Split
opinion on whether low oil prices good for economy
Clearly seen to be good for consumers, but not in Alberta
TORONTO January
28th, 2015 - In
a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ among 1382
Canadians 18 years of age and older, just more, but a minority, think low oil
prices are good for the economy (46%) than think they are bad for the economy
(42%). One tenth can’t form an opinion (12%). Incidence of thinking low oil
prices help the economy is common to mid age groups (45 to 54 - 52%), males
(50%) rather than females (43%), the less wealthy ($20K to $40K - 52%), in
Quebec (55%) but not in Alberta (22%), among Green Party voters (57%) and
Francophones (54%).
Wide majority agree low oil/gas prices good for them personally
Despite
the caution shown above, the wide majority, close to 8-in-10, say the low oil
and gasoline prices are good for them personally (79%), while just 1-in-8 say
they are not (16%). Very few have no opinion on this issue (5%). Thinking low
oil and gas prices are a good thing is common to younger groups (35 to 44 -
83%, 45 to 54 - 82%), mid income groups ($40K to $60K - 83%), the wealthy ($80K
to $100K - 83%), in Ontario (85%) but not in Alberta (54%), New Democrats -
83%) and Francophones (83%).
"While many see that, as a
resource-based economy, low oil prices are problematic for the Canadian economy
as a whole, it is only in Alberta that not even the average consumer in their
day-to-day lives see the benefit of low gasoline prices," 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.
