Canada – Page 9 – Research Co.

Almost Two Thirds of Canadians Content with COVID-19 Measures

July 26, 2023July 25, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five support holding a public inquiry into the way the federal government managed the pandemic.

Vancouver, BC [July 26, 2023] – Most Canadians believe the country is currently in a good situation when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 64% of Canadians believe we are in a different moment and there is no need for additional public health measures related to COVID-19.

Just over one-in-five Canadians (22%) think we should continue to have strict public health measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, while fewer than one-in-ten (10%) say COVID-19 was a hoax and we never should have altered our lives.

“In November 2021, two thirds of Canadians were in favour of vaccine passports for office workers,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “This month, a similar proportion believe no supplementary actions are required anymore to deal with COVID-19.”

About half of Canadians believe the federal government (50%), their provincial governments (49%) and their municipal governments (51%) were successful in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The rating is lower for the official opposition in Canada (35%) and the official opposition in their province (38%).

While 74% of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in 2021 think the federal government’s pandemic management was a success, the rating is lower among those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (53%) or the Conservative Party (32%).

About half of Canadians also think the media was successful in dealing with the pandemic, in the form of television news (52%), radio news (51%) and newspapers (49%). Fewer Canadians think non-governmental organizations (47%), unions (40%) and trade associations (35%) were successful in managing COVID-19.

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

More than half of Canadians believe similar public inquiries are warranted at three different levels: federal (62%, -4 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022), provincial (61%, -3) and municipal (57%, -4).

Support for a federal public inquiry into pandemic management is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (74%), followed by Ontario (65%), Alberta (62%), Quebec (61%), Atlantic Canada (56%) and British Columbia (53%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 16 to July 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, 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

Pierre Best, Justin Worst as Canadians Rank Recent Prime Ministers

July 21, 2023July 20, 2023By Mario Canseco

For almost half of Canadians, Jack Layton would have been a “very good” or “good” head of the federal government.

Vancouver, BC [July 21, 2023] – Pierre Trudeau keeps a sight lead over Stephen Harper as Canadians ponder the best prime ministers of the past 55 years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 20% of Canadians (+1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2022) think Pierre Trudeau has been the best head of government since 1968.

Harper is a close second with 17% (unchanged), followed by Jean Chrétien (11%, +2), Justin Trudeau (also 11%, -1), Brian Mulroney (8%, =), Paul Martin (3%, =), Joe Clark (2%, =), John Turner (1%, -1) and Kim Campbell (also 1%, =).

“More than a third of Albertans (36%) believe Stephen Harper has been Canada’s best recent prime minister,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Pierre Trudeau fares best in British Columbia (27%), Ontario (23%) and Atlantic Canada (22%).”

When asked about the worst recent prime minister, three-in-ten Canadians (30%, +1) choose Justin Trudeau. Harper is second with 18% (+1), followed by Campbell (7%, +1), Mulroney (6%, +1), Pierre Trudeau (5%, -1), Chrétien (3%, -2), Clark (3%, =), Martin (2%, =) and Turner (1%, -1).

About a third of Atlantic Canadians (32%) think Harper has been the worst recent head of government in Canada. Justin Trudeau’s negative rating reaches 45% in Alberta, 36% in British Columbia and 36% in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

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

Just under half of Canadians (48%, -4) believe Jack Layton would have made a “very good” or “good” prime minister, including 61% of Canadians aged 55 and over.

Five former leaders of the opposition are regarded positively on this question by more than one-in-five Canadians: Preston Manning (28%, -1), Robert Stanfield (27%, -3), Tom Mulcair (also 27 %, -2), Andrew Scheer (22%, -1) and Erin O’Toole (also 22%, -1).

The rating is lower for Michael Ignatieff (19%, +1), Stockwell Day (also 19%, -1), Rona Ambrose (18%, -4) and Stéphane Dion (also 18%, =).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on July 4 and July 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, 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: Tony Webster

Few Canadians Are Paying Attention to Online News Act

July 12, 2023July 12, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than two-in-five consumers of online news would try a different search engine if Bill C-18 restricts access to platforms.

Vancouver, BC [July 12, 2023] – Fewer than half of Canadians are monitoring the discussions related to Bill C-18, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 41% of Canadians are following news stories related to the Online News Act “very closely” or “moderately closely”.

Men (47%), Canadians aged 18-to-34 (50%) and British Columbians (also 50%) are more likely to be currently paying attention to Bill C-18.

The Online News Act seeks to compel Internet companies—such as Meta or Google—to negotiate deals and ultimately pay Canadian media companies for the content they preview and link to on their platforms.

At this point, just over two-in-five Canadians (43%) agree with the idea behind Bill C-18, while 35% disagree and 23% are undecided.

“Support for the Online News Act is highest among Liberal Party voters in the 2021 federal election (56%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 40% of Conservative Party voters and 38% of New Democratic Party (NDP) voters hold positive views on Bill C-18.”

More than three-in-five Canadians (63%) access news online (on a smartphone, computer, or tablet) at least four days a week. The proportions are lower for television news (51%), radio news (34%) and print (15%).

