Canada – Page 7 – Research Co.

Most Canadians Would Emulate UK’s Cigarette Purchase Law

May 9, 2024May 8, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than two thirds think the federal government made the right decision in printing warning labels on individual cigarettes.

Vancouver, BC [May 9, 2024] – Canadians are open to implementing a regulation related to the sale of cigarettes that was recently introduced in the United Kingdom, a new Research Co. poll has found.

Under the new law, the legal age to purchase cigarettes in the United Kingdom—currently set at 18 years—will increase by one year every year. In essence, people born in or after 2009 will never be allowed to purchase cigarettes.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost two thirds of Canadians (65%) have a positive opinion of the UK’s legislation, while 21% hold negative views.

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%) think Canada should consider legislation similar to the one being implemented in the United Kingdom (that is, increase the legal age to purchase cigarettes every year so that people born in or after 2009 are never allowed to purchase cigarettes).

Majorities of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (73%), the Conservative Party (67%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (63%) in the 2021 federal election would welcome a law that would increase the legal age to purchase cigarettes every year.

Earlier this year, Canada became the first country to mandate printed warning labels on individual cigarettes sold in the country. More than two thirds of Canadians (68%) agree with this decision, while 20% disagree and 11% are undecided.

Just over one-in-five Canadians (21%) smoked tobacco in any form (cigarette, cigar, pipe) over the course of the past year.

Smaller proportions of Canadians smoked marijuana (19%), used an electronic cigarette or e-cigarette (vaping) (16%), consumed marijuana in a non-smoking form (edibles) (15%) or consumed tobacco in a non-smoking form (chewable tobacco) (4%).

Fewer than one-in-five residents of Ontario (18%), British Columbia (also 18%), Atlantic Canada (17%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (16%) smoked tobacco in the past 12 months. The proportions are higher in Quebec (26%) and Alberta (29%).

Similar proportions of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (20%), aged 35-to-54 (22%) and aged 55 and over (21%) smoked tobacco over the past year.

The use of electronic cigarettes is significantly higher among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (27%) than among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (16%) and aged 55 and over (5%).

“Most Canadians who smoked in the past year (62%) agree with the decision to print warning labels on individual cigarettes sold in Canada,” says Mario Canseco. President of Research Co. “Smokers are evenly split on whether Canada should implement legislation related to the sale of cigarettes similar to the one recently enacted in the United Kingdom.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 28 to April 30, 2024, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Half of Canadians Sad or Dissatisfied Over Statue Toppling

May 3, 2024May 2, 2024By Mario Canseco

Most of the country’s residents question the effectiveness of the practice as a form of protest.

Vancouver, BC [May 3, 2024] – Canadians are divided on the goals and motivations of people who have toppled statues across the country, and practically half express negative feelings on the practice, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, more than two thirds of Canadians (68%) are aware that several statues of historical figures in Canada, such as John A. Macdonald and Queen Victoria, have been toppled by protestors in the last few years.

When asked about how statue toppling makes them feel, fewer than one-in-five Canadians (17%) answered “happy” (7%) or “satisfied, but not happy” (10%), while about three-in-ten (29%) are “indifferent”.

Almost half of Canadians (49%) said statue toppling makes them feel “sad” (28%) or “dissatisfied, but not sad” (21%).

More than two-in-five Albertans (41%) are saddened by statue toppling in Canada. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (38%), Atlantic Canada and British Columbia (each at 29%), Ontario (26%) and Quebec (18%).

Canadians aged 55 and over are more likely to feel sad when they ponder statue toppling (43%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (28%) and aged 18-to-34 (12%).

Canadians who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2021 federal election are more likely to say they feel “happy” or “satisfied, but not happy” when they think of statue toppling (27%) than those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (17%) or the Conservative Party (11%).

Majorities of Canadians believe that the people who have toppled statues in Canada should be prosecuted (66%) and that any statue that was toppled should be repaired or replaced with one featuring the same historical figure (57%).

Just over a third of Canadians (34%) perceive statue toppling as an effective form of protest, while more than half (58%) disagree and 9% are undecided.

While 45% of Canadians agree that the goals and motivations of the people who have toppled statues are clear to them, a similar proportion of the country’s residents (43%) disagree with the statement.

“More than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (53%) can identify the goals and motivations related to statue toppling,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer Canadians aged 35-to-54 and aged 55 and over concur (45% and 38% respectively).”

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 17 to April 19, 2024, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Photo Credit: Skol fir (September 2013)

Canadians Deeply Divided on Teaching Creationism in Schools

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five (64%) think human beings evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years.

Vancouver, BC [April 26, 2024] – There is no clear consensus among Canadians on whether creationism should be taught in public schools, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 41% of Canadians think creationism—the belief that the universe and life originated from specific acts of divine creation—should be part of the school curriculum in their province (down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2023), while 42% (+4) disagree and 17% (-2) are undecided.

“Almost half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (48%) believe there is a place for creationism in public school classrooms,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (44%) and aged 55 and over (33%).”

Almost half of Atlantic Canadians (48%, +2) have no problem with creationism being part of the school curriculum. More than two-in-five residents of Ontario (44%, -3), Alberta (43%, +3) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (42%, +1) feel the same way, along with more than a third of British Columbians (37%, -2) and Quebecers (35%, -4).

Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the 2021 federal election are more likely to support the teaching of creationism in public schools (46%) than those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (43%) or the Liberal Party (37%).

More than three-in-five Canadians (64%, -1) think human beings evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years, while just over one-in-five (21%, =) say God created human beings in their present form within the last 10,000 years.

Canadians aged 55 and over are more likely to embrace creationism (25%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (21%) and aged 18-to-34 (20%).

