Canadians pessimistic about economy, concerned about financial security

| Filed under: National, Social Issues

Canadians pessimistic about economy, concerned about financial security

Want to see action on taxes, infrastructure and jobs in budget

TORONTO March 16th, 2016 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1567 Canadian voters, fewer than one quarter expect the economy to improve this year (24%), while the plurality, one third, expect it to get worse (33%). An equal proportion think the economy won’t change (33%), and one tenth don’t have enough information to make a judgment (10%).

Believing the economy will worsen is common to younger respondents (35 to 44 - 40%), the wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 39%), in Alberta especially (43%) and to a lesser extent in Ontario (39%), among Conservative voters (56%), mothers (38%) and university graduates (37%).

Two thirds of Canadians concerned for their financial security

More than two thirds of voters are concerned about their financial security (69%) and as many as one third are “very concerned” (33%). Being very concerned is characteristic of the mid aged (45 to 54 - 38%), females (35%) rather than males (31%), the least wealthy (50%), in Ontario (38%), among Conservatives (38%), Anglophones (37%) rather than Francophones (23%), mothers of kids under 18 (40%) and the least educated (44%).

Voters want to see action on taxes, infrastructure and jobs in budget

When voters are asked what they want to see in the federal budget to be tabled March 22, the largest level of mention is for tax cuts (23%), followed by infrastructure spending (18%) and action on jobs (15%). Other items listed include affordable housing (12%), CPP expansion and pension reform (11%) and marijuana legalization (10%).

Pension reform is important to the oldest (17%), as is infrastructure (26%). Action on jobs is important to boomers (55 to 64 - 19%) while marijuana legalization is key for the youngest (15%). Tax cuts are especially important to the mid aged (45 to 54 - 30%). Affordable housing is important to the youngest (under 35 - 18%).

 “While Canadians appear to be more pessimistic than optimistic for their own security and the economy, it is interesting that assessments of our financial strength split along party lines, with Conservatives (and older voters) more negatively disposed than Liberals or New Democrats. This is curious, because those most worried about their future are also the youngest,” said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.