Edmonton Residents Disapprove Of Stelmach Government Handling Of Health Care

26 August 2009

Edmonton, AB - A new Ipsos Reid/Global Edmonton poll shows Edmonton residents largely disapproving of the job the Stelmach provincial government has done in its handling of health care in Alberta. Currently, two-thirds (68%) of Edmonton residents say they disapprove of the government's performance on health care (37% strongly, 31% somewhat). One-in-three (32%) Edmontonians approve of the job being done on health care (4% strongly, 28% somewhat).

Public dissatisfaction is clearly linked to concerns about the level of government spending on health care. Specifically, two-thirds (68%) agree that "they are concerned about the current level of government spending on health care" (30% strongly, 38% somewhat). One-in-three (32%) Edmonton residents disagree they are concerned about health care spending (6% strongly, 26% somewhat).

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between Aug 14 and 18, 2009, on behalf of Global Edmonton. For this survey, a sample of 440 adults living in Edmonton from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-4.7 percentage points 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Edmonton been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Kyle Braid
Vice President
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(778) 373-5130
[email protected]

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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, health and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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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.

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