Columbians (27%) think the City of Richmond overreacted to the situation.

Across the province, more than a third of respondents (35%) had heard about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)—a proportion that rises to 62% among those of Indigenous descent.

UNDRIP establishes global standards for the rights of Indigenous peoples. It outlines collective and individual rights, such as self-determination, and the right to maintain distinct cultures, languages and institutions.

The UNDRIP Act, which came into effect in June 2021, requires the Canadian government to ensure all laws are consistent with the Declaration, in consultation with Indigenous peoples, and mandates the creation of an action plan to achieve the Declaration’s objectives.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (73%) think the UNDRIP Act is a positive development for Canada, while 14% perceive it negatively and 13% are undecided.

More than two thirds of British Columbians (68%) say territory acknowledgements are adequate in today’s Canada, while 18% consider the practice inadequate.

“At least two thirds of residents of the Fraser Valley (69%), Metro Vancouver (69%) and Southern BC (66%) think territory acknowledgements are adequate,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities in Vancouver Island (61%) and Northern BC (59%) also share this view.”

The practice of non-Indigenous Canadians and Permanent Residents calling themselves “settlers” is seen as adequate by 45% of British Columbians and as inadequate by 30%.

The public is divided on whether people should speak positively about the Residential School system, with 39% believing this is adequate and 43% claiming it is inadequate.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (63%) think the right of self-determination—meaning that Indigenous people can determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development, and dispose of and benefit from their wealth and natural resources—has been positive for Canada.

Similar proportions of British Columbians think First Nations and Indigenous organizations across British Columbia should decide what type of housing projects can be built on their territories (66%) and if natural resource projects can be established on their territories (62%).

More than two-in-five British Columbians think that, compared to 20 years ago, First Nations and Indigenous organizations are doing better on cultural development (50%), economic development (49%) and social development (44%).

Economic Reconciliation is defined as “the process of making economic amends for historical injustices to Indigenous Peoples.” British Columbians are divided in their assessment of the current situation, with 23% saying the federal government is doing “too much” on Economic Reconciliation, while 27% believe it “needs to do more”.

Equal proportions of British Columbians think the provincial government is doing “too much” (24%) or “needs to do more” (also 24%) on Economic Reconciliation. Only 18% of respondents think municipal administrations are doing “too much” on this file.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 18 to November 20, 2025, 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.

British Columbians Assess Options for BC Conservatives

November 13, 2025November 12, 2025By Mario Canseco

Dianne Watts, Christy Clark, Gavin Dew, Elenore Sturko and Aaron Gunn do best in test of 15 possible leadership contenders.

Vancouver, BC [November 13, 2025] – Five politicians would allow the Conservative Party of BC to provide a serious challenge to the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) in a British Columbia provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In early October, the BC NDP held a six-point advantage over the BC Conservatives among decided voters in British Columbia

The early November online survey of a representative provincial sample asked British Columbians how they would vote in an election with 15 different options leading the Conservative Party of BC.

With former Surrey Mayor and MP Dianne Watts as leader, the BC Conservatives would be tied with the BC NDP at 21% among all voters.

The official opposition would trail the governing party by just one point under the leadership of former premier Christy Clark (26% to 25%) or current Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew (20% to 19%).

The BC Conservatives would be two points behind the BC New Democrats under two other leaders: Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko (23% to 21%) and North Island—Powell River MP Aaron Gunn (20% to 18%).

The BC NDP would have four-point leads over the BC Conservatives under the leadership of Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West (25% to 21%) or former Transportation Minister Todd Stone (20% to 16%).

The BC Conservatives would trail the BC New Democrats by five points under former BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson (23% to 18%), current MP Ellis Ross (21% to 16%) and former BC United West Vancouver-Capilano candidate Caroline Elliott (23% to 18%).

The lead for the BC NDP is larger if the BC Conservatives are commanded by Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar (24% to 18%), 2024 West Vancouver-Sea to Sky candidate Yuri Fulmer (25% to 19%) and former MP and federal cabinet minister James Moore (24% to 16%).

The two worst performing prospective candidates tested are Bryan Breguet, who ran unsuccessfully for the BC Conservatives in Vancouver-Langara in 2024 (23% to 14%), and Langley-Abbotsford MLA Harman Bhangu (25% to 14%).

