Canada – Page 4 – Research Co.

Canadians Want the Truth, But Think Certain Lies Are Justified

March 22, 2023March 21, 2023By Mario Canseco

Many residents of the country think it is permissible to lie to spare someone’s feelings (55%) or to protect a relationship (45%).

Vancouver, BC [March 22, 2023] – While three-in-four Canadians believe every person should always be truthful, there are certain moments when their testimony is less than sincere, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 74% of Canadians think people should always tell the truth, regardless of the consequences.

Just under two thirds of Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in 2021 (65%) endorse the idea of people always being truthful, compared to 80% among those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party in the last federal election.

The survey asked Canadians if they think it is permissible to lie in five different circumstances. Only 16% of Canadians would consent to falsehood in order to impress people and boost their reputation, such as claiming they were primarily responsible for a project when they were not.

Just under three-in-ten Canadians (28%) believe it is justified to lie to be perceived in a positive light, such as claiming that they were late because there was an accident on the way to the office—a proportion that rises to 33% among those aged 18-to-34.

More than two-in-five Canadians (41%) think it is fine to rely on falsehoods to protect someone else, such as lying about the whereabouts of a child or a friend to help them avoid negative consequences.

Just under half of Canadians (45%) think it is permissible to lie in order to protect a relationship, such as withholding information that could cause anxiety or anger to a significant other.

There is a significant gender gap on this question. Practically half of men (49%) see no problem with fibbing in order to protect a relationship, compared to 40% among women.

More than half of Canadians (55%) believe lying to spare someone else’s feelings, such as not pointing out that clothes look bad on a person when they are asked, is justified.

Practically two thirds of Atlantic Canadians (65%) have no qualms about lying to spare someone’s feelings. The proportions are lower in Alberta (59%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (57%), British Columbia (56%), Ontario (53%) and Quebec (51%).

More than half of Canadians (56%) say there have been moments in their lives when they would have preferred to be told a lie instead of the truth.

“Canadians aged 18-to-34 are the most likely to have wished for falsehood instead of veracity at some point in their lives (63%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (55%) and aged 55 and over (51%).”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from March 10 to March 12, 2023, among 1,000 Canadian adults. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Support for the Return of Capital Punishment Rises in Canada

March 17, 2023March 16, 2023By Mario Canseco

Two thirds of opponents are worried about a person being wrongly convicted, and then executed.

Vancouver, BC [March 17. 2023] – A majority of Canadians are in favour of reinstating the death penalty for murder, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 54% of Canadians support relying on capital punishment on murder convictions, up three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2022.

Support for the death penalty in Canada is highest in Alberta (62%), followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba (60%), Ontario (58%), British Columbia (also 58%) and Atlantic Canada (55%). In Quebec, the proportion falls to 43%.

“Almost three-in-five Canadians aged 55 and over (59%, +4) would welcome the return of the death penalty,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The numbers are slightly lower among those aged 35-to-54 (54%, +3) and those aged 18-to-34 (50%, +3).”

More than seven-in-ten Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the last federal election (71%, +8) support reinstating capital punishment for murder in Canada. The proportions are lower among those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (49%, -3) and the Liberal Party (48%, -1) in 2021.

A majority of Canadians (53%, +1) would prefer to sentence convicted murderers in Canada to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, while more than a third (37%, +1) favour the death penalty.

One-in-four Canadians (25%, -2) think the death penalty is “never” appropriate, while about one-in-ten (9%, -2) deem it “always” appropriate. A majority of Canadians (58%, +4) believe the death penalty is “sometimes” appropriate.

Canadians who are opposed to reinstating the death penalty for murder are worried primarily about the possibility of a person being wrongly convicted and executed (66%).

Other reasons cited by opponents of capital punishment are feeling that it is wrong to take a convicted murderer’s own life (42%), calling for murderers to do their time in prison, as indicated by a judge (41%), doubting that the death penalty will work as a deterrent (39%) and thinking that murderers can be rehabilitated (20%).

Most supporters of the death penalty believe it will serve as a deterrent for potential murderers (57%), fits the crime because a convicted murderer has taken a life (55%) and will save taxpayers money and the costs associated with keeping a person behind bars (51%).

Fewer than half of supporters of capital punishment think it would provide closure to the families of murder victims (46%) and believe murderers cannot be rehabilitated (30%).

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Fewer than One-in-Five Canadians Want Monarchy to Continue

March 15, 2023March 14, 2023By Mario Canseco

Positive perceptions of six senior members of the Royal Family—including King Charles III—are lower now than in September 2022.

Vancouver, BC [March 15, 2023] – The proportion of Canadians who would like to maintain a form of government with a monarch has fallen to the lowest level recorded in 14 years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 19% of Canadians say they would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022.

More than four-in-five Canadians (44%, +8) would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 22% (-2) do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.

Fewer than one-in-four Albertans (24%, -18), Atlantic Canadians (also 24%, -16) and British Columbians (23%, -11) endorse the continuation of the monarchy. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (20%, -6), Ontario (19%, -12) and Quebec (14%, -11).

