Public Policy – Page 3

Canadians Grow Pessimistic on Eradicating Homelessness

July 31, 2025July 30, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbians Back Mandatory Voting and Spring Ballots

July 24, 2025July 23, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ruling Liberals Comfortably Ahead in Canada’s Political Scene

July 7, 2025July 7, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Federal NDP Leadership

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

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

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

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

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

Little Change in British Columbia Politics, Even With New Parties

June 16, 2025June 13, 2025By Mario Canseco

The approval rating for David Eby is substantially higher (56%) than the numbers posted by John Rustad (37%).

Vancouver, BC [June 16, 2025] – The two most prominent political parties in British Columbia are virtually tied eight months after the last provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 43% of decided voters (down one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March) would support the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate in their constituency if an election were held today, while 42% (=) would back the Conservative Party of BC.

The BC Green Party is third with 8% (-3), followed by Centre BC with 2% and a political party featuring Dallas Brodie, Jordan Kealy and Tara Armstrong with 1%. The survey was conducted before Brodie and Armstrong announced the formation of OneBC on June 14.

The BC NDP continues to connect well with decided voters aged 55 and over (53%), while the BC Conservatives dominate among those aged 18-to-34 (49%). The two parties are virtually even among decided voters aged 35-to-54 (44% for the BC Conservatives and 43% for the BC New Democrats).

On a regional basis, the BC NDP holds the upper hand over the BC Conservatives in Metro Vancouver (47% to 41%) and Vancouver Island (43% to 34%). The BC Conservatives have extended their advantages in the Fraser Valley (53% to 34%) and Northern BC (52% to 29%). The race is tied in Southern BC (43% for each party).

The governing BC New Democrats also lead on vote consideration, with 54% of British Columbians (+1) saying they would “definitely” or “probably” consider voting for the party in the next provincial election. The rating is lower for the BC Conservatives (47%, +2), the BC Greens (33%, -6), Centre BC (19%) and a party featuring Brodie, Kealy and Armstrong (14%).

Housing, poverty and homelessness remains the most important issue facing the province (34%, -2), followed by the economy and jobs (22%, +2), health care (21%, =), crime and public safety (6%, =), accountability (4%, +1) and the environment (3%, =).

“More than two-in-five British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (41%) and more than a third of those aged 35-to-54 (37%) are primarily concerned about housing,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than a third of British Columbians aged 55 and over (34%) select health care as the most important issue.”

More than half of British Columbians (56%, +1) approve of the performance of Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby, Satisfaction is lower with Official Opposition and Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad (37%, -3) interim BC Green Party leader Jeremy Valeriote (27%, -7) and Centre BC leader Karin Kirkpatrick (16%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 7 to June 9, 2025, among 803 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Some Canadians Wary of Trump’s Role in Alberta Separation

June 12, 2025June 11, 2025By Mario Canseco

Just over a third of Albertans and Quebecers would vote in favour of their province becoming its own country.

Vancouver, BC [June 12, 2025] – More than two-in-five Canadians are concerned about possible meddling from the United States if Alberta ultimately holds a referendum on sovereignty, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 45% of Canadians say it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that the United States will take steps to annex Alberta as an American state if a referendum on Alberta becoming a sovereign country and ceasing to be a Province of Canada takes place.

Fewer Canadians believe three other scenarios are likely to materialize: the United States recognizing Alberta’s sovereignty if the referendum is successful (43%), the United States recognizing Alberta’s sovereignty even if the referendum is not successful (32%) and voters in Alberta choosing to become a sovereign country (31%).

Sizeable proportions of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (50%), the Liberal Party (48%) or the Conservative Party (45%) in this year’s federal election believe the U.S. is likely to attempt Alberta’s annexation.

The Government of Alberta recently proposed to reduce the threshold for Citizen Initiatives. Under the new guidelines, proponents will have 120 days to gather the signatures of 10 per cent of voters who participated in the last provincial election to compel a province-wide vote on an initiative. A group has proposed holding a referendum on whether Alberta “shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a Province of Canada”.

Canadians are divided on whether the proponents of this referendum will be able to gather the signatures required in the allotted time to compel a province-wide vote on sovereignty, with 39% predicting they will reach the threshold and 44% believing they will not. In Alberta, 48% believe the signature drive will be successful, while 34% disagree.

Almost half of Canadians (47%) think the Government of Canada should not allow this referendum to happen if proponents gather the required signatures.

Support for the federal government effectively stopping the referendum on Alberta’s sovereignty is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (57%), followed by Ontario (53%), Atlantic Canada (52%), British Columbia (49%), Alberta (42%) and Quebec (36%).

On a separate question, 56% of Canadians say that, if voters in Alberta ultimately choose to become a sovereign country and cease to be a Province of Canada in a referendum, the Government of Canada should not allow Alberta’s separation to happen.

Majorities of Canadians aged 55 and over (68%) and aged 35-to-54 (54%) think the federal government should ultimately block Alberta’s separation. The proportion is lower among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (47%).

Only one-in-five Canadians (20%) think Canada would be better off as an American state, while 73% disagree—including 65% who “strongly disagree”.

“Practically a third of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (32%) believe Canada would be better off as an American state,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (22%) and those aged 55 and over (7%).”

Slightly larger proportions of Canadians think their province would be better off as an American state (21% and rising to 25% in Alberta) or as its own country (29% and rising to 35% in both Alberta and Quebec).

When asked if they would vote in favour of Canada becoming an American state, 19% of Canadians agree while 75% disagree. The results are similar when Canadians are asked about voting in favour of their province becoming an American state (19% in favour, and 76% against).

Just under three-in-ten Canadians (28%) would vote in favour of their province becoming its own country—including 34% of Albertans and Quebecers. Two thirds of Canadians (66%) are opposed to this idea.

Just over two thirds of Canadians (67%) trust the Prime Minister of Canada to make the best decisions on issues of national unity. The rating is lower for provincial premiers (59%), the leader of the Official Opposition in Canada (51%) and provincial leaders of the Official Opposition (also 51%).

In Alberta, the four political leaders are separated by just five points on the issue of national unity: 58% for the Prime Minister, 56% for the leader of the Official Opposition in Canada, 55% for the provincial premier and 53% for the provincial leader of the Official Opposition.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 1 to June 3, 2025, 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.

Most Canadians Still Avoiding American Products When Possible

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than four-in-five of the country’s residents think the American tariffs are still a threat.

Vancouver, BC [June 5, 2025] – While the proportion of Canadians who are actively boycotting products made in the United States has subsided over the past two months, it still encompasses a sizeable majority across the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, three-in-five Canadians (60%, -4 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in late March) are avoiding the purchase of goods originated from the United States, if a non-American alternative is available.