More than a third of British Columbians (36%, +3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2024) place themselves at the centre of the political spectrum. Fewer residents of the province say they are centre right, right or extreme right (28%, -2) or centre left, left or extreme left (21%, -1).

When asked about the province’s political parties, more than half of British Columbians (53%, +1) say the BC NDP is centre left, left or extreme left, while almost two thirds (64%, +3) consider the BC Conservatives as centre right, right or extreme right.

The BC Green Party is regarded as centre left, left or extreme left by 45% of British Columbians (+2). CentreBC is placed in the middle of the spectrum by a third of the province’s residents (with 39% saying they are not sure), while OneBC is regarded as centre right, right or extreme right by 23% of British Columbians (with 49% saying they are not sure).

The five party leaders yielded results that mirrored the parties they represent. BC Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby is considered centre left, left or extreme left by just over half of British Columbians (51%, +3), while 62% (+4) say BC Conservative leader John Rustad is centre right, right or extreme right.

BC Green leader Emily Lowan is regarded as centre left, left or extreme left by 42% of British Columbians. One-in-four of the province’s residents (25%) say Centre BC leader Karin Kirkpatrick is a centrist, while 19% believe Dallas Brodie of OneBC is centre right, right or extreme right. Sizeable proportions of British Columbians do not know enough about Kirkpatrick (48%) or Brodie (51%) to place them on the spectrum.

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

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

Spanberger Clearly Ahead in Virginia’s Gubernatorial Election

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025By Mario Canseco

In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill is ahead of Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

Vancouver, BC [November 3, 2025] – The candidates for the Democratic Party head to tomorrow’s gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey in different circumstances, according to two new polls conducted by Research Co. in Virginia and New Jersey.

The surveys of voters who have already cast their ballot in the elections or plan to do so tomorrow show a significant advantage for the Democrats in the Old Dominion State, and a closer race in the Garden State.

Virginia

Republican Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the 2021 gubernatorial race in Virginia (51% to 49%). The Old Dominion State does not allow incumbent governors to serve consecutive terms.

More than half of decided voters in Virginia (54%) would back Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger in this year’s gubernatorial election, while 46% would cast a ballot for Republican contender Winsome Earle-Sears.

Earle-Sears has her best showing among decided voters aged 18-to-34 (53% to 47%), while Spanberger is ahead among decided voters aged 35-to-54 (58% to 42%) and aged 55 and over (55% to 45%).

About one-in-six decided voters who supported the GOP’s Youngkin in 2021 (15%) are backing Spanberger in 2025.

New Jersey

In the 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election, incumbent Democratic Party governor Phil Murphy defeated Republican Party candidate Jack Ciattarelli (51% to 48%). The Garden State has a two consecutive term limit for governors.

The 2025 gubernatorial race in New Jersey is very similar to the previous one, with Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill holding a three-point edge over Republican Ciattarelli among decided voters (51% to 48%), with 1% going to Libertarian candidate Vic Kaplan.

Ciattarelli does particularly well with decided voters aged 55 and over (57% to 43%), while Sherrill holds the upper hand with decided voters aged 35-to-54 (52% to 46%) and aged 18-to-34 (58% to 41%).

More than half of decided voters who are Independent (54%) would support Sherrill tomorrow, while 43% would back Ciattarelli and 3% would support Kaplan.

Methodology: Results are based on online studies conducted on November 2 and November 3, 2025, among representative samples of 450 likely voters in two American states: New Jersey and Virginia. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age and gender in each state. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.6 percentage points for each state.

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

Canadians Remain Satisfied with Scope of MAID Legislation

October 30, 2025October 29, 2025By Mario Canseco

The proportion of residents who would completely ban medical assistance in dying jumped by six points since 2023.

Vancouver, BC [October 30, 2025] – The perceptions of Canadians on the existing guidelines that allow medical assistance in dying have not gone through severe fluctuations over the past two years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 52% of Canadians are satisfied with the regulations, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2023.

Equal proportions of Canadians are either dissatisfied with the rules related to medical assistance in dying (24%, -3) or are undecided (also 24%, -1).

