Federal Budget Unpopular

| Filed under: National
CC Image courtesy of Gilad Rom: http://bit.ly/2o9AA3h

Federal Budget Unpopular

Plurality believe budget targeted at middle class is negative for middle class

Toronto, March 24th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ amongst 1029 Canadian voters, fewer than 2-in-10 (14%) approve of the 2017 budget. 4-in-10 (40%) disapprove of the budget, while just over a third (36%) have no opinion, with (10%) responding they do not know.

Those most likely to approve of the budget include Canadians living in the Atlantic Provinces (20%), supporting the Liberal party (31%), and with a post graduate degree (20%).

Those most likely to disapprove of the budget include respondents aged 55 to 64 (45%), males (47%), earning $80,000-$100,000 (49%) or $100,000-$250,000 (49%), living in Alberta (55%), and supporting the Conservative Party (69%).

Just over 4-in-10 are less likely to vote Liberal because of the budget

(43%) say they are less likely to vote Liberal in 2019, with (31%) saying the budget will have no effect, and (12%) responding that they are more likely to vote Liberal. (13%) say they don't know.

Those more inclined to vote Liberal include the oldest (65 and older: 15%), the least wealthy (22%), the least educated (17%), and the most educated (16%).

Those less inclined to vote Liberal include ages 35-44 (49%) or 55-64% (50%), males (48%), earning $40,000-$60,000 (48%) or $100,000-$250,000 (50%), living in Alberta (57%), and with some college or university (47%) or a college or university degree.

More than a third (37%) see the budget as bad for the economy

Only (15%) see the budget as good for the economy, with (31%) having no opinion, (17%) don't know, and (37%) say it will be bad for the economy.

Budget not good for middle class

A strong plurality (41%) believe that the budget will have a negative effect on the middle class. (10%) respond its effects will be positive, while (31%) say it will be neutral and (19%) respond they don't know. Those most likely to respond that it will have a positive effect include the youngest (13%) and the oldest (12%), living in Atlantic Canada (17%), and supporting the Liberal Party (19%). Negativity for the budget was common to those aged 35-44 (47%) or 45-54 (44%), earning $80,000-$100,000 (55%), living in Manitoba/Saskatchewan (50%), and those with a college or university degree.

Parts of the budget are appreciated

On the dissolution of Canada Savings Bonds, the plurality had no opinion (35%), suggesting the issue didn't resonate with many. Slightly more (26%) oppose their abandonment than support it (21%), with (19%) saying they don't know.

The government's new investment into childcare is supported by the majority (52%) of respondents. (22%) oppose, while (18%) had no opinion, with only (8%) saying they do not know. Support of the childcare investment is common to the youngest (34%), females (55%), Liberal voters (65%), NDP voters(66%), and Green Party voters (68%), and those with a post-graduate degree (66%).

A strong plurality (46%) support the increased taxes on alcohol in Canada. (31%) oppose the move, while (19%) have no opinion, and (4%) do not know.  Support is common to the oldest (53%), residents of Saskatchewan/Manitoba (60%), and Liberal supporters (62%).

The move to eliminate the tax credits on transit passes was seen negatively with more than a third (37%) opposing the decision. Only (16%) support it, with (26%) having no opinion and (18%) saying they don't know. Opposition is common to the youngest (40%) and aged 35-44 (43%), and living in BC (46%).

Almost half (49%) support increased parental leave. (25%) oppose, with (20%) having no opinion, and (5%) responding they do not know. The youngest (67%), females (52%), Green Party supporters (70%), and those with a post-graduate degree (55%) are most likely to support the plan.

On the limitations of unpaid internships, a third (33%) support the restrictions. (31%) have no opinion, with (15%) opposed, and (21%) saying they do not know.

Almost half (49%) of respondents believe that adding GST/HST to ride sharing services such as Uber is a good move. (24%) oppose it, with (19%) having no opinion, and only (8%) responding they do not know. Support is common to males (56%), those earning $60,000-$80,000 (61%) or $100,000-$250,000 (61%), and living in Québec (61%).

"Public opinion suggests the Liberals should have done better with their budget. While there are some measures that are hits such as the childcare investments and parental leave, there are some measures that are misses such as scrapping the transit credit. Even though a good deal of the component parts are viewed favourably, in general,  Canadians are taking a very dim view to the Liberals' 2017 budget,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research.

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.