As Canada's Finance Ministers Consider Options,
Canadians Most Supportive
of Spending Cuts (82%),
Not Deficits (43%) or Tax Hikes (17%)

Toronto, ON - As the Federal Finance Minister considers his various options due to a slowing economy, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television indicates that most Canadians (82%) would be `supportive' (41% very/41% somewhat) of spending cuts (18% would be `not very' (11%) or `not at all' (7%) in favour), compared with just four in ten (43%) who support running a deficit (6% very/37% somewhat).

In the latter regard it means that a majority (57%) of Canadians would `not be supportive' (23% not at all/34% not very) of the Federal Government running a deficit and only 17% would be `supportive' (2% very/15% somewhat) of raising taxes - with a full majority (83%) that would `not be supportive' (47% not at all/35% not very) of this option.

The poll also examined what Canadians believe their provincial government should consider given the same range of options. Generally, three quarters (74%) would be `supportive' (37% very/37% somewhat) if their provincial government cut spending, compared to one quarter (26%) who would `not be supportive' (10% not at all/16% not very).

Four in ten (39%) would be `supportive' (5% very/34% somewhat) of a provincial deficit, compared to six in ten (61%) who would `not be supportive' (25% not at all/36% not very) of such a decision.

Finally, only 13% of Canadians say they'd be `supportive' (2% very/12%) if their provincial government decided to raise taxes, compared to the nine in ten (87%) who would `not be supportive' (52% not at all/34% not very) if this were to take place.

Examining support for these provincial options within their respective regions reveals:

• In British Columbia, 68% support spending cuts, 42% support deficits, and 14% support tax hikes.
• In Alberta, 73% support spending cuts, 20% support deficits, and 14% support tax increases.
• In Saskatchewan and Manitoba, 77% support spending cuts, 31% support deficits, and 15% support tax hikes.
• In Ontario, 72% support spending cuts, 43% support deficits, and 18% support raising taxes.
• In Quebec, 81% support spending cuts, 39% support deficits, and only 9% support raising taxes.
• In Atlantic Canada, 67% support spending cuts, 38% support deficits, and 7% support an increase in their taxes.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest Global from October 22 to October 25, 2008. This online survey of 1012 adults was conducted via the Ipsos I-Say Online Panel, Ipsos Reid's national online panel. The results of this poll are based on a sample where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics to 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 because they are based on samples drawn from opt-in online panels, not on random samples that mirror the population within a statistical probability ratio. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error. 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 in Canada been surveyed.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
John Wright
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(416) 324-2002
[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
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