“Fewer than half of Conservative Party voters in the 2025 federal election (46%) are content with Canada’s medical assistance in dying laws,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are higher among those who cast ballots for New Democratic Party (NDP) (53%) or Liberal Party (59%) candidates.”

Canadians of East Asian descent are the least likely to endorse the status quo on medical assistance in dying (47%). Satisfaction is higher among Canadians whose heritage is European (51%), South Asian (58%) or Indigenous (60%).

More than three-in-five Quebecers (62%) endorse the current guidelines that allow a person to seek medical assistance in dying. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (52%), Atlantic Canada (51%), British Columbia (also 51%), Ontario (49%), and Alberta (45%).

When asked about their personal feelings, almost three-in-five Canadians (58%, =) believe medical assistance in dying should be allowed, but only under specific circumstances.

Similar proportions of Canadians think medical assistance in dying should either never be allowed (18%, +6) or always be permitted (16%, -4).

Three-in-four Canadians (75%, +2) support an individual being permitted to seek medical assistance in dying in Canada if these conditions are met:

Being eligible for health services funded by the federal government, or a province or territory (or during the applicable minimum period of residence or waiting period for eligibility).
Being at least 18 years old and mentally competent.
Having a grievous and irremediable medical condition.
Making a voluntary request for medical assistance in dying that is not the result of outside pressure or influence.
Giving informed consent to receive medical assistance in dying.

Under the current legislation, only an adult with a grievous and irremediable medical condition can seek medical assistance in dying in Canada.

Fewer than half of Canadians are willing to expand the scope of existing legislation to allow medical assistance in dying in cases of inability to receive medical treatment (49%, -2), disability (46%, -4), mental illness (42%, -1), homelessness (26%, -2) or poverty (25%, -2).

Practically half of Canadians (49%, +7) believe anyone who helps a person to commit suicide should be prosecuted, while just over three-in-ten (31%, -3) disagree and one-in-five (20%, -3) are not sure.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to think that aiding a person to commit suicide should remain a criminal offence (60%, +8) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (48%, +7) and aged 55 and over (41%, +7).

Canadians remain divided when asked about the appropriate punishment for a parent who is found guilty of assisting a terminally ill son or daughter to die.

Just under three-in-ten Canadians (28%, -1) express a preference for a prison sentence at the discretion of a judge, while15% (+7) think the crime calls for a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.

Just over one-in-ten (11%, -3) think the actions in this case can be dealt with through a fine and no time in prison, while just under one-in-four Canadians (23%, -1) choose no penalty at all.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from October 15 to October 17, 2025, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

British Columbians Back Foreign Real Estate Purchase Ban

October 23, 2025October 22, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five (62%) want municipal governments to dismantle encampments or “tent cities”.

Vancouver, BC [October 22, 2025] – Residents of British Columbia continue to overwhelmingly support the federal government’s decision to ban foreigners from purchasing real estate in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 74% of British Columbians agree with the decision to ban non-Canadians (with exclusions for international students and temporary residents) from purchasing residential properties in Canada until 2027, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2024.

“The federal ban on foreign ownership of real estate is not a contentious issue in British Columbia,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The policy is endorsed by sizeable majorities of the province’s residents whose heritage is Indigenous (82%), South Asian (78%), European (76%) or East Asian (67%).”

More than half of British Columbians (57%, +8) think the provincial government was right to implement a $400 renters’ credit for households earning up to $63,000 a year. Support for this policy reaches 63% among British Columbians who rent.

More than a third of British Columbians (37%, +8) call on the like the provincial government to cancel the home owner grant, which reduces the amount of property tax people pay for their principal residence.

More than three-in-five British Columbians continue to voice support for two ideas: the federal government tying immigration numbers to affordable housing targets and new housing starts (66%, +1) and municipal governments immediately dismantling any encampment or “tent city” located within their municipality (62%, =).

This month, support for dismantling “tent cities” is highest in Metro Vancouver (66%, +7), followed by the Fraser Valley (62%, -4), Vancouver Island (56%, -6), Northern BC (53%, -4) and Southern BC (50%, -1).

For the first time since June 2020, more than half of British Columbians (54%, +13) expect the actions of the provincial government to be effective in making housing more affordable in British Columbia.

Majorities of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (59%) and aged 35-to-54 (56%) are optimistic about the actions of the provincial government, along with 46% of their counterparts aged 55 and over.