Across the country, only 32% of Canadians (-14) have a favourable opinion of King Charles III, while fewer than one-in-four (22%, -10) express similar feelings about Queen Consort Camilla.

Just over a third of Atlantic Canadians (36%), Ontarians (34%) and British Columbians (also 34%) hold positive views on King Charles III. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (32%), Alberta (30%) and Quebec (27%).

“In February 2022, almost two thirds of Canadians (64%) held favourable views on Queen Elizabeth II,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Thirteen months later, the rating for the current monarch is exactly half.”

Positive perceptions also fell for four other members of the Royal Family: William, Prince of Wales (54%, -13), Catherine, Princess of Wales (also 54%, -13), Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (46%, -18) and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (41%, -12).

Canadians who watched the Netflix series “Harry & Meghan” are more likely to have a favourable opinion of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (71% and 68% respectively).

Seven-in-ten Canadians (70%, -4) think King Charles III should commit to reduce the carbon footprint of the entire Royal Family, while almost two thirds (65%, -4) want him to advance the cause of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Half of Canadians (50%, -5) would have liked to see Prince William as monarch of the United Kingdom and the other 14 Commonwealth realms, including Canada. Just over a third of Canadians (35%, +1) say they have a problem with King Charles III being featured on coins and bills that will be used in Canada.

Fewer than half of Canadians (47%, -5) expect Canada to still be a monarchy in twenty years, while more than a third (36%, +5) believe the country will feature an elected head of state by then.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from March 3 to March 5, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

or more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Canadians Back Inquiry, New Laws to Tackle Foreign Interference

March 6, 2023March 9, 2023By Mario Canseco

Almost three-in-five Canadians think foreign governments have successfully influenced federal elections in this century.

Vancouver, BC [March 6, 2023] – Most Canadians believe it is time to both review the full extent of foreign interference in domestic democratic processes and establish a new set of guidelines to curb its influence, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost two thirds of Canadians (64%) support calling an independent inquiry into foreign interference on electoral processes in Canada, while 21% are opposed and 15% are undecided.

Support for an independent inquiry is highest among Canadians aged 55 and over (73%) and also encompasses majorities of Canadians aged 35-to-54 (61%) and aged 18-to-34 (59%).

A majority of Canadians (58%) say that, from what they have seen, read, heard or experienced, foreign governments have successfully influenced federal elections in Canada in this century—including 63% of British Columbians and 62% of Albertans.

Almost half of Canadians (49%) think foreign governments have targeted federal nomination contests. Fewer believe this type of interference has occurred in provincial elections (42%), provincial nomination contests (35%), municipal elections (33%) or municipal nomination contests (29%).

A third of Canadians (33%) think it is “very likely” that the Government of China has attempted to influence electoral processes in Canada in this century—a proportion that rises to 37% among British Columbians and to 45% among Canadians aged 55 and over.

More than one-in-five Canadians believe Russia (28%) and the United States (24%) are “very likely” to have attempted to influence electoral processes in Canada in this century. Fewer Canadians feel the same way about the United Kingdom (13%), France (10%) and Germany (9%).

The Government of Australia recently enacted a suite of laws designed to criminalize or comprehensively limit foreign interference efforts. These laws criminalize covert and deceptive or threatening activities by persons intending to interfere with Australia’s democratic systems and processes, or to support the intelligence activities of a foreign government.

More than seven-in-ten Canadians (72%) think the Government of Canada should introduce similar laws against foreign interference.

“Canadians of all political stripes believe the country should enact tougher laws to shield against foreign interference,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Sizeable majorities of Canadians who supported the Liberals (80%), the New Democrats (75%) and the Conservatives (73%) in the 2021 federal election are in agreement.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from February 26 to February 28, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Liberals and Conservatives are Neck and Neck in Canada

March 3, 2023March 2, 2023By Mario Canseco

Neither of the two leaders of the main federal parties are gaining ground on economic management.

Vancouver, BC [March 3, 2023] – Canada’s main federal political parties are locked in a virtual tie across the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 34% of decided voters (+3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2022) would support the governing Liberal Party if a federal election were held tomorrow, while 33% (-2) would back the opposition Conservative Party.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is third with 18% (-1), followed by the Bloc Québécois with 8% (=), the Green Party with 3% (-1) and the People’s Party with 1% (-1).

The Liberals are ahead in Atlantic Canada (45%, +7), Quebec (39%, +1) and Ontario (39%, +7), while the Conservatives are leading in Alberta (58%, +7), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (48%, +1) and British Columbia (38%, +1).

More than one-in-five Canadians identify one of three issues as the most important facing the country right now: the economy and jobs (26%, -3), health care (26%, +5) and housing, homelessness and poverty (21%, =).

Fewer Canadians mention the environment (7%, =), accountability and leadership (4%, -1), immigration (4%, =) and crime and public safety (3%, -1) as the most important issues facing the country.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has the highest approval rating among the six federal party leaders this month (49%, +3), followed by Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau (46%, +2) and Official Opposition and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre (41%, +4).