More than half of Canadians aged 55 and over (56%) watch television news every day, compared to 28% among those aged 35-to-54 and 19% among those aged 18-to-34.

About half of Canadians aged 35-to-54 (51%) and aged 55 and over (49%) are daily consumers of online news, along with 37% of those aged 18-to-34.

Canadians who access news online were asked about the way they seek content. More than a third say they access specific stories through a news aggregator (such as Google News) (42%), through a search engine, seeking information about a specific event (38%) or clicking on a link they saw on social media (35%) at least four days a week.

Fewer Canadians who access news online at least four days a week rely on three other methods: typing the URL of a specific website (28%), through newsletters they have subscribed to (21%) or through podcasts (15%)

Bill C-18 has the potential to restrict content that Canadians can find online on news aggregators. At least two-in-five Canadians who access news online say they would be likely to try a different search engine (43%) or access news on television (40%) if their ability to find content is limited.

Fewer Canadians who access news online are willing to try a different news aggregator (29%), bookmark news websites (28%), access news on the radio (also 28%) or access news on a print publication (18%).

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 Cautiously Optimistic About Economic Conditions

July 5, 2023January 11, 2024By Mario Canseco

More than seven-in-ten Canadians expect to pay more for groceries and gasoline in the next six months.

Vancouver, BC [July 5, 2023] – While most Canadians consider the country’s economic conditions as “bad” or “very bad”, the proportion is lower than it was at the start of the year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 56% of Canadians hold negative views when asked about the country’s financial standing, down six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January 2023.

Two-in-five Canadians (41%, +6) consider the country’s current economic conditions as “very good” or “good”.

Only 30% of Albertans (+3) have a positive opinion of Canada’s economy. The proportion is higher in Ontario (41%, +4), British Columbia (42%, +7), Atlantic Canada (also 42%, +13), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (43%, +15) and Quebec (45%, +4).

About a third of Canadians (32%, -12) foresee a decline in the nation’s finances over the next six months. Only 16% (+3) expect an improvement, while 45 (+7) predict no changes.

The survey shows little movement on the question related to personal finances. More than half of Canadians (52%, +1) consider their situation as “very good” or “good”, while 46% (-1) regard it as “poor” or “very poor.”

There is a drop in the proportion of Canadians who have worried “frequently” or “occasionally’ in the last two months about the value of their investments (48%, -4) and the safety of their savings (47%, -5).

Fewer Canadians have been concerned recently about unemployment impacting their household (34%, -3), being able to cover their mortgage or rent payments (also 34%, =) or their employer running into serious financial trouble (27%, -2).

This month, 43% of Canadians (+1) have confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to do the right thing to help the economy. The numbers are lower for federal Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre (36%, +3) and Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem (33%, -1).

“Justin Trudeau gets a higher favourability rating as an economic manager in Ontario (48%), Atlantic Canada (also 48%), Quebec (43%) and British Columbia (also 43%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Pierre Poilievre fares best in Alberta (50%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (46%).”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on June 26 to June 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, 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

Pride in Armed Forces and Indigenous Culture Grows in Canada

June 30, 2023July 3, 2024By Mario Canseco

Fewer than half of Canadians say Parliament, the Canadian economy and the monarchy make them proud.

Vancouver, BC [June 30, 2023] – The feelings of pride expressed by Canadians on Indigenous culture, multiculturalism, the Armed Forces and bilingualism have increased over the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asks Canadians to say if 12 institutions and features elicit feelings of pride among them.

At least seven-in-ten Canadians say that the Canadian flag (80%, +2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in 2022), multiculturalism (74%, +5), hockey (72%, +4) and the Canadian Armed Forces (70%, +5) make them proud.

More than three-in-five Canadians say Indigenous culture (66%, +8), bilingualism (64%, +5) and the state of democracy in Canada (61%, +4) elicit feelings of pride.

The rating is lower for five other institutions and features: the health care system (52%, -6), the Canadian justice system (50%, +1), Parliament (45%, =), the Canadian economy (42%, -7) and the monarchy (34%, -3).

The survey outlines some significant gender differences. Canadian men are more likely to say that hockey (76%), the health care system (57%) and the Canadian economy (47%) make them proud. The results are lower among women (68% for hockey, 47% for the health care system and 36% for the Canadian economy).

Conversely, Canadian women are more likely to be proud about Indigenous culture (70%) and bilingualism (68%) than men (63% and 59% respectively).

“Following a year that featured a coronation, perceptions of the monarchy as a source of pride for Canadians are still the lowest of all 12 items included in the survey,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “About a third of Canadians of all genders and age groups say the monarchy makes them proud.”

The rating for Canada’s heath care system dropped again to 52%, from a high of 77% in 2019. Fewer than half of Atlantic Canadians (46%) and Quebecers (43%) say the health care system makes them proud.

Perceptions about the state of democracy in Canada as a source of pride are significantly higher among Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2021 federal election (82%) than among those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (60%) or the Conservative Party (48%).

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

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Photo Credit: Suwannee.payne

Canadian Police Officers Do Well on Friendliness, Low on Fairness

June 28, 2023July 9, 2023By Mario Canseco

One-in-four Canadians have lost confidence in the internal operations and leadership of the RCMP over the last five years.

