Public Policy – Research Co.

Bans on Single-Use Plastics Endorsed by Majorities of Canadians

July 16, 2026July 16, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half say they are using fewer plastic products in their daily lives now than five years ago.

Vancouver, BC [July 16, 2026] – The federal government’s decision to implement a ban on the manufacture, import, and sale of six specific categories of single-use plastics is backed by most Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, three-in-five Canadians (60%) support banning flexible plastic rings for beverage six-packs.

Majorities of Canadians are also in favour of the prohibitions that are currently in place for five other categories of single-use plastics: plastic stir sticks (59%), plastic checkout bags (58%), plastic foodservice ware (such as clamshells, lidded containers, boxes, cups, plates, and bowls) (56%), single-use plastic straws (with specific exemptions for medical and accessibility needs) (also 56%) and plastic cutlery (52%).

The survey also asked Canadians how often they transport groceries out of a store using their own re-usable bag. Across the country, the average answer is 84%.

“Canadians aged 55 and over are the most likely to rely on reusable bags when purchasing groceries (92%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (84%) and aged 18-to-34 (77%).”

On a regional basis, practically nine-in-ten trips to the grocery store for Albertans (89%) entail a reusable bag, followed by Atlantic Canada (88%), Quebec (87%), British Columbia (84%), Ontario (82%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (78%).

More than half of Canadians (55%) acknowledge that, compared to five years ago, they are using fewer plastic products in their daily lives. Just over three-in-ten (31%) report no change, while fewer than one-in-ten (8%) say they are relying on plastic products more often now than in 2021.

More than three-in-five Canadians (77%) say they go out of their way to recycle (such as holding on to bottles and cans until they can be placed into a proper recycling bin) “all of the time” or “most of the time.”

Most Canadians (55%) say they are limiting hot water usage in their home (such as taking shorter showers, running washing machines or dishwashers with full loads only) “all of the time” or “most of the time.”

Fewer Canadians are partaking in three other behaviours “all of the time” or “most of the time”: unplugging electrical devices in their home (such as TVs, computers, cell phone chargers) when they are not in use (42%), buying biodegradable products (37%) and eating organic or home-grown foods (32%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 29 to July 1, 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.

Canadians and Americans at Odds on Origin of Humans on Earth

July 2, 2026July 1, 2026By Mario Canseco

While more than three-in-five Canadians stand by evolution, fewer than half of Americans share this view.

Vancouver, BC [July 2, 2026] – The perceptions of residents of Canada and the United States on the origin and development of human beings on earth are decidedly different, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, only one-in-five Canadians (20%, -3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2025) think God created human beings in their present form within the last 10,000 years.

In the United States, just under two-in-five Americans (39%) agree with this assessment that favours creationism over evolution.

Conversely, just under half of Americans (47%) and more than three-in-five Canadians (62%, +1) believe human beings evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years.

Majorities of Canadians who supported any of the country’s three main parties in the 2025 federal election agree with evolution: 79% of New Democratic Party (NDP) voters, 72% of Liberal Party voters and 53% of Conservative Party voters.

In the United States, more than half of Democrats (57%) think human beings evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years. Fewer Independents (47%) and Republicans (39%) concur.

A second question on whether creationism—the belief that the universe and life originated from specific acts of divine creation—should be part of the school curriculum in a Canadian province or an American state also yielded contrasting results.

Canadians are almost evenly divided, with 42% (-6) thinking creationism has a place in the classroom, and 41% (+6) disagreeing with this view.

In the United States, respondents are more likely to welcome the teaching of creationism at school (51%) than to reject it (32%).

In Canada, only 34% of residents aged 55 and over are in favour of creationism being part of the school curriculum in their province. The proportions are larger among Canadians aged 18 to 34 (46%) and aged 35 to 54 (also 46%).

In the United States, majorities of Americans aged 55 and over (55%) and aged 18-to-34 (52%) agree with teaching creationism in their state’s schools. Fewer than half of Americans aged 35-to-54 (46%) hold the same opinion.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 4 to June 6, 2026, among 1,001 adults in Canada and 1,012 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.

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.

Ban on Crypto ATMs Endorsed by Majority of Canadians

June 4, 2026June 3, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than two-in-five (44%) have an unfavourable view of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Vancouver, BC [June 4, 2026] – Almost half of Canadians tie the use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to money laundering, and a majority agree with the federal government’s recent proposal to ban Crypto ATMs, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, just over two-in-five Canadians (41%) say they are “very informed” or “moderately informed” about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies—a proportion that rises to 54% among those aged 18-to-34.

Just over a third of Canadians (34%) have a favourable view of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, while 44% hold an unfavourable view and 21% are not sure.

