Public Policy – Page 7

Canadians Would Welcome New Oversight in Nomination Races

September 11, 2024September 10, 2024By Mario Canseco

Seven-in-ten would place the contests under the purview of Elections Canada and more than half support holding primaries.

Vancouver, BC [September 11, 2024] – As the activities of the Foreign Interference Commission continue, many Canadians express support for new guidelines to govern federal nomination races, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions has raised questions about foreign interference affecting federal nomination races.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, seven-in-ten Canadians (70%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea to place all federal nomination races under the jurisdiction of Elections Canada.

“The notion of Elections Canada overseeing federal nomination contests is very popular among supporters of all three major parties,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Sizeable majorities of those who voted for the Liberal Party (77%), the Conservative Party (72%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (71%) in the 2021 federal election regard this as a positive move.”

More than half of Canadians (53%) are in favour of holding open primary elections in contested federal nominations, like they do in the United States.

Support for holding this type of open primaries is highest in British Columbia (60%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 60%), followed by Ontario (57%), Alberta (55%), Quebec (52%) and Atlantic Canada (48%).

More than two-in-five Canadians (45%) are following the Foreign Interference Commission “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

Compared to a Research Co. survey conducted in February 2023—before the Foreign Interference Commission was called—there is an increase in the proportion of Canadians who think China is “very likely” or “moderately likely” to have attempted to influence electoral processes in Canada in this century, from 60% last year to 66% in 2024.

Fewer Canadians feel the United States (63%, +2), Russia (57%, +1), India (42%) and Pakistan (33%) have attempted to influence Canada’s electoral processes.

There is a noticeable jump when Canadians are asked about the type of electoral processes that have been successfully influenced by foreign governments in this century.

Almost two thirds of Canadians (64%, +6) think there has been “definite” or “probable” foreign influence on federal elections, and more than half (55%, +6) feel the same way about federal nomination contests.

This year, Canadians are also more likely to think that four other types of democratic contests have been tainted by foreign actors: provincial elections (49%, +7), provincial nomination contests (39%, +4), municipal elections (40%, +7) and municipal nomination contests (34%, +5).

More than seven-in-ten Canadians (73%, +1) are in favour of Canada introducing laws against foreign interference similar to the ones currently in place in Australia, which criminalize covert and deceptive or threatening activities.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on August 19 to August 21, 2024, among 1,002 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.

Mulroney Gains, Justin Trudeau Sinks as Canadians Rate PMs

September 4, 2024September 3, 2024By Mario Canseco

Canada’s 18th Prime Minister improves his standing, while the negative rating increases for the current head of government.

Vancouver, BC [September 4, 2024] – About one-in-six Canadians deem Brian Mulroney as the best Prime Minister the country has had since 1968, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 15% of Canadians pick Mulroney from a list of nine current and former heads of government, up seven points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2023.

Two former prime ministers are ahead of Mulroney on this question: Pierre Trudeau (18%, -2) and Stephen Harper (16%, -1). The rating is lower for Justin Trudeau (10%, -2), Jean Chrétien (9%, -2), Kim Campbell (3%, +2), Paul Martin (2%, -1), Joe Clark (2%, =) and John Turner (1%, -1).

Among men, Harper has a four-point edge over Pierre Trudeau (21% to 17%) as the best recent prime minister. Women put Pierre Trudeau in first place (18%) with Mulroney four points behind (14%).

“Practically one-in-four Quebecers (24%) think Mulroney is the best recent Canadian prime minister,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In Ontario, Harper and Pierre Trudeau are tied for first place with 19% each.”

Almost two-in-five Canadians (38%, +8) think Justin Trudeau is the worst recent prime minister. Harper is a distant second with 14% (-4), followed by Pierre Trudeau (7%, +2), Campbell (6%, -1), Mulroney (3%, -3), Chrétien (3%, =), Clark (3%, =), Martin (2%, =) and Turner (2%, +1).

Majorities of residents of Alberta (55%) and Manitoba and Saskatchewan (52%) believe Justin Trudeau has been the worst recent Canadian head of government. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (39%), British Columbia (also 39%), Ontario (37%) and Quebec (28%).

The survey also asked questions about 10 different people who served as leaders of the Official Opposition in Ottawa over the past five decades.

Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians believe five of these politicians would have made “very good” or “good” prime ministers: Michael Ignatieff (22%, +3), Stéphane Dion (24%, +6), Stockwell Day (26%, +7), Andrew Scheer (27%, +5) and Rona Ambrose (also 27%, +9).

The rating is slightly higher for four other former leaders of the Official Opposition: Erin O’Toole (31%, +9). Robert Stanfield (33%, +6), Preston Manning (also 33%, +5) and Tom Mulcair (34%, +7).

As has been the case in previous years, the best rated politician on this question is Jack Layton, with 52% of Canadians (+2) believing he would have made a “very good” or “good” prime minister.

Two thirds of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2021 federal election (66%) think Layton would have made a very good” or “good” head of government, along with 68% of those who voted for the Liberal Party and 45% of those who voted for the Conservative Party.

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

Photo Credit: Bob McNeely

Photograph of President William Jefferson Clinton, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney walking outside the University of British Columbia President’s residence in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada.

Half of Canadians Endorse UK-Style Mandatory National Service

August 28, 2024August 27, 2024By Mario Canseco

Fewer than one-in-five of the country’s residents think provincial legislatures should begin their sessions with a Christian prayer.

Vancouver, BC [August 28, 2024] – A sizeable proportion of Canadians would welcome a proposal to create a mandatory national service for all 18-year-old residents of the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

Earlier this year, the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom suggested bringing back mandatory national service. The proposal called for all 18-year-old residents of the United Kingdom to either take a full-time military placement for one year, or to volunteer one weekend a month performing community service for one year.

Half of Canadians (50%) support implementing a similar mandatory national service for all 18-year-old residents of Canada, while 41% disagree and 8% are not sure.

“More than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (55%) would like to see a form of mandatory national service in the country,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (47%) and aged 55 and over (48%).”

The notion of having a mandatory national service in Canada is more popular in Ontario (60%), British Columbia (58%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (54%). Fewer than half of residents of Atlantic Canada (46%), Alberta (44%) and Quebec (42%) concur.

