Public Policy – Page 2

B.C. Coastal Issues Poll Finds Strong Consensus on Future of Coastal Economy

November 22, 2023November 22, 2023By Mario Canseco

A recent survey on coastal issues conducted by Research Co. finds marine conservation viewed as a priority for the future of the B.C. coastal economy.

Asked to rate the importance of various activities to the economic future of the B.C. coast, including commercial fishing, tourism, and oil & gas development, respondents across all regions and demographics put “marine conservation” on top.

“Marine conservation” is rated by 93% as important to the future coastal economy, followed by “renewable energy” (86%), and “outdoor recreation” (82%). Rounding out the top five priorities are “small-scale community fisheries” (83%) and “ecotourism” (79%). At the bottom of the list are “fish farming” (69%) and “deep sea mining” (44%).

On issues of concern to B.C. coastal communities, “declining fish stocks” tops the list, with 92% of British Columbians concerned, including 68% who are “very concerned”.

Reflecting a marked contrast between generations, respondents aged 65+ are 20 points more likely to say they are “extremely/very” concerned (77%) about declining fish stocks compared to those aged 18-34 (56%).

“Open-net fish farms” (90%) and “bottom trawling” (90%) are the second highest on the list of concerns, followed by climate change (84%). Residents of Vancouver Island, the Southern Interior, and respondents aged 65+ express the greatest concern about these issues, while residents in the North are significantly less worried. A strong majority of all party supporters are “very concerned” about open-net fish farms and bottom trawling, with supporters of the federal Conservatives and People’s Party being exceptions on the issue of climate change.

Lowest on the list of coastal concerns are “loss of commercial fishing jobs” (78%), “excessive government restrictions on fishing” (65%), and “too many seals and sea lions” (55%).

The survey finds strong support for a plan by Ottawa, B.C., and coastal First Nations to establish a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in BC’s northern coastal waters.

Nearly eight in ten (79%) of B.C. residents support this collaborative inter-governmental project, which proposes to protect nearly one third of waters off the province’s north and central coast. Just 9% of British Columbians are opposed.

Politically, 78% of federal Conservative voters support the MPA network, versus 14% who oppose it. Among federal Liberals, there is 87% support, and among federal NDPers, there is 88% support.

MPAs are apparently one issue that transcends partisan politics in a province known for polarization.

British Columbians have confidence in scientists and environmental groups as sources of information on marine issues. Confidence in the salmon farming industry and fishing companies is weak.

The general public has the most confidence in scientists (77%), environmental groups (67%), and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (61%) as sources of information on issues like marine protected areas (MPAs).

A majority also have confidence in local First Nations communities (54%), the provincial government (54%), and whale watching guides (51%).

British Columbians have the least confidence in the fishing industry (39%), the salmon farming industry (32%), and fishing companies like Jimmy Pattison’s Canfisco (25%).

Methodology: The findings reported here are based on a province-wide online survey of n=1,603 British Columbians conducted October 31 through November 8, 2023 by Research Co. The Bayesian credibility interval or margin of error equivalent for a sample of this size is ±2.4% 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Almost Half of Vancouverites Report Worsening Quality of Life

November 15, 2023November 17, 2023By Mario Canseco

Just over half of the city’s residents (51%) approve of the performance of Ken Sim as Mayor.

Vancouver, BC [November 15, 2023] – While most residents of the City of Vancouver are pleased with the mayor, almost half say their quality of life has decreased over the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample, 51% of Vancouverites approve of the way Ken Sim is handling his duties as Mayor, while 29% disapprove and 21% are undecided.

More than seven-in-ten Vancouverites who voted for Sim in the 2022 mayoral election (73%) are satisfied with his performance, along with 49% of those who cast a ballot for Kennedy Stewart of Forward Together and 34% of those who voted for any one of the 13 candidates who finished with less than 10% of all cast ballots in 2022.

Vancouverites were asked about the “State of the City” by rating the way 11 different issues have been managed over the past year.

More than half of the city’s residents perceive no change on three issues: parks and facilities (58%), public recreation and activities (57%) and public schools (54%). More than two-in-five (44%) also think the situation is “about the same” as it was last year on fiscal responsibility.

About a third of Vancouverites (32%) believe three issues are now worse than they were a year ago: jobs and economic development, the cleanliness of streets and road maintenance, and the influence of developers.

On four other issues, significant proportions of Vancouverites believe things are worse now than a year ago: public safety (44%), policies to deal with homelessness (46%), quality of life (also 46%) and housing affordability (60%).

“Only 8% of Vancouverites say their quality of life in the city is better now than a year ago,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In contrast, 49% of those aged 35-to-54 and 59% of those who live Downtown say things are worse now.”

Almost half of residents of the City of Vancouver (48%) identify housing as the most important issue, followed by drug overdoses (12%), crime (9%) and property taxes (also 9%).

Fewer Vancouverites mention other issues, including poverty (8%), jobs (5%), climate change (4%), transit (2%) and congestion (1%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from November 4 to November 6, 2023, among 400 adults in the City of Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in the City of Vancouver. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Canadians See Long Road Ahead to Achieve Gender Equality

November 10, 2023November 9, 2023By Mario Canseco

Only 26% of the country’s residents think women and men in Canada are paid the same salary when working the same job.

Vancouver, BC [November 10, 2023] – Most Canadians believe more should be done to attain full gender equality in the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 57% of Canadians—and 62% of women—think that, in developed nations such as Canada, there is still a long way to go in order to achieve full gender equality.

Only 26% of Canadians—and 33% of men—believe developed nations such as Canada have already achieved full gender equality.