Positive perceptions of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are highest among men (46%), Canadians aged 18-to-34 (52%) and Quebecers (42%).

Almost half of Canadians (49%) say Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are being used to launder money in their province, while more than a third (37%) think the use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has led to more street-level crime in their province.

Majorities of British Columbians (58%) and Ontarians (55%) establish a connection between cryptocurrencies and money laundering. The proportions are lower in Alberta (48%), Quebec (47%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (46%) and Atlantic Canada (31%).

Crypto ATMs allow customers to deposit cash and then convert it into Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The federal government is contemplating a ban on Crypto ATMs, which are currently not regulated in Canada.

More than half of Canadians (56%) support banning Crypto ATMs in Canada, while 26% are opposed and 18% are not sure.

“The proposed ban on Crypto ATMs across Canada is backed by 62% of Canadians aged 55 and over,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of Canadians aged 35-to-54 (52%) and aged 18-to-34 (52%) are also in favour of the proposed prohibition.”

Support for banning Crypto ATMs in Canada is highest among Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in the last federal election (64%), Majorities of those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (58%) or the Conservative Party (53%) in 2025 are also in favour of the prohibition.

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

Most Canadians Worry About the Negative Effects of Sports Betting

May 25, 2026May 24, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half (56%) believe gambling is bad for sports, and two thirds (66%) think is detrimental to society.

Vancouver, BC [May 25, 2026] – The advent of single-game sports betting has become a troubling scenario for many Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, just over three-in-four Canadians (76%) think the increased risk of gambling addiction by bettors is a problem, while more than seven-in-ten (72%) feel the same way about the normalization of gambling among children and teens.

Majorities of Canadians also consider three issues related to sports betting as problems: the amount of ads for betting websites on televised sporting events (64%), the harassment and abuse of athletes and coaches (58%) and the normalization of gambling as a way to enjoy sporting events (55%).

Respondents to this survey were offered four pairs of contrasting opinions that could be used to describe a person’s position on gambling.

Two thirds of Canadians (66%) consider gambling “detrimental to society”, while just over a third (34%) deem it “beneficial to society”.

Three-in-five Canadians (60%) say gambling should be “legal”, while two-in-five (40%) believe it should be “illegal”.

Canadians were more likely to describe gambling as “morally acceptable” (58%) than as “morally wrong” (42%) and are also more likely to think it is “bad for sports” (56%) than “good for sports” (44%).

“Just over half of Canadians who are Christian (51%) or who profess other religions (also 51%) say gambling is morally acceptable,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Seven-in-ten Canadians who are atheist, agnostic or have no religion (70%) share this view.”

More than half of Albertans (52%) say gambling is “morally wrong”. The proportions are lower in British Columbia (45%), Quebec (44%), Ontario (43%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (35%) and Atlantic Canada (30%).

More than seven-in-ten Canadians (72%) think people will continue to find ways to gamble even if it was made illegal, while a slightly smaller proportion (69%) believe the government should do more to deal with the negative effects of gambling.

Support for enhanced government action to deal with the negative effects of gambling is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (78%), followed by British Columbia (70%), Quebec (69%), Ontario (68%), Atlantic Canada (67%) and Alberta (62%).

Just under two thirds of Canadians (65%) think it is the right of the individual to gamble, regardless of the consequences.

More than half of Canadians (54%) bought a lottery ticket in the past year, while more than a third (38%) purchased a Scratch & Win ticket.

Over the past 12 months, at least one-in-ten Canadians attended a casino (24%), played poker (or other card games) online (14%), placed a bet on a sporting event (with a friend or relative) (12%), or placed a bet on a sporting event (through a licensed operator, such as DraftKings, Betway or FanDuel) (10%),

Fewer Canadians placed a bet on a sporting event (through their provincial lottery corporation) (9%) or bought or sold shares in a prediction market platform, such as Polymarket or Kalshi (1%).

Canadians who bought a lottery ticket in the past year were asked about their expectations. Just under half (49%) say they do not foresee winning any prize, while 31% anticipate winning a small prize and 20% believe they will win a big prize.

Expectations of a big prize after purchasing a lottery ticket are smallest among Canadians who are atheist, agnostic or have no religion (17%). The proportions climb to 21% among Christians and to 24% among those who profess other religions.

Majorities of lottery ticket purchasers in Atlantic Canada (59%), British Columbia (57%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (55%) and Alberta (54%) say they do not expect to win any prize. The proportions drop to 47% in Ontario and to 34% in Quebec.

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

Higher Fines for Interfering with Emergency Vehicles Backed in BC

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026By Mario Canseco

The province’s residents assume that the fines for three violations are significantly higher than they are.