The perceptions of Canadians change when asked about the return of conscription, or the compulsory enlistment of young adults for full-time military service.

In Canada, conscription has not been practiced since the end of the Second World War in 1945. Some European and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries—including Norway, Sweden and Latvia—have recently reintroduced conscription.

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%) are in favour of reintroducing conscription for adults of both genders aged 18-to-27 in Canada, while 50% are opposed.

Similar proportions of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (44%), the Conservative Party (43%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (40%) in the 2021 federal election support the implementation of conscription for Canadians aged 18-to-27, regardless of their gender.

Public backing for the return of conscription is lower if a directive called for its implementation exclusively for men (31%) or women (25%).

In the United States, the “Pledge of Allegiance” is recited during Congressional sessions and other government meetings. Just over half of Canadians (52%) think Canada should implement a similar directive, where lawmakers and government workers state their allegiance to the country.

The creation of a “Canadian pledge” is more popular among men (55%), Canadians aged 18-to-34 (56%), Ontarians (57%) and Albertans (55%).

In Canada, some provincial legislatures begin their sessions with moments of silent reflection, non-denominational prayers, and/or Christian prayers.

Just under two-in-five Canadians (39%) would prefer to start legislative sessions in their province with a moment of silent reflection, while fewer select a Christian prayer (19%) or a non-denominational prayer (13%).

More than one-in-five Canadians (22%) believe provincial legislatures should not start sessions with moments of reflection or prayers—a proportion that reaches 28% in British Columbia and 27% in Quebec.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 24 to July 26, 2024, 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.

Politically, Most Canadians See Themselves at or Near Centre

August 23, 2024August 23, 2024By Mario Canseco

While 44% regard the Conservatives as “right” or “extreme right”, 33% say the Liberals as “left” or “extreme left”.

Vancouver, BC [August 23, 2024] – Few Canadians look at their own political views as extreme, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, fewer than one-in-twenty Canadians place themselves in the political spectrum as extreme right (4%) or extreme left (3%).

Fewer than one-in-ten Canadians brand themselves politically as right (9%) or left (also 9%). The bulk of responses from Canadians appear in three categories: centre (33%), centre left (15%) and centre right (14%).

“Almost two-in-five Canadians aged 55 and over (39%) say their political views are at the centre,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (34%) and aged 18-to-34 (27%).”

Just under a third of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (31%) describe themselves as extreme right, right or centre right. Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians aged 35-to-54 (27%) and aged 55 and over (23%) rely on any of the same three categories.

Similar proportions of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (28%), aged 35-to-54 (27%) and aged 55 and over (also 27%) say they are centre left, left or extreme left.

When asked to place the six main federal political parties on the spectrum, more than two-in-five Canadians (44%) say the Conservative Party is extreme right or right.

One third of Canadians (33%) place the Liberal Party as extreme left or left, and a slightly higher proportion (36%) feel the same way about the New Democratic Party (NDP). The Green Party is regarded as extreme left or left by 29% of Canadians.

About a third of Canadians (32%) are undecided when asked to place both the Bloc Québécois and the People’s Party on the political spectrum. Respondents were more likely to brand each of the two parties as extreme right or right (18% for the Bloc Québécois and 26% for the People’s Party) than as extreme left or left (15% and 10% respectively).

A separate question asked Canadians to place the six main federal party leaders on the political spectrum. More than a third (35%) regard People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier as extreme right, right or centre right, while fewer (28%) use the same categories for Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet.

Elizabeth May of the Green Party and Jagmeet Singh of the NDP are regarded as centre left, left or extreme left by 40% and 41% of Canadians respectively.

Half of Canadians (50%) describe Justin Trudeau of the Liberal Party as centre left, left or extreme left, while a larger proportion (55%) brands Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party as extreme right, right or centre right.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from August 12 to August 14, 2024, among 1,002 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.

Conservatives Solidly Ahead in Canada’s Federal Political Scene

August 20, 2024August 19, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than half of Canadians are dissatisfied with what the Liberals and the NDP have accomplished since their March 2022 deal.

Vancouver, BC [August 20, 2024] – The Conservative Party holds a significant advantage as Canadians ponder their options in a federal election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 40% of decided voters in Canada would vote for the Conservative candidate in their constituency if an election took place tomorrow, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2024.

The governing Liberal Party is in second place with 25% (-1), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 17% (-3), the Bloc Québécois with 9% (-1), the Green Party with 6% (+3) and the People’s Party with 2% (+1).

The Conservatives are the top choice for decided voters in Alberta (55%, -5), Atlantic Canada (51%, +7), British Columbia (50%, +4), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (40%, -8) and Ontario (39%, -1). In Quebec, the Bloc remains on top (33%, -1), with the Liberals in second place (28%, =).

More than half of Canadians (54%, +5) are dissatisfied with what the Liberals and the NDP have accomplished since their March 2022 supply and confidence agreement, while 39% (-4) are satisfied.

“In October 2022, Canadians were equally split in their assessment of the Liberal-NDP deal in Ottawa,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Almost two years later, most are unhappy with what has been achieved so far.”

Almost a third of Canadians (32%, +5) identify housing, homelessness and poverty as the most important issue facing the country at this moment, followed by the economy and jobs (25%, +1), health care (15%, =), immigration (10%, +2) and the environment (6%, -2).

For the first time in six surveys conducted since October 2022, more than half of Canadians (52%, +5) approve of the way Official Opposition and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is handling his duties.

The approval ratings are lower this month for NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (42%, -6), Green leader Elizabeth May (35%, +2), Prime Minister and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau (34%, -5), People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (26%, +4) and Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (25%, =).

On the “Best Prime Minister” question, Poilievre’s standing increased from 32% in April to 37% this month, while Trudeau dropped from 26% to 22%. Singh is in third place with 14% (-3).

Just over a third of Canadians (34%, -4) say they are comfortable with Trudeau being in charge of Canada’s economy. More than half (54%, +5) say they would be comfortable if Poilievre were in charge.

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

Canadians Grow Weary When Assessing Their Financial Situation

August 14, 2024August 14, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than two-in-five Canadians (42%) have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” about being able to pay their mortgage or rent.