At least three-in-ten Canadians are eschewing American restaurant franchises in Canada (36%, -5), have cancelled a planned trip to the United States (35%, -2) or are avoiding American entertainment options (30%, -5).

“Only 10% of Liberal Party voters in the 2025 federal election are not taking any action to avoid American products,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions rise to 22% among New Democratic Party (NDP) voters and to 30% among Conservative Party voters.”

More than four-in-five Canadians (82%) think the American tariffs are still a threat to Canada, while only 10% believe they are not a threat anymore.

Just over half of Canadians (51%, -7) support Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs recalling the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. in response to President Donald Trump’s statements related to Canada becoming an American state, while three-in-five (60%, -8) want Canada to officially demand an apology from Trump for his statements.

More than three-in-five Canadians continue to favour two ideas: Canada’s prime minister and provincial premiers shutting off all energy exports to the United States until Trump completely removes the threat of tariffs (63%, -7) and Canada’s prime minister and provincial premiers suspending all steel, aluminum, and wood exports to the United States until U.S. President Donald Trump completely removes the threat of tariffs (65%, -7).

Just under seven-in-ten Canadians (69%, -15) have recently followed news stories related to the tariffs dispute “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

More than three-in-five Canadians (64%, +5) approve of the way Prime Minister Mark Carney has managed the tariffs. The rating is significantly lower for Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre (39%, -8).

Two-in-five Canadians (40%, -4) think a Conservative federal government would be better positioned at this point to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States, while 46% (+4) disagree.

More than half of Canadians (54%, -2) remain content with the performance of their premier on this file, while fewer than two-in-five (38% +1) feel the same way about their provincial official opposition leader.

The approval rating on the tariffs dispute is higher for the premiers of Ontario (58%, -1) and British Columbia (56%, +3) than for their counterparts in Quebec (49%, -7) and Alberta (47%, +5). The numbers are fairly similar for the provincial opposition leaders in Ontario (39%, +2), Quebec (also 39%, -4), Alberta (37%, -2) and British Columbia (34%, =).

At this point, Canadians are more likely to predict that the U.S. government will rescind the tariffs (40%, +4) than to foresee their expansion (27%, -9).

At least three-in-four Canadians continue to call for Canada to seriously consider enhancing trade with Australia and New Zealand (79%, -2), the United Kingdom (78%), the European Union (EU) (77%, -2), Mexico (76%, -2) and Japan (75%, =), while more than half (57%, -2) are in favour of requesting an independent dispute settlement panel under the terms of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Only one-in-five Canadians (20%, -1) would seriously consider initiating a formal process for Canada to become an American state. This idea is more popular in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (22%), followed by Ontario (21%), Alberta (also 21%), Quebec (18%), British Columbia (16%) and Atlantic Canada (14%).

Fewer than one-in-ten Canadians aged 55 and over (8%) think it is time to seriously consider a process for Canada to become an American state. The proportions rise to 22% among Canadians aged 35-to-54 and to 30% among Canadians aged 18-to-34.

Support for initiating a formal process for Canada to join the EU fell by six points since late March, from 52% to 46%.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 25 to May 27, 2025, among 1,002 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.

Canadian Voters Open to Changing the Electoral System

May 8, 2025May 7, 2025By Mario Canseco

Two-in-five voters in this year’s federal election (40%) think the possibility of Alberta separation is real, while 46% disagree.

Vancouver, BC [May 8, 2025] – Many voters across Canada are willing to explore modifications to the way the members of the House of Commons are chosen, a new Research Co. “Exit Poll” poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of Canadians who voted in the 2025 federal election, more than half of respondents (58%) believe Canada should implement a system of proportional representation for federal elections.

“Enthusiasm about a possible move to proportional representation for federal elections is highest among Millennials (67%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The numbers drop among members of Generation X (57%), Generation Z (56%) and Baby Boomers and Silent Generation members (49%).”

Just over two thirds of Canadian voters (68%) think it should be mandatory for candidates to attend at least one public debate in their riding with the candidates from other parties.

More than three-in-five Canadian voters support two other measures: making voting mandatory in all Canadian federal elections (61%) and declaring federal Election Day a public holiday in Canada (also 61%).

Majorities of Canadian voters say their parents or guardians voted in federal (75%), provincial (70%) and municipal (59%) elections, while just over two-in-five (42%) recall talking about politics at the dinner table.

The youngest voters—Generation Z members—are more likely to recall discussions about politics at the dinner table (51%) than Millennials (43%), members of Generation X (42%) and Baby Boomers and Silent Generation members (35%).

There has been some talk about the effect a Liberal Party victory will have in provinces where most voters support the Conservative Party, particularly Alberta. Almost two-in-five Canadian voters (39%) think the possibility of Alberta separating from Canada is not real and something they would not like to see happening.

Just over one-in-four Canadian voters (26%) say the possibility of Alberta separating from Canada is real and something they would not like to see happening, while fewer believe Alberta separation is real and something they would personally welcome (14%) or not real and something they would personally welcome (7%).

In Alberta, 29% of voters would welcome separation from Canada, while 64% would not. However, more than half (58%) believe the possibility of Alberta separation is real, while 35% regard it as not real.

Canadian voters were also asked about specific activities. In the past three weeks, more than two-in-five saw, read or heard an advertisement for a federal election candidate (49%) or saw, read or heard media stories where federal election candidates discussed their position on issues (46%).

At least one-in-five Canadian voters watched or attended a debate featuring the federal party leaders (33%), read a party’s electoral platform (26%) or visited the website of a federal election candidate (20%).

Fewer Canadian voters participated in four other activities: watched or attended a debate featuring local election candidates (18%), visited the website of a federal party (17%), interacted with a federal election candidate on social media (14%) or met canvassers or candidates who knocked at their door (12%).

Over the course of the past year, at least one-in-four Canadian voters visited a local library (38%), read community newspapers (36%) or used a community centre or community pool (25%).

Fewer Canadian voters placed a bet on a sporting website (18%), used a sports field in their community (17%), placed a bet on sports with friends or family (16%), volunteered at a school (11%) or volunteered for their municipality (10%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 27 to April 29, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,201 Canadians who voted in the 2025 federal election. 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 +/- 2.8 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Canadians Split on Preferred Result of 2025 Federal Ballot

April 29, 2025April 29, 2025By Mario Canseco

Similar proportions of Canadians would be “very upset” with the Conservatives (49%) or Liberals (46%) forming the government.