More than two-in-five Canadians (44%) believe the federal government should be doing more to improve gender equality in the country—a proportion that rises to 50% among women and 52% among Canadians aged 18-to-34.

Just over half of Canadians (53%) think that, compared to 20 years ago, the overall situation of women in Canada is better. Just over three-in-ten (31%) think there has been no change, while 11% claim the situation has worsened.

“Practically three-in-five men in Canada (59%) believe there has been progress on gender equality in the past two decades,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer than half of women in Canada (46%) concur.”

Just over one-in-four Canadians (26%) think women and men in Canada are paid the same salary when working the same job, while more than three-in-five (61%) disagree.

While one third of men (33%) believe gender pay equity already exists in Canada, only 19% of women share the same point of view.

Sizeable majorities of Canadians believe women generally have the same opportunities as men to get a university degree (86%) and be financially independent (74%). Agreement is lower on two other activities: becoming elected politicians (64%) and becoming CEOs of private companies or corporations (52%).

Just over one-in-twenty Canadians (6%) say that, generally speaking, they are less likely to vote for a woman running for political office. More than seven-in-ten (72%) say this fact would have no impact on their vote, while 15% are more likely to vote for female candidates.

Half of Canadians (50%) support establishing quotas so that a minimum mandatory number of women occupy seats in the House of Commons and the Senate, while 38% are opposed to this idea and 12% are undecided.

Support for gender quotas in Parliament is highest among women (58%), Canadians aged 18-to-34 (also 58%) and residents of Atlantic Canada (56%).

More than four-in-five Canadians (82%) support implementing policies to allow both mothers and fathers to take paid parental leave when having a child.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from October 20 to October 22, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Propensity for Activism Rises in Some Instances in British Columbia

November 8, 2023November 7, 2023By Mario Canseco

Local projects related to nuclear power, coal and oil would motivate one-in-four residents to actively protest.

Vancouver, BC [November 8, 2023] – Compared to 2022, fewer British Columbians would refrain from actively or passively protesting under specific circumstances, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than half of British Columbians would take no action if seven establishments were to seek a permit to set up within three blocks of their home: a hospital (68%, -7 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2022), a pub or bar (65%, -4), an entertainment complex (64%, -5), a mall (62%, -3), a recycling depot (58%, -5), a marijuana store (54%, -6) or a cell phone tower (53%, -1).

Perceptions are more nuanced on four other establishments that could be located within three blocks of a respondent’s home. Practically half would take no action against a low-income housing project (49%, -9), while fewer feel the same way about a composting site (38%, -5), a homeless shelter (36%, -7) or a sewage or wastewater treatment plant (28%, -3).

“Just over one-in-four British Columbians (26%) would actively protest if a homeless shelter was considered in the vicinity of their homes,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Residents of the Fraser Valley (30%) and Southern BC (28%) are more likely to say they would donate to opponents or attend town halls in this instance.”

When asked about specific establishments that could be located within the boundaries of their municipality, more than half of British Columbians would take no action against wind turbines (63%, -4), a recycling plant (61%, -3), a casino (also 61%, -1) or a military base (58%, +1).

More than two-in-five British Columbians would not actively or passively protest a natural gas pipeline (47%, +4) or an oil pipeline (43%, +4) in their municipality.

Fewer than two-in-five British Columbians would openly welcome six other establishments to their municipality: an incinerator for waste treatment (38%, =), a prison (also 38%, -3), a landfill site for waste disposal (37%, =), an oil refinery (36%, +2), a nuclear power plant (34%, +4) or a coal terminal (32%, +1).

About one-in-four British Columbians say they would actively protest if a nuclear power (27%), a coal terminal (26%) or an oil refinery (24%) were considered for their municipality.

When British Columbians are asked if they have done certain things over the course of their lives, the two highest responses are using social media to protest or support an issue (25%) and donating money to an organization that supports or opposes an issue (23%).

Fewer than one-in-five British Columbians have participated in other activities, such as attending a public consultation meeting or process (17%) attending a protest (16%), joining a political party (9%), joining a political campaign (6%) or taking legal action against a development or project (4%).

Practically a third of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (32%) have used social media to protest or support an issue. A similar proportion of residents aged 55 and over (31%) have attended public consultations or meetings.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from October 12 to October 14, 2023, 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Perceptions on Premiers Sour in Most Canadian Provinces

November 3, 2023November 7, 2023By Mario Canseco

Fewer than three-in-ten Quebecers (28%) think their province would be better off as its own country.

Vancouver, BC [November 3, 2023] – Animosity towards sitting provincial heads of government is on the rise across Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 58% of Canadians believe their province would be better off with a different premier at the helm, up seven points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January 2023.

More than three-in-five residents of Ontario (64%, +4) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (61%, =) think they would do better under different premiers. The proportions are lower in Alberta (58%, +3), Atlantic Canada (56%, +8), Quebec (55%, +13) and British Columbia (47%, +7).

Just over half of Canadians (52%, =) think their province would be better off with a different prime minister in Ottawa. Half of Albertans (50%, -16) and Ontarians (50%, -2) express this view, along with 43% of Quebecers (+1).

Animosity towards Justin Trudeau is higher in British Columbia (55%, -2), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (59%, -6) and Atlantic Canada (67%, +13).

“More than half of men in Canada (55%, -3) think the country would be better off with a different prime minister,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion of women who feel the same way is slightly lower, but rising (49%, +4).”