Vancouver, BC [August 14, 2024] – More than half of Canadians are dissatisfied with the current state of their finances, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 51% of Canadians rate their own personal finances as “poor” or “very poor”, up nine points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in January 2024.

Only 46% of Canadians (-9) say their own personal finances are “very good” or “good” at the moment.

“More than three-in-five Albertans (61%) are dissatisfied with their current financial situation,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of British Columbians (52%), Ontarians (51%), Quebecers (also 51%) and Atlantic Canadians (also 51%) feel the same way.”

Almost two thirds of Canadians (64%, +3) rate the economic conditions in Canada today as “bad” or “very bad”, while about a third (32%, -3) consider them “very good” or “good.”

Just over a third of Canadians (34%, -3) believe Canada’s financial standing will decline over the next six months. Only 15% (+1) foresee a recovery, while 43% (+2) expect no changes.

Majorities of Canadians have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” in the past couple of months about two issues: the value of their investments (52%, +6) and the safety of their savings (51%, +4).

Compared to January, there are also increases on three other concerns for Canadians: being able to pay mortgage or rent (42%, +8), unemployment affecting their household (also 42%, +8) and their employer running into serious financial trouble (33%, +5).

Canadians are also more worried about inflation, with majorities expecting to pay more for gasoline (77%, +12), a week’s worth of groceries (76%, +2), a new car (68%, +5) real estate (65%, +14) and a new television set (53%, +6) in the next six months.

On the political front, more than a third of Canadians (36%, -2) trust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to do the right thing to help the economy. The rating is similar for Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem (35%, +1) and higher for federal leader of the opposition Pierre Poilievre (41%, -2).

Poilievre’s numbers on the economic confidence question are highest in Alberta (54%), followed by Ontario (45%), British Columbia (37%) and Quebec (31%).

Trudeau does best in Quebec (44%), but his rating is lower in British Columbia (36%), Ontario (35%) and Alberta (22%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from August 5 to August 7, 2024, among 1,001 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.

Appetite for Abortion Debate Hits Lowest Point in Canada

August 9, 2024August 6, 2024By Mario Canseco

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians think the discussion about abortion should be re-opened.

Vancouver, BC [August 9, 2024] – Most Canadians remain skeptical about reigniting a debate on abortion in the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost three-in-five Canadians (58%) believe there is no point in re-opening a debate about abortion in Canada right now, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022.

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians (23%, -3) think a debate about abortion is long overdue in Canada and the discussion should be re-opened, while 20% (-1) are not sure.

“In July 2019, more than a third of Canadians (37%) were ready to have a debate over abortion,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion has fallen by 14 points since then.”

Majorities of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (68%), the Liberal Party (63%) and the Conservative Party (58%) in the 2021 federal election believe there is no point in re-opening a debate about abortion in Canada right now.

Almost half of Canadians (46%, +2) think abortion should be legal under any circumstances, while just over a third (35%, -2) would allow the procedure only under certain circumstances. Fewer than one-in-ten Canadians (7%, -3) believe abortion should be illegal in all circumstances.

Women are more likely to favour the legality of abortion in all circumstances (49%) than men (44%).

In Canada, abortions are provided on request to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and are funded by the health care system.

Almost half of Canadians (46%) think the health care system should fund abortions whenever they are requested, while more than a third (36%) believe the health care system should only fund abortions in the event of medical emergencies. Only 7% of Canadians think the health care system should not fund abortions at all.

Majorities of Quebecers (52%) and British Columbians (51%) support the health care system funding abortions whenever they are requested. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (44%), Ontario (42%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (40%) and Alberta (38%).

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

Mail Vote, Crucial in 2020, Shunned by British Columbians in 2024

August 2, 2024July 27, 2024By Mario Canseco

Most of the province’s residents say they will cast their ballots on Election Day in October, up significantly from four years ago.

Vancouver, BC [August 2, 2024] – Few British Columbians are thinking of relying on mail-in ballots to vote in this year’s provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative provincial sample asked British Columbians how they voted in the 2020 democratic process—which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic—and how they intend to vote in 2024.

More than half of British Columbians (52%) say they plan to cast their ballot in person on Election Day (October 19). Fewer than one third of the province’s residents (28%) voted this way in 2020.

Just over one-in-five British Columbians (21%) intend to vote in person during Advance Voting, down from 32% who chose this method four years ago.

Fewer than one-in-ten British Columbians (8%) will request a mail-in ballot in 2024, down from 28% who voted this way in the last provincial election.

Once the provincial campaign begins, more than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%) say they will “definitely” or “probably” watch, listen or read news about the campaign in the media.

More than three-in-five British Columbians also intend to read the platforms and policy positions of political parties on their websites (68%) and review the background of candidates who are running in their constituency (65%).

Fewer British Columbias plan to attend (or watch) a debate featuring the main party leaders (52%), attend (or watch) a debate featuring candidates from their constituency (48%) or meet candidates who knock on their door (29%).

“More than a third of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (35%) will meet candidates who knock on their door during the campaign,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (29%) and aged 55 and over (25%).”

When asked which feelings they have about this year’s provincial election, more than three-in-ten British Columbians (31%) mention “indifference” while one-in-four (25%) say the ballot elicits “enthusiasm”.

Other words used by British Columbians to describe this year’s provincial democratic process are “trust” (18%), “fear” (15%), “pride” (11%), “anger” (also 11%), “joy” (10%), “sadness” (8%), “disgust” (7%) and “shame” (5%).

Voters in British Columbia who are currently supporting the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) mention four specific emotions: “enthusiasm” (32%), “indifference” (29%), “trust” (26%) and “fear” (13%).

Those who plan to vote for the Conservative Party of BC rely on the same emotions, but at different levels: “enthusiasm” (33%), “indifference” (25%), “fear” (22%) and “trust” (17%).

Supporters of the BC Green Party put “indifference” at the top of their list (37%), followed by “enthusiasm” (20%), “fear” (19%) and “anger” (19%).

The top four emotions for British Columbians who plan to vote for BC United are “enthusiasm” (28%), “indifference” (27%), “trust” (19%) and “joy” (18%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 23 to July 25, 2024, among 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

BC Conservatives Rise, Governing BC NDP First in British Columbia

July 30, 2024July 27, 2024By Mario Canseco

Southern BC emerges as a key battleground in this year’s provincial election, with the two main parties virtually tied.