Vancouver, BC [June 28, 2023] – More than two thirds of Canadians hold police officers in high regard on approachability and promptness, but perceptions are markedly lower on impartiality, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians to say whether the police officers who operate in their community possess five characteristics.

More than two thirds of Canadians believe the police officers who serve their communities are approachable (69%) and respond to calls promptly, while more than half say they can be trusted (64%) and are a source of pride (57%).

Only 50% of Canadians think the police officers who operate in their community treat every person fairly.

More than half of Canadians who reside in Alberta (58%) and British Columbia (52%) believe the police officers who serve their communities treat every person fairly, along with fewer than half of those who live in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (49%), Ontario (also 49%), Quebec (48%) and Atlantic Canada (43%).

“Fewer than half of Canadians of Indigenous and European descent (48% and 49% respectively) think police officers are fair to everyone,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion is slightly higher among East Asians (51%) and superior among South Asians (61%).”

Two thirds of Canadians (67%) have confidence in the internal operations and leadership of their local police force. More than three-in-five feel the same way about the Supreme Court of Canada (65%) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) (64%). Respondents hive the lowest rating to the criminal courts in their province (58%).

On a regional basis, confidence in the RCMP is highest in Quebec (68%), followed by Ontario (65%), Alberta (also 65%), British Columbia (63%), Atlantic Canada (60%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (57%).

More than half of Canadians (54%) say their confidence in the internal operations and leadership of the RCMP has stayed the same over the last five years. One-in-four (26%) have lost confidence, while 12% say it has increased.

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

Photo Credit: Suwannee.payne

Almost Two-in-Five Canadians Say Haunted Houses Are Real

June 16, 2023July 3, 2023By Mario Canseco

Fewer Canadians believe in other concepts, such as astrology, mediumship and clairvoyance.

Vancouver, BC [June 16, 2023] – The proportion of Canadians who think buildings can be inhabited by the spirits of dead people has increased markedly this year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 39% of Canadians say they “definitely” or “probably” believe in haunted houses, up seven points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in December 2021.

“At least two-in-five residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (46%), Alberta (40%) and Quebec (also 40%) believe in haunted houses,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (38%), British Columbia (37%) and Ontario (36%).”

Fewer than a third of Canadians believe in two other concepts: mediumship, or mediating communication between living human beings and spirits of dead people (32%, +6), and clairvoyance, or the ability to gain information about an object, person, location or physical event through extrasensory perception (31%, +3).

Women are more likely to believe in both mediumship and clairvoyance (36% and 34% respectively) than men (28% and 29% respectively).

Across the country, more than a third of Canadians (35%, +3) believe in astrology, or studying the movements and relative positions of celestial objects to make observations about human affairs and terrestrial events.

Compared to 2021, belief in astrology has increased in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (43%, +12), Quebec (32%, +10), Atlantic Canada (35%, +5) and Alberta (42%, +2). There was no change in Ontario (38%, =) and a reduction in British Columbia (27%, -7).

Fewer than one-in-five Canadians (17%, +3) say they currently pay attention to astrology, while just under three-in-ten (28%, =) used to follow the concept, but do not anymore.

More than half of Canadians (55%, -3) say they have never paid attention to astrology—including 60% of men and 63% of Conservative Party voters in the 2021 federal election.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to believe in astrology (45%) and to be currently paying attention to it (24%) than their older counterparts.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 9 to June 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

Race Relations Improving for More than Two-in-Five Canadians

June 9, 2023June 8, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five Canadians have witnessed behaviour on social media that they would consider racist.

Vancouver, BC [June 9, 2023] – The proportion of Canadians who believe race relations are on the mend has risen since 2021, even if specific groups recall being targeted by racist behaviour in particular settings, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 45% of Canadians believe race relations in Canada have improved over the past two years, up four points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in July 2021.

More than a third of Canadians (37%, +1) think race relations have worsened over the past two years, while 18% (-4) are undecided.

Almost half of British Columbians (48%) believe race relations have degraded. The numbers are significantly lower in Ontario (40%), Alberta (36%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (35%), Quebec (33%) and Atlantic Canada (24%).

Majorities of Canadians whose ancestry is African (71%, +18), South Asian (57%, -1) and Southeast Asian (54%, +11) feel race relations are better now than in 2021. The proportions are lower among respondents of First Nations (48%, -5), European (41%, +7) and East Asian (40%, -1) origins.

More than two-in-five Canadians say they have personally endured racism on social media (47%, -2), on day-to-day social interactions (46%, -3) and at work (42%, +1).

Fewer Canadians have personally experienced racism at work (39%, -1), during interactions with police or law enforcement officers (33%, -2) or during interactions with the health care system (32%, =).

“Just under four-in-five Canadians of East Asian origins (78%) have experienced racism during day-to-say social interactions,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Canadians of First Nations descent are significantly more likely to have endured racism at work (59%) or when dealing with the police (also 59%).”

When asked about behaviour they have witnessed in Canada, there are increases in the number of Canadians who have been exposed to racism on social media (63%, +5), on day-to-day social interactions (58%, +5) and at school (50%, +3).