The housing policies implemented during the tenure of John Horgan as Premier of British Columbia remain popular in 2025. At least two thirds of the province’s residents endorse increasing the foreign buyers tax from 15% to 20% (74%, =), expanding the foreign buyers tax to areas located outside of Metro Vancouver (73%, +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 (70%, +1), increasing the property transfer tax from 3% to 5% for homes valued at more than $3 million (66%, +4) and 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 (also 66%, +4).

A set of policies brought forward after David Eby took over as Premier are also backed by majorities of British Columbians, including building more modular supportive homes in areas where people are experiencing homelessness (73%, -2), capping rent increases in 2025 at 3% (70%, +4), implementing a three-business-day protection period for financing and home inspections (66%, -3), raising the fines for short-term rental hosts who break local municipal by-laws to $3,000 per day per infraction (65%, -4), removing strata rental restrictions (58%, +6), ending most strata age restrictions (also 58%, -2) 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 (56%, -2).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from October 13 to October 15, 2025, among 802 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.

Upward Trend for Mandatory Vaccinations for Children in Canada

October 9, 2025October 9, 2025By Mario Canseco

A third of Albertans (34%) believe all decisions on inoculation belong to parents.

Vancouver, BC [October 9, 2025] – There has been a sizeable increase in the level of support for mandatory vaccinations for childhood diseases—such as polio or measles—in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 72% of Canadians think vaccinations for children should “definitely” or “probably” be mandatory in their province, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2024.

Just under one-in-four Canadians (23%, -6) believe parents should “definitely” or “probably” be the ones deciding whether their children should be vaccinated.

A third of respondents in Alberta (34%, =) reject any mandate related to childhood vaccinations. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (22%, -8), Ontario (also 22%, -6), Quebec (21%, -10), British Columbia (also 21%, -9) and Atlantic Canada (19%, -9).

“While support for mandatory childhood vaccinations increased to 72% in 2025, it is still nowhere near the levels observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In 2018, almost nine-in-ten Canadians (88%) were in favour of a mandate.”

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 a third of Canadians (35%, +4) think there “definitely” or “probably” is a connection between the childhood vaccine for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and autism.

While only 30% of women in Canada believe there is a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, the proportion rises to 42% among men.

Half of Canadians (50%, -8) believe every person should be allowed to decide if they want to get vaccinations for seasonal diseases, such as the flu. A slightly smaller proportion (46%, +8) would prefer for the flu vaccine to be mandatory in their province.

More than half of Conservative Party voters in this year’s federal election (58%) think every individual should make the decision on vaccinations for seasonal diseases. The proportions are lower among Canadians who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (44%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (42%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from September 10 to September 12, 2025, among 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.

Almost Half of British Columbians Would Feel Less Safe if They Were Jewish

October 7, 2025November 25, 2025By Mario Canseco

Three-in-four of the province’s residents say Canadian Jews are being unfairly targeted for what is happening in Israel and Gaza.

Vancouver, BC [October 7, 2025] – On the eve of the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, UK, and the second anniversary of the attack on Israel that spawned the current conflict in the Middle East, almost half of British Columbians say they would feel “less safe” today than two years ago if they were Jewish, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 48% of British Columbians say they would feel “much less safe” or “somewhat less safe” than two years ago if they were Jewish Canadians living in Canada today—a proportion that rises to 55% among those aged 55 and over.

Practically four-in-five British Columbians (79%, +3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March) say they are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about antisemitism, or rising prejudice against Jewish Canadians.

Larger proportions of British Columbians are worried about three other issues: protestors targeting Jewish neighbourhoods and Jewish-owned businesses (83%, +6), aggressive behaviour by Pro-Palestinian protestors (86%, +5) and attacks, including gunfire and firebombs, on synagogues, Jewish schools and businesses (also 86%, +6).

Three-in-four British Columbians (75%, +8) agree that Canadian Jews are being unfairly targeted for what is happening in Israel and Gaza.

Two thirds of British Columbians (66%) describe some of the protest and graffiti incidents that have targeted Jewish-owned businesses and places of worship as antisemitic and going beyond legitimate protest, while just 19% feel the messaging is not antisemitic and fairly reflects anger about Israel’s actions.

