Plurality approve of ORPP

Plurality approve of ORPP

Support down from November

TORONTO August 11^th, 2015 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1001 Ontario voters, close to half approve of the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) when it is described to them (44%). Four-in-ten disapprove (40%) and one sixth don’t have an opinion (15%). This stand in contrast to November, 2014, right after the ORPP was announced, when more than half approved (52%), 3-in-10 disapproved (28%) and as many as one fifth had no opinion (20%).

Approval of the ORPP is common to females (49%), mid income groups ($40K to $60K - 48%), the wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 49%), in the city of Toronto (52%), among Liberals (72%) and New Democrats (53%) and even among some PC voters (22%). Mothers of children under 18 approve (48%) as do the best educated (post grad - 52%). While small business owners (who will pay increased employer contributions) are less than enthusiastic about the ORPP (39%), so are those who have no pensions now (39%).

4-in-10 less likely to support government if they don’t help ORPP

The plurality of Ontario voters will be less likely to support the federal government in the coming election because of its unwillingness to help Ontario administer the ORPP (40%), while about one quarter say this stance will make them more likely to support the government (28%). One quarter will not be influenced one way or the other (27%).

ORPP seen as retirement insurance, not a payroll tax

When voters are asked to describe employee pension contributions, they are most likely to describe them as retirement savings (27%), followed by a personal savings plan (22%). Fewer than one fifth characterize pension contributions as a payroll tax (17%). Opting for “payroll tax” is really only characteristic of PC voters (30%), and then only a minority.

“It may be that the Prime Minister picked the wrong hill to plant his flag on. The ORPP, while less popular than before, is still more liked than not liked, and very few seem to be buying the line that it is a payroll tax. Most voters know a retirement insurance plan when they see one," 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.