Fewer than half of Canadians report seeing racist behaviour at work (45%, +2), engaging with police and law enforcement officers (42%, =) and dealing with the health care system (41%, +5).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 19 to May 21, 2023, 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: Kenny Louie

Majority of Canadians Report Living in a Noisier City or Town

May 29, 2023May 28, 2023By Mario Canseco

Unnecessary noise from vehicles, barking dogs and construction noises top the list of common nuisances for Canadians.

Vancouver, BC [May 29, 2023] – The proportion of Canadians who feel their city or town has become more strident has increased, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 54% of Canadians believe their city or town has become noisier over the past year, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2022.

More than three-in-five residents of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia (61% each) think their city or town is more strident now than in 2022. The proportions are lower in Quebec (50%), Atlantic Canada (45%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (44%).

A third of Canadians (32%, +2) say their home is noisier now than last year, while more than two-in-five (43%, +2) feel the same way about their street.

Over the past year, almost a third of Canadians (32%, -4) have been bothered by unnecessary noise from vehicles (such as motorcycles and cars revving up) while inside their homes. Only two other nuisances come close to this level: dogs barking (30%, +3) and construction-related noises (such as roofing, land clearing and heavy machinery) (29%, =).

More than one-in-five Canadians have been exposed to other noises a home, such as loud people outside (23%, -5), a car alarm (22%, -3), loud music playing inside a vehicle (also 22%, +1), loud music at a nearby home (21%, +3) and drivers honking the horn excessively (also 21%, +1).

Fewer Canadians report being bothered by yard work (such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers) (20%, -5), yelling or screaming at a nearby home (20% (+1), fireworks (also 20%, +2), power tools (such as electric saws and sanders) (19%, -2), a loud gathering or party at a nearby home (16%, -1), a home alarm (11%, +1) or cats meowing (7%, =).

Across the country, 16% of Canadians (+2) say they are wearing earplugs to mitigate noise while inside their home, while 11% (+4) have acquired hardware, such as noise cancelling headphones or earphones.

Fewer Canadians have reported noise concerns to the police (9%, +1) or moved away from their previous home because of noise (6%, +1).

“The proportion of Canadians who have not taken any action to deal with noise inside their home has fallen from 74% in 2022 to 67% in 2023,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to be wearing earplugs or acquiring special hardware to mitigate noise.”

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

Canada’s Moral Compass Steady on Humans, Tilting on Animals

May 19, 2023February 21, 2024By Mario Canseco

There is little change in perceptions on issues like contraception and pre-marital sex, but fewer find fur clothing acceptable.

Vancouver, BC [May 19, 2023] – More than half of Canadians have no moral reservations about specific issues related to human relations, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians whether they considered 21 different issues as “morally acceptable” or “morally wrong.”

More than seven-in-ten Canadians think contraception (75%, unchanged since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2022) and divorce (71%, -2) are morally acceptable, and more than two thirds feel the same way about sexual relations between an unmarried man and woman (69%, =) and having a baby outside of marriage (also 69%, =).

More than half of Canadians consider four other issues as morally acceptable: physician-assisted death (58%, -3), sexual relations between two people of the same sex (57%, -2), medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos (55%, =), abortion (53%, -2) and gambling (52%, =).

“There is a sizeable gender gap when Canadians are asked about same-sex relations,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 65% of women find them morally acceptable, the proportion drops to 50% among men.”

Majorities of Canadians of East Asian (60%) and Indigenous origins (55%) believe abortion is morally acceptable. The proportions are lower among Canadians whose descent is European (46%) and South Asian (35%).

Just under a third of Canadians deem pornography (32%, +1) and prostitution (also 32%, +2) as morally acceptable. On each one of these issues, men are more likely to have no qualms (40%) than women (24%).

The most significant year-to-year fluctuation is observed on buying and wearing clothing made of animal fur. Three-in-ten Canadians (30%) think this is morally acceptable, down six points since 2022. Fewer Canadians think two other issues related to animal welfare are morally acceptable: medical testing on animals (22%, -3) and cloning animals (20%, +1).

Fewer than one-in-four Canadians think six other issues included in the survey are morally acceptable: polygamy (21%, +2), suicide (20%, +2), using illegal drugs (19%, +1), married men and/or women having an affair (18%, +2), cloning humans (11%, -1) and paedophilia (7%, +3).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from May 12 to May 14, 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

Young Canadians Willing to Pay More for Organic, Non-GMO Food

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023By Mario Canseco

About one-in-four Canadians frequently check labels to see if the products they buy are organic and non-GMO .

Vancouver, BC [May 17, 2023] – Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely than their older counterparts to consider paying a premium for produce and groceries that are organic or free from genetically modified organisms (GMO), a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 41% of Canadians say they would not pay more for organic food. The proportion rises to 57% among those aged 55 and over, but drops to 41% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 23% among those aged 18-to-34.

A similar scenario is observed on non-GMO food. Just over three-in-ten Canadians (31%) would not pay more for produce and groceries that offered this guarantee, including 38% of those aged 55 and over, 31% of those aged 35-to-54 and 22% of those aged 18-to-34.