Just under one-in-four Canadians (24%, -1) believe their province would be better off as its own country—a proportion that climbs to 28% in Quebec (-1) and 27% in both Alberta (-1) and British Columbia (+3).

Only 18% of Canadians think their province would be better off would be better off joining the U.S. and becoming an American state. In Alberta, 26% of residents (+5) feel this way.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from October 20 to October 22, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Trudeau and Harper Governments Split Views in British Columbia

November 1, 2023October 31, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five (62%) think the allegations made by the current prime minister on India are believable.

Vancouver, BC [November 1, 2023] – More than half of British Columbians appear dissatisfied with the current federal administration, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 36% of British Columbians think the province has been treated “very well” or “well” by the federal government under Justin Trudeau, while more than half (52%) consider it has been treated “poorly” or “very poorly”.

When asked about the previous federal government, 40% of British Columbians believe the province was treated “very well” or “well” when Stephen Harper served as prime minister, while the same proportion (40%) claim it was treated “poorly” or “very poorly”.

“More than half of British Columbians aged 35-to-54 (53%) think the province has been treated poorly by the current prime minister,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 34% of them feel the same way about the previous head of government.”

The federal government currently features four ministers who represent constituencies in British Columbia.

About a third of British Columbians (32%) approve of the performance of Harjit Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness & Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada. The proportions are lower for Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources (29%), Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity (28%) and Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services (24%).

The survey also assessed the perceptions of British Columbians on bilateral relations between Canada and India. Over the past month, 58% of the province’s residents have followed news stories related to this topic “very closely” or “moderately closely”—including 75% of those of South Asian origins.

In September, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed that Canadian intelligence services were investigating “credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India” and the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (62%) think the allegations made by Trudeau are “believable”, while 17% consider them “not believable” and 20% are undecided.

Majorities of British Columbians who voted for the Liberal Party (73%), the New Democratic Party (NDP) (68%) and the Conservative Party (57%) in the 2021 federal election think Trudeau’s claims are “believable.”

Majorities of British Columbians express concern about the well-being of Canadians living in and travelling to India (58%), believe India should be included in the recently announced Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions (55%) and say their opinion of India has worsened as a result of these allegations (53%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from October 12 to October 14, 2023, 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Under Legal Cannabis, Canadians Endorse Drug Tests and Pardons

October 27, 2023October 27, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five Canadians continue to agree with the legalization of marijuana.

Vancouver, BC [October 27, 2023] – Almost three-in-five Canadians think companies should be able to administer drug tests to any employee now that marijuana is legal, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 58% of Canadians think these drug tests should “definitely” or “probably” be allowed, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2022.

Almost seven-in-ten Canadians (69%, +5) are in favour of the federal government providing expungement orders to people convicted of possession of cannabis for personal use with no intent to traffic.

In Canada, an expungement order compels police forces, federal departments or agencies to destroy or remove any judicial record of a conviction.

The notion of pardons for people convicted of possession of cannabis for personal use with no intent to traffic is more popular in Ontario (72%), followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba (71%), Alberta (70%), Quebec (68%), Atlantic Canada (65%) and British Columbia (also 65%).

Across the country, 64% of Canadians (-2) agree with marijuana being legal, while three-in-ten (31%, +1) disagree.

“Support for the legalization of marijuana is highest among Canadians aged 55 and over (66%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (56%) and those aged 18-to-34 (48%).”

Fewer than one-in-eight Canadians believe it is time to legalize other substances, such as ecstasy (12%, +2), powder cocaine (also 12%, +2), heroin (10%, =), crack cocaine (also 10%, +2), methamphetamine or “crystal meth” (9%, +1) or fentanyl (also 9%, +1).

More than half of Canadians (53%) claim to have never consumed marijuana in the country. A third (33%) say they tried cannabis before legalization, while 13% only used it after it became legal in October 2018.

Canadians who have consumed marijuana after legalization where asked where they bought their product. Almost half (48%) state that “all” of their cannabis was acquired at a licensed retailer. Fewer than one-in-five (17%, -3) say “none” of it came from a licensed retailer.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on October 11 to October 13, 2023, 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 plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians Divided on Future of Provincial Carbon Tax

October 25, 2023October 24, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five (62%) say the carbon tax has negatively affected the finances of their household, up 26 points since 2020.

Vancouver, BC [October 25, 2023] – Residents of British Columbia are split on what should happen to the provincial carbon tax in the event of a Conservative Party victory in the next Canadian federal election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The carbon tax was implemented in British Columbia by the provincial government—headed by Gordon Campbell of the BC Liberals—in July 2008, a decade before the federal government brought in a federal carbon tax. The federal Conservative Party has pledged to abolish the federal carbon tax if it forms the government after the next election.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 43% of British Columbians think the provincial carbon tax should be scrapped if the federal version is abandoned, while 40% would prefer to keep it.

Support for keeping the provincial carbon tax is highest among British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (54%), but drops among those aged 35-to-54 (44%) and those aged 55 and over (36%).

Fewer than three-in-ten British Columbians (28%) think the introduction of the carbon tax has led people to be more mindful of their carbon consumption and change their behaviour, down nine points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2020.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (62%, +26) say that the carbon tax has negatively affected the finances of their household.

“The notion of the British Columbia carbon tax causing financial strife is more prevalent in Northern BC (65%), Metro Vancouver (64%) and the Fraser Valley (also 64%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are slightly lower in Southern BC (56%) and Vancouver Island (also 56%).”

At least two thirds of British Columbians say they are personally concerned about four environmental problems: global warning or climate change (71%, +8), the pollution of rivers, lakes and reservoirs (70 %, +4), the pollution of drinking water (69%, +4) and air pollution (66%, +1).

