Canada – Page 3 – Research Co.

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.

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.

Perceptions on Canada’s Drivers Take a Turn for the Worse

March 7, 2025March 10, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than half of Canadians saw a driver not stopping at an intersection in the past month.

Vancouver, BC [March 7, 2025] – The proportion of Canadians who appear dismayed at the prowess of local drivers has increased markedly, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 56% of Canadians say drivers in their city or town are worse now than five years ago, up 10 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2023.

“Just over two thirds of Canadians aged 55 and over (68%) think drivers in their city or town are not as good as before,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer Canadians aged 35-to-54 (59%) and aged 18-to-34 (41%) feel the same way.”

On a regional basis, Atlantic Canada has the highest proportion of residents who believe drivers are worse now than five years ago (63%). The numbers are lower in Alberta (59%), Ontario (also 59%), British Columbia (57%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (56%) and Quebec (47%).

The survey also tracks the incidence of six specific occurrences on the country’s roads over the past month.

More than three-in-five Canadians (64%, +5) recall a driver not signalling before a turn, a proportion that rises to 75% in Atlantic Canada.

More than half of Canadians (53%, +8) witnessed a driver not stopping before and intersection, including 61% of residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Half of Canadians (50%, =) saw a car taking up two or more spaces at a parking lot. The proportion is decidedly higher in Alberta (63%).

Just over two-in-five Canadians (42%, +7) saw a car “lane tracking”, or turning right or left from an incorrect lane—including 45% of British Columbians.

Fewer Canadians (40%, +6) recall going through a close call, such as having to slam the brakes or steer violently to avoid a collision in the past month.

More than three-in-five Canadians (62%, +3) claim that there are specific groups or people in their city or town who are worse drivers than others—a proportion that rises to 68% in Alberta and to 67% among those aged 18-to-34.

Among the respondents who volunteered an answer in an open-ended follow-up question about worse drivers, one third (33%, =) mention “young”. Fewer of these respondents relied on terms such as “immigrant” (22%, +10), “elderly” (16%, -5), “Asian” (14%, -2) and “distracted” (4%, +2).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 16 to February 18, 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.

Ambivalence on Death Penalty for Murder Endures in Canada

February 28, 2025February 27, 2025By Mario Canseco

Most Canadians are willing to reinstate capital punishment but prefer a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

Vancouver, BC [February 28, 2025] – While a majority of Canadians continue to voice support for the return of the death penalty for murder convictions, most believe this particular crime should be punished with life imprisonment without parole, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 54% of Canadians support reinstating capital punishment for murder in the country, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2024.

More than a third of Canadians (32%, -3) disagree with bringing back the death penalty, while 14% (+5) are not sure.

“Two thirds of Canadians of South Asian descent (66%) are in favour of reinstating capital punishment for murder,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of Canadians whose origins are Indigenous (63%), East Asian (61%) or European (53%) concur.”

Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the 2021 federal election are more likely to endorse the return of the death penalty for murder (75%) than those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (51%) or the Liberal Party (48%).

Fewer than half of Quebecers (45%) are in favour of reinstating capital punishment for murder. The proportions are higher in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (54%), Ontario (55%), Alberta (59%), British Columbia (also 59%) and Atlantic Canada (60%).

A separate question asked Canadians to choose between two different approaches for convicted murderers in Canada. More than half (53%, -2) prefer life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, while more than a third (35%, =) select the death penalty.

With this question, Quebec is once again at the bottom of the list when it comes to support for capital punishment (26%). The numbers are larger—but well short of majority support—in Ontario (37%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 37%), British Columbia (38%), Atlantic Canada (also 38%) and Alberta (39%).

There is little change on personal perceptions of the death penalty as a concept, with more than half of Canadians (53%, =) believing it is “sometimes” appropriate, fewer than one-in-four (24%, -2) saying it is “never” appropriate, and 14% (=) considering it “always” appropriate.

More than half of Canadians who are in favour of reinstating capital punishment (52%) say it will serve as a deterrent for potential murderers.

Fewer supporters of the death penalty think the punishment fits the crime because a convicted murderer has taken a life (49%), expect to save taxpayers money and the costs associated with having murderers in prison (46%), assume it will provide closure to the families of murder victims (42%) and believe that murderers cannot be rehabilitated (26%).

Just over three-in-ten Canadians who are opposed to reinstating capital punishment (61%) express concerns about a person being wrongly convicted and then executed.