The approval rating is lower for Green Party leader Elizabeth May (32%), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (22%, +2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (16%, -2).

A third of Canadians (33%) believe Trudeau would make the best prime minister among the six main party leaders. Poilievre is second with 25%, followed by Singh with 15%, Blanchet and May with 3% each, and Bernier with 1%.

“More than a third of Atlantic Canadians (40%), Quebecers (38%) and Ontarians (also 38%) believe Trudeau is the best choice to head the federal government,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Poilievre holds the upper hand on this question in Alberta (46%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (35%) and British Columbia (27%).”

There is little change in the perceptions of the two main party leaders on financial management, with 44% of Canadians (+1) saying they are comfortable with Trudeau being charge of Canada’s economy and 40% (+1) saying they would be comfortable with Poilievre at the helm.

Almost half of Canadians (47%, +3) say they are satisfied with what the Liberals and the NDP have accomplished since their March 2022 supply and confidence agreement, while 44% (=) are dissatisfied.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from February 25 to February 27, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most Canadians Unaware of How Much the Prime Minister Earns

March 1, 2023February 28, 2023By Mario Canseco

When informed of the actual salary, 47% think it is “about right” while 41% believe it is “too much.”.

Vancouver, BC [March 1, 2023] – Fewer than one-in-five Canadians are cognizant of the yearly remuneration of the prime minister, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 18% of Canadians correctly stated that the prime minister’s annual salary is in the $301,000 to $400,000 range.

More than two-in-five Canadians (42%) thought the prime minister made less than $301,000 a year, while one-in-four (24%) assumed his emolument was higher than $400,000.

“Only 9% of Liberal Party voters in the last federal election believe the prime minister’s salary is higher than $500,000 a year” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion is higher among those who supported the Conservative Party (17%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (19%) in 2021.”

When respondents were informed that the prime minister’s annual compensation is $379,000, just over two-in-five (41%) consider it “too much”, while almost half (47%) say it is “about right.”

More than half of respondents in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (52%) and Alberta (51%) believe the prime minister makes too much money each year. The perception is lower in Atlantic Canada (45%), British Columbia (41%), Ontario (39%) and Quebec (35%).

Almost two-in-five Canadians (38%) accurately calculated that the annual salary of the Leader of the Official Opposition in Canada is in the $201,000 to $300,000 range.

Just over a third of Canadians (34%) assumed that the Leader of the Official Opposition made less than $201,000 a year, while 13% thought his salary was higher than $300,000.

When respondents were informed that the Leader of the Official Opposition’s annual remuneration is $279,900, 45% deem it “too much”, while 44% believe it is “about right.”

More than half of residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (52%) and Atlantic Canada (also 52%) think the Leader of the Official Opposition is paid too much, along with 46% of British Columbians, 44% of Ontarians, and 41% of both Albertans and Quebecers.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from February 9 to February 11, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Almost Three-in-Ten Canadians Completely Shunning Exercise

February 24, 2023February 23, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than half of the country’s residents took action to maintain their fitness levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vancouver, BC [February 24, 2023] – The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had a detrimental effect on the physical fitness of some Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that adults in Canada accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 49% of Canadians say they met the recommended exercise guidelines “every week” or “most weeks” over the past three months.

During the pandemic, 48% of Canadians were able to exercise for at least 150 minutes “every week” or “most weeks”, while the proportion was significantly higher (55%) before the start of COVID-19.

“Prior to the pandemic, only 23% of Canadians—and 34% of those aged 55 and over—never met the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In the past three months, the proportion has risen to 28% across the country and to 39% among the oldest adults.”

About three-in-ten Canadians (29%) followed workouts or routines online during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 18% acquired weightlifting equipment for their home (such as dumbbells), 17% took up a sport that did not require equipment (such as running or jogging), and 16% acquired a cardio machine for their home (such as an elliptical, treadmill or climber).

More than half of Canadians (53%) undertook at least one of these four actions during the pandemic. There are significant generational differences on this issue. While 75% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 took action to maintain their fitness levels, the proportion drops to 57% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 30% among those aged 55 and over.

One-in-five Canadians (20%) say their own personal situation when it comes to exercise and fitness is “better” now than before COVID-19, while the same proportion (20%) deem it worse and a majority (54%) claim it has not changed.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to report an improvement in their fitness after the pandemic (28%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (18%) and aged 55 and over (15%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from February 16 to February 18, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Views on Physically Disciplining Children Shifting in Canada

February 17, 2023February 16, 2023By Mario Canseco

Compared to 2018, fewer Canadians agree with allowing parents or schoolteachers to use “reasonable force” to correct a child.

Vancouver, BC [February 17, 2023] – More than half of Canadians think it is time to abolish the legislation that allows parents and schoolteachers to use “reasonable force” to discipline children, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 51% of Canadians think it is time to abolish Section 43 of the Criminal Code, up 17 points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in May 2018.

Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada reads: “Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances.”

A sizeable majority of Quebecers (61%) voice support for the repeal of Section 43. The proportions are lower in British Columbia (50%), Ontario (49%), Alberta (also 49%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (45%) and Atlantic Canada (also 45%).

