Dramatic Improvement In Public Perceptions Of BC Economy

Vancouver, BC--A new Ipsos-Reid poll shows that for the first time in seven years, a majority (58%) of British Columbians describe the overall state of the BC economy as "good" or "very good". This is a significant improvement from the 36% of British Columbians who described the provincial economy as "good" or "very good" in Ipsos-Reid's last economic poll taken eight months ago in October 2003. Public perceptions of the BC economy have ranged from the low 20's to the mid 30's since 1998.

On a more personal level, three-quarters (74%) of British Columbians currently describe their own financial situation as "good" or "very good". While the trend in this number is positive (up 4 points from 70% in October 2003), the increase is much less dramatic than for the BC economy as a whole. "Considering the economic cloud British Columbia has been under the last few years, the shift in these numbers is stunning," says Ipsos-Reid Vice-President Kyle Braid. "Perhaps the term economic confidence will no longer be an oxymoron in British Columbia."

These are the findings of an Ipsos-Reid telephone poll conducted June 1st to June 8th with a randomly selected sample of 800 adult British Columbia residents. The results are considered accurate to within 1773.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire BC adult population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual BC population according to the 2001 Census.

Six-in-Ten (58%) British Columbians Think Provincial Economy in "Good" Shape - Highest Level in Seven Years

British Columbians are more upbeat about the provincial economy than they have been at any time since 1997. Currently six-in-ten (58%) residents describe the overall state of the BC economy as "good" or "very good". This is an increase of 22 percentage points from October 2003 (36%) and the highest level recorded since September 1997 (71%).

While perceptions are improving, the findings are muted somewhat by the intensity of public sentiment. Only 3% think the BC economy is "very good", while 56% think the economy is "good". Meanwhile, four-in-ten (41%) British Columbians think the BC economy is in "very poor" shape (6%) or "poor" shape (35%) right now.

There are some notable regional and demographic differences:

• Lower Mainland residents are more likely than residents in the rest of BC to rate the provincial economy as "good" or "very good"(62% vs. 54%).
• Men are more positive than women (64% vs. 53%).
• Residents of non-union households are more positive than residents of union households (63% vs. 48%).

Three-Quarters (74%) Think Their Own Financial Situation is "Good"

Three-quarters (74%) of British Columbians describe their own financial situation as "very good" (8%) or "good" (66%). This is an increase of four percentage points from October 2003 (70%) and the highest recoded result since Ipsos-Reid began tracking this question in October 2000. One-in-four (25%) British Columbians describes their personal financial situation as "very poor" (7%) or "poor" (18%).

Positive assessments ("good" or "very good") increase with household income (45%
Tracking Economic Perceptions of British Columbians



For more information on this press release, please contact:

Kyle Braid
Vice-President, Ipsos-Reid
Vancouver, BC
604.257.3200 About Ipsos-Reid

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.

To learn more, visit: www.ipsos.ca

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