More than a quarter of Canadians who voted for the Conservatives in 2021 (26%) think God created human beings in their present form within the last 10,000 years. Fewer Canadians who supported the New Democrats (20%) or the Liberals (17%) share this view.

Canadians of East Asian descent are more likely to side with creationism when asked about the origin and development of human beings on earth (24%) than Canadians whose origins are European (19%), South Asian (also 19%) or Indigenous (9%).

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

Two Years Later, Views on COVID-19 Protests Soften in Canada

April 19, 2024April 18, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than half of Canadians still think the federal government was justified in invoking the Emergencies Act.

Vancouver, BC [April 19, 2024] – The perceptions of Canadians on the series of protests and blockades against restrictions and mandates related to the COVID-19 pandemic have shifted over the past couple of years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, just over seven-in-ten Canadians (71%) say they “very closely” or “moderately closely” followed the protests and blockades that took place in Ottawa and other parts of Canada at the start of 2022.

Half of Canadians (50%, -9 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2022) opposed the protests and blockades, while just over two-in-five (41%, +6) supported them and 9% (+3) are not sure.

Support for the protests and blockades is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (46%), followed by Alberta (45%), Ontario (44%), Atlantic Canada (42%), Quebec (38%) and British Columbia (33%).

More than half of Canadians (58%, -5) believe the federal government was justified in invoking the Emergencies Act to deal with the protests and blockades, while 32% (+4) consider Ottawa’s actions as unjustified.

Majorities of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2021 election (73% and 65% respectively) endorse the use of the Emergencies Act. The proportion is decidedly lower (42%) among Conservative Party voters in the last federal ballot.

“More than three-in-five Canadians who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 (63%) think the federal government was correct in invoking the Emergencies Act in 2022,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 28% of unvaccinated Canadians feel the same way.”

Just over three-in-four Canadians (76%, -5) are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about violence breaking out at the site of protests and blockades. Majorities of Canadians are also worried about foreign money being used to fund the activities of protestors (65%, -6), the federal government relying on the Emergencies Act to end other protests in the future (also 65%, =) and Canada’s image in the world being negatively affected by the protests and the federal government’s actions (59%, -11).

A third of Canadians (34%) believe that no COVID-19 mandates and restrictions should have been implemented, while 59% disagree with this notion.

More than two-in-five Canadians (42%, +7) believe the actions of the people protesting against restrictions and mandates were justified, while 51% (-7) disagree with this assessment.

Canadians are deeply divided on whether the people protesting against restrictions and mandates were fighting for freedom: 45% (+5) agree with this view, while 47% (-7) disagree.

One third of Canadians (34%, +8) agree that the federal government should be overthrown, while a majority (54%, -11) disagree with the statement.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 8 to April 10, 2024, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Conservatives Maintain Double-Digit Advantage in Canada

April 16, 2024April 15, 2024By Mario Canseco

Perceptions on the tenure of Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister are significantly worse now than in 2020.

Vancouver, BC [April 16, 2024] – Support for the Conservative Party remains stable and superior to that of all other federal political organizations in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 38% of decided voters in Canada would back the Conservative candidate in their riding if an election took place tomorrow, unchanged since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in late November 2023.

The governing Liberal Party is second with 26% (+2), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 20% (-1), the Bloc Québécois with 10% (+1), the Green Party with 3% (-1) and the People’s Party with 1% (-1).

The Conservatives are ahead among decided voters in Alberta (60%, +2), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (48%, +4), British Columbia (46%, +1), Atlantic Canada (44%, -3) and Ontario (40%, -2). In Quebec, the Bloc is now in first place (34%, +5), followed by the Liberals (28%, -6).

More than a quarter of Canadians (27%, -2) believe housing, homelessness and poverty is the most important issue facing the country right now, followed by the economy and jobs (24%, +3), health care (15%, -4), the environment (8%, +2) and immigration (also 8%, +2).

The approval rating did not change over the past few months for NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (48%, =), Official Opposition and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre (47%, =) and Prime Minister and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau (39%, =). The proportions remain lower for Green leader Elizabeth May (33%, -1), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (25%, +4) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (22%, +3).

When Canadians ponder which one of the six party leaders would make the best prime minister, Poilievre remains in first place with 32% (=), followed by Trudeau (26%, +3) and Singh (17%, -1).

Poilievre also maintains his advantage as a financial manager, with 49% of Canadians (+2) saying they would be comfortable if he oversaw the national economy. The rating is lower for Trudeau (38%, +1).

There is little movement on a question related to the March 2022 supply and confidence agreement struck by the Liberals and the NDP, with 43% of Canadians (+1) saying they are satisfied with what has been achieved so far.

“Canadians aged 55 and over are particularly skeptical of the current deal encompassing the Liberals and the New Democrats,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than half (53%) are dissatisfied with its accomplishments.”

Across the country, 50% of Canadians (+25 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2020) think Trudeau has performed worse than they expected since taking office in November 2015. More than a third (35%, -13) say he has performed as they expected, while 10% (-14) believe Trudeau has been better than originally envisioned.

Most Canadians (55%, +14) believe Trudeau has accomplished little since he became prime minister, while 20% (-4) say he has achieved much and 15% (-9) think it is too early to judge his accomplishments.

At least three-in-five Canadians think three issues are worse now than nine years ago: the Canadian economy (67%, +19), taxation (61%, +28) and health care (60%, +31).

More than a third of Canadians also believe seven other issues have declined since 2015: national unity (49%, +19), public safety (48%, +25), Canada’s reputation in the world (46%, +24), the environment (43%, +16), ethics and accountability (also 43%, +18), Canada’s role in global affairs (38%, +16) and national defence (37%, +20).