Majorities of British Columbians are also personally worried about six other problems: the contamination of soil and water by toxic waste (64%, +4), the extinction of plant and animal species (63%, +5), deforestation (62%, +4), the maintenance of the supply of fresh water for household needs (also 62%, +7), the depletion of fish stocks through overfishing (61%, +3) and the loss of tropical rain forests (58%, +3).

More than two-in-five British Columbians believe three levels of government are not paying enough attention to the environment: federal (46%, +5), municipal (44%, +6) and provincial (43%, +8).

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Perceptions on Immigration Harden Considerably in Canada

October 20, 2023October 20, 2023By Mario Canseco

Vancouver, BC [October 20, 2023] – The proportion of Canadians who regard immigration with pessimism has increased markedly in the past year and a half, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 38% of Canadians believe immigration is having a mostly negative effect in the country, up 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2022.

More than two-in-five Canadians (45%, -9) think immigration is having a mostly positive effect, while 17% (-2) are not sure.

Just over a third of Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the 2021 federal election (34%, -12) think immigration is having a mostly positive effect in Canada. The proportions are larger among those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (57%, -12) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (50%, -10) two years ago.

Just under two-in-five Canadians (39%, +14) think the number of legal immigrants who are allowed to relocate in Canada should decrease, while 37% (-2) would maintain the current levels and 17% (-8) would increase them.

“Half of Albertans (50%) think fewer legal immigrants should be allowed into Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer residents feel the same way in Atlantic Canada (45%), Ontario (42%), British Columbia (41%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (36%) and Quebec (28%).”

Almost two thirds of Canadians (65%, =) believe immigrants should only be allowed in Canada if they adopt Canadian values, while three-in-four (75%, =) think the hard work and talent of immigrants makes Canada better.

Canadians are deeply divided when asked to choose between two concepts related to immigration. While 45% (+2 since July 2021) believe Canada should be a “mosaic” where cultural differences are valuable and preserved, 42% (+7) prefer a “melting pot”, where Immigrants assimilate and blend into society.

The concept of the “mosaic” is more popular in Atlantic Canada (51%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 51%), followed by Alberta (47%), Ontario (also 47%), British Columbia (45%) and Quebec (39%).

The “melting pot” is preferred by almost half of Quebecers (48%), but drops in Alberta (44%), Ontario (43%), British Columbia (41%), Atlantic Canada (35%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (34%).

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Photo Credit: Alexandre Moreau

Workplaces in British Columbia Failing to Meet Everyone’s Needs

October 18, 2023October 17, 2023By Mario Canseco

A third of the province’s residents who live with a disability face attitudinal and systemic barriers “all” or “most” of the time.

Vancouver, BC [October 18, 2023] – British Columbians who face barriers or difficulties with their daily activities, or whose activities are limited because of a disability or long-term physical, mental or health condition, are particularly dissatisfied with the current state of workplaces, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 60% of British Columbias say they are “satisfied” with how workplaces are equipped to assist people with disabilities. Among British Columbians who live with a disability, the level of satisfaction drops to 46%.

Most British Columbians who live with a disability are satisfied with the way universities (52%), parks and beaches (53%), their municipality (54%), stores and malls (57%), Canada (also 57%) and the province (60%) are equipped to handle their needs.

British Columbians who live with a disability were asked about the types of barriers that they experience in their daily lives.

More than one-in-five British Columbians who live with a disability say they experience three barriers “all of the time” or “most of the time”: technological (such as devices or technological platforms not being accessible to those who require assistive devices) (23%), information or communications (lacking consideration for individuals with sensory disabilities, such as hearing, seeing or learning) (27%) and architectural or physical (such as elements of buildings or outdoor spaces that create barriers to persons with disabilities) (28%).

At least a third of British Columbians who live with a disability experience two barriers “all of the time” or “most of the time”: organizational or systemic (such as policies, procedures or practices that unfairly discriminate and can prevent individuals from participating fully in a situation) (33%) and attitudinal (such as behaviours, perceptions and assumptions that discriminate against persons with disabilities) (34%).

“More than half of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 who live with a disability (53%) say they experience attitudinal barriers all or most of the time,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 15% say they never face these barriers.”

A third of British Columbians who live with a disability (34%) recall having been negatively stereotyped or judged by colleagues because of their disability, while more than one-in-five (22%) had difficulty entering a workplace or school because of improper facilities.

More than a quarter of British Columbians who live with a disability (27%) had access to quiet areas in a workplace or school when needed, and 22% were provided with special supports to complete their work or studies.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 17 to September 19, 2023, 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Canadians Divided on what Artificial Intelligence Will Bring

October 11, 2023October 24, 2023By Mario Canseco

While 46% regard the new technology as “a threat”, 40% see it as “an opportunity” for humanity.

Vancouver, BC [October 11, 2023] – The future of artificial intelligence (AI) is splitting views across Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 46% of Canadians think AI is “a threat”, while 40% consider it “an opportunity” for humanity.

On a regional basis, belief in AI as an opportunity for humanity is highest in Alberta (45%), followed by British Columbia (44%), Quebec (also 44%), Ontario (41%), Atlantic Canada (40%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (30%).

“More than a third of Canadians in the lowest income bracket (36%) think of artificial intelligence as an opportunity,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are significantly higher among respondents in the other income brackets (each at 44%).”

Three-in-five Canadians (60%) have followed news stories about AI “very closely” or “moderately closely” over the past year—including 67% of those aged 18-to-34 and 66% of those aged 35-to-54.