More than a third of Canadians would not pay more for food from a company that guaranteed a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Once again, the country’s oldest adults are less likely to consider paying a premium (45%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (38%) and aged 18-to-34 (23%).

“More than two-in-five residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (42%), Atlantic Canada (41%) and Alberta (41%) would not be swayed by food producers guaranteeing lower greenhouse gas emissions than their competitors,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower in British Columbia (37%), Ontario (35%) and Quebec (28%).”

Almost four-in-five Canadians (79%) agree that climate change threatens the world’s food supply. More than seven-in-ten feel the food supply in Canada (76%) and their province (73%) is in danger because of climate change.

One third of Canadians (33%) claim to frequently check labels in the food they buy to review the country or province of origin. About one-in-four check food labels frequently to see if products are organic (24%) or non-GMO (23%).

More than three-in-five Canadians (61%) think the agriculture sector is “definitely” or “probably” taking action to reduce its environmental footprint. The rating is similar for the forestry sector (60%), and lower for two other industries: natural gas (47%) and mining (42%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from May 4 to May 6, 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

Most Canadians Jump on Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Bandwagon

May 12, 2023May 11, 2023By Mario Canseco

Toronto’s NHL franchise is the favourite team of 24% of Canadians, but 53% are rooting for them in this year’s playoffs.

Vancouver, BC [May 12, 2023] – More than half of Canadians are supporting the Toronto Maple Leafs in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs, while more than one-in-four are siding with the Edmonton Oilers, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 53% of Canadians are currently rooting for the Maple Leafs, while 26% are choosing the Oilers. The remaining six National Hockey League (NHL) teams in contention—the Seattle Kraken, the Florida Panthers, the New Jersey Devils, the Las Vegas Golden Knights, the Dallas Stars and the Carolina Hurricanes—are in single digits.

“Residents of Ontario (79%) and Atlantic Canada (70%) are clearly with the Maple Leafs right now,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Two thirds of Albertans (67%) are behind the Oilers.”

Fewer than half of Quebecers (47%) and British Columbians (40%) are rooting for the Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba are more likely to pick the Oilers (47%).

Canadians who are not supporting either of the two domestic franchises in the Stanley Cups playoffs were asked why they have chosen other teams to root for. One third (33%) say they just don’t like the Maple Leafs, while fewer said they have a favourite NHL team and will not root for any other (23%), dislike the Oilers (22%) or just don’t know much about hockey (20%).

When Canadians are asked about their favourite NHL team, 24% select the Maple Leafs while 22% choose the Montreal Canadiens. The fan base is smaller for the Vancouver Canucks (10%), the Edmonton Oilers (8%), the Winnipeg Jets (5%), the Calgary Flames (4%) and the Ottawa Senators (4%).

One-in-four Canadians (24%) do not have a favourite NHL team and almost half (47%) do not have a team they hate the most. The most loathed franchises are the Maple Leafs (17%, and 25% in Quebec) and the Canadiens (10%, and 27% in British Columbia).

More than two thirds of Canadians have favourable views of three former and current NHL stars: Wayne Gretzky (76%), Sidney Crosby (71%) and Mario Lemieux (67%). The rating is lower for Ken Dryden (53%), Connor McDavid (51%) and John Tavares (47%).

Former broadcaster Don Cherry is seen favourably by 45% of Canadians—a proportion that rises to 49% among both men and Canadians aged 55 and over.

Find our data tables here and 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 Back Status Quo on Medical Assistance in Dying

May 5, 2023May 4, 2023By Mario Canseco

Views are more nuanced on expanding the guidelines beyond “grievous and irremediable” medical conditions.

Vancouver, BC [May 5, 2023] – More than seven-in-ten Canadians believe the country has the right policies in place to allow people to seek medical assistance in dying, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 73% of Canadians (down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January 2021) are in favour of the practice under the current federal guidelines:

Being eligible for health services funded by the federal government, or a province or territory (or during the applicable minimum period of residence or waiting period for eligibility).
Being at least 18 years old and mentally competent.
Having a grievous and irremediable medical condition.
Making a voluntary request for medical assistance in dying that is not the result of outside pressure or influence.
Giving informed consent to receive medical assistance in dying.

Compared to January 2021, there is little movement when Canadians are asked about their personal feelings on this issue. Almost three-in-five (58%, =) think medical assistance in dying should be allowed, but only under specific circumstances.

One-in-five Canadians (20%, =) believe medical assistance in dying should always be allowed, regardless of who requests it, while 12% (+1) believe it should never be permitted.

In Alberta, almost one-in-five residents (19%) would prefer to ban medical assistance in dying. In Atlantic Canada, almost three-in-ten residents (28%) think the practice should be available to anyone.

Almost half of Canadians (48%, +5) are satisfied with the regulations that are currently in place in the country to manage the issue of medical assistance in dying, while 27% (+1) are dissatisfied and 25% (-6) are undecided.

Satisfaction with the existing guidelines related to medical assistance in dying is highest in Quebec (53%), followed by British Columbia (52%), Ontario (46%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 46%), Atlantic Canada (44%) and Alberta (40%).