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

Perception of Crime Highest in Manitoba, Lowest in Saskatchewan

April 12, 2024April 11, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than half of British Columbians and Albertans believe criminal activity has increased in the past four years.

Vancouver, BC [April 12, 2024] – Residents of Manitoba are more likely to believe that crime is on the rise in their community, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative samples in five Canadian provinces, 63% of Manitobans say the level of criminal activity has increased in their community over the past four years, up nine points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in November 2020.

The proportions of residents who feel this way are lower in British Columbia (54%, -4 since 2023), Alberta (also 54%, +6 since 2020), Ontario (48%) and Saskatchewan (42%, +1 since 2020).

Fewer than one-in-four residents of Alberta (23%, -1), Saskatchewan (20%, -7), Manitoba (18%, -13), British Columbia (17%, -1) and Ontario (14%) have been victims of a crime involving the police (such as an assault or a car break-in) in their community over the past four years.

Majorities of Manitobans (54%), Albertans (also 54%) and British Columbians (51%, -1) say they fear becoming victims of a crime in their community “a great deal” or “a fair amount”. The proportions are lower in Ontario (45%) and Saskatchewan (37%).

More than seven-in-ten Ontarians (71%) say they would feel “very safe” or “moderately safe” walking alone in their own neighbourhood after dark. Majorities of respondents in Saskatchewan (65%), British Columbia (also 65%, +2), Alberta (63%) and Manitoba (57%) express the same view.

Residents of the five Canadian provinces hold differing views when asked about which factors are to blame “a great deal” for the current situation regarding crime and public safety in your community.

More than half of British Columbians (56%, -3) mention addiction and mental health issues, followed by gangs and the illegal drug trade (39%, -2), poverty and inequality (36%, +2), an inadequate court system (35%, -4) and a bad economy and unemployment (29%, +7).

Albertans also place addiction and mental health issues at the top of their list (48%), followed by gangs and the illegal drug trade (33%), an inadequate court system (also 33%), poverty and inequality (31%) and bad economy and unemployment (also 31%).

In Saskatchewan, at least two-in-five residents blame gangs and the illegal drug trade (43%) and addiction and mental health issues (40%), followed by poverty and inequality (30%), lack of values and improper education for youth (29%) and an inadequate court system (27%).

Most Manitobans (56%) blame addiction and mental health issues, followed by gangs and the illegal drug trade (44%), an inadequate court system (35%), poverty and inequality (34%), and lack of values and improper education for youth (30%).

In Ontario, addiction and mental health issues garner the most mentions (39%), followed by gangs and the illegal drug trade (35%), poverty and inequality (31%), lack of values and improper education for youth (30%) and bad economy and unemployment (29%).

“Most residents of these five Canadian provinces gravitate primarily to addiction and mental health when thinking about crime and public safety,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In no province do we see at least three-in-ten respondents blaming insufficient policing or lack of resources to combat crime for the current situation.”

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

Find the data tables for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, and download the press release here.

Purported Return of the Death Penalty Splits Views in Canada

April 3, 2024April 2, 2024By Mario Canseco

Support for capital punishment is up, but most Canadians pick life imprisonment without parole for murder convictions.

Vancouver, BC [April 3, 2024] – The proportion of Canadians who would welcome the return of capital punishment has increased over the past year, although a majority would prefer to punish convicted murderers with life imprisonment, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 57% of Canadians support reinstating the death penalty for murder in Canada, up three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2023.

More than a third of Canadians (35%, -1) disagree with bringing back capital punishment, while 9% (-1) are undecided.

At least three-in-five residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (62%, +2), Atlantic Canada (60%, +5) and Alberta (also 60%, -2) support the return of the death penalty with this question, along with majorities of British Columbians (58%, =), Ontarians (57%, -1) and Quebecers (52%, +9).

Canadians aged 55 and over are more likely to endorse the return of capital punishment (61%, +2) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (56%, +2) and aged 18-to-34 (53%, +3).

“Practically seven-in-ten Conservative Party voters in the last federal election (69%, -2) would bring the death penalty back to Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (56%, +8) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (49%, =) in 2021.”

Half of Canadians who support reinstating capital punishment think it will serve as a deterrent for potential murderers (50%) and say the punishment fits the crime because a convicted murderer has taken a life (also 50%).

Other reasons cited by supporters of the death penalty include saving taxpayers money and the costs associated with having murderers in prison (48%), providing closure to the families of murder victims (47%) and a belief that murderers cannot be rehabilitated (28%).

Just over two thirds of Canadians who are opposed to the return of capital punishment (67%) are worried about a person being wrongly convicted and then executed.

Fewer opponents of the death penalty also think it is wrong to take a convicted murderer’s own life (45%), call for murderers to do their time in prison, as indicated by a judge (40%), question whether capital punishment will work as a deterrent (38%) and believe that murderers can be rehabilitated (20%).

A separate question, which asks Canadians to choose between the death penalty and life imprisonment without the possibility of parole as sentencing approaches for convicted murderers, yields different results.

More than half of Canadians (55%, +2) say they would prefer life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for convicted murderers, while just over a third (35%, -2) select capital punishment.

With this question, almost half of Conservative voters in 2021 (48%) are supportive of an approach that would sentence convicted murderers to death. Fewer Liberal and New Democratic voters agree with this course of action (34% and 23% respectively)

More than half of Canadians (53%, -5) believe the death penalty is “sometimes” appropriate. Just over one-in-four (26%, +1) think capital punishment is “never” appropriate, while fewer than one-in-ten (7%, -2) consider it as “always” appropriate.

