CANADA'S EQUALIZATION SYSTEM

Toronto, ON - The federal government's equalization program is one of the cornerstones of Canadian federalism. But the way payments are calculated and how much each province receives can be a source of federal-provincial friction. A new Ipsos Reid/CanWest New Service/Global News survey shows that most (60%) Canadian voters support the deal Newfoundland and Labrador struck with the federal government earlier this year allowing it to keep it's equalization payments at current levels despite growing oil and gas revenues. But, most (80%) also say this deal should be open to all provinces. Despite the Ontario government voicing some concerns, few (21%) voters outside Ontario say that province bears an unfair burden in the equalization system. But inside the province, 75% say Ontario bears an unfair burden.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid/CanWest News Service/Global News poll conducted on December 17th and 18th, 2005. A total of 7838 Canadian voters were surveyed via the internet, yielding results which are accurate to within 177 1.1% (19 times out of 20). The data were statistically weighted to ensure that the sample's age, sex, regional and party support composition reflects that of the actual Canadian voter population. The sample was drawn from a pre-recruited panel of over 12,000 voters drawn from Ipsos Reid's internet panel.

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For more information on this news release, please contact:
Dr.Darrell Bricker
President & COO
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.324.2900
[email protected]

John Wright
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.324.2900
[email protected]

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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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