“More than three-in-five Canadians aged 18-to-34 (61%) and a majority of those aged 35-to-54 (53%) would like to end the use of force to discipline children,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Support is lower among Canadians aged 55 and over (42%).”

Several countries around the world, including Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, New Zealand and Sweden, have adopted laws that forbid physical punishment towards children, either by parents or schoolteachers.

In Canada, New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Parliament Peter Julian tabled Bill C-273 in May 2022. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Criminal Code to repeal Section 43.

More than half of Canadians (58%, -16) agree with allowing parents to physically discipline children in Canada—a proportion that rises to 65% among men and to 61% among those aged 55 and over.

Only 26% of Canadians (-17) agree with allowing schoolteachers to physically discipline children in Canada.

Just over three-in-four of Canadians (61%) acknowledge having been physically disciplined as children by a parent or guardian, while 22% report the same experience at school.

Three-in-ten Canadians (30%) say they were never physically disciplined as children—a proportion that rises to 40% among those aged 18-to-34 and to 46% in Quebec.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Criticism Towards Trudeau Increases in Western Canada

February 1, 2023January 31, 2023By Mario Canseco

The proportion of Albertans who think the province would be better off as its own country fell to 26%.

Vancouver, BC [February 1, 2023] – Just over half of Canadians think their province would benefit from a change in the federal government, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 52% of Canadians think their province would be better off with a different Prime Minister in Ottawa, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2022.

Majorities of Canadians who reside in Alberta (66%, +2), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (65%, +5), British Columbia (57%, +4) and Ontario (52%, +4) believe their provinces would be better off with someone other than Justin Trudeau in charge. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (44%, -8) and Quebec (42%, -3).

“Canadians aged 35-to-54 (56%) are more likely to believe that a change in the federal government would be beneficial to their province,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The rating is slightly lower among their counterparts aged 55 and over (51%) and aged 18-to-34 (50%)”

Just over half of Canadians (51%, unchanged) believe their province would be better off with a different premier in charge.

Compared to June 2022, animosity towards Ontario’s Doug Ford has risen from 43% to 57%, while it has dropped for Quebec’s François Legault from 48% to 45%. These two premiers earned majorities in provincial elections held in June and October respectively.

In British Columbia, there is little change in the results posted by John Horgan in June (41%) and David Eby this month (40%). In Alberta, 55% of respondents think the province would be better off with a premier other than Danielle Smith. In June, 65% of Albertans felt this way about Jason Kenney.

The proportion of Albertans who think their province would be better off as its own country fell to 26% this month, down seven points since June and well below the all-time high of 40% registered in December 2019.

Separatist sentiment also dropped in Quebec, from 32% in June to 29% this month.

Fewer than one-in-five Canadians (17%, =) believe their province would be better off joining the United States and becoming an American state—a proportion that rises to 21% in Alberta.

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

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Canadians Grow Pessimistic on Economy and Personal Finances

January 20, 2023January 11, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than four-in-five Canadians expect to pay more for a week’s worth of groceries.

Vancouver, BC [January 20, 2023] – The perceptions of Canadians on the financial status of both the country and their household have worsened over the past six months, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 62% of Canadians say the economic conditions in Canada right now are “bad” or “very bad”, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2022.

Just over a third of Canadians (35%, -5) deem the country’s economic standing as “very good” or “good”.

Fewer than a third of residents of Alberta (27%, -5), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (28%, -2) and Atlantic Canada (29%, -7) hold positive views on the Canadian economy at this point. The rating is higher in Ontario (37%, +3), British Columbia (35%, -2) and Quebec (41%, -14).

More than two-in-five Canadians (44%, +4) expect the national economy to decline over the next six months, while 38% (-2) foresee no changes and only 13% (=) predict an improvement.

“Most Canadians aged 55 and over (51%) think an economic recovery in the next six months is unattainable,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (43%) and aged 18-to-34 (38%).”

Just over half of Canadians (51%, -6) rate their own personal finances today as “very good” or “good”, while 47% (+6) define them as “poor” or “very poor.”

Majorities of Canadians think certain items will be more expensive over the next six months, including a week’s worth of groceries (85%, +4), gasoline (67%, +6), a new car (65%, -3) and a new television set (54%, -3). In addition, 43% (-1) think the price of real estate will be higher.

There is little change in the level of confidence on the Prime Minister. This month, 42% of Canadians (+1) trust Justin Trudeau to do the right thing to help the economy. The ratings are lower for Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem (34%, -3) and federal Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre (33%).

Just over half of Canadians acknowledge having worried “frequently” or “occasionally” about two financial matters in the past couple of months: the value of their investments (52%, +2) and the safety of their savings (also 52%, +2).

Fewer Canadians have been concerned “frequently” or “occasionally” about unemployment affecting their household (37%, +3), being able to pay their mortgage or rent (34%, =) or their employer running into serious financial trouble (29%, +5).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on January 13 to January 15, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Russia and North Korea Thoroughly Disliked by Canadians

January 17, 2023July 27, 2023By Mario Canseco

At least seven-in-ten Canadians hold positive views on the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and France.

