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A Third Think
Economy Should be Focus of Ontario Budget
Six-in-ten think budget balance more important than spending
Toronto, April 3rd – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ among 884
Ontario voters, (33%) respond that the economy should be the priority in the
2017 budget. Healthcare (21%) was the second most popular response, followed by
the Environment (12%), Infrastructure (10%), Other (10%), and Education (9%).
Only a small proportion of respondents said they do not know (5%) what the
priority should be.
Those most likely to respond that
the economy should be the priority include respondents aged 45-54 (40%) and
55-64 (38%), males (43%), the most wealthy (41%), living in Eastern Ontario
(38%), and supporting the Progressive Conservatives (50%).
Respondents most likely to say
healthcare should be the priority include those that are aged 65 and over
(31%), the least wealthy (32%), the least educated (32%), living in
Southwestern or North Eastern Ontario (27%), and supporting the NDP (26%).
Balanced Budget Key
More than six-in-ten
(61%) believe that a balanced budget is more important than spending on
programs and services (39%).
Those most likely to
support a balanced budget include respondents that are aged 45-54 (70%) or
55-64 (67%), earning $40,000-$60,000 (65%), $60,000-$80,000 (63%), or the most
wealthy (63%), living in Southwestern (64%) or Northeastern Ontario (64%), and
supporting the Progressive Conservatives (85%).
Respondents most
likely to say spending on programs and services is more important include those
aged 34 or less (43%) or 35-44 (46%), the least wealthy (56%), with a
post-graduate degree (47%), and supporting the NDP (62%).
“Money issues are top
of mind for many voters right now, with almost two-thirds holding the opinion that
a balanced budget is more important than spending on programs and services.
When looking at overall issues of concern to most voters, the Economy and Healthcare
are clearly the frontrunners,” 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.
