Majority (54%) