7 IN 10 (69%) GIVE LIBERALS THUMBS UP FOR JOB MANAGING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

7 IN 10 (69%) GIVE LIBERALS THUMBS UP FOR JOB MANAGING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

DESPITE CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM, CANADIANS STILL BULLISH ON MAKING MAJOR PURCHASES (65%)

This Angus Reid Group/Globe and Mail poll was conducted by telephone from January 20th to the 25th, 1999 among a representative cross-section of 1,515 Canadian adults.

These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to the 1996 Census data.

With a national sample of 1,515, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results are within +2.5 percentage points of what they would have been had the entire adult Canadian population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population.

Seven in ten (69%) Canadians give the federal Liberals the thumbs up as optimism cautiously returns in the wake of the loonie, stock market and economic collapse of last summer and fall. Moreover, the public is still bullish on making large purchases in today's marketplace with two thirds (65%) saying now is the time to make a purchase.

A National Angus Reid Poll conducted among 1,515 Canadians between January 20th and January 25th, 1999 provides the following insights into Canadians' optimism toward the economy.

7 IN 10 (69%) GIVE THE LIBERALS THUMBS UP FOR JOB MANAGING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

Seven in ten (69%) Canadians say the federal Liberals are doing a good job of managing our national economy. The numbers suggest that there is still some room for improvement with 15% who strongly approve while the other 54% somewhat approve of the Liberal's performance.

OPTIMISM IN NATIONAL ECONOMY BEGINS TO CLIMB AGAIN - BUT, WELL BELOW HEADY HEIGHTS OF sEPTEMBER 1997

Overall confidence that the Canadian economy will improve over the next year or so has increased only slightly to 30% (up 3% since November 1998). Back in September 1997, fully one half (50%) of Canadians believed that the national economy would improve in the upcoming year. Atlantic Canada (36% - up 13% since November 1998) and Ontario (35% - up 7% since November 1998) show the highest levels of increased confidence in the national economy.

Confidence in provincial economies is relatively stable with 10% of Canadians predicting an improvement in their provincial economies over the next year. Ontario leads the way among the provinces, showing a 10% increase (since November 1998) of those saying their provincial economy will improve.

Personal financial optimism also returns, but only to the levels of May 1998. Indeed, one third (33%) of Canadians believe that their own economic situation will improve over the next year or so - 34% answered the same way in May 1998.

IT'S A GOOD TIME TO MAKE A PURCHASE

Two thirds (65%) of Canadians believe now is a very good (5%) or good (60%) time for Canadian consumers to make a major purchase, such as a car or a major household appliance. British Columbia (47%) is least likely to consider now a good time to make such a purchase (down 18% since November 1997). On the other hand, Atlantic Canada (75%) and Ontario (72%) lead the way in confidence levels for making major purchases in today's economy.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Darrell Bricker
Executive Vice-President
Angus Reid Group
(416) 324-2900

Christian Bourque Directeur de recherche Affaires Groupe Angus Reid (514) 877-5550