“More than three-in-four British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (76%) feel the statements of some protestors have been antisemitic,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At least three-in-five of their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (63%) and aged 55 and over (60%) feel the same way.”

When it comes to actions to address antisemitism, more than four-in-five British Columbians support three measures: increasing penalties for crimes, including vandalism and graffiti, targeting specific groups (82%), preventing government funding from going to organizations that promote hate, including antisemitism (also 82%) and supporting training for police and public servants to recognize antisemitism (81%).

At least two thirds of British Columbians support three other measures: strengthening Canada’s hate speech laws (78%), requiring education about antisemitism in Canadian schools (74%) and providing public funding for Holocaust and antisemitism education programs (66%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from August 24 to August 26, 2025, among 815 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.

Economic Confidence Rises in Canada, But Inflation Worries Persist

September 25, 2025September 24, 2025By Mario Canseco

There is a significant gap when Canadians aged 55 and over assess Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre.

Vancouver, BC [September 25, 2025] – While most Canadians believe the country’s financial standing is not ideal at this point, there has been a marked increase in positive perceptions over the past five months, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 62% of Canadians say the economic conditions in Canada are “poor” or “very poor” today, down six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April.

More than a third of Canadians (35%, +6) rate the country’s economic conditions as “very good” or “good”.

Almost half of respondents in Atlantic Canada (49%) rate Canada’s current financial situation positively. The proportions are lower in Quebec (43%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (40%), Ontario (36%), British Columbia (29%) and Alberta (28%).

Equal proportions of Canadians predict that the Canadian economy will decline (39%, -4) or remain the same (also 39%, +8) in the next six months, while just 15% (-1) expect an improvement.

In spite of the positive momentum on the country’s economic standing, inflation concerns continue to be prevalent across the country. More than three-in-four Canadians (76%, +1) expect to pay more for a week’s worth of groceries in the next six months, and two thirds foresee higher prices for a new car (68%, -2) and gasoline (67%, +15).

Smaller proportions of Canadians—yet still majorities—predict higher prices for a new television set (55%, -2) and real estate (52%, =) in the next six months.

There is little change on the question related to personal finances, with 50% of Canadians (+1) saying their situation is “very good” or “good” and 47% (-1) deeming it “poor” or “very poor”.

Compared to April, there is a noticeable decrease in the proportion of Canadians who have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” about specific financial setbacks.

About half of Canadians have been concerned about the safety of their savings (50%, -5) and the value of their investments (49%, -6) in the past couple of months. Fewer than two-in-five have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” about unemployment affecting their household (39%, -4), being able to pay their mortgage or rent (also 39%, -4), or their employer running into serious financial trouble (32%, -5).

“More than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (52%) have worried about making their mortgage or rent payments,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The level of concern is only slightly lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (46%).”

Two-in-five Canadians (40%, +5) trust Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem to do the right thing to help the economy.

The numbers did not move significantly for the country’s top federal leaders, with a majority of Canadians (58%, -1) trusting Prime Minister Mark Carney on economic management, and more than two-in-five (44%, +1) expressing the same view about federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.

As was the case in April, most Canadians aged 55 and over (63%), aged 18-to-34 (57%) and aged 35-to-54 (52%) trust Carney to do the right thing to help the economy. Poilievre’s numbers on this question are best with Canadians aged 18-to-34 (49%) and aged 35-to-54 (48%), but drop among those aged 55 and over (37%).

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

British Columbians Still Committed to $10aDay Child Care

September 18, 2025September 17, 2025By Mario Canseco

The public is divided on the idea of families reducing expenses and keeping a parent at home if child care is not available.

Vancouver, BC [September 18, 2025] – A sizeable proportion of British Columbians would like to see more action on the child care file, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than four-in-five British Columbians (82%) think it is “very important” or “moderately important” that the provincial government continues to deliver on its commitment to build a quality, flexible $10aDay child care system that’s accessible to families across the province.

Since 2018, the provincial government has been investing in building a quality $10aDay child care system in the province. The investment includes fee reductions for families, more licensed child care spaces, and wage enhancements for early childhood educators.

Only 21% of British Columbians have not heard anything about this plan. Almost half (47%) have heard all about the $10aDay child care system, while just over three-in-ten (31%) have heard about some of the investments.