Vancouver, BC [July 30, 2024] – Public support for the Conservative Party of BC increased markedly in the past month, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 41% of decided voters (+1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2024) would support the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate in their constituency if the election were held today, while 38% (+5) would cast a ballot for the BC Conservatives.

The BC Green Party remains in third place with 10% (-5), followed by BC United—currently the Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly—with 9% (-2). Other parties and independent candidates have the support of 2% of decided voters (=).

The BC NDP is ahead of the BC Conservatives in Metro Vancouver (44% to 35%) and Vancouver Island (43% to 32%), while the BC Conservatives lead the BC NDP in Northern BC (57% to 31%) and the Fraser Valley (47% to 28%).

“The race has tightened considerably in Southern BC, where the BC NDP and the BC Conservatives are virtually tied (40% to 38%)” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In June, the BC New Democrats were 11 points ahead of the BC Conservatives in this region of British Columbia (44% to 33%).”

The BC NDP remains popular among women (47%) and decided voters aged 35-to-54 (42%) and aged 55 and over (49%). The BC Conservatives are first among men (41%) and decided voters aged 18-to-34 (45%).

Fewer than half of British Columbians (48%, -5) approve of the way Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby has handled his duties. The rating is lower for BC Conservative leader John Rustad (39%, -1), BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau (35%, -4), and BC United leader Kevin Falcon (29%, -3).

There is a significant gender gap in the rating of one of the two main party leaders. Half of women in British Columbia (50%) approve of Eby, but just 32% feel the same way about Rustad. Among men, the two leaders post practically the same numbers (Eby 46%, Rustad 47%).

More than two-in-five British Columbians say they would consider voting for the BC New Democrats (51%, -3) or the BC Conservatives (45%, -1) if they ran a candidate in their riding. The proportions are lower for the BC Greens (36%, -2) and BC United (32%, -2).

Housing, homelessness and poverty is still the most important issue facing the province for British Columbians (42%, +2), followed by health care (21%, +1), the economy and jobs (14%, -3), the environment (6%, +1) and crime and public safety (5%, -3).

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

Animosity Towards Trophy Hunting Keeps Rising in Canada

July 26, 2024July 25, 2024By Mario Canseco

Just over a third of Canadians are in favour of keeping animals in zoos or aquariums.

Vancouver, BC [July 26, 2024] – More than four-in-five Canadians are against the practice of hunting animals for sport, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 84% of Canadians are opposed to trophy hunting (+3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2023), while 11% (-3) are in favour of the practice.

“Fewer than one-in-ten residents of British Columbia (7%) and Alberta (8%) are in favour of hunting animals for sport,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The numbers are slightly higher in Quebec (11%), Ontario (13%), Atlantic Canada (15%) and Manitoba and Saskatchewan (17%).”

Three-in-five Canadians (60%, -3) are in favour of hunting animals for meat, and just under seven-in-ten (69%, -6) are in favour of eating animals.

Canadians of Indigenous descent are more likely to say they are supportive of hunting animals for meat (78%) than those whose heritage is European (66%), East Asian (58%) and South Asian (29%).

At least two thirds of Canadians are opposed to two other practices: killing animals for their fur (78%, +1) and using animals in rodeos (67%, =).

Support for killing animals for their fur is highest in Atlantic Canada (26%). While 23% of men have no problem with this practice, only 11% of women feel the same way.

Using animals in rodeos is more accepted in Alberta (37%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 37%). The practice is also viewed more favourably by Conservative Party voters in the last federal election (40%) than among those who voted for the Liberal Party (23%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (21%) in 2021.

Keeping animals in zoos or aquariums remains a contentious issue. Just over a third of Canadians (36%, +1) are in favour of this practice, while fewer than three-in-five (57%, +1) are opposed.

Support for zoos and aquariums is highest among Canadians aged 55 and over (42%), but drops among those aged 35-to-54 (37%) and those aged 18-to-34 (29%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 5 to July 7, 2024, among 1,001 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 20..

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

Concerns About Antisemitism and Protests Rise in British Columbia

July 15, 2024July 14, 2024By Mario Canseco

Practically seven-in-ten residents think dismantling the campus protests and encampments was the correct course of action.

Vancouver, BC [July 15, 2024] – Many British Columbians are dissatisfied with the way the current conflict in Israel and Gaza is affecting Jewish Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, two thirds of British Columbians (66%) believe that Canadian Jews are being unfairly targeted for what is happening in Israel and Gaza. This includes majorities of residents who voted for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (78%), the BC Liberals (77%) and the BC Green Party (55%) in the 2020 provincial election.

Concerns about specific domestic ramifications of the current conflict in Israel and Gaza have increased since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in February.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians are currently “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about attacks, including gunfire and firebombs, on synagogues, Jewish schools and businesses (79%), protestors targeting Jewish neighbourhoods and Jewish-owned businesses (76%, +4), rising prejudice against Jewish Canadians (antisemitism) (75%, +6) and aggressive behaviour by Pro-Palestinian Protestors (74%, +4).

“The perception of antisemitism as a significant issue does not vary greatly by political allegiance,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of British Columbians who voted for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (84%), the BC Liberals (81%) and the BC Green Party (64%) in the 2020 provincial election are worried about prejudice rising against Jewish Canadians.”

More than half of British Columbians (57%) are familiar with the protests and encampments that have been happening at college and university campuses in Canada and the United States.

In some cases, protestors barricaded areas of campuses and refused to allow Jewish students and professors to enter or make their way to classes. The encampments were eventually dismantled by police and arrests were made.

Practically seven-in-ten British Columbians (69%) think universities were right to rely on the police to dismantle the protests and encampments, while only 14% believe they were wrong to do so.

Only 41% of British Columbians think police and governments are doing enough to combat antisemitism in their communities. Women (36%) are particularly skeptical of the way the situation has evolved.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 8 to June 10, 2024, among 1,001 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.

Canadians Question Effect of Proposed Sexual Education Policies

July 12, 2024July 11, 2024By Mario Canseco

Support for “SOGI-Inclusive Education” is strong among all Canadians and parents or guardians of children aged 0-to-18.

Vancouver, BC [July 12, 2024] – Practically half of Canadians endorse the use of “SOGI-Inclusive Education” in their province’s classrooms, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 48% of Canadians support this type of sexual education in schools. Just over three-in-ten Canadians (31%) are opposed to it, and 21% are undecided.

“SOGI-Inclusive Education” raises awareness of and welcomes students of all sexual orientations, gender identities and family structures. More than half of Canadian parents or guardians of children aged 0-to-18 (52%) support “SOGI-Inclusive Education”, while a third (33%) are opposed and 15% are not sure.

On average, Canadians think children should begin to learn about sexuality at the age of 12 and a half (12.51 years).

Canadians of European descent believe sexual education should start earlier (11.83 years) than their counterparts whose origins are Indigenous (12.47 years), East Asian (12.53 years) and South Asian (14.58 years).

On this question, the differences are slight in the average age provided by Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (12.03 years), the Liberal Party (12.24 years) and the Conservative Party (12.74 years) in the 2020 federal election.

Respondents were asked to weigh in on eight different policies that were introduced this year by the Government of Alberta. At least three-in-five Canadians agree with three of these ideas: banning top and bottom surgeries for minors aged 17 and under (66%, and 70% among parents), banning hormone therapies for gender affirmation and puberty blockers for minors aged 15 and under (61%, and 67% among parents) and compelling schools to advise parents and obtain their consent if a minor aged 15 and under wishes to alter their name or pronouns (60%, and 61% among parents).

Most Canadians and parents also voice agreement with three other policies: compelling schools to advise parents if a minor aged 16 or 17 wishes to alter their name or pronouns (59%, and 62% among parents), ensuring that parents “opt-in” any minors every time topics such as gender identity, sexual orientation or sexuality are discussed in the classroom (55%, and 61% among parents) and banning transgender women from taking part in women’s sports leagues competitions (54%, and 58% among parents).

Agreement is lower for two other policies: the provincial education ministry approving all third-party teaching materials on gender identity, sexual orientation or sexuality that are used in the classroom. (48%, and 50% among parents) and allowing minors aged 16 and 17 to start hormone therapies for gender affirmation if they have the approval of their parents, a physician and a psychologist (45%, and 44% among parents).

Canadians are not convinced that the outcome of these policies will be universally positive. Just under half think it is likely that parents will be in full control of the way their children learn about sexuality (48%) and that gender-diverse youth will be placed at risk (also 48%).

More than a third of Canadians also foresee medical practitioners (such as doctors and psychologists) being unable to assess the ethical and medical implications of individual cases (43%), gender-diverse youth being unable to seek support from teachers or school staff (also 43%), an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (40%) and an increase in teenage pregnancies (35%).

“Canadian parents are more likely to predict a negative outcome from some of Alberta’s proposed sexual education policies,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than half (51%) think their implementation will place gender-diverse youth at risk.”

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

Canadians Becoming Less Proud of Economy and Multiculturalism

July 5, 2024June 25, 2025By Mario Canseco

The flag, the Armed Forces and hockey remain at the top the list of sources of pride for the country’s residents.

Vancouver, BC [July 5, 2024] – Over the past year, the perceptions of Canadians on two institutions and features of the country have become significantly more negative, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 65% of Canadians say multiculturalism makes them proud, down nine points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in June 2023.

Canadians of European descent are less likely to be proud of multiculturalism (64%) than their counterparts whose origins are Indigenous (73%), East Asian (also 73%) and South Asian (84%).

Only 34% of Canadians (-8) say the Canadian economy makes them proud. Almost half of those who voted for the Liberal Party in 2021 (48%) are proud of the Canadian economy, compared to 32% among New Democratic Party (NDP) voters and 31% among Conservative Party voters in the last federal election.

“In 2019, four-in-five Canadians (80%) said they were proud of the national economy,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion has fallen by 46 points since then.”

More than four-in-five Canadians (82%, +2) say the Canadian flag makes them proud, and more than seven-in-ten feel the same way about the Canadian Armed Forces (72%, +2) and hockey (71%, -1).

More than half of Canadians are proud of Indigenous culture (63%, -3), bilingualism (58%, -6) and the state of democracy in Canada (55%, -6).

Bilingualism is more likely to be a source of pride for Canadians aged 18-to-34 (69%) than for their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (53%) and aged 55 and over (51%).

Fewer than half of Canadians are proud of the Canadian justice system (48%, -2) and the health care system (also 48%, -2).

Fewer than half of residents of Atlantic Canada (28%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (34%) and Quebec (46%) say the health care system makes them proud. The proportions are higher in Alberta (50%), British Columbia (52%) and Ontario (57%).

Fewer than two-in-five Canadians are proud of Parliament (38%, -7) and the monarchy (35%, -8).

Only 28% of Canadians who voted for the Conservatives in 2021 are proud of Parliament, compared to 28% for those who supported the New Democrats and 43% for those who voted for the Liberals.

The monarchy is more likely to be a source of pride for residents of British Columbia (45%). The proportions are lower in Ontario (39%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (35%), Alberta (29%), Quebec (32%) and Atlantic Canada (25%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 23 to June 25, 2024, 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.

Eby is Ahead of Rivals on Character Traits in British Columbia

June 28, 2024July 4, 2024By Mario Canseco

Most of province’s residents place themselves at or near the centre of the political spectrum.

Vancouver, BC [June 28, 2024] – British Columbians hold contrasting views on the political leanings of the four party leaders contesting this year’s provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative sample of British Columbians also asked about characteristics that people may find in politicians.

At least two-in-five British Columbians say Premier and BC New Democratic Party (NDP) leader David Eby is a good speaker and communicator (52%), has a vision for the future of British Columbia (44%), understands the problems of BC residents (41%), is a strong and decisive leader (40%) and is honest and trustworthy (also 40%).

At least three-in-ten British Columbians regard Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad as having a vision for the future (34%), being a good speaker and communicator (33%), understanding the problems of BC residents (32%) and being a strong and decisive leader (30%).

More than three-in-ten British Columbians think BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau has a vision for the province (36%), is honest and trustworthy (34%), is a good speaker and communicator (33%), understands the problems of BC residents (32%) and generally agrees with people on the issues they care about (31%).

At least three-in-ten British Columbians believe BC United leader Kevin Falcon is a good speaker and communicator (36%), is a strong and decisive leader (34%), understands the problems of BC residents (30%) and is patronizing (also 30%).

On the political spectrum, one third of British Columbians (33%) describe themselves as centre, while 16% say they are centre right and a further 16% place themselves as centre left.

The BC NDP is regarded as centre left, left or extreme left by 51% of British Columbians. More than two-in-five of the province’s residents (43%) place the Green Party in these same three categories.

The Conservative Party of BC is seen as centre right, right or extreme right by 61% of British Columbians, BC United is placed in these same three categories by 36% of British Columbians.

The answers to this question do not vary greatly for the leaders. Almost half of British Columbians (48%) perceive Eby as centre left, left or extreme left, and 41% feel the same way about Furstenau.

Almost three-in-five British Columbians (58%) brand Rustad as centre right, right or extreme right, compared to 37% for Falcon.

“Only one-in-ten British Columbians think Eby (10%) is extreme left,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Almost one-in-five (19%) believe Rustad is extreme right.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 17 to June 19, 2024, 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.

BC NDP Lead Narrows as British Columbians Ponder Choices

June 25, 2024July 27, 2024By Mario Canseco

Voter consideration for the Conservatives and the Greens rose since May, along with the approval ratings for their leaders.

Vancouver, BC [June 25, 2024] – The governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) remains ahead of the Conservative Party of BC as British Columbians consider their options in this year’s provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 40% of decided voters (-2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2024) would cast a ballot for the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate in their riding if the election were held today, while 33% (+1) would support the Conservative Party of BC.

The BC Green Party is third with 15% (+3), followed by BC United—currently the Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly—with 11% (-1). Other parties and independent candidates are backed by 2% of decided voters (=).

“The BC NDP remains ahead of all challengers in Metro Vancouver (41%), Vancouver Island (43%) and Southern BC (44%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The BC Conservatives lead in the Fraser Valley (40%) and Northern BC (53%).”

Two parties gained momentum in the voter consideration question: the BC Conservatives (46%, +4) and the BC Greens (38%, +3). The proportion of British Columbians who would consider supporting the BC NDP remains higher (54%, -1) while just over a third (34%, +1) feel the same way about BC United.

Housing, homelessness and poverty remains the most important issue for 40% of British Columbians (=). Health care is second on the list of pressing concerns with 20% (-1), followed by the economy and jobs (17%, +2), crime and public safety (8%, +3) and the environment (5%, =).

BC United’s Kevin Falcon continues to have the lowest approval rating among the four major party leaders (32%, +1). The proportions are higher for BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau (39%, +4), BC Conservative leader John Rustad (40%, +3) and Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby (53%, -1).

Eby is also ahead on the “Best Premier” question (28%), followed by Rustad (14%), Falcon (13%) and Furstenau (11%). While more than half of BC NDP voters in the 2020 provincial ballot (54%) choose Eby, only 28% of those who voted for the BC Liberals in the same election select Falcon.

When asked which leader would be best suited to manage specific issues, Eby has significant leads on health care (30%), education (28%), the economy and jobs (26%), child care (also 26%), housing, homelessness and poverty (also 26%), accountability (25%), transportation projects (24%), managing the province’s finances (also 24%), crime and public safety (23%), energy (also 23%), creating jobs (also 23%) and seniors care (22%).

On the environment, Eby and Furstenau are tied with 23% each. Rustad posts his best numbers on crime and public safety (18%) and the economy and jobs (17%).

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

British Columbia is the Most Popular Destination for Relocation

June 19, 2024June 18, 2024By Mario Canseco

When asked where they would go if they had to move, British Columbians prefer Alberta and Quebecers look to Ontario.

Vancouver, BC [June 19, 2024] – British Columbia is a “top of mind” destination for residents of four Canadian provinces if they had to relocate within the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of representative samples in six Canadian provinces asked respondents to ponder a scenario in which they needed to move out and live in another region of Canada.

“British Columbia is in first place as a possible relocation destination in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Quebecers prefer Ontario and British Columbians put Alberta on top.”

In British Columbia, just under one-in-four residents (24%, -2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2019) choose Alberta for relocation, followed by Ontario (19%, +3), Nova Scotia (8%, =) and Yukon (5%, +2).

British Columbians aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54 favour Alberta over Ontario (33% to 19% and 31% to 18% respectively). Their counterparts aged 55 and over prefer Ontario to Alberta (19% to 14%).

In Alberta, half of respondents (50%, +3 since August 2019) select British Columbia, followed by Saskatchewan (11%, =), Ontario (10%, -1), Nova Scotia (4%, =) and Newfoundland and Labrador (3%, +1).

Majorities of respondents of both the Edmonton (56%) and Calgary (52%) metropolitan areas pick British Columbia as their destination, along with 62% of those who voted for the United Conservative Party (UCP) in the last provincial election.

In Saskatchewan, almost three-in-ten residents (29%) choose British Columbia, followed by Alberta (26%), Ontario (13%), Manitoba (7%) and Nova Scotia (4%).

Saskatchewanians aged 55 and over are particularly fond of British Columbia (42%), while those aged 35-to-54 prefer Alberta (33%) and those aged 18-to-34 pick Ontario (28%).

In Manitoba, 27% of residents choose British Columbia, followed by Alberta (24%), Ontario (11%), Saskatchewan (7%) and Nova Scotia (5%).

British Columbia is a popular destination for Manitobans aged 35-to-54 (31%) and aged 55 and over (26%), while those aged 18-to-34 prefer Alberta (31%).

In Ontario, practically a third of residents (32%) pick British Columbia, followed by Nova Scotia (15%), Alberta (12%), Quebec (6%) and Prince Edward Island (5%).

While British Columbia is the first choice for Ontarians among all three age groups, those aged 55 and over and aged 35-to-54 are more fond of Nova Scotia (18% and 16% respectively) than their counterparts aged 18-to-34 (6%).

In Quebec, more than a third of residents (34%) select Ontario, followed by British Columbia (19%), New Brunswick (9%), Alberta (8%) and Prince Edward Island (4%).

