CANADIANS' VIEWS ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.S.

These data are statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional, age and sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population. With samples of this size, the overall results are within 1772.5 percentage points (19 times out of 20) of what they would have been had the entire adult Canadian population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population.

CANADIANS' VIEWS ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.S.

- Seven in ten (71%) Canadians say the growing closeness of the Canadian and American economies, with Freer Trade is a positive trend -

-- However, 70% also say the "Federal Government should have the power to stop an American company from purchasing a Canadian company" and six in ten (61%) are "angry that the Federal Government is not doing more to stop U.S. and other foreign ownership from buying Canadian-owned companies" --

-- Consumer Patriotism Remains Strong with two-thirds (67%) of Canadians saying they would rather pay more for products made in Canada --

-- Only A Minority (19%) of Working Canadians say they would prefer to live and work in the U.S. --

It's been eleven years since the Canada - United States Free Trade Agreement was enacted. What a difference a decade makes! A solid majority (71%) of Canadians now believes that it is a positive trend that "the Canadian and U.S. economies have grown closer over the last few years mainly because of Freer Trade". Still economic nationalism remains a vital force in Canada. A majority (70%) says "the Federal Government should have the power to stop an American company from purchasing a Canadian company if it believes the deal is not in Canada's best interest". Six in ten (61%) go as far as to say that they are "angry that the Federal Government is not doing more to stop U.S and other foreign-owned corporations from buying Canadian-owned companies".

In spite of close ties to the U.S. economy, consumer patriotism remains strong in Canada with nearly seven in ten (67%) indicating that they "buy Canadian-made products whenever they can, even if it means they have to pay a bit more than for the same product made in another country".

Finally, a minority (19%) of Canadians say that "if they could, they would prefer to live and work in the United States".

This Angus Reid Group/Globe and Mail/CTV poll is based on two telephone surveys conducted from November 4th to November 10th and from November 18th to November 28th. Each of the surveys includes a total of 1,500 and 1,515 adult Canadians respectively. Samples of this size have an associated margin of error of 177 2.5 percentage points 19 times out of 20.

Seven in ten (71%) Canadians say the growing closeness of the Canadian and American economies, with Freer Trade, is a positive trend
For the most part (71%), Canadians now believe that it is a positive trend that "the Canadian and U.S. economies have grown closer over the last few years mainly because of Freer Trade". However, most of those who feel this way are likely to say they are "somewhat positive" (~ 45%) as opposed to "very positive" (26%). For those who believe today's closeness between the Canadian and American economies represents a negative trend, slightly more believe it is "slightly negative" (17%) rather than "very negative" (10%).

• Canadians in the eastern parts of the country are more likely to say that the closeness of the Canadian and American economies marks a positive trend. Three-quarters of Quebecers (75%) and Atlantic Canadians (74%) believe the growing closeness of the Canadian and American economies is a positive trend.
• Younger Canadians, aged 18 to 34 (73%), men (77%) and Canadians who live in high-income households (75%) are slightly more likely than others to be optimistic about the closeness of the Canadian and American economies.

However, 70% also say the "Federal Government should have the power to stop an American company from purchasing a Canadian company"
However, seven in ten (70%) Canadians also agree that the "Federal Government should have the power to stop an American company from purchasing a Canadian company". When asked to choose, another 29% of Canadians say "the Federal Government should not have the power to stop a deal that was legally made between two private-sector companies, even if they think it is not in Canada's best interest". Only 1% of Canadians are unable to choose between these two positions.

• Women (75%), those who are 55 and older (73%) and Canadians living in low-income households (74%) are most likely to suggest that the federal government should be able to stop U.S. companies from purchasing Canadian companies if the deal is not in Canada's best interest.

Six in ten (61%) are "angry that the Federal Government is not doing more to stop U.S. and other foreign ownership from buying Canadian-owned companies"
Six in ten (61%) Canadians go so far as to say that they feel "angry that the Federal Government is not doing more to stop U.S. and other foreign ownership from buying Canadian-owned companies". Slightly more than a third (35%) say they "strongly agree" with this statement, whereas, one quarter "somewhat agree". For those who oppose this viewpoint, most say they "somewhat disagree" (24%) rather than "strongly disagree" (13%).

• Atlantic Canadians (71%), women (66%) more so than men (55%) and younger Canadians more so than older Canadians (18 to 34, 63%; 35 to 54, 61%; 55+, 57%) are most likely to agree that they feel "angry that the Federal Government is not doing more to stop U.S. and other foreign ownership from buying Canadian-owned companies".
• With a plurality who are opposed, the university educated (43%) and Canadians living in high-income households (45%) are more likely to disagree with this statement than other demographic groupings.

Patriotism is the key for the two-thirds (67%) of Canadians who say they would rather pay more for products made in Canada
Two thirds (67%) of employed Canadians say, "they buy Canadian-made products whenever they can, even if it means they have to pay a bit more than for the same product made in another country". Four in ten (40%) "strongly agree", while a significant minority (~ 27%) indicate that they "somewhat agree" that they are likely to purchase Canadian products whenever they can and are willing to pay more for Canadian-made products. Opposition is lukewarm as only 10 percent "strongly disagree" and more than double say they "somewhat disagree" (22%).

• Albertans (71%) and Quebecers (71%) are slightly more likely than the national average (67%) to say that they are more likely to buy Canadian-made products even if it means paying a bit more for them.
• Canadians aged 55 and older (77%) and women (70%) are also amongst the most likely to say that they buy Canadian products whenever possible even if it does cost a bit more.

A Minority (19%) of Employed Canadians say they would prefer to live and work in the U.S.
A minority (19%) of employed Canadians say "if they could, they would prefer to live and work in the United States" - split between those who "somewhat agree" (10%) and those who "strongly agree" (9%). Most Canadians (81%) are clearly opposed to the idea of preferring the United States to Canada. In fact, nearly two-thirds (62%) "strongly disagree" with the idea that they would prefer to live and work in the United States. Another 19% "somewhat disagree".

• For those who say they would prefer to live and work in the United States, Quebecers (24%) and residents of British Columbia (24%) are more likely than the national average (19%) to agree with this statement.
• Although the majority disagree, Canadians under 55 years of age (20%), those with some post-secondary education (20%) and men (23%) also tend to be slightly more likely to agree that they would prefer to live and work in the United States.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Dr. Darrell Bricker
Executive Vice President
Angus Reid Group
(416) 324-2900