Image Credit: Pearl Vas

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 8 to March 10, 2024, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Almost Half of Canadians Would Prefer an Elected Head of State

March 20, 2024March 20, 2024By Mario Canseco

The favourability ratings for the Prince and Princess of Wales are vastly superior to those posted by the King and Queen Consort.

Vancouver, BC [March 20, 2024] – By a 2-to-1 margin, Canadians would like to one day cast a ballot to select the country’s head of state, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 46% of Canadians say that, thinking about Canada’s constitution, they would prefer to have an elected head of state, up two points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in March 2023.

Just under one-in-four Canadians (23%, +4) would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, while 21% (-1) do not care either way and 10% (-5) are not sure.

“Support for the notion of electing Canada’s head of state is particularly high in Quebec (53%) and Alberta (50%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At least two-in-five residents of Ontario (45%), British Columbia (43%), Atlantic Canada (41%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (40%) share the same view.”

More than half of Canadians (52%, +5) believe Canada will still be a monarchy two decades from now, while a third (33%, -3) think the country will have an elected head of state by then.

The favourability rating for King Charles III stands at 38% this month (+6), while one-in-four Canadians (25%, +3) express positive views on Queen Consort Camilla.

Four other members of the Royal Family—the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Prince and Princess of Wales—post higher ratings.

Just under half of Canadians have a favourable view of Prince Harry (48%, +2) while more than two-in-five feel the same way about Duchess Meghan (42%, +1). Majorities of Canadians continue to have a favourable opinion of both Prince William (54%, =) and Princess Kate (also 54%, =).

Half of Canadians (50%, =) say they would have preferred to see Prince William become King of the United Kingdom and the other 14 Commonwealth realms, including Canada, instead of his father.

Majorities of Women (53%), Canadians aged 35-to-54 (52%), Atlantic Canadians (56%) and British Columbians (55%) would have liked to see Prince William as monarch.

Canadians who express a desire for the monarchy to continue are more likely to have preferred William as King after Elizabeth II (60%) than those who yearn for an elected head of state (48%) or those do not care about the issue either way (49%).

Three-in-five Canadians (60%, -5) believe King Charles should advance the cause of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, while two thirds (68%, -2) want him to commit to reduce the carbon footprint of the entire Royal Family.

More than half of Canadians (52%, +2) say they have no problem with King Charles III being featured on coins and bills that will be used in Canada, while more than a third (37%, +2) disagree.

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

Seven-in-Ten Canadians See Homelessness as a Growing Problem

March 18, 2024March 11, 2024By Mario Canseco

Sizeable majorities of the country’s residents support solutions that address mental health and housing.

Vancouver, BC [March 18, 2024] – A large proportion of Canadians regard homelessness as a national concern, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, two thirds of Canadians (66%) describe the current situation related to homelessness in the country as a “major problem”.

More than three-in-five Canadians think homelessness is a “major problem” in their province (61%), while fewer feel the same way about the issue in their municipality (42%) and their neighbourhood (26%).

Just over seven-in-ten Canadians (71%) say homelessness has increased in the country over the past three years. Majorities also feel homelessness has grown in their province (67%) and in their municipality (51%), while fewer perceive an escalation in their neighbourhood (37%).

“More than two thirds of Ontarians (73%), Atlantic Canadians (71%), British Columbians (70%) and Albertans (69%) think homelessness has become a bigger issue in their province over the past three years,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (61%) and Quebec (57%).”

About four-in-five Canadians support two ideas to reduce homelessness in their province: increasing mental health support for residents who require assistance (81%) and increasing temporary housing options for people experiencing homelessness (79%).

Majorities of Canadians also endorse three proposals that focus on construction: offering incentives to developers if they focus on building affordable housing units (75%), devoting tax money to build units to house homeless residents (70%) and changing zoning laws to allow property owners to build more units on standard lots (65%).

Canadians are divided on whether municipal governments should immediately dismantle any encampment or “tent city” located within their municipality, with 46% supporting this course of action and 42% opposing it.

Only 31% of Canadians think the federal government has done a “very good” or “good” job to come up with solutions to deal with homelessness, while more than half (56%) deem its performance as “bad” or “very bad”.

Municipal governments fare better overall, with 39% of Canadians saying their performance on this file has been “very good” or “good”.

The nationwide rating for the way provincial governments are addressing homelessness is 35%. Among the four most populous provinces, Quebec posts the best numbers (39%), followed by Alberta (34%), British Columbia (33%) and Ontario (29%).

Respondents to this survey were asked about specific factors that might be to blame for the current situation regarding homelessness in Canada.

At least two-in-five Canadians think three factors are to blame “a great deal” for homelessness: lack of affordable housing (50%), addiction and mental health issues (46%) and poverty and inequality (40%).

Fewer residents place “a great deal” of the blame for the apparent rise of homelessness on a bad economy and unemployment (33%), personal actions and decisions (26%) and family and emotional trauma (24%).

Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%) believe that, with the proper funding and policies, homelessness can “definitely” or “probably” be eradicated in Canada. More than a third (35%) think that homelessness will “definitely” or “probably” always be a problem in Canada, even with the proper funding and policies.

While only 50% of Canadians aged 55 and over are more convinced that an end to homelessness can be attained, the proportions are higher among their counterparts 35-to-54 (64%) and aged 18-to-34 (68%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from February 25 to February 27, 2024, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Canadians Like Pharmacare Deal, Have High Hopes on Scope

March 6, 2024March 5, 2024By Mario Canseco

Only one-in-four Canadians believe the Conservatives should cancel the national program if they form the next government.