At this point, only an adult with a grievous and irremediable medical condition can seek medical assistance in dying in Canada. Respondents were asked if people should be able to seek medical assistance in dying because of five different reasons.

Half of Canadians would agree to allow adults in Canada to seek medical assistance in dying due to an inability to receive medical treatment (51%) or a disability (50%). Fewer than three-in-ten would consent to expand the guidelines to include homelessness (28%) or poverty (27%) as reasons to seek medical assistance in dying.

Canadians are split when pondering if mental illness should be a justification for an adult to seek medical assistance in dying: 43% support this idea, while 45% are opposed. The federal government has delayed a final decision for eligibility related to mental illness until March 2024.

Just over two-in-five Canadians (42%) think people who help a person to commit suicide should be prosecuted, while just over a third (34%) disagree and 23% are undecided.

“More than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (52%) think counselling a person to end their lives should continue to be a crime,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer Canadians aged 35-to-54 (41%) and aged 55 and over (34%) hold the same view.”

When asked about the appropriate punishment for a parent who is found guilty of assisting a terminally ill son or daughter to die, one-in-four Canadians (24%) select no penalty at all.

Fewer than one-in-ten Canadians (8%) believe this action warrants a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment, while 29% would consent to a prison sentence at the discretion of a judge, and 14% would deal with it through a fine, but no time in prison.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from April 22 to April 24, 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

More Than 1/3 of Canadians See Trudeau & Poilievre as Arrogant

April 28, 2023April 27, 2023By Mario Canseco

Two-in-five Canadians (40%) describe Jagmeet Singh as compassionate.

Vancouver, BC [April 28, 2023] – Canadians rely mostly on negative attributes when they think of the leaders of the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample provided Canadians with a list of 18 different words—nine positive and nine negative—and asked them to choose up to six to describe the leaders of Canada’s three main federal political parties.

The words used the most by Canadians to describe Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau are arrogant (37%), dishonest (36%), out of touch (35%), intelligent (also 35%), inefficient (31%) and foolish (29%).

Official Opposition and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre garners a slightly higher score on arrogant (39%). The other five words relied on the most to describe him are intelligent (34%), out of touch (29%), dishonest (28%), strong (26%) and uncaring (23%).

Canadians used mostly positive words when asked about New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh: compassionate (40%), intelligent (37%), honest (35%), down to earth (also 35%), open (30%) and in touch (27%).

“Sizeable proportions of Canadians aged 55 and over describe Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre as arrogant (46% and 49% respectively),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 12% feel the same way about Jagmeet Singh.”

The words used the least to describe Trudeau are honest (19%), strong (also 19%), efficient (17%), boring (15%), in touch (14%) and exciting (9%).

Fewer than one-in-five Canadians relied on words like secretive (19%), inefficient (18%), boring (17%), compassionate (16%), weak (15%) and exciting (14%) to describe Poilievre.

Only 10% of Canadians labelled Singh as uncaring. The proportions are slightly higher for dishonest (16%), arrogant (14%), boring (also 14%), secretive (12%) and exciting (also 12%).

Most Liberal Party voters in the 2021 election (57%) described Trudeau as intelligent. A majority of Conservative Party voters from the previous federal ballot (53%) rely on the same word to label Poilievre. The word used the most by NDP voters to describe Singh is honest (58%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from April 22 to April 24, 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

Fun and No Boss Motivate Canada’s Prospective Entrepreneurs

April 26, 2023April 25, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than a third of Canadians who have considered starting a new business say not having enough savings holds them back.

Vancouver, BC [April 26, 2023] – Canadians who have thought about entrepreneurship are primarily moved by the promise of doing something they enjoy and not having to report to anyone, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 44% of Canadians say they have considered starting or operating a business of their own.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are significantly more likely to have pondered entrepreneurship (54%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (47%) and aged 55 and over (28%).

Canada’s prospective entrepreneurs are looking at a wide range of industries for their new businesses, including hospitality and food (13%), technology (10%), finance and business services (also 10%), entertainment and recreation (8%) and arts and fashion (also 8%).

When asked about their motivations for starting a new business, more than half of Canada’s prospective entrepreneurs mention doing something they enjoy (53%) and being their own boss and not reporting to anyone (52%).

More than a third of Canada’s prospective entrepreneurs also envision earning more than they currently do (40%) and having flexibility and work-life balance (35%). Fewer are motivated by a sense of adventure (23%), providing a new service or creating something new (18%) and managing and mentoring others (6%).

“Almost two-in-five Canadian women who are considering entrepreneurship (39%) are encouraged by flexibility and a better work-life balance,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than two-in-five men who have considered starting or operating a business of their own (43%) see themselves making more money than now.”

When asked what is holding them back from starting a new business, almost two-in-five of Canada’s prospective entrepreneurs (38%) say they do not have enough savings.

More than a quarter of Canadians who have considered starting or operating a business of their own are worried about the risks involved (33%) and their lack of experience (28%). Fewer are held back because they are happy with their current job situation (20%), not knowing if the service or product is viable (also 20%), not knowing how to get started (also 20%), difficulties to secure proper financing (18%), dealing with too much regulation and bureaucracy (also 18%) and lacking the time to develop and implement a plan (15%).

Canada’s prospective entrepreneurs aged 18-to-34 are more likely to say that they are held back due to complications to secure financial backing (25%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (19%) and aged 55 and over (11%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from March 10 to March 20, 2023, among 2,000 Canadian adults, including 883 who have considered starting or opening a business of their own. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for gender and region. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is +/- 2.2 percentage points for the entire sample and +/- 3.3 percentage points for the sample of prospective entrepreneurs, 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

Confidence in Health Care Down 10 Points in Canada Since 2021

April 21, 2023April 20, 2023By Mario Canseco

Just over a third of Canadians think a shortage of doctors and nurses is the biggest problem facing the system right now.

Vancouver, BC [April 21, 2023] – The proportion of Canadians who are convinced that the country’s health care system will be there for them has fallen over the past year and a half, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 67% of Canadians are “very confident” or “moderately confident” that Canada’s health care system would provide the help and assistance that they would need if they had to face an unexpected medical condition or disease, down 10 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2021.

Confidence in the health care system is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (72%, -8), followed by Alberta (71%, -2), Quebec (68%, -7), British Columbia (67%, -11), Ontario (63%, -16) and Atlantic Canada (59%, -7).

One-in-five Canadians (20%, -5) believe Canada’s health care system works well, and only minor changes are needed to make it work better.

While most Canadians (56%, -3) think there are some good things in Canada’s health care, 17% (+5) believe the system has so much wrong with it that we need to completely rebuild it.

“In August 2020, 30% of Canadians believed the health care system only needed minor modifications,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “This year, only 20% feel the same way.”

Just over a third of Canadians (34%, +2) believe a shortage of doctors and nurses is the biggest problem facing the health care system right now, while just under one-in-four (23%, -4) think it is long wait times.

Fewer Canadians select bureaucracy and poor management (17%, -3), inadequate resources and facilities (9%, +1), lack of a wider range of services for patients (6%, +1) little focus on preventive care (6%, =), and insufficient standards of hygiene (1%, -1) as the main problems in Canada’s health care system.

More than half of Atlantic Canadians (52%) identify a shortage of doctors and nurses as the main problem for the health care system. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (39%), British Columba (37%), Ontario (31%), Quebec (30%) and Alberta (23%).

More than three-in-five Canadians (78%, -4) disagree with the federal government making cuts to health care funding in order to reduce government debt.

Half of Canadians (50%, -6) disagree with the idea that health care in Canada would be better than it is now if it were run by the private sector.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from April 16 to April 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, 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

Canadians Split on Whether the Justice System is Fair for Everyone

April 19, 2023April 18, 2023By Mario Canseco

A majority (56%) believe criminal courts do a good job in determining whether or not an accused person is guilty.

Vancouver, BC [April 19, 2023] – A significant proportion of Canadians question the impartiality of the country’s justice system, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 45% of Canadians agree that the justice system in Canada treats every person fairly, while 43% disagree and 12% are undecided.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to think that the justice system is fair for everyone (51%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (46%) and aged 55 and over (38%).

A majority of Canadians (56%) believe Canada’s criminal courts do a good job in determining whether or not an accused person is guilty.

More than a third of Canadians (37%) believe Canada’s prison system does a good job in helping prisoners become law-abiding.

Respondents to this survey were asked about the use of alternative penalties—such as fines, probation or community service—rather than prison for specific offences.

More than two-in-five Canadians support relying on alternative penalties for cases of credit card fraud (46%) and online harassment or cyberbullying (45%). Fewer believe fines, probation or community service are warranted when dealing with people convicted of drunk driving (38%) and arson (25%).

Residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (53%) and Quebec (48%) are the most supportive of the alternative penalty approach for online harassment. The proportions drop to 44% in both Alberta and Ontario and to 39% in both British Columbia and Atlantic Canada.

“There is a gender divide when Canadians assess alternative penalties instead of prison for drunk drivers,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Men are more likely to endorse fines, probation or community service (42%) than women (33%).”

The survey also queried Canadians about the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which governs the application of criminal and correctional law to people who have committed an offence between the ages of 12 and 18.

At least two thirds of Canadians agree with three elements of the Youth Criminal Justice Act: allowing non-violent, first-time offenders who are unlikely to re-offend to avoid trial in youth justice court by taking part in programs of extrajudicial sanctions (69%), having the possibility of finding parents in contempt of court if they do not attend hearings or participate in the legal process (also 69%) and disclosing the identity of the youths who have been charged only under special circumstances (67%).

Fewer than half of Canadians (48%) are in favour of the provision establishing that no person can be convicted of an offence while he or she is under the age of 12 years.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from April 7 to April 9, 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

By a 3-to-1 Margin, Canadians Choose Evolution Over Creationism

April 14, 2023April 13, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than two-in-five Canadians (43%) think creationism should be part of the school curriculum in their province.

Vancouver, BC [April 14, 2023] – More than three-in-five Canadians side with evolution when asked about the origin and development of human beings on earth, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 63% of Canadians think human beings evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2022.