Vancouver, BC [January 17, 2023] – Two nations are clearly at the bottom when Canadians are asked to voice their feelings about 15 different countries, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 11% of Canadians have a positive opinion of Russia and North Korea.

“More than nine-in-ten Canadians aged 55 and over (93%) currently have a negative view of the Russian Federation,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of Canadians aged 35-to-54 (78%) and aged 18-to-34 (68%) feel the same way.”

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians have a positive opinion of Saudi Arabia (23%, -1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2022), China (18%, -2) and Iran (13%, -3).

About one-in-four Atlantic Canadians (24%) hold positive views on China. The proportions are lower in Ontario (21%), Alberta (18%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (16%), British Columbia (also 16%) and Quebec (13%).

The perceptions of Canadians remain favourable for most fellow members of the G7, including the United Kingdom (74%, +1), Italy (71%, -2), Japan (70%, +1), France (also 70%, +1) and Germany (69%, -1).

Almost three-in-five Canadians (57%, -2) hold positive views on South Korea. The numbers are lower for Mexico (49%, -1), India (41%, +4) and Venezuela (30%, -1).

More than half of Canadians (54%, -2) have a positive view of the United States, while just under two-in-five (39%, +4) hold negative feelings.

Favourable opinions on the United States are highest in three Canadian regions: Quebec (55%, +1), Atlantic Canada (also 55%, +2) and Ontario (55%, -4), followed by British Columbia (52%, +4), Alberta (50%, -7) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (48%, -12).

Only 45% of Canadians (+2) who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in 2021 hold positive views on the United States. The proportions are higher among their counterparts who supported the Liberal Party (61%, -5) or the Conservative Party (58%, -12) in the last federal election.

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

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Little Consensus as Canadians Ponder Where and How Much to Tip

December 30, 2022December 29, 2022By Mario Canseco

One third of Canadians think food servers deserve a tip in all circumstances even if service was bad.

Vancouver, BC [December 30, 2022] – The performance of servers and the busyness of restaurants play a role in the gratuities that Canadians are willing to provide to food servers, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians what they think is an acceptable tip for service at a sit-down restaurant in nine different circumstances.

About a third of Canadians would leave a gratuity in the range of 15%-to-19% if they receive exceptional service in a restaurant that is not busy (37%), busy (34%) or exceptionally busy (32%).

Some Canadians are willing to offer a tip of 20% or higher if they receive exceptional service at a restaurant that is busy (34%) or exceptionally busy (36%).

The results are similar when Canadians are asked to ponder good (but not exceptional) service. Gratuities are in the range of 15%-to-19% if the restaurant is not busy (34%), busy (41%) or exceptionally busy (37%).

Fewer Canadians would consider a tip of 20% or higher for good service at a venue that is busy (19%) or exceptionally busy (25%).

When it comes to average service in any environment, about two-in-five Canadians (41%) would leave a gratuity in the 10%-to-14% range, while 28% would move into the 15%-to-19% range.

More than a third of Canadians (36%) would leave a tip in the 10%-to-14% range for below average service when the server is clearly working in an understaffed environment.

Finally, just over three-in-ten Canadians (31%) say they would not leave a gratuity at all if they receive below average service at a sit-down restaurant when their server is clearly not busy.

“Two-in-five Canadians aged 55 and over (40%) would walk away from a sit-down restaurant without leaving a tip if they perceive that their server was idle and aloof,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (29%) and aged 18-to-34 (24%).”

Just over one-in-ten Canadians (11%) think it is acceptable to forego a tip for food delivery to their homes or offices. Two-in-five Canadians (40%) think the acceptable gratuity range in this circumstance is 10%-to-14%.

A majority of Canadians (54%) do not think a tip is necessary when they pick up food to go.

More than half of Canadians (53%) say they never tip when they visit a snack restaurant where they take their food to go, and more than two-in-five also never leave a gratuity when they visit a cafeteria-style restaurant (49%), a restaurant where they order to go and pick the food up themselves (48%) or a coffee shop (43%).

A third of Canadians (33%) think food servers deserve a tip in all circumstances even if service was bad—a proportion that rises to 41% among those aged 18-to-34.

Two thirds of Canadians (67%) believe food servers nowadays simply expect a tip, but don’t work hard to earn it.

About seven-in-ten Canadians agree on two other statements: “Food servers cannot get by on their salaries alone—it is important to tip them” (70%) and “If the salaries of food servers were better, there would be no need to tip servers” (69%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on December 10 to December 12, 2022, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Majority of Canadians Expect to Eventually Vote for Senators

December 23, 2022December 22, 2022By Mario Canseco

One third would prefer to reform the Senate to allow for elections, while fewer favour abolishment or keeping the status quo.

Vancouver, BC [December 23, 2022] – While Canadians do not reach consensus about the best way to proceed with the upper house, more than half think voters will one day be able to choose the members of the Red Chamber, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 56% of Canadians (+2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2020) expect to one day be able to directly elect their senators, while 28% (-1) disagree and 17% (=) are not sure.

“Expectations of an elected Senate of Canada are highest in Alberta (64%), British Columbia (60%) and Ontario (59%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Residents of Atlantic Canada (52%), Quebec (49%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (49%) are more skeptical.”

One-in-four Canadians (24%, -3) think Canada does not need a Senate and want all legislation to be reviewed and authorized by the House of Commons—a proportion that reaches 35% among those aged 55 and over.

Just under one-in-ten Canadians (9%, =) believe Canada needs a Senate and the current guidelines that call for appointed senators should not be modified.

Fewer than half of Canadians (45%, =) think Canada needs a Senate, but Canadians should be allowed to take part in the process to choose senators.

When asked to consider specific options for the Red Chamber, only 6% of Canadians support allowing the Prime Minister to appoint senators, while 17% favour having a selection committee that would appoint non-partisan senators.

One third of Canadians (33%) would reform the Senate to allow Canadians to directly elect the members of the upper house, while 14% would abolish the Red Chamber altogether.

Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the last federal election are significantly more likely to support Senate reform (50%) than those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (38%) and the Liberal Party (28%) in 2021.

Since 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has only named senators that were recommended by an arm’s-length advisory body and not directly appointed by him.

Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians (28%, -9) think the changes implemented by Trudeau have made the Senate of Canada better than it was before he took office, while 31% (-1) see no change and 20% (+4) believe the situation is now worse.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most Canadians Pick “Merry Christmas” as Preferred Greeting

December 20, 2022December 21, 2022By Mario Canseco

For the first time since 2018, more than half of the country’s residents foresee a holiday season with more fun than stress.

Vancouver, BC [December 20, 2022] – While the proportion of Canadians who are fond of saying “Happy Holidays” has risen since 2018, most of the country’s residents continue to rely on “Merry Christmas”, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 64% of Canadians say “Merry Christmas” is their preferred greeting for the season, up two points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in December 2021.

Just over one-in-five Canadians (21%, +1) say they prefer using “Happy Holidays”, while 15% (-3) are not sure or do not care either way.

Since 2018, the proportion of Canadians who prefer “Merry Christmas” has fallen by 10 points, while the number of those who rely on “Happy Holidays” has increased by seven points.

“Only 14% of Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in 2021 prefer to say Happy Holidays,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are higher among Canadians who supported the New Democratic Party (NDP) (22%) or the Liberal Party (24%).”

More than half of Canadians (52%, +3) say they expect the current holiday season to be “more fun than stressful”, while three-in-ten (29%, +2) think it will be “more stressful than fun.”

Four groups are more likely to predict a stressful holiday season in 2022: women (31%), Canadians aged 35-to-54 (33%), Atlantic Canadians (40%) and NDP voters in 2021 (35%).

At least three-in-five Canadians say they like three staples of holiday meals: turkey (84%, =), cranberry sauce (64%, =) and Brussels sprouts (60%, -2).

A majority of Canadians enjoy fruit cake (55%, -1) and egg nog (also 55%, +1), while fewer like mince pies (48%, -2), plum pudding (42%, -1) and mulled wine (36%, +2).

Egg nog is equally popular in Alberta (60%), British Columbia (59%), Atlantic Canada (also 59%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (58%) and Ontario (also 58%), but drops to 43% in Quebec.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most Canadians Think We Have Seen the Worst of COVID-19

December 16, 2022December 20, 2022By Mario Canseco

Satisfaction with provincial governments remains higher in British Columbia and Quebec than in Ontario and Alberta.

Vancouver, BC [December 16, 2022] – Fewer than one-in-five Canadians are currently concerned about the possibility of declining conditions on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, three-in-four Canadians (75%) say the worst of the pandemic is “behind us”, up seven points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2022.

Only 17% of Canadians (-3) think the worst of COVID-19 is ahead of us, while 9% (-3) are not sure.

For seven-in-ten Canadians (70%) COVID-19 remains a real threat—a proportion that rises to 78% among those aged 55 and over and to 82% among those who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2021 federal election.

“We continue to see cautious optimism when Canadians think about COVID-19,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Significant majorities of Canadians are both convinced that the situation will not worsen but still consider the virus a real threat.”

Almost three-in-five Canadians (59%, +4) are satisfied with the way the federal government has dealt with COVID-19, while 58% (-1) feel the same way about their municipal government.

Most Canadians (58%, +5) are satisfied with how their provincial government has managed the pandemic. Among the four most populous provinces, the rating is highest in British Columbia (68%, +6), followed by Quebec (62%, +4), Ontario (54%, +6) and Alberta (46%, +7).

Since May 2022, satisfaction with the way federal chief public health officer Theresa Tam has managed the pandemic dropped from 66% to 60%. The average rating is similar for the country’s provincial health officers or chief medical officers (61%, -5).

In two provinces, the satisfaction rating for top doctors fell since May: Luc Boileau in Quebec (60%, -6) and Kieran Moore in Ontario (59%, -8). Two thirds of British Columbians (66%, +3) are satisfied with the work of Bonnie Henry.

In Alberta, the rating for Deena Hinshaw stood at 65% in May. This month, 53% of Albertans are satisfied with the way recently appointed chief medical officer of heath Mike Joffe is managing the pandemic.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Interest in Men’s Soccer Team Grows for One-in-Four Canadians

December 13, 2022December 12, 2022By Mario Canseco

More than a third of Canadians tuned in to at least some of the FIFA World Cup matches against Belgium and Croatia.

Vancouver, BC [December 13, 2022] – While only about one-in-six Canadians acknowledge being “true soccer fans”, interest in the Men’s National Team has increased since the start of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 15% of Canadians describe themselves as soccer fans, who truly enjoy watching the game, while 17% say they watch soccer as much as they can, but do not follow it all the time.

More than a quarter of Canadians (27%) will watch a soccer match now and then, but it’s not their favourite sport, while 41% say they do not really care for soccer—including 50% of women, 50% of those aged 55 and over and 57% of Atlantic Canadians.

Just under two-in-five Canadians (38%) say they have followed the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup “very closely” or “moderately closely”—a proportion that rises to 49% among Canadians aged 18-to-34, 48% among men and 52% among Ontarians.

More than a third of Canadians (35%) watched the whole match or some parts of the FIFA World Cup match between Canada and Belgium on November 23.

“One-in-four men (24%) saw Canada’s entire match against Belgium during Qatar 2022,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “On a regional basis, Ontario (24%) was ahead of all regions on following the entire contest.”

Canada’s second contest, against Croatia on November 27, was also watched completely or partially by 35% of Canadians. The numbers were lower (29%) for the third and final match against Morocco on December 1.

Across the country, 24% of Canadians say they are more interested in Canada’s national team than before its participation in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup—including 29% of men and 26% of Canadians aged 18-to-34.

Half of Canadians (51%) say their interest in the Men’s National Team has not changed as a result of the World Cup, while 9% are less interested now than before.

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted on December 6 and December 7, 2022, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Age Still Defines Preferred Shopping Habits in British Columbia

December 9, 2022December 9, 2022By Mario Canseco

Compared to last year, more residents are purchasing groceries, items for the family and gifts in person.

Vancouver, BC [December 9, 2022] – Over the past year, there has been little movement in the preferences of British Columbians when it comes to shopping, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than half of British Columbians (55%) say they prefer buying things in person than online, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in November 2021.

Two-in-five British Columbians (40%, -1) say they prefer buying things online than in person.

“Practically three-in-five British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (59%) prefer online shopping,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Conversely, more than seven-in-ten British Columbians aged 55 and over (73%) prefer buying things in person.”

Some of the usual purchasing habits of British Columbians have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Majorities of the province’s residents say they are visiting stores just as often as they did before COVID-19 to purchase groceries (66%, +4), items for the home or family (57%, +5) and gifts (55%, +7).

More than one-in-five British Columbians (22%, =) are ordering groceries for home delivery more often than before the pandemic, while at least a third are relying more often on e-commerce to purchase gifts (33%, -3) and items for the home or family (36%, -2).

About two-in-five British Columbians say they are going to sit-down restaurants just as often as they did before COVID-19 for breakfast (40%, +10), lunch (43%, +15) or dinner (39%, +12).

More than half of British Columbians (52%, +7) are buying beverages or snacks to go at coffee shops as often as they did before the pandemic.

Slightly smaller proportions of the province’s residents are also partaking on two other activities in the same way they did three years ago: having a beverage or snack inside a coffee shop (43%, +12) and having a drink at a bar or pub (36%, +13).

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted from November 14 to November 16, 2022, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Spirituality Rises in Canada and Drops in the United States

December 7, 2022December 9, 2022By Mario Canseco

Americans are more likely to say that religion is “very important” for them personally (38%) than Canadians (25%).

Vancouver, BC [December 6, 2022] – The perceptions of Canadians and Americans on religion have changed slightly over the past couple of years, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, one-in-four Canadians (25%) say religion is “very important” to them personally, up three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in December 2021.

Fewer than two-in-five Americans (38%) say religion is “very important” to them personally, down 10 points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in November 2020.

In Canada, only affluence (14%, +3) is ranked lower than religion among six different components of life. The rating is considerably higher for career (36%, +7), country (47%, +3), friends (60%, +6) and family (81%, +3).

In the United States, two items are ranked lower than religion: affluence (12%, -9) and career (31%, -9). The numbers are higher for country (51%, -11), friends (55%, +1) and family (77%, -2).

“On religion, there is a pronounced generational gap in the United States,” says Mario Canseco. “Only 28% of Americans aged 18-to-34 acknowledge that religion is very important to them, compared to 40% of those aged 35-to-45 and 42% of those aged 55 and over.”

In Canada, fewer than three-in-ten Canadians aged 18-to-34 (27%), aged 35-to-54 (25%) and aged 55 and over (22%) say religion is “very important” for them personally.

Two thirds of Americans (66%, -7) consider themselves as “very spiritual” or “moderately spiritual”. In Canada, 53% of respondents (+4) feel the same way.

Compared to 2021, there is a slight drop in the proportion of Canadians who describe their religion as Christian (48%, -2) and an increase in those who say they are atheist, agnostic or profess no religion (37%, +3).

In the United States, the proportion of self-described Christians fell by seven points since 2020 (from 70% to 63%), while the number of respondents who are atheist, agnostic or have no religion increased by six points (from 19% to 25%).

About a third of Canadians (32%, -1) never attend religious gatherings, while two-in-five (40%, +4) only do so for special events, such as weddings, funerals or baptisms. Only 15% of Canadians (-1) attend a church, temple or synagogue at least once a week.

About a quarter of Americans (23%, -15) attend a religious gathering at least once a week. There are sizeable increases in the proportions of Americans who never go to church (27%, +7) or who only do so in special occasions (29%, +8).

Methodology: Results are based on online studies conducted from November 26 to November 28, 2022, among representative samples of 1,000 adults Canada and the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian and U.S. census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points for each country.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

A Third of Canadians Would Remove All Statues of Sir John

December 2, 2022December 2, 2022By Mario Canseco

More than half of the country’s residents think the removal of statues of colonial figures is an attack on Canadian history.

Vancouver, BC [December 2, 2022] – Most Canadians are not particularly satisfied with the idea of withdrawing existing monuments from public view, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 54% of Canadians believe the removal of statues of colonial figures is an attack on Canadian history, while 21% disagree and 14% are undecided.

Canadians aged 55 and over are more likely to feel that removing statues of colonial figures is an attack on the country’s history (61%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (54%) and aged 18-to-34 (48%).

Some municipalities—including Charlottetown, Kingston, Regina and Victoria—have removed statues of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister.

While just under a third of Canadians (32%) think all statues of Macdonald should be withdrawn from public view, almost half (47%) disagree and 20% are not sure.

Support for keeping statues of Macdonald in place is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (55%), followed by Alberta (51%), Ontario (also 51%), Atlantic Canada (50%), British Columbia (48%) and Quebec (38%).

“Two thirds of Conservative Party voters in the 2021 federal election (65%) are against the removal of all monuments depicting Sir John A. Macdonald,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Two-in-five Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (41%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (40%) in the last election feel the same way.”

Across the country, 45% of Canadians have a favourable opinion of Sir John A. Macdonald, while 22% hold unfavourable views.

Positive opinions on Macdonald reach 51% in Ontario, but are lower in Alberta (45%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (44%), Atlantic Canada (43%), Quebec (42%) and British Columbia (36%).

Macdonald holds a higher favourability rating than five other former prime ministers included in the survey: John Diefenbaker (42%), Wilfrid Laurier (41%), William Lyon Mackenzie King (38%), Louis St. Laurent (33%) and Robert Borden (29%).

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted from November 24 to November 26, 2022, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Photo Credit: Nhl4hamilton (Rick Cordeiro)

Half of Canadians Are Losing Sleep Over Financial Concerns

November 24, 2022November 24, 2022By Mario Canseco

A third say worrying about relationships and health made it harder for them to fall asleep in the past month.

Vancouver, BC [November 25, 2022] – Most Canadians are unable to match Health Canada’s recommended sleep guidelines, and half are finding it harder to rest every night because of financial anxiety, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 50% of Canadians acknowledge that worrying about money made it harder for them to fall asleep at night over the past month, up seven points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2021.

One third of Canadians say concerns about relationships and family (33%, +1) and health (also 33%, -3) make it more difficult for them to fall asleep at night. Fewer Canadians lost sleep over work (28%, +4), Canadian politics and issues (10%, =) and international politics and issues (10%, +1) over the past four weeks.

“Two-in-five Canadians aged 18-to-34 (40%) are losing sleep because of employment concerns,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer Canadians aged 35-to-54 (33%) and aged 55 and over (14%) share the same experience.”

Health Canada guidelines recommend sleeping from 7 to 9 hours a night. Almost two thirds of Canadians (64%, +4) are sleeping fewer than seven hours on a typical weekday or workday.

Only 35% of Canadians (-3) say they are sleeping anywhere from 7 to 9 hours on a typical weekday or workday. On a regional basis, Quebec is first (40%), followed by Atlantic Canada (39%), Alberta (36%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (31%), Ontario (also 31%) and British Columbia (28%).

Across the country, 43% of Canadians (-3) are sleeping anywhere from 7 to 9 hours on a typical weekend or non-workday, while 50% (-1) are spending less time in bed.

Almost seven-in-ten Canadians (69%, -1) are “well rested” after a typical night’s sleep on a weekday or workday, while 76% (+1) feel the same way after a typical night’s sleep on a weekend or non-workday.

One-in-four Canadians (25%) claim to “never” find it hard to fall asleep at night on an average week—a proportion that rises to 31% among men and 33% among those aged 55 and over and 29 per cent of Quebecers.

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted from November 18 to November 20, 2022, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca