Just half satisfied with Canadian democracy

| Filed under: National

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.