At least seven-in-ten Canadians are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about three issues: AI causing an event that leads to the loss of human life (70%), AI leading to less intelligent students at schools of universities (73%) and AI taking over jobs currently performed by humans (77%).

The notion of AI eventually producing less intelligent students is a concern for 75% of women, 77% of Canadians aged 55 and over and 79% of Conservative Party voters in the 2021 federal election.

At this stage, Canadians are not particularly confident in politicians to develop and manage AI. Only 34% trust the federal government. The rating is similar for provincial governments (33%) and lower for international governments (22%).

About three-in-five Canadians express confidence in doctors and nurses (62%) and universities (59%) to develop and manage AI. The rating is lower for tech executives (40%) and business executives and CEOs (24%).

Most Canadians (55%) are currently in favour of slowing down the development of AI. Smaller proportions would prefer to continue to develop AI as quickly as possible (20%) or abandon its development altogether (13%).

Methodology:Results are based on an online study conducted on September 27 and September 28, 2023, 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 plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Emergency Preparedness Slowly Getting Better in British Columbia

October 6, 2023October 5, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-four of the province’s residents are concerned about being personally affected by a fire or an earthquake.

Vancouver, BC [October 6, 2023] – Compared to 2021, the proportion of British Columbians who have taken action in order to face an emergency has increased slightly, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 41% of British Columbians have bought or prepared an emergency kit with supplies they might need in case of a natural disaster, a serious accident, or an incident caused by human error, up two points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in August 2021.

Just over three-in-ten British Columbians (31%, +3) have put together an emergency plan that includes how to get in touch with family or friends in case of an emergency, and just under one-in-four (24%, +2) have established a meeting place with family or friends in case of an emergency.

“Only 36% of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54 admit to lacking an emergency kit, an emergency plan and a meeting place,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Among their counterparts aged 55 and over, the proportion rises to 48%.”

The two emergencies that British Columbians are concerned the most about are a fire (81%, +1) and an earthquake (76%, +4).

At least three-in-five British Columbians are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about high winds (66%, +8), intense rainfall (65%, +12), a flood (63%, +12) or heavy snowfall (60%, +13) personally affecting them. The rating is lower for a toxic spill (56%, +9), a tsunami (51%, +9), a landslide (50%, +11) and a terrorist attack (46%, =).

There are some striking regional differences on some of these concerns. Just under three-in-five residents of Vancouver Island (58%) are worried about facing a tsunami, while three-in-four residents of the Fraser Valley (75%) are worried about being personally affected by floods.

Just over half of British Columbians (55%) “definitely” or “probably” have confidence in the ability of their neighbours to successfully deal with an emergency. The rating is similar for the provincial government (57%, -9) and their municipal government (56%, -7), but decidedly lower for the federal government (49%, -10).

Just over three-in-four British Columbians (75%, +1) believe it is likely that an earthquake strong enough to damage buildings will occur in British Columbia in the next 50 years.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 17 to September 19, 2023, 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

How Manitoba Voted: A Provincial “Exit Poll”.

October 5, 2023October 4, 2023By Mario Canseco

A third of NDP voters cited “change” as the main motivator behind their decision. “Stability” was important for only 19% of PC voters.

Vancouver, BC [October 6, 2023] – In the democratic processes held in Ontario and Quebec in 2022, it was apparent by the mid-way point of each campaign that the governing parties would be returned to power. Alberta in 2023 was different, as the televised debate enabled a premier who had not been tested at the ballot box to ultimately succeed in courting voters.

In Manitoba, the Progressive Conservatives also had an opportunity to re-connect with the electorate. The televised debate, however, did not help Heather Stefanson. In our final poll, we saw virtually no movement on her approval numbers from what was observed in mid-September. There was also an increase in the proportion of likely voters who regarded New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Wab Kinew as the “Best Premier” for the province.

It is usual for voters in a provincial election to be primarily drawn by the ideas and policies of contending parties. Manitoba was not different in this regard, with 44% of PC voters and 40% of NDP voters saying that “ideas and policies” were the most important factor in their decision.

The significant discrepancy arrives on two other indicators. One third of NDP voters (33%) say their main motivation was a “desire for change”, while just under one-in-five PC voters (19%) mentioned a “desire for stability”. Other issues, such as the party’s leader (NDP 12%, PC 10%) and the party’s candidate in their riding (NDP 6%, PC 9%) did not register as much.

The three previous provincial elections saw the same premiers returned to power. In Quebec, “desire for change” was the main motivator for 20% of Québec solidaire voters. The numbers on this indicator were decidedly lower in Ontario (14% and 12% respectively among NDP and Liberal voters) and Alberta (9% among NDP voters). Opposition voters may have been upset with the status quo, but found it difficult to imagine their respective provinces under a different head of government.

Our “Exit Poll” in Manitoba shows that almost seven-in-ten voters in the province (69%) thought it was time for a change of government. In addition, two-in-five (40%) claim to be “very upset” because the NDP will be in charge of the provincial administration once more. There is some resistance among PC voters who look at their party in opposition for the first time since 2016, but not overwhelming animosity towards the provincial NDP.

Research Co.’s province-wide prediction was within the margin of error advertised for all parties. While our final survey was correct in foreseeing a majority of voters in Winnipeg casting a ballot for the NDP, it fell short in pinpointing the final level of support the Progressive Conservatives would garner in the remaining constituencies.