Just over one-in-five Canadians (21%, +3) believe God created human beings in their present form within the last 10,000 years, while 16% (-2) are not sure.

Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more likely to endorse evolution (71%) than their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (63%) and aged 55 and over (61%).

More than a quarter of Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party in the 2021 federal election (28%) think God created human beings in their present form within the last 10,000 years. Fewer Canadians who cast a ballot for the Liberal Party (21%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (12%) feel the same way.

Consensus is not as clear when Canadians ponder whether 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.

This year, 43% of Canadians (+5) believe there is a place for creationism in the classroom, while 38% (-4) disagree and 19% (-2) are undecided.

“Over the past three years, the numbers have fluctuated wildly on the question of discussing creationism at school,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Support peaked at 44% in 2021, fell to 38% in 2022, and has now jumped to 43% in 2023.”

Just under half of Ontarians (47%, +3) and Atlantic Canadians (46%, +15) are in favor of teaching creationism in schools. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (41%, +4), Alberta (40%, +9) and British Columbia (39%, +11).

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

Many Full Time Employees in Canada Are Stressed and Fatigued

April 12, 2023April 13, 2023By Mario Canseco

More than two-in-five have had to work through lunch to finish a project or task in the past year.

Vancouver, BC [April 12, 2023] – Many full time workers in Canada experience a variety of ailments when the day is done, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of Canadians who are currently employed full time, 49% of respondents say they feel fatigued at the end of a regular workday.

At least three-in-ten full time employees in Canada experience back pain (36%), trouble sleeping (33%) or stressed-out eyes (30%) on weekday nights. Fewer also endure headaches (28%) or neck pain (also 28%) at the end of a regular weekday.

Just under two thirds of full time employees in Canada (64%) describe their position as “very stressful” or “moderately stressful”.

More than two-in-five full time employees in Canada (44%) say they had to work through lunch to finish a project or task in the past year, while at least a third were asked to take on more responsibilities without a raise (35%) or felt depressed because of work (33%).

“Female full time employees in Canada are more likely to report having to do more at their workplace without the benefit of a larger paycheque (44%) than their male counterparts (27%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Women are also more likely to feel dejected by work (41%) than men (25%).”

Fewer full time employees in Canada say they had to work on a project or task on a weekend or holiday (29%), had to work on a project or task after hours from home (28%) or postponed vacation due to work obligations (20%) in the past year,

Just over two thirds of full time employees in Canada (68%) think the company they work for appreciates the effort they put into their job and just over three-in-five (61%) think their employer cares for their health and well-being.

While 55% of full time employees in Canada believe the company they work for pays them what they deserve, 41% disagree with this assessment.

Women (49%), full time employees aged 35-to-54 (45%), Ontarians (also 45%) and those in the middle income bracket (46%) are more likely to believe that they are not getting paid what they deserve.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from March 10 to March 20, 2023, among 895 Canadian adults who are currently employed full time (at least 30 hours a week). The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for gender and region. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is +/- 3.3 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

Few Canadians Say They Are Always Frank with Family and Friends

April 5, 2023April 4, 2023By Mario Canseco

While 66% of Canadians claim to never lie to their children, only 52% say they are always truthful when talking with their parents.

Vancouver, BC [April 5, 2023] – Many Canadians acknowledge being loose with the truth when dealing with family members, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 66% of parents in Canada say they never lie to their children over the course of an average week.

Just over three-in-five fathers in Canada (61%) claim to always tell the truth when chatting with their offspring, compared to 45% among mothers.

More than half of Canadians who have parents (52%) say they never lie to their mother or father—a proportion that falls to 36% among those aged 18-to-34.

“Canada’s youngest adults are not particularly truthful when talking to their mons or dads,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 15% of sons and daughters aged 18-to-34 say they lie to their parents all or most of the time, the proportion drops to 7% among those aged 35-to-54.”

More than three-in-five Canadians who are in a relationship (64%) say they never lie to their wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend—including 72% of those aged 55 and over.

Fewer Canadians say they are always truthful to people on social media (62%) or to friends (60%).

Two thirds of employed Canadians (66%) say they never lie to their clients or customers, while fewer say they are always truthful when dealing with their boss (62%) or their co-workers (57%).

The proportion of employed Canadians who never lie to their boss is highest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (69%) and lowest in British Columbia (57%).

Respondents to this survey were also asked how truthful they think people employed in 16 different professions are. More than a third (35%) believe federal politicians lie all of the time. The numbers are slightly lower for provincial politicians (31%) and municipal politicians (28%).

Almost one-in-four Canadians (23%) think lobbyists are never truthful. Slightly fewer feel the same way about religious leaders (21%), advertisers (20%), lawyers (18%), business executives (17%), real estate agents (16%) and union leaders (also 16%).

Fewer Canadians believe people involved in six other professions lie all the time: television journalists (15%), online journalists (also 15%), print journalists (14%), radio journalists (also 14%), building contractors (also 14%) and pollsters (13%).

This is the last of three releases exploring the relationship of Canadians with the truth. Read the first release and the second release.

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