Fewer opponents of the death penalty think taking a convicted murderer’s own life is wrong (41%), call for murderers to serve their time in prison, as indicated by a judge (40%), express doubts about capital punishment working as a deterrent (36%) and state that murderers can be rehabilitated (18%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 3 to February 5, 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.

Some Canadians Take Wait-and-See Approach on Federal Politics

February 19, 2025February 18, 2025By Mario Canseco

Canadians are divided when asked to compare Pierre Poilievre to three former recent leaders of centre-right parties.

Vancouver, BC [February 19, 2025] – About one-in-four Canadians are no longer entirely convinced about voting for the Conservative Party in the next federal election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 23% of Canadians say they were leaning towards voting for the Conservatives, but the resignation of Justin Trudeau changed things and they need to see what the next Liberal Party leader does before deciding who to vote for.

Similar proportions of Canadians are certain that they will support Conservative candidates (30%) or vote against them (32%) in the next federal ballot, while 16% are completely undecided.

“In the last voting survey conducted in early January before Trudeau announced he was stepping down, more than half of decided voters in British Columbia and Ontario were backing the Conservatives,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Now, about one-in-four voters in each of these provinces are reassessing their choices.”

Practically half of Canadians (49%) say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider casting a ballot for the Conservatives in the next federal election. The rating is lower for the Liberals (43%), the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 43%), the Green Party (32%) and the People’s Party (23%).

Canadians who are considering voting for the Conservatives were asked about their primary motivation. More than a third (36%) say the most important factor is the party’s leader, while a slightly smaller proportion (33%) mention the party’s ideas and policies.

Fewer Conservative supporters are mainly moved by a desire for change (11%), the party’s candidate in the riding (10%), a desire for stability (6%) or disgust with other contending candidates (4%).

Canadians are evenly divided when comparing current Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to three of his predecessors. Similar proportions of Canadians think Poilievre is either better or worse than Stockwell Day (23% and 22% respectively), Andrew Scheer (24% and 23% respectively) and Erin O’Toole (24% and 23% respectively). About a third (32%) believe Poilievre is worse than Stephen Harper, while 20% believe he is better.

Among Canadians who voted for the Conservatives in the 2021 federal election, Poilievre is regarded as superior to O’Toole (50%), Scheer (48%) and Day (45%), but only 31% think he is better than Harper.

More than three-in-ten Canadians believe immigration (34%), the economy and jobs (33%), energy and pipelines (also 33%), crime and public safety (31%) and trade and Canada’s relationship with the United States (also 31%) would be better if Poilievre was serving as Canada’s prime minister.

Poilievre’s rating is lower on five other issues: foreign affairs (30%), accountability and leadership (also 30%), housing, homelessness and poverty (27%), health care (24%) and the environment (23%).

Canadians were also asked to select six words to describe Poilievre. Two-in-five (40%) say the Conservative leader is arrogant, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2023. At least one-in-four Canadians also used the words intelligent (33%, -1), strong (32%, +6), efficient (26%, +6), dishonest (25%, -3) and uncaring (also 25%, +2).

In the Liberal Party’s leadership race, more than two-in-five Canadians (43%) have a favourable opinion of Mark Carney—a proportion that rises to 53% among those aged 55 and over, 50% in British Columbia and 44% in Quebec.

The favourability rating is lower for four other contenders: Chrystia Freeland (38%), Karina Gould (21%), Ruby Dhalla (17%) and Frank Baylis (16%).

The new leader of the Liberal Party is expected to become Prime Minister in March. When asked which one of the five contenders is better suited to handle 10 specific issues, Carney is ahead of his rivals on all of them, with larger leads on the economy and jobs (31%), accountability and leadership (29%) and trade and Canada’s relationship with the United States (also 29%).

Sizeable proportions of Canadians—ranging from 38% to 47%—cannot select any of the five Liberal leadership candidates for the tasks at hand.

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

Practically Half of Canadians Foresee a Worsening Economy

February 12, 2025February 13, 2025By Mario Canseco

Concerns about the financial viability of employers increased from 33% in August 2024 to 48% this month.

Vancouver, BC [February 12, 2025] – Only a third of Canadians continue to provide a positive review of the country’s financial standing, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 32% of Canadians (unchanged since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in August 2024) rate the economic conditions in Canada as “very good” or “good”, while 64% (=) consider them as “poor” or “very poor”.

Almost half of Canadians (48%, +14) think the Canadian economy will decline in the next six months, while 31% (-12) predict no changes and only 15% (=) expect a recovery.

“Canadians aged 55 and over are particularly pessimistic about the national economy,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Two thirds of Canada’s oldest adults (66%) expect a decline, compared to 48% of those aged 35-to-54 and 31% of those aged 18-to-34.”

