Canadians pessimistic about economy, concerned about
financial security
Want to see action on taxes,
infrastructure and jobs in budget
TORONTO
March 16th, 2016 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by
the Forum Poll™ among 1567 Canadian voters, fewer than one quarter expect the
economy to improve this year (24%), while the plurality, one third, expect it
to get worse (33%). An equal proportion think the economy won’t change (33%),
and one tenth don’t have enough information to make a judgment (10%).
Believing
the economy will worsen is common to younger respondents (35 to 44 - 40%), the
wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 39%), in Alberta especially (43%) and to a lesser extent
in Ontario (39%), among Conservative voters (56%), mothers (38%) and university
graduates (37%).
Two thirds of Canadians concerned for
their financial security
More than two thirds of voters are
concerned about their financial security (69%) and as many as one third are
“very concerned” (33%). Being very concerned is characteristic of the mid aged
(45 to 54 - 38%), females (35%) rather than males (31%), the least wealthy
(50%), in Ontario (38%), among Conservatives (38%), Anglophones (37%) rather than
Francophones (23%), mothers of kids under 18 (40%) and the least educated (44%).
Voters want to see action on taxes,
infrastructure and jobs in budget
When voters are asked what they want to see
in the federal budget to be tabled March 22, the largest level of mention is
for tax cuts (23%), followed by infrastructure spending (18%) and action on
jobs (15%). Other items listed include affordable housing (12%), CPP expansion
and pension reform (11%) and marijuana legalization (10%).
Pension reform is important to the oldest
(17%), as is infrastructure (26%). Action on jobs is important to boomers (55
to 64 - 19%) while marijuana legalization is key for the youngest (15%). Tax
cuts are especially important to the mid aged (45 to 54 - 30%). Affordable housing
is important to the youngest (under 35 - 18%).
“While Canadians appear to be more
pessimistic than optimistic for their own security and the economy, it is
interesting that assessments of our financial strength split along party lines,
with Conservatives (and older voters) more negatively disposed than Liberals or
New Democrats. This is curious, because those most worried about their future
are also the youngest,”
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.