New Brunswick is a popular destination for Quebecers aged 35-to-54 and aged 55 and over (12% each), as well as among those who voted for the Parti Québécois (PQ) (16%) or the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) (12%) in the last provincial election.

Methodology: Results are based on online surveys conducted from March 29 to March 31, 2024, among 800 adults in British Columbia, 600 adults in Alberta, 600 adults in Saskatchewan, 600 adults in Manitoba, 600 adults in Ontario and 600 adults in Quebec. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region for each province. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.5 percentage points for British Columbia and +/- 4.0 percentage points for the remaining provinces, 19 times out of 20.

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

Almost Half of Canadians Would Decrease Legal Immigration

June 12, 2024June 11, 2024By Mario Canseco

The perception of immigration having a negative effect in Canada has increased for the second consecutive year.

Vancouver, BC [June 12, 2024] – The views of Canadians on immigration have become more negative over the past few months, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 44% of Canadians think immigration is having a mostly negative effect in the country, up six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2023.

A slightly smaller proportion of Canadians (42%, -3) say immigration is having a mostly positive effect in the country, while 14% (-3) are undecided.

While more than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 hold positive views on immigration (55%, -3), the proportions are significantly lower among their counterparts aged 55 and over (37%, -12) and aged 35-to-54 (32%, -12).

This month, 46% of Canadians (+7) think the number of legal immigrants who are allowed to relocate in Canada should decrease. Just over three-in-ten (31%, -6) think there should be no change, while 15% (-2) want to increase legal immigration levels.

Majorities of Atlantic Canadians (53%) and Ontarians (also 53%) are in favour of reducing legal immigration levels in Canada. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (50%), British Columbia (48%), Alberta (42%) and Quebec (34%).

“About two-in-five Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (41%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (39%) in the last federal election would decrease legal immigration to Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion jumps to 63% among Canadians who supported the Conservative Party in 2021.”

Two thirds of Canadians (66%, -9) believe the hard work and talent of immigrants makes Canada better, while 65% (=) think immigrants should only be allowed in Canada if they adopt Canadian values.

As was the case last year, Canadians remain split when assessing two different concepts related to immigration. While 44% (-1) would prefer for Canada to be a mosaic, where cultural differences within Canadian society are valuable and should be preserved, 42% (=) would embrace the concept of the melting pot, where immigrants assimilate and blend into Canadian society.

There are some striking gender and ideological differences on this question. Men (50%) and Conservative voters (58%) favour the melting pot, while women (48%), Liberals (also 48%) and NDP voters (54%) are fonder of the mosaic.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on June 1 to June 3, 2024, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Pessimistic Views on Health Care Take Hold in Canada

June 6, 2024June 5, 2024By Mario Canseco

The proportion of Canadians who think the system should be completely rebuilt has jumped to 23% in 2024.

Vancouver, BC [June 6, 2024] – The perceptions of Canadians on the health care system have become more negative in the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost one-in-four Canadians (23%) think Canada’s health care system has so much wrong with it that we need to completely rebuild it, up six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2023.

Just under one-in-five Canadians (19%, -1) think Canada’s health care system works well, and only minor changes are needed to make it work better, while more than half (53%, -3) say there are some good things in Canada’s health care system, but many changes are required.

Fewer than two thirds of Canadians (64%) are “very confident” or “moderately confident” that the country’s health care system would be there to provide the help and assistance that they would need if they had to face an unexpected medical condition or disease. This represents a 15-point drop from the first time Research Co. asked this question, in January 2019.

This year, confidence in the health care system is highest in Ontario (68%), followed by Alberta (67%), Quebec (64%), British Columbia (also 64%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 64%). Perceptions are lower, by a significant margin, in Atlantic Canada (49%).

When asked about the biggest problem facing the health care system, 37% of Canadians (+2) select a shortage of doctors and nurses, followed by long wait times (24%, +1) and bureaucracy and poor management (14%, -3).

Fewer than one-in-ten Canadians mention four other issues: inadequate resources and facilities (8%, -1), little focus on preventive care (5%, -1), lack of a wider range of services for patients (4%, -2) and insufficient standards of hygiene (3%, +2).

“Concerns about health care in Canada vary greatly across the country,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Quebecers are more preoccupied with long wait times (30%) than the national average, while Atlantic Canadians and British Columbians are worried about a shortage of doctors and nurses (53% and 41% respectively).”

Fewer than one-in-five Canadians (19%, +1) believe the federal government should make cuts to health care funding in order to reduce government debt.

More than a third of Canadians (35%, +2) believe health care in Canada would be better than it is now if it were run by the private sector. While only 24% of Canadians aged 55 agree with this statement, the proportions rise to 35% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 46% among those aged 18-to-34.

Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the last federal election are more likely to think that health care delivery would be superior under the private sector (48%) than those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (31%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (21%) in 2021.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from May 20 to May 22, 2024, 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.

Canadians Regard Biden as Superior to Trump in White House

May 29, 2024May 29, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than a quarter of Canadians think Donald Trump was the real winner of the 2020 United States presidential election.

Vancouver, BC [May 29, 2024] – Almost half of Canadians hold positive views on the tenure of the current American president, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 48% of Canadians say having Joe Biden as President of the United States since January 2021 has been “very good” or “good” for Canada, while three-in-ten (30%) think the current White House dweller has been “bad” or “very bad”.

More than half of Quebecers (57%) and British Columbians (52%) hold positive views on Biden’s time in the White House. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (49%), Ontario (45%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (44%) and Alberta (32%).

Just under three-in-five Canadians (59%) think having Donald Trump as President of the United States from January 2017 to January 2021 was “bad” or “very bad” for Canada, while 29% believe Trump was “very good” or “good”.

A third of residents of Alberta (33%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 33%) have a positive view of Trump’s term as president. Trump’s rating is lower in Atlantic Canada (30%), Ontario (29%), British Columbia (28%) and Quebec (25%).

“In August 2020, more than seven-in-ten Canadians (73%) regarded Trump’s presidency as detrimental to Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion has dropped by 14 points in just under four years.”