More than four-in-five British Columbians agree that child care is important to support working parents (85%) and that having children today costs a lot more than it did 40 years ago (83%).

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%) would like to see child care become publicly available like elementary schools. A slightly larger proportion voices support for government investments in more in flexible child care programs for parents who work outside of 9-5, Monday to Friday (74%).

Practically four-in-five British Columbians (79%) agree that, when child care is affordable and available to parents, more mothers can go to work and pay taxes.

British Columbians are divided on the notion of most families not needing child care services if they reduced their expenses so that one parent could afford to stay at home. Similar proportions of respondents across the province either agree (46%) or disagree (45%) with the statement.

“Most British Columbians of Indigenous and South Asian descent (65% and 52% respectively) believe it is relatively easy for a family to reduce expenses if child care is not available,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 42% of British Columbians of European and East Asian heritage share this view.”

There is also a split when British Columbians are asked to ponder if grandparents should help with child care more, to reduce the cost for parents, with 46% of residents agreeing with the statement and 43% disagreeing with it.

More than half of British Columbians aged 55 and over (52%) disagree with the idea of grandparents helping with child care more, compared to 37% of those aged 35-to-54 and 39% of those aged 18-to-34.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from August 28 to August 30, 2025, 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.

Liberal Lead Shrinks as Canadians Refocus on Domestic Issues

September 15, 2025September 14, 2025By Mario Canseco

Finances and housing push Canada-U.S. Relations to third place on the list of national concerns.

Vancouver, BC [September 15, 2025] – Support for the governing Liberal Party is not as strong across Canada as it was during the summer, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 43% of decided voters would support the Liberal candidate in their riding, down four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July.

The Conservative Party is second with 38% (+1), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 8% (+2), the Bloc Québécois with 6% (=), the Green Party with 2% (=), the People’s Party with 1% (=) and other parties and independent candidates also with 1% (=).

The Liberals remain ahead of the Conservatives in British Columbia (49% to 36%) and Ontario (48% to 39%). The two parties are now in a statistical tie in Atlantic Canada (39% to 37%).

The Conservatives hold massive leads over the Liberals in Alberta (56% to 32%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (55% to 34%). In Quebec, the Liberals are in first place with 43%, followed by the Bloc with 28% and the Conservatives with 23%.

Male decided voters are almost evenly split between the Liberals and the Conservatives (41% to 40%), while female decided voters prefer the governing party over the official opposition (45% to 36%).

The Liberals are the top choice of decided voters who are members of Generation Z (46%) and Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (52%). The Conservatives hold the upper hand among Generation X (46%) and Millennials (44%).

Practically one-in-four Canadians (24%, +3) regard the economy and jobs as the most important issue facing the country, followed by housing, homelessness and poverty (22%, +4), Canada-U.S. Relations (17%, -5), health care (11%, -2) and immigration (10%, -1).

“Canadians aged 55 and over are still primarily concerned about Canada-U.S. Relations (26%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Those aged 35-to-54 are more likely to be focused on the economy and jobs (26%), while those aged 18-to-34 are mainly preoccupied with housing (27%).”

The approval rating for Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney fell by five points, from 61% in July to 56% this month. The results on this question remain lower for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre (47%, +3), Green leader Elizabeth May (33%, -1), interim NDP leader Don Davies (28%, +2), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (26%, -2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (22%, +1).

Carney holds a 13-point advantage over Poilievre on the “Preferred Prime Minister” question (44% to 31%), with the remaining party leaders in single digits.

When asked which of the two main party leaders would be the best to handle 11 different issues, Carney remains ahead of Poilievre on eight of them: foreign affairs (49% to 30%), Canada-U.S. Relations (47% to 31%), accountability and leadership (46% to 31%), national unity (44% to 28%), the economy and jobs (44% to 35%), health care (42% to 32%), the environment (41% to 25%) and energy and pipelines (39% to 34%).

Poilievre leads Carney as the best person to manage crime and public safety (39% to 35%). The two leaders are practically tied on two other issues: housing, homelessness and poverty (Carney 37%, Poilievre 35%) and immigration (Poilievre 38%, Carney 37%).

