Expectations of Outcome at the Outset:
Canadians Prefer their Next Government to be a Majority (63%)
But Expect a Minority (64%)

Toronto, ON -With a federal election being called today, a new poll conducted for CanWest/Global television by Ipsos Reid finds that Canadians are in the mood for a majority government...but expect the outcome to be a minority government.

Preferring a Majority Outcome ...

The poll conducted over the night of September 4, 2008, indicates that a majority (63%) prefer that the next government be a Majority government compared with four in 10 (37%) prefer the outcome to be a Minority government.

The preference for a majority government is evident in every major region and demographic across the country:

• Alberta 73% preferring a Majority government versus 27% for a Minority government
• British Columbia 67% preferring a Majority government versus 33% for a Minority government
• Ontario 65% preferring a Majority government versus 35% for a Minority government
• Quйbec 59% preferring a Majority government versus 41% for a Minority government
• Saskatchewan/Manitoba to 55% preferring a Majority government versus 45% for a Minority government
• Atlantic Canada 53% preferring a Majority government versus 47% for a Minority government
• By age: 18 to 34, 56%; 35 - 54, 64%; 55+, 68% preferring a Majority government versus 18 to 34, 56%; 35 - 54, 64%; 55+, 68% who prefer a Minority government
• Men: 62% preferring a Majority government versus 38% for a Minority government
• Women: 64% preferring a Majority government versus 36% for a Minority government

But sensing a Minority Outcome...

However, despite the fact that two thirds of the public would prefer a majority government outcome, almost identically the same number (64%) believe that the outcome will be a Minority government compared with 36% who believe that the outcome will be majority:

• Alberta 49% believing there will be a Minority government outcome versus 51% who believe there will be for a Majority government outcome
• British Columbia 60% believing there will be a Minority government outcome versus 40% who believe there will be for a Majority government outcome
• Ontario 68% believing there will be a Minority government outcome versus 32% who believe there will be for a Majority government outcome
• Quйbec 64% believing there will be a Minority government outcome versus 36% who believe there will be for a Majority government outcome
• Saskatchewan/Manitoba to 63% believing there will be a Minority government outcome versus 37% who believe there will be for a Majority government outcome
• Atlantic Canada 70% believing there will be a Minority government outcome versus 30% who believe there will be for a Majority government outcome
• By age: 18 to 34, 62%; 35 - 54, 65%; 55+, 64% believing there will be a Minority government outcome versus 18 to 34, 38%; 35 - 54, 35%; 55+, 36% who believe there will be for a Majority government outcome
• Men: 64% believing there will be a Minority government outcome versus 36% who believe there will be for a Majority government outcome
• Women: 64% believing there will be a Minority government outcome versus 36% who believe there will be for a Majority government outcome

These are the results of an online survey of 1028 Canadian adults was conducted via the Ipsos I-Say Online Panel, Ipsos Reid's national online panel overnight on September 4, 2008. The results are based on a sample where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics and 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. 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. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population.

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 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
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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