Vancouver, BC [April 29, 2025] – Canadian voters are deeply divided when assessing the possible outcome of the 2025 federal election, a new Research Co. “Exit Poll” poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of Canadians who voted in the 2025 federal election, 49% of respondents say they would be “very upset” if the Conservative Party forms the government, while a slightly smaller proportion (46%) feel the same way about Liberal Party.

“Animosity towards a federal Liberal government reaches 53% among Millennial voters in Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At least half of voters who belong to Generation X (50%), Generation Z (53%) and Silent Generation and Baby Boomers (51%) would be upset with a Conservative government.”

More than half of Canadian voters describe the campaigns of the Liberals (59%) and Conservatives (51%) as “very positive” or “moderately positive”. The numbers are lower for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (44%), the Green Party (33%), the Bloc Québécois (31%, rising to 51% in Quebec) and the People’s Party (25%).

Just over half of Canadian voters (51%) think Pierre Poilievre should resign as leader of the Conservative Party if he fails to form the government. While this course of action is favoured by 70% of Liberal voters, only 29% of Conservative voters concur.

More than two-in-five Canadian voters (41%) believe Mark Carney should resign as leader of the Liberal Party if he is unable to assemble a government. While 25% of Liberal voters agree with this statement, the proportion rises to 62% among Conservative voters.

When asked what their main motivation was for supporting a party in 2025, similar proportions of Canadian voters cite its ideas and policies (34%) and its leader (33%). Fewer were primarily moved by a desire for change (12%), a desire for stability (9%), the party’s candidate in the riding (also 9%) or disgust with other contending candidates (3%).

Liberal voters are significantly more likely to have cast a ballot primarily for the party’s leader (40%) than those who supported the Conservatives (30%) or the New Democrats (24%). Conversely, almost half of NDP supporters (46%) say they were chiefly motivated by ideas and policies, compared to 33% among Conservatives and 30% among Liberals.

Just under a third of Canadian voters (32%) say they would have supported the Liberals if Justin Trudeau was their leader, including 54% of those who supported the party in the 2025 election. A similar proportion of Canadian voters (30%) would have backed the Liberals with Chrystia Freeland as leader.

More than a third of Canadian voters (37%) say they would have voted for the Conservatives this year if Stephen Harper was their leader—a proportion that rises to 62% among 2025 Conservative voters. Just over one-in-four Canadian voters (26%) would have backed the Conservatives with Jean Charest as their leader, while a similar proportion (24%) would have voted for the party under Maxime Bernier.

At least three-in-five Canadian voters get their news and information related to federal politics through television news (68%) and the internet and digital media (60%). Fewer mention family (38%), friends (33%) newspapers (31%) or radio news (30%).

Television news is the overwhelming leader in providing information to Canadian voters who are members of the Silent Generation or Baby Boomers (82%), while digital media is preferred by Millennials (66%) and members of Generation Z (64%).

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

No Major Shifts Seen in Final Week of Canada’s Federal Election

April 27, 2025April 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

Likely voters who are Millennials or Generation Z members are more concerned about housing than their older counterparts.

Vancouver, BC [April 27, 2025] – The Liberal Party heads to tomorrow’s federal election in Canada as the frontrunner, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of likely voters and Canadians who have already cast their ballot in the advance polls, 44% of decided voters favour the Liberals (+1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in mid-April) while 39% (+1) back the Conservative Party.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is in third place with 7% (-1), followed by the Bloc Québécois with 6% (=), the Green Party with 2% (=) and the People’s Party with 1% (=).

The Liberals are ahead of the Conservatives in Atlantic Canada (57% to 39%), Ontario (47% to 41%) and British Columbia (44% to 41%). In Quebec, the Liberals are first with 43%, followed by the Bloc with 24% and the Conservatives with 23%.

The Conservatives hold sizeable leads over the Liberals in Alberta (60% to 31%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (51% to 37%).

When the vote is analyzed by generation, the Liberals are ahead of the Conservatives among:

Voters who are members of the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers, or those born in 1964 or before (47% to 38%).
Voters who are members of Generation X, or those born from 1965 to 1980 (42% to 38%).
Voters who are members of Generation Z, or those born in 1997 or after (45% to 36%).

The two parties are tied among Millennials, or those born from 1981 to 1996 (Liberals 41%, Conservatives 41%).

The NDP is only holding on to 39% of its voters from the 2021 election, with 37% saying the intend to vote for the Liberals this time. The retention rate is superior for the Conservatives (89%) and the Liberals (79%).

Only 12% of decided voters say they may change their mind and support a different party tomorrow—a proportion that rises to 17% among those aged 18-to-34.

As was the case during the entire campaign, Canada-U.S. Relations is the most important issue for likely voters (26%, -2), followed by housing, homelessness and poverty (21%, -2), the economy and jobs (20%, +1), health care (11%, +2), immigration (7%, -1) and crime and public safety (3%, -1).

“One-in-four Millennial (25%) and Gen. Z (26%) likely voters say housing, homelessness and poverty is their greatest concern,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Canada-U.S. Relations is the top issue for Gen. X (29%) and Baby Boomers and Silent Generation members (32%).”

There was little fluctuation in the approval ratings of the three main party leaders compared to mid-April, with Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney at 59% (=), Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre at 48% (+1) and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh at 43% (-1). The numbers remain lower for Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (29%, +1), Green co-leader Jonathan Pedneault (24%, -3) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (22%, +1).

Carney maintains a 10-point advantage over Poilievre on the Preferred Prime Minister question (45% to 35%), with the remaining contenders in single digits.

Millennial likely voters are evenly split when assessing which one of the two main party leaders would make the best head of government for Canada (Carney 39%, Poilievre 39%). The Liberal leader is ahead of his Conservative rival among Gen. Z. (48% to 31%), Gen. X (43% to 33%) and Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (52% to 35%).

Bernier posts the worst momentum score of all federal party leaders at -19 (only 6% of likely voters say their opinion of the People’s Party leader has improved since the start of the campaign, while 25% say it has worsened). Carney is the only leader to finish the campaign with a positive momentum score (+9), while the perceptions are negative for Poilievre (-8), Blanchet (-12), Pedneault (-15) and Singh (-18).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on April 26 and April 27, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,050 likely voters in Canada, including 1,019 decided voters and Canadians who have already cast their ballot in the advance polls in the 2025 federal election. 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 for likely voters and +/- 3.1 percentage points for decided voters, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Most Canadians Back Ban on Foreign Real Estate Purchases

April 24, 2025April 30, 2025By Mario Canseco

Overall confidence to deliver affordable housing is higher for a Liberal federal government than a Conservative one.

Vancouver, BC [April 24, 2025] – Just over three-in-four Canadians think the federal government made the right call in banning foreigners from purchasing residential properties in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 76% of Canadians support the federal government’s decision, while 13% oppose it and 11% are undecided.