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

Half of Canadians Perceive Artificial Intelligence as a Threat

September 11, 2025September 14, 2025By Mario Canseco

Only one-in-four believe the technology should continue to be developed as quickly as possible.

Vancouver, BC [September 11, 2025] – The perceptions of Canadians on artificial intelligence (AI) have become more negative over the past two years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 50% of Canadians regard AI is “a threat” to humanity, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2023.

More than a third of Canadians (37%, -3) think AI is an opportunity for humanity, while 13% (-1) are not sure.

Canadians aged 35-to-54 are less likely to regard AI as a threat (46%) than their counterparts aged 55 and over (51%) and aged 18-to-34 (53%).

Almost half of Canadians in the highest income bracket (46%) think AI is an opportunity for humanity. Fewer Canadians in the middle (36%) and lowest (29%) income brackets feel the same way.

Almost half of Canadians (49%, -6) believe we should slow down the development of AI, while one-in-four (24%, +4) believe the technology should continue to be developed as quickly as possible. Only 13% of Canadians (=) would prefer to abandon the development of AI altogether.

There are some staggering regional differences on this question. The proportion of Canadians who favour developing AI as quickly as possible is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (40%), followed by Quebec (26%), British Columbia (24%), Ontario (23%) and Alberta (22%). In Atlantic Canada, only 8% of residents support this course of action.

Fewer than three-in-five Canadians (56%, -4) say they have followed news stories about AI “very closely” or “moderately closely” over the past 12 months—including 66% of those aged 18-to-34 and 60% of Quebecers.

Practically four-in-five Canadians express concerns about AI taking over jobs currently performed by humans (79%, +2) and AI leading to less intelligent students at schools of universities (79%, +6). Just over seven-in-ten Canadians (71%, +1) are worried about AI causing an event that leads to the loss of human life.

More than half of Canadians say they trust doctors and nurses (61%, -1) and universities (54%, -5) to develop and manage AI. The confidence rating is lower for tech executives (40%, =), the federal government (38%, +4), provincial governments (also 38%, +5), business executives and CEOs (30%, +6) and international governments (29%, +7).

“The generational divide on the tech sector as a developer and manager of AI is staggering in Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 52% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 trust tech executives for this endeavour, the rating drops to 39% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 30% among those aged 18-to-34.”

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

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

Amid Threats, British Columbians Would Maximize Food Production

September 3, 2025September 2, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Support for Continuation of Legal Abortion Access Rises in Canada

August 21, 2025August 20, 2025By Mario Canseco

Most Liberal and NDP voters see no problem with the health care system funding the procedure, while Conservatives are skeptical.

Vancouver, BC [August 21, 2025] – Practically half of Canadians believe there should be no changes to the legality of pregnancy termination in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 49% of Canadians believe abortion should be legal under any circumstances, up three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2024.

More than a third of Canadians (37%, +2) say abortion should be legal only under certain circumstances, while fewer than one-in-ten (8%, +1) believe the procedure should be illegal in all circumstances.

Majorities of women (52%), Canadians aged 55 and over (55%) and Quebecers (58%) believe abortion should be legal under any circumstances.

Most Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (61%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (54%) in this year’s federal election would not challenge the legality of abortion. Only 36% of Conservative Party voters concur with this rationale, while almost half (48%) would allow the procedure only under certain circumstances.

“Over the past seven years, support for the complete abolition of abortion in Canada has only reached double digits once, in 2022,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Even among Conservative voters, the proportion of respondents who would completely outlaw abortion is low (11%).”

More than three-in-five Canadians (62%, +4) think there is no point in re-opening a debate about abortion in Canada right now.

About one-in-four Canadians (24%, +1) believe a debate about abortion is long overdue in Canada and the discussion should be re-opened, while 14% (-6) are not sure.

Responses are more nuanced on a separate question. More than a third of Canadians (35%, -1) think the health care system should only fund abortions in the event of medical emergencies, while more than two-in-five (44%, -2) believe the health care system should fund abortions whenever they are requested.

Just over one-in-ten Canadians (11%, +4) would prefer for the health care system not to fund abortions at all.

Women (49%) are more likely to support the current funding structure for abortions than men (38%).