Vancouver, BC [March 6, 2024] – Two thirds of Canadians appear satisfied with a recent announcement related to pharmacare, but perceptions differ on the ultimate reach of the national program, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the final weekend of February, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh announced that a deal had been reached with the governing Liberal Party to establish a national pharmacare program.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 67% of Canadians welcome the establishment of a national pharmacare program, while 20% disagree and 13% are undecided.

“More than two thirds of British Columbians (72%), Atlantic Canadians (69%) and Ontarians (also 69%) are happy with the recent pharmacare announcement,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of Canadians who reside in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (66%), Alberta (65%) and Quebec (62%) share the same view.”

Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians (27%) believe their province should opt-out of the national pharmacare program.

In Quebec and Alberta, two provinces in which the sitting premiers have signaled their intention to opt-out of the national pharmacare program, about half of respondents (48% and 54% respectively) disagree with this course of action.

Fewer than half of Canadians (46%) say they trust the current Liberal government to roll out the national pharmacare program, while 42% do not and 12% are not sure.

Confidence in the current federal administration to manage this program reaches 49% among Canadians aged 18-to-34, but drops to 45% among those aged 35 to 54 and those aged 55 and over.

Only 25% of Canadians believe that the Conservative Party should cancel the national pharmacare program if they form the government after the next federal election.

More than two thirds of Canadians who voted for the Liberals (68%) or the NDP (67%) in the 2021 federal election disagree with the eventual abandonment of the national pharmacare program, along with 44% of those who cast ballots for the Conservatives.

Sizeable majorities of Canadians believe insulin for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (85%) and contraceptives and birth control (71%) should “definitely” or “probably” be included in the national pharmacare program.

More than three-in-five Canadians think six other types of medication should also be covered by the national pharmacare program: blood pressure medication (84%), antibiotics (82%), cholesterol lowering medication (77%), antidepressants (73%), anticoagulants (68%) and pain relievers (65%).

Fewer than half of Canadians would add nutritional supplements (47%) and vitamins (also 47%) to the list of substances that should be included in the national pharmacare program.

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

Canadians Assess How Federal Politicians Are Elected

February 22, 2024February 22, 2024By Mario Canseco

Most are satisfied with “first-past-the-post”, but a majority would welcome a move to party-list proportional representation.

Vancouver, BC [February 22, 2024] – More than three-in-five Canadians have no qualms about the electoral system used in federal ballots, a new Research Co. poll has found.

Canadians elect the members of the House of Commons through a system called “first-past-the-post”, where a candidate wins a constituency by receiving more votes than any others.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 62% of Canadians say they are satisfied with “first-past-the-post”, while 27% are dissatisfied and 11% are not sure.

More than two thirds of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (67%) are satisfied with the current system, along with 61% of those aged 55 and over and 57% of those aged 35-to-54.

Just over three-in-four Canadians who supported the Liberal Party in the last federal election (76%) are content with “first-past-the-post”. Satisfaction is lower among those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (62%) or the Conservative Party (58%) in 2021.

Respondents to this survey were provided with the definitions of three electoral systems that are used in other countries.

More than half of Canadians (56%) would agree to elect all members of the House of Commons through Party-List Proportional Representation, a system in which parties make lists of candidates to be elected, and seats get allocated to each party in accordance with the number of total votes the party receives.

“A move to Party-List Proportional Representation in federal elections would be welcomed by 62% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 and 57% of Canadians aged 35-to-54,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Support is lower among their counterparts aged 55 and over (49%).”

On a regional basis, agreement with electing the members of the House of Commons through Party-List Proportional Representation is highest in British Columbia (60%), followed by Ontario (57%), Atlantic Canada (also 57%), Quebec (54%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (51%) and Alberta (also 51%).

Fewer than half of Canadians (46%) would agree to adopt the Single Transferable Vote system, where votes are initially allocated to a voter’s most preferred candidate, and as the count proceeds and candidates are either elected or eliminated, they are transferred to other candidates in accordance to the voter’s stated preferences.

Just over two-in-five Canadians (41%) would prefer to elect the members of the Hose of Commons through Mixed Member Proportional Representation MMP—a hybrid method that would use Party-List Proportional Representation for a portion of the legislature, and first-past-the-post for another portion.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 29 to January 31, 2024, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

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

Canadians Get Pickier When Pondering Food and Romance

February 12, 2024February 12, 2024By Mario Canseco

A third of Canadians would break up with a person with bad breath or improper table manners.

Vancouver, BC [February 12, 2024] – The proportion of Canadians who would call off a relationship if they encounter two specific setbacks has increased over the past two years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 33% of Canadians say they would stop dating or going out with a person because of how they eat, up six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January 2022.

“More than a third of women (35%) would call off a relationship with a partner who displayed bad manners at the dinner table,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The issue is a deal-breaker for 37% of British Columbians and 36% of Albertans.”

Canadians of Indigenous descent are more likely to say they would stop dating or going out with a person because of how they eat (36%) than their counterparts whose origins are European (32%), East Asian (29%) and South Asian (24%).

One third of Canadians (33%, +5) would call off a relationship with a person who had bad breath—a proportion that rises to 37% in Ontario.

Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party or the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2021 federal election are more likely to regard bad breath as a relationship deal-braker (36% and 37% respectively) than those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (31%).

Fewer Canadians would stop dating or going out with a person because they have a different diet (13%, +4) or because they eat animal products (11%, +3).

One-in-ten residents of Alberta (10%) and Atlantic Canada (also 10%) say they have already broken up with someone because of dietary differences.

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

Positive Perceptions on United States Rise Markedly in Canada

February 7, 2024April 30, 2025By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-four Canadians (76%) hold a favourable view of the United Kingdom.

Vancouver, BC [February 7, 2024] – The views of Canadians on the United States have softened considerably over the past three and a half years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 64% of Canadians have a positive opinion of the United States, up 10 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2023.