The ban, which will be in effect until January 1, 2027, contemplates exclusions for international students and temporary residents.

“Majorities of Canadians who in 2021 voted for the Conservatives (82%), the Liberals (78%) or the New Democrats (also 78%) are in favour of the ban on foreign real estate purchases,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The regulation is also supported by most respondents whose descent is South Asian (87%), Indigenous (84%), European (77%) and East Asian (74%).”

Just under three-in-five Canadians (59%) think the federal government should tie immigration numbers to affordable housing targets and new housing starts—a proportion that rises to 63% in British Columbia and to 66% among Liberal Party voters in the 2021 federal election.

Canadians are divided when asked which level of government is more responsible for making housing affordable in their community. Similar proportions select the federal government (42%) or their provincial government (41%), followed by their municipal government (17%).

Canadians aged 55 and over are more likely to say provincial governments should take the lead on affordable housing (50%) and not the federal government (31%). The results are different among Canadians aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54, who say the federal government is mostly responsible on this file (49% and 48% respectively) and not provincial administrations (42% and 36% respectively).

More than three-in-five Canadians (64%) agree with removing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on home sales up to $1.3 million. Support is also high for two other ideas: creating a federal developer that could build low-cost homes on government land (70%) and developing a catalogue of pre-approved home designs to accelerate homebuilding by developers (also 70%).

Only 33% of Canadians “completely” or “moderately” trust for-profit developers to deliver affordable housing in Canada. The rating is higher for provincial governments (50%), municipal governments (52%) and not-for-profit developers (58%).

Just over half of Canadians (51%) trust the federal government under the Liberals to deliver affordable housing across the country, while 42% feel the same way about a federal government headed by the Conservatives.

Among Canadians aged 18-to-34, the level of trust on housing is slightly higher for a Conservative government (51%) than a Liberal one (49%). Canadians aged 55 and over express more confidence in the Liberals (52% and 50% respectively) than the Conservatives (44% and 34% respectively).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 7 to April 9, 2025, among 1,002 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.

Five-Point Lead for Liberals as Canadian Federal Vote Looms

April 21, 2025April 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

Canada-U.S. Relations remains the most important issue for likely voters across the country.

Vancouver, BC [April 21, 2025] – More than four-in-five decided voters in Canada are supporting either of the two main parties with a week left in the federal campaign, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of likely voters, 43% of decided voters would back the Liberal Party (-1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in early April), while 38% (+2) would support the Conservative Party.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) remains a distant third with 8% (=), followed by the Bloc Québécois with 6% (+1), the Green Party with 2% (-1) and the People’s Party with 1% (-1).

The Conservatives have made significant gains in Alberta (65%) and are three points behind the Liberals in British Columbia (41% to 44%). The Liberals are still leading in Ontario (46% to 40%) and Quebec (46% with the Bloc in second place at 23%).

While sizeable majorities of decided voters who supported either the Conservatives or the Liberals in 2021 are staying with their respective parties (88% and 80% respectively), only 39% of NDP voters in the last federal election intend to back the New Democrats this year.

More than a quarter of likely voters (28%, -3) identify Canada-U.S. Relations as the most important issue facing the country, followed by housing, homelessness and poverty (20%, +2), the economy and jobs (19%, =), health care (9%, -2), immigration (8%, +3) and crime and public safety (4%, +2).

“More than four-in-five decided voters across Canada (82%) say they will not change their mind before election day,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “This proportion rises to 86% among those aged 55 and over.”

Compared to early April, overall voter consideration is stagnant for the Liberals (55%, =), the Conservatives (48%, =) and the New Democrats (41%, =). At least one-in-four likely voters say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider casting a ballot for the Greens (28%, +4), the Animal Protection Party (23%, +2) or the Libertarian Party (21%, +3) if they ran a candidate in their riding.

Voter consideration is lower for the People’s Party (19%, -1), the Canadian Future Party (also 19%, =), the Christian Heritage Party (16%, +2), the Marijuana Party (15%, =), the Centrist Party (also 15%, +2), the United Party (14%, -1), the Communist Party (13%, +3), the Rhinocéros Party (12%, +1) and the Marxist-Leninist Party (10%, -2).

Practically three-in-five likely voters (59%, +1) approve of the performance of Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney. The rating is lower for Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (47%, +3), NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (44%, +4), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (28%, +3), Green co-leader Jonathan Pedneault (27%, +2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (21%, -1).

Carney once again achieves a positive momentum score (+14), with 38% of likely voters saying their opinion of him has improved since the campaign began. The scores remain in negative territory for Poilievre (-5), Pedneault (-15), Blanchet (also -15), Singh (also -15) and Bernier (-17).

On the “Best Prime Minister” question, the gap between the two main party leaders has narrowed. Carney is first with 45% (+2), and Poilievre is second with 35% (+6). Singh is third with 8% (-1), followed by Blanchet (3%, -1), Bernier (1%, -1) and Pedneault (1%, =).

Almost half of likely voters (47%, +4) say there is nothing Carney can say or do to make them vote for the Liberals. The numbers are higher for Poilievre and the Conservatives (52%, +1) and Singh and the New Democrats (57%, +3).

Just under three-in-five likely voters (59%, -1) say they are comfortable with Carney being in charge of Canada’s economy. The rating for Poilievre on this question increased by four points, from 46% in early April to 50% now.

Likely voters were asked to choose which one of the two main party leaders would be the best person to handle 10 different issues. Poilievre leads Carney on crime and public safety (41% to 35%) and the two leaders are statistically tied on immigration (Poilievre 39%, Carney 37%) and energy and pipelines (Carney 40%, Poilievre 38%).

The Liberal leader is ahead of his Conservative counterpart on seven issues, but with lower margins than at the start of the month: Canada-U.S. Relations (48% to 34%), foreign affairs (47% to 34%), the economy and jobs (43% to 39%), accountability and leadership (43% to 36%), health care (42% to 34%), housing, homelessness and poverty (41% to 35%) and the environment (41% to 32%).

Likely voters were provided with a list of words that people may use to describe politicians and asked to select up to six to describe each of the three main party leaders.

The top five words used to describe Singh are compassionate (28%, -12 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2023), intelligent (26%, -11), down to earth (also 26%, -7), weak (25%, +7) and out of touch (22%, +2).

Almost two-in-five Canadians (39%, -1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February) brand Poilievre as arrogant. Other words used to describe the Conservative leader are intelligent (33%, =), strong (30%, -2), dishonest (27%, +1) and out of touch (24%, +1).

The words used for Carney outline a significant difference from the way Canadians described Justin Trudeau two years ago: intelligent (48%, +13), strong (35%, +16), efficient (33%, +16), honest (27%, +8) and dishonest (25%, -11).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on April 19 and April 20, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,006 likely voters in Canada, including 965 decided voters in the 2025 federal election. 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 for likely voters and +/- 3.2 percentage points for decided voters, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Dissatisfaction with Political Freedom Rises in Canada, Drops in U.S.

April 17, 2025April 12, 2025By Mario Canseco

A third of Americans and a quarter of Canadians disagree with other people “many times” when discussing national politics.

Vancouver, BC [April 17, 2025] – While residents of the United States remain more upset when analyzing political freedom, the proportion of Canadians who appear dissatisfied has grown markedly since 2022, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, 51% of Canadians (up 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2022) feel their freedoms are under attack by elected politicians—a view shared by 69% of Americans (down four points).

Almost two-in-five Canadians (38%, +6) say they cannot express their political views sometimes because they fear reprisals. In the United States, 45% of Americans (-4) feel the same way.

The proportion of Canadians who think the federal government is oppressive and controlling jumped from 41% in 2022 to 46% in 2025. More than two-in-five Canadians (44%, +7) feel that their vote in federal elections does not make a difference.

In the United States, perceptions of the federal government being oppressive and controlling increased from 62% in 2022 to 64% in 2025. Fewer than half of Americans (46%, -6) think their vote in federal elections does not make a difference.

More than a third of Canadians report a decline in four situations over the past 10 years: the ability of people to disagree with each other on social media (45%), the ability of people to disagree with each other in conversation (40%), the ability of people to convince others about looking at an issue differently (36%) and the ability of people to question stories they learn about in the media (35%).

Practically half of Americans believe two situations are worse now than a decade ago: the ability of people to disagree with each other in conversation (49%) and the ability of people to disagree with each other on social media (48%). Slightly fewer think two other scenarios have worsened: the ability of people to convince others about looking at an issue differently (44%) and the ability of people to question stories they learn about in the media (39%).

Respondents in the two countries were asked how often they find themselves disagreeing with other people about specific issues.

In Canada, more than one-in-five Canadians disagree with others “many times” when discussing federal politics (26%), provincial politics (24%), international politics (also 24%), COVID-19 mandates and vaccines (also 24%), immigration (also 24%), religion (23%) and morality (21%). The proportions are lower for discussions about municipal politics (19%), sports (16%), Indigenous issues (15%) and arts and entertainment (12%).

In the United States, more than one-in-five Americans disagree with others “many times” when discussing national politics (32%), immigration (27%), COVID-19 mandates and vaccines (26%), local politics (23%), religion (also 23%), morality (also 23%) state politics (22%), sports (21%) and international politics (20%). Fewer express the same view about discussions related to arts and entertainment (14%) and Native American issues (also 14%).

Canadians are more likely to have stopped talking to a person, or avoided a person, on account of a disagreement related to COVID-19 mandates and vaccines (29%) than about religion (25%), morality (24%), federal politics (24%) or immigration (23%). Fewer Canadians have taken this course of action after a disagreement related to international politics (22%), provincial politics (21%), municipal politics (21%), Indigenous issues (17%), sports (16%) or arts and entertainment (14%).

At least one-in-four Americans have stopped talking to a person, or avoided a person, on account of a disagreement related to national politics (30%), morality (29%), religion (28%) or COVID-19 mandates and vaccines (25%). Fewer have taken this step after disagreements related to immigration (24%), state politics (23%), local politics (23%), international politics (21%), sports (19%), arts and entertainment (16%) or Native American issues (15%).

“More than a third of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (35%) and Americans aged 18-to-34 (36%) have effectively ended a friendship over disagreements related to national politics,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 55 and over in both the United States (24%) and Canada (17%).”

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on March 23 and March 24, 2025, among 1,003 adults in Canada, and an online survey conducted from March 23 to March 25, 2025, among 1,000 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Canada and the United States. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty, for each country.

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

Concerns About Savings and Investments Surge in Canada

April 15, 2025April 12, 2025By Mario Canseco

Just under three-in-ten Canadians say the country’s economic conditions are “very good” or “good” right now.

Vancouver, BC [April 15, 2025] – The proportion of Canadians who express confidence in the country’s financial standing has dropped to the lowest level observed over the past three years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 29% of Canadians rate the economic conditions in Canada as “very good” or “good”, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February.

Just over two thirds of Canadians (68%, +4) say the country’s economic conditions are currently “poor” or “very poor”.

More than a third of respondents in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (37%) think Canada’s financial standing is “very good” or “good” right now. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (33%), Quebec (32%), Alberta (27%) Ontario (26%) and British Columbia (also 26%).

More than two-in-five Canadians (43%, -5) believe the Canadian economy will decline in the next six months, while 31% (=) expect no changes and only 16% (+1) foresee a recovery.

Canadians are deeply divided when assessing their own personal finances, with 49% (-3) describing them as “very good” or “good” and 48% (+2) considering them “poor” or “very poor”.

The proportion of Canadians who are dissatisfied with their own personal finances reaches 51% among those aged 35-to-54, 52% among Albertans, 52% among those who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2021 federal election and 63% among those in the lowest annual household income bracket.

There is a significant shift in the financial issues that are troubling Canadians. More than half say they have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” in the past couple of months about the safety of their savings (55%, +12) and the value of their investments (also 55%, +8).

Fewer Canadians are troubled about being able to pay their mortgage or rent (43%, -4), unemployment affecting their household (also 43%, -2) or their employer running into serious financial trouble (37%, -11).

“The constant discussions about tariffs are clearly taking a toll on middle-aged Canadians,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Concerns about savings and investments are affecting practically three-in-five Canadians aged 35-to-54.”

Our collective views on inflation also went through significant changes. The expectation that gasoline prices will go up in the next six months fell from 78% in February to 52% this month.

Majorities of Canadians expect to pay more in the next six months for real estate (52%, -5), a new television set (57%, -4), a new car (70%, -1) and a week’s worth of groceries (75%, -3).

Almost three-in-five Canadians (59%) trust Prime Minister Mark Carney to do the right thing to help the economy, while 43% (-2) feel the same way about federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. The rating for Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem on this question is 35% (-4).

Majorities of Canadians aged 55 and over (62%), aged 35-to-54 (56%) and aged 18-to-34 (58%) express confidence in Carney as an economic manager.

Poilievre posts his best numbers on finances among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (53%, +5). The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (45%, -4) and those aged 55 and over (33%, -4).

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

Canadians Still Think Use of Emergencies Act Was Justified

April 10, 2025April 10, 2025By Mario Canseco

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

Vancouver, BC [April 10, 2025] – More than half of Canadians think the federal government made the right call in invoking the Emergencies Act during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 56% of Canadians think the actions of the federal government were justified (-2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2024), while 31% (-1) consider them unjustified and 13% (+2) are not sure.

Public support for the federal government’s decision is higher among Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in 2021 (73%) than among those who supported the New Democratic Party (NDP) (67%) or the Conservative Party (47%) in the last federal ballot.

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. Almost seven-in-ten Canadians (69%, -2) say they followed news stories related to the protests and blockades “very closely” or “moderately closely.”

Canadians are divided when assessing the protests and blockades, with 46% (-4) saying they opposed them and 43% (+2) saying they supported them.

“Opposition to the anti-mandate protests varies greatly by age,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While only 39% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 were opposed, the proportions grow to 41% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 61% among those aged 55 and over.”

Half of Canadians (50%, +5) say the people protesting against restrictions and mandates were fighting for freedom. More than two-in-five (43%, +1) think the actions of the people protesting against restrictions and mandates were justified.

Fewer Canadians agree with two other statements: that the federal government should be overthrown (35%, +1) and that no COVID-19 mandates and restrictions should have been implemented (34%, =).

More than three-in-five Canadians (61%, +2) are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about Canada’s image in the world being negatively affected by the protests and the federal government’s actions.

Larger proportions of Canadians are worried about three other issues: the federal government relying on the Emergencies Act to end other protests in the future (64%, -1), foreign money being used to fund the activities of protestors (70%, +5) and violence breaking out at the site of protests and blockades (77%, +1).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on March 23 and March 24, 2025, among 1,003 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.

Liberals Remain Ahead of Conservatives in Canadian Campaign

April 8, 2025April 20, 2025By Mario Canseco

Mark Carney leads Pierre Poilievre when likely voters are asked who would be best to manage seven important issues.

Vancouver, BC [April 8, 2025] – The governing Liberal Party holds an eight-point advantage over the opposition Conservative Party as the federal election campaign continues in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of likely voters, 44% of decided voters would support the Liberals (+3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in late March), while 36% (-1) would back the Conservatives.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is third with 8% (-1), followed by the Bloc Québécois with 5% (-2), the Green Party with 3% (=) and the People’s Party with 2% (=).

The Liberals are ahead of the Conservatives in Ontario (48% to 39%), Quebec (47% to 22%, with the Bloc at 19%) and British Columbia (44% to 38%). The Conservatives are first in Alberta (51%, with the Liberals at 28%).

“The retention rate continues to be stellar for both Conservatives and Liberals, who are holding on to at least four-in-five of their 2021 voters (82% and 80% respectively),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The New Democrats are keeping fewer than half of their voters from the last federal election (45%).”

Just over three-in-ten likely voters (31%, +1) think Canada-U.S. Relations is the most important issue facing the country. Significantly fewer choose the economy and jobs (19%, -1), housing, homelessness and poverty (18%, +1), health care (11%, +2) and immigration (5%, -2).

Overall voter consideration remains higher for the Liberals (55%, +2) than for the Conservatives (48%, +2) and the New Democrats (41%, +6)

Fewer than one-in-four likely voters say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider casting their ballot for the Greens (24%, -1), the Animal Protection Party (21%, -2), the People’s Party (20%, -1), the Canadian Future Party (19%, -5), the Libertarian Party (18%, +1), the United Party (15%, +1), the Marijuana Party (also 15%), the Christian Heritage Party (14%, -1), the Centrist Party (13%, =), the Marxist-Leninist Party (12%, +2) the Rhinocéros Party (11%, +1) or the Communist Party (10%, =) if they ran a candidate in their riding.

Maxime Bernier of the People’s Party has the lowest approval rating among the six main party leaders (22%, -3). The numbers are higher for Green co-leader Jonathan Pedneault (25%, -5), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (also 25%, =), NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (40%, +2), Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (44%, -2) and Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney (58%, +1).

Carney posts a positive momentum score this week (+14), with 36% of likely voters saying their opinion of him has improved since the start of the campaign and 22% saying it has worsened. The scores are in negative territory for Poilievre (-13), Pedneault (-14), Blanchet (-16), Singh (-18) and Bernier (also -18).

On the “Best Prime Minister” question, more than two-in-five likely voters (43%, +4) choose Carney, while fewer than three-in-ten (29%, -4) select Poilievre. Singh is third with 9% (=), followed by Blanchet (4%, +1), Bernier (2%, =) and Pedneault (1%, -1).

More than half of likely voters (54%) say there is nothing Singh can say or do to make them vote for the NDP. The proportions are lower on this question for Poilievre and the Conservatives (51%) and Carney and the Liberals (43%).

Three-in-five likely voters (60%, +1) are comfortable with Carney being in charge of Canada’s economy, while 46% (=) would be comfortable if Poilievre were to take over.

Likely voters were asked to choose which one of the two main party leaders would be the best person to manage 10 different issues. Perceptions are particularly close on three issues: crime and public safety (Poilievre 36%, Carney 34%), energy and pipelines (Carney 38%, Poilievre 37%) and immigration (Carney 37%, Poilievre 36%).

The Liberal leader holds the upper hand over his Conservative counterpart on seven issues: housing, homelessness and poverty (41% to 31%), the environment (42% to 26%), health care (43% to 28%), accountability and leadership (44% to 32%), the economy and jobs (46% to 32%), foreign affairs (46% to 30%) and Canada-U.S. Relations (49% to 29%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on April 5 and April 6, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,007 likely voters in Canada, including 956 decided voters in the 2025 federal election. 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 for likely voters and +/- 3.2 percentage points for decided voters, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Appetite for Pandemic Inquiries Remains High Across Canada

April 3, 2025April 3, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than half of Canadians believe we were right to have strict public health measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Vancouver, BC [April 3, 2025] – More than three-in-five Canadians believe the country should take a deeper look at the decisions made during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.

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

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 64% of Canadians support holding a public inquiry into the way the COVID-19 pandemic was managed by the federal government, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2023.

Public backing for a federal inquiry on COVID-19 encompasses majorities of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (74%), the Liberal Party (70%) and the Conservative Party (58%) in the 2021 federal election.

Similar proportions of Canadians believe public inquiries into pandemic management are warranted at the provincial (65%, +5) and municipal (62%, +5) levels.

Support for an inquiry into the provincial management of the pandemic is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (74%), followed by Ontario (67%), British Columbia (65%), Atlantic Canada (64%), Alberta (also 64%) and Quebec (59%).

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

“Almost two thirds of Canadians aged 55 and over (65%) believe the response to the pandemic from a public health standpoint was correct,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer Canadians aged 18-to-34 (50%) and aged 35-to-54 (46%) share this view.”