More than half of Quebecers (51%) agree with the health care system funding abortions upon request. The proportions are lower in Ontario (45%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 45%), Atlantic Canada (43%), British Columbia (41%) and Alberta (30%).

While majorities of Liberal and NDP voters (54% and 51% respectively) are in favour of the health care system funding abortions whenever they are requested, only 32% of Conservative voters share this view.

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

Views on Immigration in Canada Fluctuate Widely by Age

August 14, 2025August 13, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canadians Grow Pessimistic on Eradicating Homelessness

July 31, 2025July 30, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbians Back Mandatory Voting and Spring Ballots

July 24, 2025July 23, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ruling Liberals Comfortably Ahead in Canada’s Political Scene

July 7, 2025July 7, 2025By Mario Canseco

Almost half of Liberal voters in 2025 are open to a merger with the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Vancouver, BC [July 7, 2025] – The governing Liberal Party remains the top choice for voters in Canada two and a half months after the last federal election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 47% of decided voters in Canada say they would cast a ballot for the Liberal candidate in their constituency, while 37% would support the Conservative Party.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois are tied for third place with 6%, followed by the Green Party with 2% the People’s Party with 1% and other parties and independent candidates also with 1%.

The Liberals hold sizeable leads over the Conservatives in Atlantic Canada (57% to 38%), Ontario (53% to 41%) and British Columbia (52% to 37%). In Quebec, the Liberals are first with 46%, followed by the Conservatives with 21% and Bloc with 19%.

The Conservatives are ahead of the Liberals in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (48% to 42%) and Alberta (53% to 36%).

Canada-U.S. Relations is the most important issue for Canadians (22%, -4 since the final Research Co. poll of the 2025 federal campaign completed in late April), followed by the economy and jobs (21%, +1), housing, homelessness and poverty (18%, -3), health care (13%, +2) and immigration (9%, +2).

Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%, +2) approve of the way Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney is managing his duties. The rating is lower for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre (44%, -4), Green co-leader Elizabeth May (34%), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (28%, -1), interim NDP leader Don Davies (26%) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (21%, -1).

On the eve of the 2025 federal election, Carney held a 10-point lead over Poilievre on the “Preferred Prime Minister” question. This month, the Liberal leader is 16 points ahead of his Conservative counterpart (47% to 31%).

“Majorities of British Columbians (56%) and Ontarians (51%) prefer Mark Carney as Canada’s prime minister,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Pierre Poilievre’s best numbers on this question are in Alberta (40%).”

At least half of Canadians believe Carney is better suited than Poilievre to handle three issues: Canada-U.S. Relations (53% to 28%), foreign affairs (52% to 28%) and national unity (50% to 26%).

The current prime minister holds double-digit leads over the Conservative leader on five other issues: the economy and jobs (49% to 33%), accountability and leadership (49% to 31%), health care (45% to 30%), the environment (43% to 27%) and energy and pipelines (42% to 34%).

Carney’s advantage over Poilievre is smaller on three issues: housing, homelessness and poverty (41% to 32%), immigration (40% to 34%) and crime and public safety (39% to 37%).

Federal NDP Leadership

The survey also asked Canadians about their views on nine possible contenders for the leadership of the federal NDP. The highest proportion of favourable mentions is for former House leader Ruth Ellen Brosseau (18%), followed by BC MP Jenny Kwan (17%), Alberta MP Heather McPherson (16%), former MP and former Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart (also 16%), former BC MLA and MP Nathan Cullen (15%), Manitoba MP Leah Gazan (also 15%), former Ontario MP candidate Tony McQuail (also 15%), BC MP Gord Johns (14%) and former BC MP candidate Avi Lewis (12%).

When asked if they would like to see each of these candidates as leaders of the federal NDP, the highest proportion of “definitely” and “probably” responses is for Kwan (22%), followed by McPherson (21%), Stewart (20%), Cullen (also 20%), Brosseau (19%), McQuail (also 19%), Johns (18%), Lewis (also 18%) and Gazan (17%).

More than a third of Canadians (37%) think the federal NDP should merge with the Liberal Party—a view shared by 47% of those who voted for the Liberals in 2025 and 43% of those who voted for the New Democrats.

Public support is lower for mergers involving the NDP and the Green Party (30%) and the Liberals, New Democrats and Greens (also 30%).

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