Finally, more than seven-in-ten voters in Manitoba claim to have voted to support policies they like (72%) and for a candidate or party they liked (74%). The electorate appears more fractured on a separate item, in which 66% of voters claim that the province will be “in a bad place” under a specific governing party. The proportions are practically the same among PC and NDP voters. The difference lies on how many more Manitobans cast ballots for one of these parties.

Find our data tables here.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on October 3 and October 4, 2023, among 500 adults in Manitoba who voted in the 2023 provincial election. The margin of error — which measures sample variability — is +/- 4.4 percentage points for the sample of decided voters, nineteen times out of twenty.

British Columbians Reject Return of Grizzly Bear Trophy Hunt

October 4, 2023October 4, 2023By Mario Canseco

Most are opposed to hunting grizzly bears for sport / trophy and want to pass a law to ensure the existing ban remains in place.

Vancouver, BC [October 4, 2023] – Across the province, 84% of British Columbians disapprove of the sport / trophy hunting of grizzly bears, a new Research Co. poll conducted in partnership with Pacific Wild Alliance has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 70% of British Columbians disagree with the Government of British Columbia reinstating the grizzly bear sport / trophy hunt, that was banned by the provincial government in 2017.

Opposition to the return of the grizzly bear trophy hunt is highest on Vancouver Island (79%), followed by Southern BC (75%), the Fraser Valley (74%), Northern BC (70%) and Metro Vancouver (66%).

More than three-in-four British Columbians (77%) think it is time for the provincial government to pass a law ensuring that the ban on the trophy/sport hunting of grizzly bears implemented in December 2017, remains in place.

“The notion of enshrining the ban on grizzly bear trophy hunting in legislation is popular across the political spectrum,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At least two thirds of British Columbians who voted for the BC Liberals (66%), the BC Greens (68%) and the BC NDP in 2020 (73%), support this idea.”

More than three-in-four British Columbians (76%) agree that decisions about the stewardship of grizzly bears should remain in the hands of the provincial government, with grizzly bears held in trust for all British Columbians.

“Grizzly bears, like countless other transboundary species, need a coordinated conservation strategy at the provincial and national level working with Indigenous governments,” says Karen McAllister, the executive director of Pacific Wild, “The B.C. government appears to be going in the opposite direction, preferring to offload its wildlife management responsibilities to regional and local committees.”

More than four-in-five British Columbians think it is inappropriate for humans to hunt four different species for sport / trophy in the province: grizzly bears (84%), wild cats (also 84%), black bears (83%) and wolves (81%).

Just under three-in-four British Columbians (74%) disagree with the notion that natural predators (such as bears, cougars and wolves), should be killed to decrease competition with hunters for moose, deer and elk.

The B.C. government is currently seeking feedback on its draft Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework with a deadline of October 6th. Pacific Wild Alliance is encouraging people to let the government know—either by filling out the survey or contacting government directly—that the ban on grizzly hunting should be continued and legislated.

For more information on the Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework visit www.pacificwild.org.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 23 to September 25, 2023, among 1,000 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Karen McAllister, Executive Director, Pacific Wild.

250-957-7400

[e] karen@pacificwild.org

Photo Credit: Ian McAllister

BC NDP First, Tight Race for Second Place in British Columbia

September 26, 2023November 28, 2023By Mario Canseco

Housing, homelessness and poverty is the most important issue for practically two-in-five of the province’s residents.

Vancouver, BC [September 26, 2023] – The governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) remains ahead of all challengers in British Columbia’s political scene, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 48% of decided voters would cast a ballot for the BC NDP candidate in their riding if an election took place today, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May.

Two political parties are virtually tied for second place in the province: BC United with 20% (-13) and the Conservative Party of BC with 19% (+15). The BC Green Party is fourth with 12% (-4), while 1% of decided voters (=) would support other parties or independent candidates.

The BC NDP is in first place across all five major regions of the province, with higher support in Metro Vancouver (51%) and Vancouver Island (48%). The BC Conservatives are now second in the Fraser Valley (26%) and Northern BC (23%), while BC United is behind the BC NDP in Southern BC (29%).

“Almost one-in-five British Columbians (18%) do not know who to vote for in a provincial election,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In our February and May surveys, only 10% of respondents were undecided.”

Respondents to this survey were asked if they would consider supporting each of the four main provincial parties if they ran a candidate in their riding in the next provincial election. The BC Conservatives featured candidates in 10 of 87 constituencies in the 2017 provincial election, and in 19 of 87 ridings in the 2020 ballot.

More than a third of British Columbians (37%, +12) say they would consider casting a ballot for the BC Conservatives. The rating on this question is lower for the BC Greens (35%, -2) and BC United (32%, -14), but higher for the BC NDP (51%, -10).

Just over half of British Columbians (52%, -7) approve of the way Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby is handling his duties. More than a third (36%, -4) feel the same way about BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau, while the proportions are lower for BC United leader Kevin Falcon (29%, -9) and BC Conservative leader John Rustad (25%, +7).

Just under two-in-five British Columbians (39%, +7) think housing, homelessness and poverty is the most important issue facing the province right now, followed by health care (22%, -16), the economy and jobs (12%, =), crime and public safety (6%, -8) and the environment (also 6%, +2).

About a third of British Columbians (32%) would like to see BC United and the Conservative Party of BC merging into a single party before the next provincial election, while 43% disagree and 25% are undecided.

The notion of a merger between BC United and the BC Conservatives is more popular among men (38%), residents of Northern BC (also 38%), British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (42%) and BC Liberal voters in the 2020 provincial election (54%).

When pondering the leaders of BC United and the Conservative Party of BC, more than one-in-five British Columbians believe Falcon is better suited than Rustad to form the government after the next election (21%) and serve as official opposition leader (22%).

Falcon is currently regarded as better suited to attract six types of voters to BC United: women (20%), voters aged 18-to-34 (19%), voters aged 35-to-54 (22%) and residents of Metro Vancouver (24%), the Fraser Valley (20%) and Southern BC (also 20%).

Rustad is seen as better suited to attract male voters (20%), voters aged 55 and over (24%) and residents in Northern BC (20%) to the BC Conservatives.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Many Canadians Still Displeased with Drivers as Bad Habits Drop

September 22, 2023September 28, 2023By Mario Canseco

The proportion of Canadians who witnessed a driver turning without signaling fell by 10 points since 2022.

Vancouver, BC [September 22, 2023] – While fewer Canadians recall seeing five improper behaviours on the road, almost half continue to think that drivers in their municipality are not as good as they used to be, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 46% of Canadians believe drivers in their city or town are worse now than five years ago, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2022.

Most residents of Atlantic Canada (52%, -9) think local drivers are not as good as they were in 2018. The proportions are lower in Quebec (47%, +13), Ontario (also 47%, +-9), British Columbia (45%, -12), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (42%, =) and Alberta (41%, -2).

“More than half of Canadians aged 55 and over (56%, -2) are convinced that drivers in their city or town are worse now than five years ago,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (43%, -9) and aged 18-to-34 (37%, +3).”

The annual survey also measures the incidence of specific occurrences on the country’s roads. Over the past month, just under three-in-five Canadians (59%, -10) recall seeing a driver not signalling before a turn, including 66% of Albertans.

Half of Canadians (50%, -4) recently witnessed a car taking up two or more spots in a parking lot, while fewer recall drivers not stopping at an intersection (45%, -4), drivers turning right or left from an incorrect lane (35%, -5) or a close call, such as having to slam the brakes or steer violently to avoid a collision (34%, -3).

For practically three-in-five Canadians (59%, +1), there are specific groups or people in their city or town who are worse drivers than others.

For the third consecutive year, the top four responses offered by Canadians on this open-ended question are “young” (33%, -7), “elderly” (21%, +3), “Asian (16%, -3) and “immigrant” (12%, +4).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 2 to September 4, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians See “Fake News” and Polarization as Threats

September 20, 2023September 25, 2023By Mario Canseco

About two thirds of residents also think the state of democracy in Canada is endangered by low voter turnout in elections.

Vancouver, BC [September 20, 2023] – Three-in-four residents of British Columbia are concerned about the effect of two issues in Canada, a new Research Co. poll conducted in partnership with the “Strengthening Democracy” initiative has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 76% of British Columbians think “fake news” featured on social media and online publications is “definitely” or “probably” a threat to the state of democracy in Canada, while 75% feel the same way about polarization, or political attitudes becoming more extreme.

More than two thirds of British Columbians also deem three other issues as threats to democracy in Canada: racism and discrimination (70%), low engagement from citizens on important issues (68%) and low voter turnout in democratic processes (67%).

Majorities of British Columbians are also preoccupied with the actions of government being perceived as limiting personal freedom (60%) and hyper partisanship, or political parties disagreeing intensely with each other (59%). Only 32% of the province’s residents believe immigration endangers the state of democracy in Canada.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (63%) rate the state of democracy in Canada as “very good” or “good”, while 29% consider it “bad” or “very bad.”

“More than a third of British Columbians aged 35-to-54 (35%) are not pleased with the state of democracy in Canada right now,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 18-to-34 (27%) and aged 55 and over (26%).”

The survey also gauged support for five ideas related to municipal politics in British Columbia.

Majorities of the province’s residents agree with three proposals: allowing permanent residents who have lived in a municipality for at least six months to vote in municipal elections (62%), compelling media outlets to provide a specific number of minutes (in the case of radio and television) or articles (in the case of print and online journalism) solely devoted to municipal issues (59%) and having elected councillors who represent a specific portion of the municipality (also known as wards), instead of voting for several at-large councillors (56%).

Two other ideas are more contentious, with 50% of British Columbians agreeing with abolishing political parties or “slates” and having every candidate for mayor, council or school board run as independents, and 47% agreeing with making voting mandatory for all citizens in municipal elections.

Majorities of British Columbians think their municipal governments (53%) and the provincial government (also 53%) are very responsive” or “moderately responsive” to their needs and the needs of other residents. The rating is significantly lower (40%) for the federal government.

Over the past year, only 31% of British Columbians have engaged directly with their municipality on a specific issue, such as reporting a problem, seeking a permit or obtaining a business license. More than half of these residents (54%) are satisfied with the way their issue was dealt with by their municipality, while 43% are dissatisfied.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2023, among 813 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.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Voters in Manitoba Deeply Divided as Campaign Continues

September 18, 2023September 17, 2023By Mario Canseco

Wab Kinew seen as the best leader to handle health care, while Heather Stefanson scores well on the economy and jobs.

Vancouver, BC [September 18, 2023] – There is no clear frontrunner in Manitoba’s provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample of likely voters, 41% of decided voters in Manitoba would support the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), while 39% would back the governing Progressive Conservative Party.

The Liberal Party is third with 14%, followed by the Green Party with 3%. Across the province, 2% of decided voters would cast ballots for independents or candidates from other parties.

“On two specific age groups, Manitoba’s election is remarkably close,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The New Democrats and the Progressive Conservatives are separated by two points or less among decided voters aged 35-to-54 (42% to 40%) and decided voters aged 55 and over (43% to 42%).”