Vancouver, BC [May 14, 2026] – Most British Columbians are in favour of raising the fines levied on drivers who interfere with emergency vehicles, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative provincial sample asked British Columbians what they think the current fines are for three traffic violations: driving over a fire hose, following a fire truck too closely and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

On average, British Columbians believe the current fine for driving over a fire hose is $233.99. Respondents assumed higher fines for following a fire truck too closely ($342.73) and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle ($393.32).

The current fines for these three violations are significantly lower than what British Columbians assumed: $81 for driving over a fire hose, $81 for following a fire truck too closely and $109 for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

When informed of the current fines, almost half of British Columbians (48%) think the one in place for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle is too low. More than two-in-five (42%) feel the same way about the fine for following a fire truck too closely and one third (33%) share the same opinion about the fine for driving over a fire hose.

“More than half of men in British Columbia (55%) say the current fine for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle is too low,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 43% of women share this view.”

In the final question, three-in-five British Columbians (60%) are in favour of raising the fine for driving over a fire hose. Two thirds (66%) call for a higher fine for following a fire truck too closely, and more than seven-in-ten (72%) endorse a similar course of action for falling to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Support for raising the fine for driving over a fire hose is highest on Vancouver Island (76%), followed by Northern BC (75%), Southern BC (74%), the Fraser Valley (71%) and Metro Vancouver (70%).

Majorities of British Columbians who voted for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (77%), the Conservative Party of BC (74%) and the BC Green Party (64%) agree with raising the fine for driving over a fire hose.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 6 to April 8, 2026, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

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.

Niagara Region Residents Want to Keep Control of Water Services

April 21, 2026May 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

Three-in-five residents oppose the provincial government relying on Bill 60 to change how water is provided.

St. Catharines, ON [April 21, 2026] – The notion of privatizing water and wastewater services is not particularly popular with residents of the 12 cities, towns and townships that form the Niagara Region, a new Research Co. poll conducted for CUPE Ontario has found.

In the mixed mode survey of a representative regional sample, more than three-in-five Niagara Region residents (62%) say they are “very happy” or “somewhat happy” with the quality of the water and wastewater systems in their municipality.

In November 2025, the Ontario provincial government headed by Premier Doug Ford passed a law that gives it the power to force cities and towns to transfer publicly owned and operated water and wastewater services—including the water and sewage pipes and filtration plants that municipalities currently own—to business corporations.

Only 17% of Niagara Region residents think their local elected officials should accept this new provincial directive if the Ford government tries to use it. A sizeable majority (61%) want their local mayors, councillors and regional councillors to resist this course of action.

Currently, water and sewage is a service provided for the residents of Niagara’s 12 cities and towns by the Niagara Regional government. It is fully owned by residents through their government and provided on a not-for-profit basis.

Almost three-in-four Niagara Region residents (74%) think it is important for democratically elected representatives to keep control of water services.

Three-in-five Niagara Region residents (60%) oppose the provincial government using its new water corporations law (Bill 60) to change how water is provided in Niagara Region.

The Ontario government introduced amendments to Bill 60 while this survey was being conducted. Those amendments, contained in Bill 98, do not to change the power of the Minister of Municipal Affairs to compel any Ontario municipality to transfer its water infrastructure to a business corporation.

Water infrastructure—including pipes, sewers and filtration plants—in Niagara requires some repairs and updates. Also, for more housing to be built, more water infrastructure needs to be added. Updating current and building more water infrastructure will cost millions of dollars.

Respondents to this survey were asked their opinion about four different ways to deal with this situation.

Almost three-in-four Niagara Region residents (74%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea for the provincial government to pay the full cost needed to upgrade water infrastructure at the municipal level in Ontario, even if that means increasing taxes paid by corporations and bringing in a new wealth tax on millionaires and billionaires.

Just over seven-in-ten respondents (71%) favour the provincial government borrowing the money that is required to repair and build the new water infrastructure that Niagara needs, even if that means increasing taxes paid by corporations and any individual whose income is $250,000 or more.

Almost two thirds of Niagara Region residents (65%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea for the Ford government to borrow the money that is required to repair current water infrastructure, even if that means increasing taxes paid by corporations and individuals earning $250,000 or more, and letting municipal governments charge fees that real estate developers must pay to recover some of the cost of building new water infrastructure because developers make good profits selling new housing.

Only 22% of respondents side with the notion of the provincial government making municipal governments transfer current water infrastructure to a business corporation that can borrow the money required to repair and build.

Methodology: Results are based on a mixed-mode (online and telephone) survey conducted from March 28 to April 4, 2026, among 963 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.

More Than Seven-in-Ten British Columbians Want MLB Team

April 20, 2026April 20, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half of the province’s residents would attend at least one home game a year when the franchise is established.

