One half approve of 3 years of deficit spending
$90 billion deficit seen to be
unacceptable, though
TORONTO
February 18th, 2016 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken
by the Forum Poll™ among 1406 Canadian voters, close to one half approve of the
Liberal government’s original plan to go into deficit for three years before
balancing the budget in the final year of their mandate (48%), while just more
than one third do not approve of this plan (36%). One sixth have no opinion
(16%). Approval of deficit spending is characteristic of the youngest (57%),
males (50%) rather than females (46%), the wealthy ($80K to $100K - 56%), in the
Atlantic provinces (62%), among Liberals (of course - 73%) and among New
Democrats (54%). Disapproval is common to the young mid aged (35 to 44 - 45%),
males (39%), mid income groups ($60K to $80K - 46%), in Alberta (53%) and among
Conservatives (77%).
6-in-10 says a $90 billion deficit is
unacceptable
Voters
were presented with reports that the Liberal government deficits may total as
much as $90 billion by the end of their mandate. As many as 6-in-10 say this is
unacceptable (59%), while just more than a quarter find it acceptable (28%). A
seventh don’t have an opinion (13%).Those who find this acceptable are
especially likely to be the youngest (38%), males (30%) rather than females
(25%), the least wealthy (38% - often a proxy for youth), in the Atlantic
Provinces (34%) and in BC 37%), among Liberals (42%) and New Democrats (44%).
Those who find a deficit this large unacceptable are especially likely to be
mid aged (45 to 54 - 71%), the wealthiest (64%), in Alberta (71%) and
Conservative voters (92%).
“This is an issue which splits neatly along
party and regional lines. Deficit spending in general is favoured in the east,
BC, among the young and among Liberals and New Democrats. While $90 billion in
deficits is not seen to be acceptable by most, the same ideological and
regional divisions exist,” 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.
