Federal Budget Unpopular
Plurality believe budget targeted at middle class is negative
for middle class
Toronto, March 24th
– In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ amongst
1029 Canadian voters, fewer than 2-in-10 (14%) approve of the 2017 budget. 4-in-10
(40%) disapprove of the budget, while just over a third (36%) have no opinion,
with (10%) responding they do not know.
Those most likely to
approve of the budget include Canadians living in the Atlantic Provinces (20%),
supporting the Liberal party (31%), and with a post graduate degree (20%).
Those most likely to
disapprove of the budget include respondents aged 55 to 64 (45%), males (47%),
earning $80,000-$100,000 (49%) or $100,000-$250,000 (49%), living in Alberta
(55%), and supporting the Conservative Party (69%).
Just over 4-in-10 are less likely to vote Liberal because of the
budget
(43%) say they are
less likely to vote Liberal in 2019, with (31%) saying the budget will have no
effect, and (12%) responding that they are more likely to vote Liberal. (13%)
say they don't know.
Those more inclined
to vote Liberal include the oldest (65 and older: 15%), the least wealthy
(22%), the least educated (17%), and the most educated (16%).
Those less inclined
to vote Liberal include ages 35-44 (49%) or 55-64% (50%), males (48%), earning
$40,000-$60,000 (48%) or $100,000-$250,000 (50%), living in Alberta (57%), and
with some college or university (47%) or a college or university degree.
More than a third (37%) see the budget as bad for the economy
Only (15%) see the
budget as good for the economy, with (31%) having no opinion, (17%) don't know,
and (37%) say it will be bad for the economy.
Budget not good for middle class
A strong plurality
(41%) believe that the budget will have a negative effect on the middle class.
(10%) respond its effects will be positive, while (31%) say it will be neutral
and (19%) respond they don't know. Those most likely to respond that it will
have a positive effect include the youngest (13%) and the oldest (12%), living
in Atlantic Canada (17%), and supporting the Liberal Party (19%). Negativity for
the budget was common to those aged 35-44 (47%) or 45-54 (44%), earning $80,000-$100,000
(55%), living in Manitoba/Saskatchewan (50%), and those with a college or
university degree.
Parts of the budget are appreciated
On the dissolution of
Canada Savings Bonds, the plurality had no opinion (35%), suggesting the issue
didn't resonate with many. Slightly more (26%) oppose their abandonment than
support it (21%), with (19%) saying they don't know.
The government's new
investment into childcare is supported by the majority (52%) of respondents.
(22%) oppose, while (18%) had no opinion, with only (8%) saying they do not
know. Support of the childcare investment is common to the youngest (34%), females
(55%), Liberal voters (65%), NDP voters(66%), and Green Party voters (68%), and
those with a post-graduate degree (66%).
A strong plurality
(46%) support the increased taxes on alcohol in Canada. (31%) oppose the move,
while (19%) have no opinion, and (4%) do not know. Support is common to the oldest (53%),
residents of Saskatchewan/Manitoba (60%), and Liberal supporters (62%).
The move to eliminate
the tax credits on transit passes was seen negatively with more than a third
(37%) opposing the decision. Only (16%) support it, with (26%) having no
opinion and (18%) saying they don't know. Opposition is common to the youngest
(40%) and aged 35-44 (43%), and living in BC (46%).
Almost half (49%)
support increased parental leave. (25%) oppose, with (20%) having no opinion,
and (5%) responding they do not know. The youngest (67%), females (52%), Green
Party supporters (70%), and those with a post-graduate degree (55%) are most
likely to support the plan.
On the limitations of
unpaid internships, a third (33%) support the restrictions. (31%) have no
opinion, with (15%) opposed, and (21%) saying they do not know.
Almost half (49%) of
respondents believe that adding GST/HST to ride sharing services such as Uber
is a good move. (24%) oppose it, with (19%) having no opinion, and only (8%)
responding they do not know. Support is common to males (56%), those earning
$60,000-$80,000 (61%) or $100,000-$250,000 (61%), and living in Québec (61%).
"Public opinion
suggests the Liberals should have done better with their budget. While there
are some measures that are hits such as the childcare investments and parental
leave, there are some measures that are misses such as scrapping the transit
credit. Even though a good deal of the component parts are viewed favourably, in
general, Canadians are taking a very dim
view to the Liberals' 2017 budget,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President
of Forum Research.
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.