Vancouver, BC [April 20, 2026] – Public support for a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Vancouver has grown markedly over the past three years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%, +12 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2023) say it is a “very good” or “good” idea for Vancouver to have an MLB team.

Fewer than one-in-ten British Columbians (9%, -4) think this is a “bad” or “very bad” idea, while 19% (-8) are not sure.

Sizeable majorities of British Columbians who in 2024 voted for the Conservative Party of BC (76%), the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (75%) or the BC Green Party (68%) favour establishing an MLB team in Vancouver.

“The arrival of Major League Baseball to Vancouver is backed by two thirds of British Columbians whose heritage is Indigenous (66%) or East Asian (67%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Support is higher among residents of European (70%) or South Asian (82%) descent.”

More than four-in-five residents of the Fraser Valley (83%, +16) think an MLB franchise in Vancouver is a “very good” or “good” idea, along with majorities of British Columbians who live in Southern BC (78%, +21), Metro Vancouver (72%, +12), Northern BC (68%, -10) and Vancouver Island (64%, +7).

More than half of British Columbians (54%, +7) say they are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to attend at least one home game a year in the event an MLB team is established in Vancouver, and almost three-in-ten (29%, +10) feel the same way about purchasing season tickets.

Just over two thirds of British Columbians in the highest income bracket (68%) say they are likely to go to at least one home game a year once a Vancouver MLB franchise begins operations.

Almost half of British Columbians (48%, +11) are likely to watch the Vancouver MLB team’s games at a bar or pub, while a majority (58%, +2) would tune in to enjoy games at home.

There is also a marked increase in the proportion of residents who would buy apparel or merchandise with the logo of Vancouver’s MLB team, going from 39% in August 2023 to 50% this month.

Three-in-five British Columbians (60%, +19) have a favourite team in MLB, including the Toronto Blue Jays (49%, +17), the Seattle Mariners (7%, +1) and other MLB franchises (4%, +1).

Just over two thirds of British Columbians who have a favourite MLB team (67%, +5) say they would stop rooting for this franchise to support the Vancouver squad once it starts playing.

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.

Canadians Split on Conscience Rights on Physician-Assisted Death

April 9, 2026April 8, 2026By Mario Canseco

Just under two-in-five would support a bill to allow health care professionals to object on moral or faith-based grounds.

Vancouver, BC [April 9, 2026] – While Canadians are not particularly supportive of legislation that would permit moral or faith-based objections in all phases of health care delivery, there is a deep divide when pondering their use in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 41% of Canadians (+5 since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in November 2022) think health care professionals should have the ability to object to providing services if they have a moral or faith-based objection to physician-assisted death, while 42% (-9) disagree.

On a regional basis, opposition to moral or faith-based objections in physician-assisted death cases is highest in Alberta (47%), followed by Atlantic Canada (45%), Quebec (44%), Ontario (41%), British Columbia (also 41%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (36%).

Opposition is higher among Canadians aged 55 and over (45%) than among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (42%) and aged 18-to-34 (39%).

The survey asked about two other specific situations in which health care professionals might ask to object to providing services.

Just under half of Canadians (48%, -8) say health care professionals should not be able to object to providing services if they have a moral or faith-based objection to abortion—a proportion that rises to 51% among women.

A majority of Canadians (57%, -6) disagree with the possibility of health care practitioners refusing to provide services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2+) people because of a moral or faith-based objection.

Across Canada, 46% of respondents (-6) would oppose a bill that sought to allow health care professionals the ability to have a moral or faith-based objection to providing services. Fewer than two-in-five Canadians (38%, -1) would support a bill with these characteristics, while 16% (+2) are undecided.

Half of Canadians aged 55 and over (50%, -6) would oppose an effort from their provincial legislature to allow moral or faith-based objections in health care delivery. The proportion drops to 46% (-2) among Canadians aged 18-to-34 and to 41% (-9) among Canadians aged 35-to-54.

In 2019, Alberta considered the implementation of Bill 207 which was later abandoned. The proposed legislation sought to enable the province’s health care practitioners to abstain from providing services to an individual if they considered that their conscientious beliefs would be infringed upon.

Support for this type of legislation is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (45%), followed by Ontario (43%), British Columbia (41%), Alberta (38%), Quebec (30%) and Atlantic Canada (29%).

“More than half of Conservative Party voters in the 2025 federal election (53%) would permit moral or faith-based objections in health care delivery,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion drops to 36% among Liberal Party voters and to 34% among New Democratic Party (NDP) voters.”

There are also some significant differences among specific ethnicities. More than half of Canadians of East Asian descent (52%) support this type of bill. Fewer respondents whose heritage is Indigenous (44%) European (35%) or South Asian (32%) concur.

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

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

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.