“In July 2020, only 32% of Canadians held a favourable view of the United States,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At the start of 2024, this proportion has effectively doubled.”

More than seven-in-ten Canadians aged 55 and over (71%) have a positive opinion of the United States. Majorities of Canadians aged 35 to 54 (62%) and aged 18 to 34 (59%) feel the same way.

More than three-in-four Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in 2021 (77%) hold a favourable view of the United States, along with majorities of those who supported the Liberal Party (70%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (57%) in the last federal election.

Canadians place five other G7 nations at the top of the ranking of positive opinions: the United Kingdom (76%, +2), Japan (73%, -1), Italy (72%, -1), Germany (69%, -3) and France (also 69%, +1).

On a regional basis, France has its highest rating in British Columbia (81%), followed by Alberta (72%), Quebec (69%), Ontario (66%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (65%) and Atlantic Canada (64%).

Majorities of Canadians hold favourable views of two other countries: South Korea (61%, +3) and Mexico (54%, +7). Fewer than two-in-five Canadians feel the same way about India (37%, -2) and Venezuela (32%, +4).

The five lowest ranked countries are China (28%, +8), Saudi Arabia (27%, +5), Iran (16%, +3), Russia (15%, +2) and North Korea (14%, +3).

In December 2020, at the height of the diplomatic impasse related to the arrest of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver and China’s subsequent detention of two Canadians—Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor—on espionage allegations, only 19% of Canadians expressed a positive opinion of China.

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

Canadians Approve of Processes to Decrease Infertility

January 24, 2024January 24, 2024By Mario Canseco

Three-in-four Canadians agree with proposals for the health care system to cover the cost of in vitro fertilization in their province.

Vancouver, BC [January 24, 2024] – Few Canadians express reservations about specific processes that can help people conceive, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost four-in-five Canadians (78%) approve of In vitro fertilization, a process of fertilization where an egg is combined with sperm in vitro.

Similar proportions of Canadians approve of sperm donation (76%), egg donation (also 76%) and surrogacy, a process in which a woman carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual (74%).

Across Canada, more than two-in-five residents (41%) say themselves or someone they know have been affected by infertility—including 47% of women and 47% of Canadians aged 18-to-34.

Practically seven-in-ten Canadians who have experienced infertility, or who have a family member, friend, colleague who has (69%), say that cost was a barrier to proceeding with treatment.

At the present time, three provinces—British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan—lack specific guidelines for the health care system to cover the cost of in vitro fertilization.

About three-in-ten Canadians (29%) endorse the model currently in place in Ontario and Quebec, which covers the costs of one round of in vitro fertilization treatment. About one-in-five Canadians (21%) select the system adopted by Manitoba and Nova Scotia, which offer a tax credit of up to 40 per cent of in vitro fertilization treatment costs.

Fewer Canadians express a preference for two other funding models: a one-time grant of $5,000 to be used for in vitro fertilization treatment which is currently in place in New Brunswick (14%) or a grant of $5,000 to be used for in vitro fertilization treatment for a maximum of three cycles, which has been implemented in Newfoundland and Labrador (11%).

“Only 25% of Canadians think in vitro fertilization should not be funded by the health care system,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “This includes 28% of men, 35% of Canadians aged 55 and over and 32% of Conservative Party voters in the 2021 federal election.”

Earlier this month, Pope Francis called for a ban on surrogacy, stating: “I consider despicable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs.”

Just under a third of Canadians (32%) are in favour of banning surrogacy, while a majority (57%) disagree and 12% are undecided.

Rejection to a ban on surrogacy reaches 61% among women and 63% among Canadians aged 55 and over.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from January 12 to January 14, 2024, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Positive Perceptions of National Economy Decline in Canada

January 12, 2024January 12, 2024By Mario Canseco

More Canadians trust Pierre Poilievre to do the right thing to help the economy (42%) than Justin Trudeau (38%).

Vancouver, BC [January 12, 2024] – Just over a third of Canadians think the country’s finances are doing well at the start of 2024, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 35% of Canadians rate the economic conditions in Canada as “very good” or “good”, down six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2023.

Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%, +5) think the national economy is in “bad” or “very bad” shape.

“More than seven-in-ten Albertans (72%) are dissatisfied with the state of the Canadian economy,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities feel the same way in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (66%), British Columbia (63%), Atlantic Canada (62%), Ontario (59%) and Quebec (55%).”

More than a third Canadians (37%, +5) expect the nation’s finances to decline over the next six months. Only 14% (+2) predict a recovery, while 41% (-4) foresee no changes.

More than two-in-five Canadians (43%, +7) trust federal Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre to do the right thing to help the economy, while 38% (-5) feel the same way about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The rating is lower for Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem (34%, +1).

Trudeau’s best numbers as an economic manager are observed in Quebec (48%), Ontario (38%) and Atlantic Canada (34%). Poilievre fares best in Alberta (56%) and British Columbia (47%) and Ontario (44%).

A majority of Canadians (54%, +2) rate their own personal finances today as “very good” or “good”, while 42% (-4) consider them as “poor” or “very poor.”

Concerns about inflation are slightly lower now than they were in 2023, with more than three-in-five Canadians expecting to pay more for a week’s worth of groceries (74%, -5), gasoline (65%, -8) and a new car (63%, -3) in the next six months. Fewer Canadians predict higher prices for real estate (51%, -4) or a new television set (47%, -4).

Fewer than half of Canadians say they have worried “frequently” or “occasionally” in the past couple of months about the safety of their savings (47%, =), the value of their investments (46%, -2), being able to pay their mortgage or rent (34%, =), themselves or someone in their household becoming unemployed (34%, =) or their employer encountering serious financial trouble (28%, +1).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from January 6 to January 8, 2024, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Canadian Social Media Users Report a Worsening Experience

January 10, 2024January 9, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than a third encountered “fake news” and more than one-in-four found racist comments or content in their feed.

Vancouver, BC [January 10, 2024] – Recent changes to social media platforms have not resulted in Canadian users having a better time online, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, three-in-ten Canadian users of X (formerly known as Twitter) (30%) say their overall experience on the platform has worsened over the past year.

Almost one-in-four Canadian users of Facebook (23%) say they are having a worse time on the platform. The proportion of dissatisfied Canadian social media users is lower for Snapchat (19%), TikTok (18%) and Instagram (15%).

In an open-ended question, Canadian social media users reported four main reasons for their worsening experience: extremism (14%), “fake news” (also 14%), toxicity (12%) and advertising (also 12%).

Other reasons cited by dissatisfied Canadian social media users include racism (6%), bad updates (5%), Elon Musk (also 5%), news from Canada being inaccessible (also 5%), algorithms (4%) and scams (also 4%).

More than a third of Canadian social media users (37%, -2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2021) say they found links to stories on current affairs that were obviously false (sometimes referred to as “fake news”) over the past year.

Significant proportions of Canadian social media users encountered content or comments on their social media feed that they considered racist (27%, =), homophobic (22%, +3) or offensive to people with disabilities (19%, -1). Still, fewer than one-in-four Canadian social media users (23%, =) reported another user for offensive content or comments.

About a third of Canadian social media users (32%, +5) posted something that they deleted after thinking it over twice. Smaller proportions claim to have lost a friend (or to have stopped talking to a friend) over a social media conversation (14%) or recall making a comment on social media that was used against them in a different conversation (8%) over the past year.

Seven-in-ten Canadian social media users (70%, -1) say it is difficult to discern which social media accounts are real and which ones are fake—a proportion that rises to 83% among those aged 55 and over.

Almost two thirds of Canadian social media users (65%, -4) believe “anonymous” social media accounts should be banned and want people to only comment and post if they use their real name and likeness.

More than three-in-five Canadian social media users (62%, -3) think “creeping” on social media should be dealt with and want social media platforms to always allow users to see who has viewed their profiles, photos and posts.

Three-in-five Canadian social media users (60%, =) believe politicians who have a social media account should not be able to block users from engaging with them.

More than half of Canadian social media users who voted for the Liberal Party in the last federal election (56%) think politicians should not resort to blocking social media users. The proportions are higher among Canadian social media users who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (65%) or the Conservative Party (71%) in 2021.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from December 26 to December 28, 2023, among 838 adults in Canada who are users of social media platforms, such as Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and Snapchat and TikTok. 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 +/- 3.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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

Canadians Willing to Explore Trade Beyond the United States

December 20, 2023December 19, 2023By Mario Canseco

Most residents want to capitalize on Asia’s need for Canadian energy resources, but reject state-owned corporate takeovers.

Vancouver, BC [December 20, 2023] – While Canadians overwhelmingly regard the United States as the country’s most important trade partner, two thirds of residents believe the time is right to expand into other markets, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians to rank the importance of having good trade relations with 10 different countries and entities.

The United States was mentioned in the “top three” by 95% of Canadians, followed by the European Union (EU) (54%), the United Kingdom (51%) and China (47%).

Fewer Canadians included six other countries in their “top three”: Mexico (25%), Japan (19%), India (10%), Russia (6%), South Korea (4%) and Brazil (also 4%).

About two thirds of Canadians (67%) believe the Canadian federal government should aim to diversify its trade to be less dependent on the United States.

Majorities of Canadians who in the 2021 federal election voted for the Conservative Party (68%), the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 68%) and the Liberal Party (78%) agree with this policy goal.

More than half of Canadians believe strengthening economic and political relations with Asia should be Canada’s top foreign policy priority (52%) and think Canada stands to benefit from more Asian investment in the country (51%).

“Most residents of British Columbia (59%), Alberta (56%) and Ontario (52%) foresee benefits from Asian investment in Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (47%), Quebec (46%) and Atlantic Canada (44%).”

For three-in-five Canadians (60%), Canada needs to act now to take advantage of Asian countries’ need for energy resources.

Only three-in-ten Canadians (30%) consider Canada to be part of the Asia Pacific region—including 34% of residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and 42% of British Columbians.

A separate question asked Canadians about their feelings if a company, bank or investment fund controlled by a foreign government were trying to purchase a controlling stake in a major Canadian company.

Canadians are more welcoming to corporate takeovers originating in three countries: the United States (61%), France (53%) and Japan (50%).

The favourability rating is significantly lower for similar actions involving the governments of Brazil (33%), India (29%), the United Arab Emirates (25%), Qatar (24%), Saudi Arabia (23%) and China (22%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 23 to November 25, 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.

Almost Half of Canadians Keep Tight Holiday Season Budget

December 13, 2023December 12, 2023By Mario Canseco

Egg nog remains a favourite beverage in every Canadian region, with the exception of Quebec.

Vancouver, BC [December 13, 2023] – Most Canadians do not plan to splurge excessively as the year draws to a close, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, almost half of Canadians (47%) say they will not personally spend more than $500 on gifts, food and decorations during this holiday season.

“Just over two-in-five Canadians (42%) say their expected expenditures during the holiday season will be higher than $500,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion climbs to 49% in British Columbia and to 58% in Atlantic Canada.”

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%) say they will be spending about the same amount on gifts, food and decorations as they did in 2022. Just under one-in-four (23%) plan to spend less than last year, while 13% expect to spend more.

Across the country, 56% of Canadians expect this year’s holiday season to be “more fun than stressful”, up four points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in December 2022.

More than a quarter of Canadians (27%) believe this year’s holiday season will be “more stressful than fun”—including 32% of residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and 29% of Ontarians.

More than three-in-five Canadians (61%, -3) select “Merry Christmas” as their preferred greeting for the season, while 21% (=) choose “Happy Holidays” and 18% (+3) are not sure or do not care either way.

Almost three-in-ten Canadians aged 18-to-34 (28%) prefer “Happy Holidays” as a greeting. The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (22%) aged 55 and over (13%).

As was the case in 2022, three traditional dishes of the season remain popular across the country. More than four-in-five Canadians (83%, -1) like turkey, while majorities also enjoy cranberry sauce (65%, +1) and Brussels sprouts (60%, =).

Almost three-in-five Canadians (58%, +3) like fruit cake, while the rating is lower for mince pies (50%, +2) and plum pudding (47%, -5). Egg nog (56%, +1) is a more popular holiday beverage than mulled wine (37%, +1).

In Quebec, only 41% of residents like egg nog. Preferences are significantly higher in Ontario (56%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 56%), Atlantic Canada (61%), British Columbia (65%) and Alberta (67%).

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

No Change on the Importance of Religion Across Canada

December 8, 2023December 7, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than a third of Canadians (37%) say they are agnostic, atheist or profess no religion.

Vancouver, BC [December 8, 2023] – Religion is not regarded as a major component of life by three-in-four Canadians, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, one-in-four Canadians (25%) say religion is personally “very important” to them, unchanged since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in November 2022.

The proportion of Canadians who consider religion as “very important” is highest in Ontario (29%) and Atlantic Canada (28%). The proportions are lower in Alberta (25%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 25%), Quebec (20%) and British Columbia (also 20%).

More than seven-in-ten Canadians (73%, -8) say family is personally “very important” to them. The rating is lower for friends (49%, -11), country (45%, -2), career (32%, -4) and affluence (13%, -1).

More than a quarter of Canadians aged 55 and over (27%, +5) say religion is “very important” to them personally. The numbers are similar for those aged 18-to-34 (26%, -1) and lower among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (21%, -4).

As was the case in 2022, about half of Canadians (49%, +1) describe their religion as Christian. Just over a third (34%, -3) say they are agnostic, atheist or profess no religion.

“British Columbia is home to the largest proportion of Canadians (41%) who do not participate in any religion,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The numbers are also particularly high in Alberta (40%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (38%) and Quebec (36%)”.

Across the country, more than one-in-five Canadians (22%, +7) say they attend religious gatherings at least once a week. One third (33%, -7) only do so for special events, such as weddings, funerals or baptisms, and three-in-ten (30%, -2) never visit a church, temple or synagogue.

Almost three-in-ten Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in 2021 (28%) attend religious services once a week or more often. The proportions are lower among those who cast ballots for the Liberal Party (22%) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) (19%) in the last federal election.

More than half of Canadians (55%, +2) describe themselves as “very spiritual” or “moderately spiritual”—a proportion that rises to 58% among women and to 59% among Canadians aged 18-to-34.

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

Conservatives Close 2023 With 14-Point Lead in Canadian Politics

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023By Mario Canseco

A third of Canadians (32%) say Pierre Poilievre would make the “Best Prime Minister”, with Justin Trudeau in second place (23%).

Vancouver, BC [November 30, 2023] – The opposition Conservative Party has extended its advantage in Canada’s political scene, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 38% of decided voters would vote for the Conservative candidate in their constituency if an election were held tomorrow, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September.

The governing Liberal Party is a distant second with 24% (-7), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) (21%, +3) the Bloc Québécois with 9% (+1), the Green Party with 4% (+1) and the People’s Party with 2% (+1).

The Conservatives are the most popular federal party in Alberta (58%), Atlantic Canada (47%), British Columbia (45%), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (44%) and Ontario (42%). In Quebec, the Liberals are first (34%), followed by the Bloc (29%).

“The Conservatives and the New Democrats are holding on to most of their supporters from the last federal election (93% and 81% respectively),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 66% of Liberal voters in 2021 are staying with the party.”

Just under two-in-five Canadians (39%,-2) approve of the performance of Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister and Liberal leader. The rating is higher for Official Opposition and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre (47%, +6) and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (48%, =).

Just over a third of Canadians (34%, +2) are satisfied with the way Green Party leader Elizabeth May is handling her duties. The proportions are lower for Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (21%, +1) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (19%, -1).

When Canadians are asked which one of the six party leaders would make the best prime minister, 32% select Poilievre (+4) while 23% choose Trudeau (-5). Singh is third on this indicator with 18% (+1), followed by May (4%, +1) and Bernier (2%, +1).

Almost three-in-ten Canadians (29%, +4) say housing, homelessness and poverty is the most important issue facing the country right now—a proportion that rises to 34% in Ontario, 36% in British Columbia and 37% in Atlantic Canada.

The economy and jobs is second on the list of nationwide concerns (21%, +1), followed by health care (19%, -5), the environment (6%, -4) and immigration (6%, +3).

Almost half of Canadians (47%, +5) would be comfortable with Poilievre being in charge of Canada’s economy. Fewer than two-in-five (37%, -7) are comfortable with Trudeau at the helm.

Only 42% of Canadians (-2) are satisfied with what the Liberals and the NDP have accomplished since their March 2022 supply and confidence agreement—including 70% of Liberal voters in 2021 and 55% of NDP voters in the same federal election.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 25 to November 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.

Photo Credit: Hutima