More than half of Canadians (52%, +6) describe their own personal finances as “very good” or “good” right now—a proportion that rises to 58% among those aged 55 and over, 54% in Quebec and 53% in Ontario.

Practically half of Canadians (48%, +15) have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” in the past couple of months about their employer running into serious financial trouble.

Similar proportions of Canadians have also experienced concerns about being able to pay mortgage or rent (47%, +5), the value of their investments (47%, -5), unemployment affecting their household (45%, +3) and the safety of their savings (43%, -8).

Practically four-in-five Canadians expect higher prices for a week’s worth of groceries (78%, +2) and gasoline (78%, +1) in the next six months. Majorities also believe they will have to pay more for a new car (71%, +3), a new television set (61%, +8) and real estate (57%, -8).

More than two-in-five Canadians (45%, +4) trust federal leader of the opposition Pierre Poilievre to do the right thing to help the economy. The numbers are lower for both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (39%, +3) and Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem (also 39%, +4).

Poilievre’s rating as an economic manager is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (50%), followed by Alberta (49%), Atlantic Canada (48%), Ontario (47%), Quebec (40%) and British Columbia (also 40%).

Trudeau’s numbers are better in Quebec (44%) and Ontario (43%), but drop in British Columbia (38%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (35%), Atlantic Canada (33%) and Alberta (30%).

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

Litterers, Careless Pet Owners Cause Anger in Canada and the U.S.

February 6, 2025February 6, 2025By Mario Canseco

Americans are decidedly more upset over issues related to bicycles, while Canadians are more irritated by smokers.

Vancouver, BC [February 6, 2025] – While most Canadians and Americans believe the residents of their municipalities and cities follow existing laws and by-laws, specific actions are bound to infuriate them, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, more than seven-in-ten Canadians say five behaviours make them “very upset” or “moderately upset”: not picking up dog waste (84%), using a hand-held cell phone when driving (81%), littering (79%), throwing cigarette butts on the ground (78%), parking in a handicapped spot without a decal (74%) and speeding on a municipal road or street (71%).

About two thirds of Canadians are irritated when they see people not wearing a seatbelt when driving a car or riding in a car (69%) or when they see an individual smoking in a patio, or near doorways, open windows, or air intakes (65%).

Fewer than two in five Canadians become upset by five other behaviours: people riding bicycles without a helmet (39%), riding bicycles on the sidewalk (37%), watering the lawn outside permitted hours (37%), downloading or streaming copyrighted material for free (33%) and jaywalking (31%).

In the United States, more than seven in ten Americans become irritated when they witness four behaviours: littering (79%), not picking up dog waste (77%), parking in a handicapped spot without a decal (73%) and using a hand-held cell phone when driving (71%).

Majorities of Americans also become upset when they see a driver speeding on a municipal road or street (66%), a person throwing cigarette butts on the ground (65%) or someone not wearing a seatbelt when driving a car or riding in a car (57%).

Fewer than half of Americans are irritated after witnessing people smoking in a patio, or near doorways, open windows, or air intakes (48%), riding bicycles without a helmet (29%), riding bicycles on the sidewalk (27%), watering the lawn outside permitted hours (25%), downloading or streaming copyrighted material for free (34%) and jaywalking (27%).

“Americans are not as upset as Canadians when witnessing smokers lighting up too close to non-smokers or discarding their cigarettes anywhere they please,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Conversely, Canadians are significantly angrier than Americans when cyclists ride without proper head protection.”

More than seven-in-ten Canadians (73%) and Americans (76%) believe most of their city’s residents law-abiding.

More than four-in-five British Columbians (83%) say most residents of their municipality follow the law. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (76%), Ontario (75%), Atlantic Canada (also 75%), Alberta (67%) and Quebec (65%).

In the United States, almost four-in-five residents of the West (79%) think most residents of their city are law-abiding. The proportions drop the Midwest (75%), the South (73%) and the Northeast (71%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 22 to January 24, 2025, among 1,000 adults in Canada and 1,001 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty, in each country.

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

Canadians Ready to Boycott American Brands Over Trump Tariffs

February 3, 2025February 3, 2025By Mario Canseco

At least three-in-four want Canada to enhance trade with other partners around the world.

Vancouver, BC [February 3, 2025] – Many Canadians are willing to modify their consumer habits after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the implementation of a 25% tariff on Imports from Canada (and 10% on Canadian Energy), a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, more than three-in-five Canadians (63%) say they will avoid purchasing goods originated from the United States, if a non-American alternative is available.

