Just
half satisfied with Canadian democracy
Two thirds "extremely/very" angry about Senate scandal
TORONTO December
11th, 2014 - In
a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1658
Canadian voters, just more than half said they were satisfied with how
democracy works in Canada (56%), and just one seventh are "very
satisfied" (16%). One tenth are "not at all satisfied (12%).
Strong dissatisfaction is characteristic of the youngest (16%), the least
wealthy (a proxy for youth - 18%), in BC (18%) and the best educated (post grad
- 16%).
8-in-10 aware of Senate expenses scandal
Almost
all Canadians are aware of the Senate scandal (80%), and this is especially the
case among the oldest (92%), the wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 90%), the best
educated (90%). Awareness is more limited in Quebec (68%), among those with
children (73%), Green (72%) and Bloc Quebecois voters (58%), the youngest (65%)
and the least wealthy (70%).
Two thirds "extremely/very angry" about Senate scandal
Two
thirds of those aware of the Senate scandal (66%) are extremely (42%) or very
angry (23%) about it, and this is especially the case among the oldest (71%),
mid income groups ($40K to $60K - 70%), in Quebec (70%), among liberals (72%)
and New Democrats (70%), the least educated (70%) and Francophones (71%).
Majority disagree PM has handled scandal well
More
than half of those aware of the Senate scandal disagree that Prime Minister
Harper has handled it well (52%) and equal proportions say they disagree or
disagree strongly (26% each). Albertans (46%) and Conservatives (20%) are less
likely to disagree with this.
Half think media spends too much time on Senate scandal
One
half of those voters familiar with the scandal think the media spend too much
time on it (49%), and these are most likely to be the oldest (54%), males
(52%), Albertans (58%), Conservatives (68%) and the least educated (54%).
"Canadians are dissatisfied
with democracy and angry about the senate scandal, especially the youngest and
members of the opposition. Nonetheless, the majority think too much ink and air
is devoted to it in the media" 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.
