Four in Ten (43%) Canadians to Pay Close Attention to Upcoming Royal Visit

Toronto, ON - On the eve of the royal visit to Canada from Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a new Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Global News has found that less than half of Canadians (43%mi) will be following along. Four in ten (43%) agree (12% strongly/31% somewhat) they will `pay close attention to the upcoming royal visit by Prince William and Catherine', leaving nearly six in ten (57%) who disagree (29% strongly/28% somewhat).

At the same time, a majority agree that Will and Kate are helping to shore up royal relevance on this side of the pond: seven in ten (70%) Canadians `agree' (23% strongly/ 47% somewhat) that the royal couple will help keep the Monarchy relevant to Canadians. Canadians' positive feeling toward William and Kate is up 3 points since April. Conversely, it is still fairly low compared to what it was five years ago, when 81% agreed. Currently, this still leaves three in ten (30%) Canadians skeptical about the couple's ability to keep the Monarchy relevant in Canada.

With the copious press attention that surrounds any visit from William and Kate or other members of the Royal Family, many Canadians tend to see them as celebrities first. Indeed, half (51%) of Canadians `agree' (23% strongly/28% somewhat) the Queen and the Royal Family should not have any formal role in Canadian society, saying that the Royals are simply celebrities and nothing more (down 2 points since April). Those in Quebec are significantly more likely (66%) to believe the Royal Family are just celebrities compared to other provinces; the same sentiment is shared by 55% of those in Alberta, 49% in the Atlantic provinces, 46% in Ontario, 45% in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and 41% in British Columbia. However, it does seem that Quebecers may be warming up to the Royal Family: their view of the Royals as being little more than celebrities has softened with time, down 8 points in the six years since William and Kate were married.

Who Are the Royal Watchers?

Canadians who plan to pay close attention to the upcoming royal visit from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tend to be older: 52% of Baby Boomers (aged 55+) agree they will follow along, compared to 37% of those in Generation X (35-54) and 38% of Millennials (18-34). Royal watchers are also more likely to be women (48%) than men (37%). At the regional level, royal-watching will be strongest in the Atlantic provinces (51%) and least prevalent in Quebec (27%). Elsewhere, 50% of Ontario residents say they will pay close attention to the royal visit, as well 48% of those in BC, 45% of those in Alberta, and 36% of those in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Does the Monarchy Define Canadian Identity?

Three in five (58%) Canadians agree (19% strongly/39% somewhat) that the constitutional monarchy helps to define Canadian identity and should continue to be our form of government - down three points from April 2016. Four in ten (42%) disagree (16% strongly/26% somewhat).

Queen Elizabeth - Loved and Cherished

Canadians' attachment to the British monarchy appears as strong as ever. Up 2 points since the Queen's 90^th birthday in April, a majority (57%) of Canadians `disagree' (25% strongly/32% somewhat) that when Queen Elizabeth's reign ends, Canada should end its formal ties to the British monarchy. Four in ten (43%) agree (18% strongly/25% somewhat) that Canada should cut ties to the Monarchy at that point - the lowest it has been since this question was first asked 14 years ago.

Queen Elizabeth's reign remains favourably viewed by Canadians. More than eight in ten (84%) agree (36% strongly/48% somewhat) that she has done a good job in her role as monarch - unchanged since April, and very consistent in the 14 years the question has been asked (with one exception of 73% in June 2010).

With the Queen now 90 years old and cutting back on her public-facing duties, the idea of abdication has been floated by some. For a majority of Canadians, however, this is not the preferred option. More than half (55%) `disagree' (21% strongly/34% somewhat) that, given the Queen's age, she should abdicate and let the next in line assume the Throne, while 45% agree (15% strongly/30% somewhat). At the time of her 90^th birthday celebrations in April, Canadians were more open to the possibility of abdication (54% agreed, 46% disagreed), but within five months, views have softened once more.

With a majority seeing William and Kate as an important means of keeping the Monarchy relevant, it is perhaps unsurprising that many (58%) Canadians also say that when his turn comes, Prince Charles should skip his place in line for the throne and instead pass the reign to his son. Canadian opinion on this question has fluctuated over time, with as few as 43% say Prince Charles should skip his place in line in October 2009, and an all-time high of 60% saying the same in July 2011 - when William and Kate embarked on their first royal visit to Canada.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Mike Colledge
President
Ipsos Public Affairs
613.688.8971
[email protected]

About Ipsos

Ipsos ranks third in the global research industry. With a strong presence in 87 countries, Ipsos employs more than 16,000 people and has the ability to conduct research programs in more than 100 countries. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is controlled and managed by research professionals. They have built a solid Group around a multi-specialist positioning--Media and advertising research; Marketing research; Client and employee relationship management; Opinion & social research; Mobile, Online, Offline data collection and delivery. Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999. www.ipsos.com