From Bush's Legacy to Obama's Hope:

Toronto, ON - On the eve of an historic transition of power in the United States, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed a stark contrast of opinions towards outgoing President George W. Bush and incoming President Barack Obama.

Focusing first on President Bush, who has been given a tough ride over both his foreign and domestic policies, three quarters (72%) `disagree' (44% strongly/28% somewhat) that `the critics of George Bush have been too harsh and people will think much better of his presidency in the future'. Conversely, three in ten (28%) `agree' (5% strongly/22% somewhat) that criticism has been too harsh and that people will view Bush's presidency in a more favourable light in the future.

• Residents of Quebec (81%) and British Columbia (80%) are most likely to `disagree' with this sentiment, followed by those living in Atlantic Canada (72%), Ontario (67%), Alberta (66%), and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (64%).

Turning to incoming President Barack Obama, most (86%) Canadians `agree' that the Obama presidency gives them `great hope for the future of America and the world'. Just 14% `disagree' (3% strongly/10% somewhat) that this is the case.

• Atlantic Canadians (93%) are most likely to agree that the Obama presidency gives them hope, followed by Quebecers (92%), Ontarians (86%), British Columbians (86%) and Albertans (80%). Interestingly, those living in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (67%) are considerably less likely to feel this way.

These are the findings of a poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National from January 13 to 15, 2009. This online survey of 1016 Canadian adults was conducted via the Ipsos I-Say Online Panel, Ipsos Reid's national online panel. The results of these polls are based on a sample where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data. Quota samples with weighting from the Ipsos online panel provide results that are intended to approximate a probability sample. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls, however, an unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had the entire adult population of Canada been polled.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Dr. Darrell Bricker
President & CEO
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
416-509-8460
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos
Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999.

In 2007, Ipsos generated global revenues of e927.2 million ($1.27 billion U.S.).

Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.

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