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%) plan to avoid American restaurant franchises in Canada, while 31% would avoid American entertainment options and 26% intend to cancel a planned trip to the United States.

More than four-in-five Canadians (87%) have followed news related to the tariffs “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

More than half of Canadians (54%) approve of the performance of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States, while 47% feel the same way about Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.

Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%) are satisfied with the way their provincial premier has managed the issue of tariffs, while 43% are content with the performance of their provincial opposition leader on this file.

In Canada’s four most populous provinces, the actions of the premier find a higher rating in British Columbia (67%), followed by Ontario (64%), Quebec (58%) and Alberta (54%). Among provincial opposition leaders, the results are best in Ontario (47%), followed by Alberta (44%), Quebec (also 44%) and British Columbia (37%).

Practically half of Canadians (49%) believe a Conservative federal government would be better positioned at this point to deal with the tariffs implemented by the United States—a proportion that rises to 61% among those aged 18-to-34 and to 51% among those aged 35-to-54.

Residents of Alberta (59%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (55%) are more likely to say that the Conservatives would be better at managing the trade dispute than their counterparts in Ontario (50%), Atlantic Canada (48%), Quebec (46%) and British Columbia (42%).

Canadians are divided over what will transpire in the next six months, with 41% expecting the recently implemented tariffs on Canadian products to be rescinded by the American government, and 34% foreseeing their expansion.

When asked about specific options for Canada, at least three-in-four Canadians are in favour of enhancing trade with Australia and New Zealand (78%), the European Union (EU) (77%), Japan (75%) and Mexico (also 75%).

Almost two thirds of Canadians (64%) would consider requesting an independent dispute settlement panel under the terms of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). This idea is backed by majorities of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (74%), the New Democratic Party (NDP) (67%) and the Conservative Party (62%) in the 2021 federal election.

Only 22% of Canadians would consider initiating a formal process for Canada to become an American state, while 71% reject this notion.

“More than a third of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (35%) are open to discussing the eventual addition of Canada into the United States,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (25%) and those aged 55 and over (8%).”

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted on February 2, 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, in each country.

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

Young Canadians Are Ready for Biometrics Payments

January 29, 2025January 28, 2025By Mario Canseco

While 57% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 would welcome this option, only 30% of those aged 55 and over concur.

Vancouver, BC [January 29, 2025] – The way Canadians pay for things has not changed much over the past year and a half, and the country’s youngest adults remain supportive of the use of biometrics to make purchases, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians about the way they bought things over the past month.

More than a third of financial transactions in Canada (37%, -3 since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in August 2023) involved a credit card, while just under three-in-ten (29%, +1) required a debit card.

Fewer financial transactions were completed with cash (18%, =), a smartphone (7%, =), an e-transfer (7%, +1) or a cheque (2%, =).

“Almost half of all purchases made by Canadians aged 55 and over (46%) entailed a credit card,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The share is lower among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (37%) and aged 18-to-34 (29%).”

More than one-in-ten transactions made by Canadians aged 18-to-34 (11%) entailed the use of a smartphone. The proportions are lower among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (7%) and aged 55 and over (2%).

More than two thirds of Canadians (67%, +4) recall a moment in the past month when they did not have any paper money with them and had to buy something worth less than $10 with their credit or debit card.

Ontario (70%) and Quebec (69%) boast the largest proportions of residents who used a credit or debit card for a small purchase in the past month. The numbers are lower in British Columbia (67%), Alberta (also 67%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (61%) and Atlantic Canada (58%).

As was the case last year, Canadians are divided on the issue of biometrics payments. Almost half (46%, +2) say they would like to see people relying on fingerprints, palm recognition or iris scans to buy things in their lifetime.

An almost exact proportion of Canadians (45%, =) say they would not like to see body measurements and calculations being used to make purchases, while 10% (-1) are not sure

Support for the eventual implementation of biometrics payments is highest among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (54%, +3), followed by those aged 35-to-54 (48%, +4) and those aged 55 and over (30%, -1).

About one-in-five Canadians (21%, -2) expect to be able to pay through fingerprints, palm recognition or iris scans in the next five years, while three-in-ten (30%, -3) think this will happen in the next 10 years.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from January 3 to January 5, 2025, among a representative sample of 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Canadians Think Trump Will Have Negative Impact on the World

January 15, 2025January 22, 2025By Mario Canseco

Almost half think a Conservative federal government is preferable to properly deal with the effects of the Donald Trump presidency.

