Albertans Offer Tentative Support To Klein's Health Care Reforms

Calgary, AB - A new Ipsos Reid poll shows that in the wake of the Klein government's release of its "Getting on with Health Care" document outlining 12 health care reform initiatives to be tackled in 2005 and 2006, that Albertans are tentatively supporting the government's plans. Almost twice as many Albertans (44%) support versus oppose (24%) the government's efforts to reform health care. However, a large minority (30%) say they "need more information" before providing an opinion one way or the other.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between July 18th and July 24th, 2005. The poll is based on a randomly selected sample of 800 adult Albertans. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 177 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult Albertan population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Alberta population according to the 2001 Census data.

Twice as Many Albertans (44%) Support vs. Oppose (24%) Klein Government's Recently Announced Health Care Reforms

On July 12th Premier Ralph Klein and the Health Minister announced their plans for reforming Alberta's healthcare system. The document, entitled "Getting on with Health Care", outlines 12 reform initiatives that will be tackled by the provincial government in 2005 and 2006. More than four in ten (44%) say they support the government's efforts, including one in five (19%) who "strongly support" and one in four (25%) who "somewhat support". This is almost twice as many as the percentage who oppose (24%) the government's efforts. Among those who oppose, 15% "strongly oppose" while 9% "somewhat oppose".

• Albertans aged under 34 (37%) are less likely than those aged 35 or older (49%) to support the government's reforms.
• Albertans earning less than $50,000 (36%) are less likely than those earning $50,000 or more (49%) to support the reforms.
• Support for the government's efforts is highest in Calgary (51%) and lowest in Edmonton (39%).

But, Three in Ten (30%) Say they "Need More Information"

Despite this level of support, a large minority (30%) of Albertans are reserving judgment, saying they "need more information" before making a decision.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Peter Weylie
Vice-President
Ipsos Reid Corporation
403.390.7052
[email protected]

Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader and the country's leading provider of public opinion research. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos-Reid employs more than 300 researcher professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in Canada, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and on-line panels. Ipsos Reid's Canadian marketing research and public affairs practices are staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, offering the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada--including the Ipsos Trend Report, the leading source of public opinion in the country--all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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