Majority (53%) of Canadians Prefer Mixed-Model Healthcare,
with Services Offered by Both the Public and Private Sectors

Toronto, ON - Given the option among a for-profit model, not-for-profit model or a mix of both approaches for the healthcare system in Canada, a majority (53%) of Canadians would opt for a `mixed model whereby services are paid for by governments and delivered by the public sector, but patients could seek treatment outside the system and pay for it themselves or through private insurance to private-sector clinics and practices'.

The poll, conducted by Ipsos Reid poll on behalf of Global Television, is the first in a series of polls being released around Canada Day that examine the institutions, symbols, culture and values of Canada.

While most Canadians prefer a mixed model, four in ten (39%) prefer a `not-for-profit' model where services are paid for by governments and individuals and delivered by the public sector'. Conversely, just 7% prefer a `for-profit model where services are paid for by governments and individuals and delivered by the private sector'.

But when forced to pick between a for-profit model and a not-for-profit model, with no middle ground, Canadians appear to be even more aligned with a public system than they were 6 years ago, as eight in ten (80%) would opt for the not-for-profit model (up 9 points since 2006) while two in ten (20%) would prefer a for-profit model (down 9 points).

Given that most Canadians appear to support some element of private-sector involvement in healthcare, while at the same time wanting to protect the public elements, it's not surprising that three quarters (76%) `support (26% strongly/50% somewhat) `Canadians being allowed to buy private health insurance for all forms of medically-necessary treatment that could then be obtained outside of the current system, including cancer care and heart surgery'. Just one quarter (24%) would `oppose' (10% strongly/14% somewhat) such an initiative.

Where Canadians are split, however, is in whether or not doctors should be permitted to `work in a private system in which their patients pay more - or through a private insurer - for medically-necessary treatment outside of the current system'. One half (46%) of Canadians would `support' (10% strongly/36% somewhat) doctors working in this manner, while the other half would `oppose' (24% strongly/30% somewhat) this course of action.

Attitudes Towards Preferred Health System Vary by Region, Income...

While a majority (53%) supports a mixed system whereby public and private options are available to Canadians, support for this option is higher among some people than others:

• British Columbians (64%) are most likely to support a mixed model, followed by those living in Atlantic Canada (58%), Quebec (53%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (53%), Ontario (50%) and Alberta (49%).
• Those whose household makes in excess of $100,000 a year are most likely (64%) to support this approach, followed by fewer of those who earn between $60K to $100K (52%), $40K-$60K (54%), and less than $40,000 (48%).

A purely not-for-profit system is favoured by 39% of Canadians, but some are more likely than others to think so:

• Interestingly, Albertans (46%) are most likely to prefer a not-for-profit system, followed by those living in Ontario (43%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (41%), Quebec (35%), Atlantic Canada (34%) and British Columbia (32%).
• Those whose family earns less than $40K are most supportive of this model (43%), while those who earn $40K-$60K (37%), $60K to $100K (40%) or $100K+ (31%) are less supportive of this approach.
• Support for a for-profit model (7%) does not differ significantly across the country or demographics, with the exception of in Quebec where 12% support a for-profit model.

Canadians Split on Whether Doctors Should be Permitted to Work in the Private Sector...

While half (46%) of Canadians support doctors being permitted to work in a private system, the other half (54%) oppose this course of action. Attitudes on this contentious subject differ across the country:

• A majority of Quebecers (56%) and British Columbians (52%) support doctors being permitted to work in the private sector, while only a minority of those living in Alberta (47%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (43%), Atlantic Canada (43%) and Ontario (40%) support it.
• Conversely, a majority of residents of Ontario (60%), Atlantic Canada (57%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (57%) and Alberta (53%) oppose doctors being able to work in a private system, compared to a minority of British Columbians (48%) and Quebecers (44%) who oppose it.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between June 20-25, 2012, on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. For this survey, a sample of 1,101 Canadians from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to 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 +/- 3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Canada 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:

John Wright
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Global Public Affairs
416.324.2002
[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 an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.

With offices in 84 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers 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 and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,363 billion (1.897 billion USD) in 2011.

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