Vancouver, BC [January 15, 2025] – Most Canadians have unfavourable expectations when pondering the second presidential term of Donald Trump in the United States, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, more than half of Canadians believe Trump’s tenure as president will be negative for the world (59%), Canada (also 59%) and their province (56%).

Slightly larger proportions of Canadians also believe Trump’s term at the White House will be negative for the state of political correctness in the world (60%) and the fight against climate change (63%).

“More than a third of Canadian men (38%) think having Donald Trump as president in the United States will be positive for Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion of Canadian women who feel the same way is decidedly lower (26%).”

Majorities of Canadians aged 55 and over (75%) and aged 35-to-54 (56%) believe Trump’s term will be negative for Canada. Among Canadians aged 18-to-34, the proportion drops to 47%.

Just over half of Canadians (51%) think having Joe Biden as President of the United States since January 2021 has been “very good” or “good” for Canada. Conversely, 54% look back at Trump’s first term—from January 2017 to January 2021—and say he was “bad” or “very bad”.

When asked to rely on one of eight emotions to describe their feelings about Trump taking office as President of the United States this month, almost one-in-four Canadians (23%) outline “disgust”, while just under one-in-five (19%) express “fear”.

Other emotions used by Canadians to describe the inauguration of the next American president are “surprise” (12%), “trust” (9%), “joy” (8%), “anticipation” (8%), “sadness” (6%) and “anger” (5%).

Almost half of Canadians (46%) think a Conservative federal government would be better to properly deal with the effects of a Trump presidency, while 31% would rather have a Liberal federal government.

More than half of Albertans (55%) prefer a federal Conservative government to handle Trump. Pluralities across all other regions feel the same way, including Saskatchewan and Manitoba (49%), Ontario (also 49%), Atlantic Canada (44%), British Columbia (42%) and Quebec (41%).

More than one-in-ten Canadians (11%) say they have avoided American restaurant franchises in Canada as a result of Trump’s election. Slightly more Canadians say they have cancelled a planned trip to the United States (13%) or avoided purchasing goods originated from the United States, if a non-American alternative was available (16%).

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

Conservatives Rise in Canada on Eve of Trudeau’s Resignation

January 7, 2025January 22, 2025By Mario Canseco

Majorities of voters across all regions—with the exception of Quebec—would support the opposition party in an election.

Vancouver, BC [January 7, 2025] – The federal Conservative Party amassed a sizeable lead over the governing Liberal Party in Canada, on the weekend prior to Justin Trudeau’s announced resignation as prime minister, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 47% of decided voters in Canada would support the Conservative candidate in their riding if an election took place tomorrow, up seven points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2024.

The governing Liberal Party is a distant second with 21% (-4), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 15% (-2), the Bloc Québécois with 10% (+1), the Green Party with 3% (-3) and the People’s Party with 2% (=).

The Conservatives are the most popular party for decided voters in Atlantic Canada (58%, +7), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (57%, +17) Alberta (56%, +1), British Columbia (54%, +4), and Ontario (51%, +12). In Quebec, the Bloc is first (37%, +4), followed by the Conservatives (29%, +8) and the Liberals (21%, -7).

Almost three-in-ten Canadians (29%, -3) say housing, homelessness and poverty is the most important concern facing the country, followed by the economy and jobs (22%, -3), health care (16%, +1), immigration (13%, +3) and the environment (6%, =).

As was the case in August 2024, Official Opposition and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has the highest approval rating among all federal leaders (52%, =). The numbers are lower for NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (39%, -3), Prime Minister and Liberal leader Trudeau (34%, =), Green leader Elizabeth May (32%, -3), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (27%, +2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (23%, -3).

On the “Best Prime Minister” question, Poilievre is first with 39% (+2), followed by Trudeau (21%, -1) and Singh (12%, -2).

A majority of Canadians (55%, +1) say they would be comfortable with Poilievre being in charge of Canada’s economy. Just over a third (34%, =) are currently comfortable with Trudeau in this position.

The survey re-asked some questions posed to Canadians in October 2023 about possible cooperation between the Liberals and the New Democrats.

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%, -7) would welcome a formal agreement where the Liberal Party and the NDP share power in a coalition government. Fewer are in favour of two other ideas: an agreement to only run candidates from one of the two parties in every riding in Canada in the next federal election (34%, -1) or a full merger between the two parties (33%, -3).

When Canadians ponder a vote with a merged Liberal-NDP party, the Conservatives remain ahead in scenarios with Trudeau (48% to 31%) or Singh (46% to 34%) as leaders of the new political organization.

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