Canadians Luke-Warm On Olympic Boycott As Possible Reaction To Chinese Response In Tibet

Ottawa, ON - Following a week of protests in Tibet and around the world against Chinese rule in Tibet and its response in the region, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that Canadians are only luke-warm at this time on the idea of Canada boycotting the Beijing Olympics as a reaction to what is taking place.

Currently, only four in ten (37%) Canadians believe that Canada should boycott the Beijing Olympic Games as a result of the recent events -- however, with these being the early days of heightened internal security in Tibet and other Chinese provinces, this reaction has the potential to escalate and touch not only the Games but also the sponsors and others associated with the world event.

Despite a deliberately provoking question which forced respondents to reflect on pointed criticism of the Chinese government levied by the Dalai Lama, and on whether a boycott would be an appropriate response to alleged actions of the Chinese authorities, a majority (56%) of Canadians think that Canada should not boycott the Olympics to be held this summer in Beijing.

• Quebecers (44%) are the most likely to say that Canada should boycott the upcoming Olympics, followed by Ontarians (37%), Atlantic Canadians (35%), British Columbians (34%) and Albertans (33%). Those living in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (24%) are least likely to support a boycott of the summer games.
• Women (39%) are more likely than men (34%) to say that Canada should boycott the Beijing Olympics.
• Middle-aged Canadians (40%), aged 35 to 54, have a higher propensity than older Canadians (36%), aged 55 and older, or younger Canadians (33%), aged 18 to 34, to believe that a boycott is in order.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television from March 18 to March 20, 2008. For the survey, a representative randomly-selected sample of 1000 adult Canadians was interviewed by telephone. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 1773.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult population of Canada been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted to ensure that the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data.

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 in North America
Ipsos is one of the fastest growing market research companies in the U.S., market leader in Canada, and among the most trusted research brands in North America. With more than 1,500 professionals and support staff in the U.S. and Canada, Ipsos offers a suite of survey-based services--guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies--in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos companies offer a complete line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services.

Ipsos conducts polling on behalf of the Associated Press, the world's oldest and largest news organization.

In 2007, Ipsos generated 927.2 million euros ($1.27 billion U.S.) in total revenues, of which 31% came from its North American operations. The Paris-based company was founded in 1975 and has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999.

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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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