More than half of Canadians brand the way the federal government (52%, +2), their provincial governments (54%, +5) and their municipal governments (52%, +1) managed the pandemic as a “success”. Just under two-in-five feel the same way about the official opposition in Canada (39%, +4) and the official opposition in their province (also 39%, +1).

Our collective perceptions about the media’s performance during COVID-19 have not gone through significant shifts, with about half of Canadians saying television news (53%, +1), radio news (51%, =) and newspapers (49%, =) were successful. The rating is lower for non-governmental organizations (46%, -1), unions (39%, -1) and trade associations (37%, +2).

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

Canadians Back Retaliation as Trump’s “Liberation Day” Nears

April 1, 2025February 14, 2026By Mario Canseco

The “Buy Canadian” movement shows no signs of slowing down, as support for enhanced trade with other nations remains high.

Vancouver, BC [April 1, 2025] – More than two thirds of Canadians are ready for targeted action to counter the American president’s overtures on tariffs and sovereignty, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 72% of Canadians support Canada’s prime minister and provincial premiers suspending all steel, aluminum, and wood exports to the United States until U.S. President Donald Trump completely removes the threat of tariffs.

Seven-in-ten Canadians (70%) support Canada’s prime minister and provincial premiers shutting off all energy exports to the United States until Trump completely removes the threat of tariffs, while just over two thirds (68%) endorse Canada officially demanding an apology from Trump for his statements related to Canada becoming an American state.

Just under three-in-five Canadians (58%) support Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs recalling the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. in response to Trump’s statements.

In the middle of a federal election campaign, more than four-in-five Canadians (84%) have followed news related to the tariffs “very closely” or “moderately closely”, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in early February.

Practically three-in-five Canadians (59%) approve of the way Prime Minister Mark Carney has dealt with the tariffs. The rating did not move for Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (47%, =).

“Two thirds of Canadians aged 55 and over (66%) are content with the way Prime Minister Mark Carney has managed the dispute over tariffs,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The approval rating for Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre among this group is decidedly lower (35%).”

More than half of Canadians (56%, -5) are satisfied with the performance of their premier during the tariffs dispute, while more than a third (37%) feel the same way about their province’s official opposition leader.

The approval rating fell significantly for the premiers of British Columbia (53%, -14) and Alberta (42%, -12) and remained mostly stable in Ontario (59%, -5) and Quebec (56%, -2).

This month, Quebec has the highest ranked opposition leader on the tariffs dispute (43%, -1) followed by Alberta (39%, -5), Ontario (37%, -10) and British Columbia (34%, -3).

Canadians are evenly divided when asked to ponder what the future will bring, with 36% (-5) expecting the U.S. government to rescind the tariffs and the same proportion (36%, +2) predicting their expansion.

There is also a split on which type of federal government would be better positioned at this point to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States. More than two-in-five Canadians (44%, -5) think a Conservative government would do better, while 42% (+4) disagree.

As was the case in early February, more than three-in-five Canadians (64%, +1) are avoiding the purchase of goods originated from the United States, if a non-American alternative is available. More than a third say they are avoiding American restaurant franchises in Canada (41%, =), cancelled a planned trip to the United States (37%, +11) and avoiding American entertainment options (35%, +4).

The proportion of Canadians who are not partaking in any of these four actions stands at 20% (-4). This group encompasses one-in-four Conservative Party voters in the last federal election (25%) and only one-in-ten Canadians who voted for either the Liberal Party (10%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 10%) in 2021.

Canadians appear to be having a difficult time figuring out which restaurant franchises are domestic. More than two-in-five correctly identified five of 10 brands tested as Canadian: Harvey’s (52%), Pizza Pizza (50%), Swiss Chalet (49%), Boston Pizza (46%) and Cora (45%). The proportions of correct responses are lower for Mary Browns (37%), Freshii (34%), New York Fries (23%), Panago (23%) and Ricky’s All Day Grill (21%).

At least three-in-four Canadians think Canada should seriously consider enhancing trade with Australia and New Zealand (81%, +3), the European Union (EU) (79%, +2), Mexico (78%, +3) and Japan (75%, =).

Support for requesting an independent dispute settlement panel under the terms of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) stands at 59% (-5).

Just over one-in-five Canadians (21%, -1) would seriously consider initiating a formal process for Canada to become an American state. On a regional basis, support for this notion is highest in Quebec (24%), followed by Ontario (22%), Alberta (21%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (18%), British Columbia (17%) and Atlantic Canada (17%).

Just over half of Canadians (52%) would seriously consider initiating a formal process for Canada to join the EU, while 35% disagree and 13% are undecided.

Majorities of Liberal and NDP voters in 2021 (61% and 55% respectively) favour taking a look at Canada’s possible membership in the EU. Support is lower among Conservative voters (45%).

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

British Columbians Oblivious of Looming Food Security Challenges

March 27, 2025March 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five residents say they do not mind paying more for locally sourced fruits and vegetables.

Vancouver, BC [March 27, 2025] – Most British Columbians are not aware of how much Canada’s food supply relies on produce from the United States, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, only 36% of British Columbians correctly identify the proportion of fruits that come from the United States (36%, or somewhere between 21% and 40%).

Only about one-in-six of the province’s residents (16%) know that Canada imports somewhere between 61% to 80% of its vegetables (67%) from the United States.

When British Columbians are informed of the actual proportion of American imports, only 36% say they are “very confident” or “moderately confident” that Canada’s food supply and security will not be restricted by the current dispute over tariffs with the United States.

Most respondents (54%) are “very confident” or “moderately confident” that British Columbia’s food producers will be able to increase production if the food supply is ultimately restricted.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians say they have seen prices increase for fruits (78%), vegetables (75%), beef (73%) and chicken (71%) over the past six months, while majorities feel the same way about cereal (61%), bread (60%) and prepared frozen meals (also 60%).

When asked who is most responsible for items becoming more expensive, almost three-in-ten British Columbians (39%) point the finger at the actions of governments, while one-in-four (25%) blame global political conflicts affecting supplies.

Fewer British Columbias think the actions of supermarket retailers and grocery stores (18%), climate change (11%), the actions of product manufacturers and suppliers (9%), labour and supply setbacks (6%) or the actions of farmers and growers (3%) are primarily responsible for rising prices.

“British Columbians aged 55 and over are more likely to blame global strife for rising food costs (30%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “About a third of those aged 35-to-54 (33%) and aged 18-to-34 (32%) think governments are mostly responsible.”

If Canada had to look for non-American sources for food supply and security, just over a third of British Columbians (34%) would be willing to pay “less than 10% more” than now, while more than one-in-five (22%) are willing to pay “from 11% to 20% more.”

Fewer than one-in-five British Columbians (18%) would not be willing to pay more for non-American food sources—a proportion that rises to 22% among British Columbians aged 35-to-54 and 24% among Conservative Party of BC voters in last year’s provincial election.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (62%) say they do not mind paying more for fruits and vegetables if they originate in British Columbia, while just under three-in-four (74%) agree with making adjustments to the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to allow for food processing on underused ALR parcels.

Sizeable majorities of British Columbians believe both the federal government (78%) and the provincial government (73%) can do a lot to help lower the price of groceries.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 15 to March 17, 2025, among 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Carney Boosts Liberals as Canadian Federal Campaign Begins

March 25, 2025March 24, 2025By Mario Canseco

Canada-U.S. Relations becomes the most important issue for voters, outpacing jobs, housing, health care and immigration.

Vancouver, BC [March 25, 2025] – Support for the governing Liberal Party has significantly increased since Mark Carney was selected as its leader, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 41% of decided voters in Canada would cast a ballot for the Liberal candidate in their constituency if the federal election took place today, up 20 points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in early January, prior to the announcement of Justin Trudeau’s departure as head of government.

The Conservative Party is in second place with 37% (-10), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 9% (-6), the Bloc Québécois with 7% (-3), the Green Party with 3% (=) and the People’s Party with 2% (=).

Three regions of the country post statistical ties in the early stages of the federal campaign: Atlantic Canada (Liberals 42%, Conservatives 40%), Ontario (Liberals 43%, Conservatives 40%) and British Columbia (Liberals 41%, Conservatives 39%).

The Conservatives are ahead in Alberta (56%), while the Liberals are leading in Quebec (43%, with the Conservatives and the Bloc tied at 22%).

“Practically one-in-four voters who supported the New Democrats in 2021 (24%) are voting for the Liberals in 2025,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The retention rate is significantly higher for the Conservatives (85%) and the Liberals (83%).”

More than half of Canadians (53%) say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider voting for the Liberals if they ran a candidate in their constituency. Voting consideration is currently lower for the Conservatives (46%), the New Democrats (35%) and the Greens (25%).

Just over one-in-five Canadians (21%) would consider voting for the People’s Party, which has never elected a candidate to the House of Commons. Consideration is higher for the Canadian Future Party (24%) and the Animal Protection Party (23%) and lower for seven other political organizations: the Libertarian Party (17%), the Christian Heritage Party (15%), the United Party (14%), the Centrist Party (13%), the Rhinocéros Party (10%), the Marxist-Leninist Party (also 10%) and the Communist Party (also 10%).

Three-in-ten Canadians (30%) say Canada-U.S. Relations is the most important issue facing the country right now, followed by the economy and jobs (20%, -2), housing, homelessness and poverty (17%, -12), health care (9%, -7) and immigration (7%, -6).

There is a significant age gap on the top issue, with Canada-U.S. Relations peaking at 44% among Canadians aged 55 and over, but dropping to 30% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 17% among those aged 18-to-34. The country’s youngest adults are more likely to be concerned about housing, homelessness and poverty (24%) or the economy and jobs (23%).

More than half of Canadians (57%) approve of the way Mark Carney has handled his duties as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party. The rating is lower for Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (46%, -6), NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (38%, -1), Green co-leader Jonathan Pedneault (30%), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (25%, -2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (also 25%, +2).

On the “Best Prime Minister” question, almost two-in-five Canadians (39%) select Carney, while one third (33%, -6) choose Poilievre. The remaining party leaders are in single digits on this question, where the level of undecided respondents fell from 17% in January to 12% this month.

Carney also holds the upper hand over Poilievre on a question related to financial management. Almost three-in-five Canadians (59%) say they are comfortable with the Liberal leader being in charge of Canada’s economy, a 25-point improvement from Trudeau’s last result in early January.

Fewer than half of Canadians (46%, -9) say they would be comfortable with Poilievre being in charge of Canada’s economy—a proportion that rises to 62% in Alberta.

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

Perceptions of Constitutional Monarchy Improve Across Canada

March 21, 2025March 19, 2025By Mario Canseco

Catherine, Princess of Wales, has the highest favourability rating among six different members of the Royal Family.

Vancouver, BC [March 21, 2025] – Public views on Canada’s existence as a constitutional monarchy and federal state have improved over the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 31% of Canadians would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, up eight points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in March 2024.

Two-in-five Canadians (40%, -6) would like for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 18% (-3) do not care either way and 11% (+1) are undecided.

“Support for Canada remaining a monarchy has returned to the level observed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The gap between republicanists and monarchists has shrunk from 23 points in 2024 to nine points in 2025.”

Public backing for Canada remaining a monarchy is highest among Canadians aged 55 and over (36%) than with their counterparts aged 18-to-34 (31%) and aged 35-to-54 (25%).

On a regional basis, Quebec has the lowest proportion of residents who endorse the continuation of the monarchy (24%). The proportions are higher in Alberta (31%), British Columbia (32%), Atlantic Canada (34%), Ontario (also 34%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (35%).

More than half of Canadians (53%, +1) believe Canada will “definitely” or “probably” remain a monarchy two decades from now, while just under a third (32%, -1) think the country will “definitely” or “probably” have an elected head of state.

Majorities of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (61%), the New Democratic Party (NDP) (59%) or the Conservative Party (56%) in the 2021 federal election expect the country to retain its status as a constitutional monarchy in 2045.

This month, Princess Kate holds the highest favourability rating among six Royal Family members in Canada (58%, +4). The numbers are lower for Prince William (54%, =), Prince Harry (47%, -1), Duchess Meghan (40%, -2), King Charles III (also 40%, +2) and Queen Consort Camilla (30%, +5).

Favourable opinions of King Charles III are highest among Canadians aged 55 and over (50%), Liberal voters in the 2021 federal election (also 50%) and British Columbians (46%),

More than three-in-five Canadians who want the monarchy to continue (62%) hold favourable views on King Charles III. Only 32% of Canadians who want to have an elected head of state feel the same way.

The perceptions of Canadians on specific issues related to the current monarch have shifted over the past 12 months. Just over half (51%, -17) want King Charles III to commit to reduce the carbon footprint of the entire Royal Family, and more than two-in-five (44%, -16) believe he should advance the cause of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Two-in-five Canadians (40%, -10) say they would have liked to see Prince William become King of the United Kingdom and the other 14 Commonwealth realms, including Canada—a proportion that rises to 49% in Alberta.

Canadians are divided on the presence of King Charles III on coins and bills that will be used in the country, While 44% of respondents (-8) say they have no problem with this scenario, 41% (+4) disagree.

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