Majority
sees need for CPP expansion
One half sees government plan as an election ploy
TORONTO June 5th,
2015 - In a
random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1156 Canadian
voters, the majority, close to 6-in-10, agree that Canada Pension Plan contributions
should be increased so benefits can be increased (59%), while just one quarter
disagree with this position (25%). One sixth have no opinion (16%). Even among
Conservatives, whose party has resisted this, one half sees the need to
increase contributions and benefits (50%) while just more than a third disagree
(36%). Meanwhile, the idea is especially popular with Liberals (65%).
Mixed reaction to government proposal on CPP
When
voters are asked if they approve of the federal government’s proposal for a
voluntary CPP expansion, with no employer contributions, fewer than half
approve (45%), and just fewer disapprove (39%). Conservatives are not that
enthusiastic about the plan (just 6-in-10 approve - 61%), while New Democrats
are especially likely to disapprove (47%).
One half see CPP proposal as election fodder
One
half of voters characterize the government’s voluntary CPP plan as “an election
ploy” (47%), while 3-in-10 see it as a genuine attempt to help Canadians save
for retirement (31%). One sixth think it’s something else (14%) and half this
proportion don’t know (7%). More than one half of Conservatives think it is a
genuine attempt to help (55%), while very few Liberals (28%) or New Democrats
(16%) do.
"There appears to be strong consensus
that CPP needs to be increased, and that includes increasing contributions.
Half again as many think this as think the government’s voluntary CPP plan will
help, so there is a gap between intention and execution that hasn’t been
resolved," 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.