As was the case four years ago, Canadians are divided when asked about the behaviour of elected officials, with 46% (+3) wanting Canadian politicians to speak their mind if they are concerned about the U.S. presidential election, and 46% (=) wanting them to stay neutral and avoid public statements during the American campaign.

Canadians also have contrasting views on whether the country should have a system similar to the American one, where voters can cast a ballot for presidential candidates. Across Canada, 42% of respondents agree with this idea, while 44% disagree and 14% are undecided.

While only 37% of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2021 federal election would welcome a “presidential system” in Canada, the proportion rises slightly to 40% among those who backed the New Democratic Party (NDP) and jumps to 56% among those who cast ballots for Conservative Party candidates.

Almost two thirds of Canadians (65%) say it matters to them who wins this year’s presidential election in the United States. Canadians aged 55 and over are more likely to feel this way (74%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (63%) and aged 18-to-34 (57%)

Three-in-ten Canadians (30%) say they would vote for Robert Kennedy Jr. in the 2024 presidential election if they lived in the United States. Support for the independent presidential candidate on this question is highest in Ontario (36%) and lowest in Alberta (14%).

More than a quarter of Canadians (27%) say Donald Trump was the real winner of the 2020 United States presidential election. More than three-in-ten British Columbians (31%), Canadians aged 18-to-34 (36%) and Conservative voters in the last federal election (39%) express this point of view.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 20 to May 22, 2024, 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.

What Do British Columbians Think About $10aDay Child Care?

May 27, 2024May 26, 2024By Mario Canseco

Practically four-in-five British Columbians agree that employers benefit from investments in child care cause more parents can go to work.

Introduction

In March 2024, the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC worked with Research Co.^[1] to conduct a provincial poll asking British Columbians about their views on $10aDay child care. The poll results add to the extensive input we regularly receive from over 20,000 $10aDay supporters and through outreach to and engagement in communities across the province. We also meet with government officials and carry out research and analysis – all to inform and update our $10aDay policy and funding recommendations.

The new provincial poll explores public views of $10aDay child care 6 years after the program’s launch in BC, and 5 years after our last provincial poll. To support comparisons over time, some polling questions are consistent with previous polls. Others reflect the new context (e.g. post-COVID, new federal funding, system implementation now underway) and the interest in flexible approaches to child care within the evolving $10aDay system.

Summary of Findings

British Columbians continue to strongly support $10aDay child care^[2]. Nearly 80% of British Columbians say it’s important for government to continue with its $10aDay commitments and three quarters (76%) think implementation should be moving more quickly. 75% of British Columbians also agree that flexible child care options are needed as more parents today work outside of Monday to Friday 9-5.

While only 9%^[3] of all the licensed child care spaces in BC are currently $10aDay, 20% of British Columbians report they’ve been personally touched by $10aDay child care, either directly or through someone they know. Notably, 35% of 18–34-year-olds have benefitted themselves or know someone who has.

At the same time, 84% of BC families with young children report that long waiting lists for child care are still a problem. This is not surprising as there are only enough licensed child care spaces for 23%^[4] of young children in BC. 43% of families with young children reported that they had to wait more than 6 months for child care.

Overall, 70% of British Columbians with young children say that government has made child care more affordable for their family, and 88% confirm that they would like to have access to $10aDay child care.

Highlights

The poll asked British Columbians to consider 17 $10aDay policy recommendations. While the results show that support drops slightly for older age groups, and men relative to women, overall, the recommendations were broadly supported (see charts below).

Specifically,

84% of British Columbians agree it’s important for Early Childhood Educators to earn fair wages for their important work.
81% agree that all elementary schools should provide before and after school care for the children in that school.
75% agree that Indigenous children should have access to culturally safe child care programs.
72% agree that child care should be publicly available like elementary schools.
71% agree that BC cannot create and staff more child care programs without ensuring fair compensation for Early Childhood Educators.
67% agree that, with substantial public funds being invested, government should ensure child care programs are non-profit.

Furthermore,

90% of young people (aged 18-34) think it’s important to keep building the $10aDay child care system, and 58% say this issue will be vote-determining for them in the upcoming BC election.

Among older British Columbians,
90% think it’s important for Early Childhood Educators to earn fair wages.
78% think BC’s child care system should help parents who work non-traditional schedules.
76% agree that all new child care facilities in BC should be built to be climate resilient.

$10aDay child care is a vote-determining issue for nearly half the population (45%), which is far more than the percent of the population who presently needs child care for young children.

On affordability,

85% of British Columbians – and 88% of those over 55 – agree that having children now costs a lot more than it did 40 years ago.
82% agree child care is important to support working parents.
80% agree that single parents have a better opportunity to work when there’s access to quality flexible $10aDay child care.
78% confirm that when child care is affordable and available, more mothers can work and pay taxes.

On the economic impacts of child care,

78% of British Columbians agree that employers benefit from investments in child care because more parents can go to work.
78% agree that investing in child care is beneficial to the economy.
67%of parents with recent child care experience said a parent had to remain away from work for a longer period following the end of parental leave because child care was unavailable..

These poll results confirm what we hear from families, educators, and communities across BC. Public support for $10aDay Child Care remains very strong and consistent.

When asked what they knew about $10aDay child care, one respondent summarized the general sentiment expressed throughout this provincial poll, saying “it’s been in the works for some time, and we need to get it done”.

The Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC gratefully acknowledges the support of Employment and Social Development Canada.

[1] Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from March 21 to March 23, 2024, among 803 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender, and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

In this survey, we asked questions related to child care (sometimes referred to as childcare, daycare or preschool). For the purpose of this survey, child care is defined as the caring and supervision of a child 0-12 years old that is performed by a person other than the child’s legal guardians for part of or all of a day. The care may take place in a licensed/regulated setting or in an unregulated and informal setting.

Consult the data tables here and here.

[2] See summary of 2019 survey here.

[3] Data as of March 2024, as reported by the BC Government’s child care data dashboard, accessed May 23, 2024 (calculation:13,571 $10aDay spaces / 148,383 total spaces participating in government programs). On March 28, 2024 the BC Government announced the total number of $10aDay spaces would be increasing to 15,300 in April, 2024.

[4] Calculation: 148,383 total spaces (as cited above) divided by the government-projected 2024 population of children 0-12 (accessed May 23, 2024).

Download the press release here.