Fewer than one-in-four decided voters in Manitoba (23%) say they may change their mind and support a different party or candidate in this election—including 14% of those who currently plan to vote for the Progressive Conservatives and 18% of those who currently plan to support the New Democrats.

Just under half of likely voters in Manitoba (47%) approve of the way Official Opposition and New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Wab Kinew is handling his duties. The rating is lower for Premier and Progressive Conservative Party leader Heather Stefanson (37%), Liberal Party leader Dougald Lamont (36%) and Green Party leader Janine Gibson (18%).

Kinew is the only leader with a positive momentum score since the start of the campaign (+2, with 24% of likely voters in Manitoba saying their opinion of him has improved). Lamont is at -4, Gibson at -8 and Stefanson at -23 (with 34% of likely voters saying their opinion of her has worsened).

Likely voters in Manitoba are profoundly divided when asked who would make the “Best Premier” of the province, with Stefanson practically tied with Kinew (30% to 29%), followed by Lamont (14%) and Gibson (2%).

Just over two-in-five likely voters in Manitoba (41%) think health care is the most important issue facing the province—a proportion that rises to 57% among those aged 55 and over.

Housing, poverty and homelessness is second on the list of concerns in the province (17%), followed by the economy and jobs (14%), crime and public safety (also 14%) and the environment (4%).

Kinew is ahead of Stefanson when likely voters in Manitoba are asked who would be the best person to manage health care (40% to 26%) and housing, poverty and homelessness (40% to 25%). Stefanson leads Kinew on the economy and jobs (31% to 27%) and energy (30% to 26%).

The difference between the two leaders is negligible or inexistent on four other areas of concern: the environment (Kinew 25%, Stefanson 24%), government accountability (Kinew 28%, Stefanson 27%), crime and public safety (Kinew 33%, Stefanson 31%) and education (each contender at 31%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 15 to September 17, 2023, among 600 likely voters in Manitoba, including 539 decided voters in the 2023 provincial election. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Manitoba. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.0 percentage points for the entire sample and +/- 4.2 percentage points for the sample of decided voters, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Conservative Party Holds Six-Point Lead Over Liberals in Canada

September 7, 2023September 13, 2023By Mario Canseco

Pierre Poilievre is tied with Justin Trudeau when Canadians are asked who would make the “Best Prime Minister.”

Vancouver, BC [September 7, 2023] – The popularity of the opposition Conservative Party has increased markedly in Canada over the past six months, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 37% of decided voters would cast a ballot for the Conservative candidate in their constituency, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February.

The governing Liberal Party is in second place across the country with 31% (-3), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 17% (-1), the Bloc Québécois with 8% (=), the Green Party with 3% (=) and the People’s Party with 1% (=).

The Conservatives are ahead of the Liberals in Ontario (40% to 35%) and British Columbia (42% to 31%). In Quebec, the Bloc is now in first place (34%), followed by the Liberals (30%) and the Conservatives (20%).

“About two-in-five decided voters aged 35-to-54 (39%) and aged 55 and over (40%) would support the Conservatives in a Canadian federal election,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The race is closer among decided voters aged 18-to-34.”

This month, the approval rating for Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau stands at 41% (-5). Official Opposition and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre posts the same number (41%, =), while NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is at 48% (-1).

Fewer Canadians hold positive views on the way Green Party leader Elizabeth May (32%, =), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (20%, -2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (also 20%, +4) are handling their duties.

When asked which federal party leader would make the “Best Prime Minister”, Trudeau and Poilievre are tied at 28%, followed by Singh with 17%. On this particular question, Trudeau has lost five points since February, while Poilievre has gained three.

More than two-in-five Canadians (44%, -3) are satisfied with what the Liberals and the NDP have accomplished since they established a supply and confidence agreement in March 2022.

The Liberal-NDP deal is popular in Ontario (51%), but garners lower support in Atlantic Canada (45%), Quebec (also 45%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (41%), Alberta (35%) and British Columbia (33%).

Practically equal proportions of Canadians say they would be comfortable with Trudeau (44%, =) or Poilievre (42%, +2) being in charge of Canada’s economy.

One-in-four Canadians (25%, +4) identify housing, homelessness and poverty as the most important issue facing the country, followed by health care (24%, -2), the economy and jobs (20%, -6) and the environment (10%, +3).

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Some Canadians Willing to Pay Higher Taxes to Deal with Issues

August 16, 2023August 15, 2023By Mario Canseco

Fewer than half of Canadians would welcome paying more in order to fund transit improvements.

Vancouver, BC [August 16, 2023] – More than half of Canadians are willing to pay higher taxes to tackle specific challenges, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 57% of Canadians say they would “definitely” or “probably” be willing to pay higher taxes to adequately address homelessness and climate change.

“Support for additional tax revenue to deal with homelessness is highest in Atlantic Canada and Quebec (61% each),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower in Alberta (60%), Ontario (58%), British Columbia (51%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 51%).”

Almost two thirds of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (65%) are willing to pay higher taxes to adequately address climate change, along with 54% of those aged 35-to-54 and 53% of those aged 55 and over.

Slightly fewer Canadians would be willing to pay higher taxes in exchange for adequate action on schools (56%), forest fires (55%), housing improvements (54%) and floods (52%).

Fewer than half of Canadians (46%) would be willing to pay higher taxes to adequately deal with transit improvements.

More than three-in-five Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (62%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 62%) in the 2021 federal elections are willing to pay higher taxes for housing improvements. The proportion drops to 41% among those who cast ballots for the Conservative Party.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 22 to July 24, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca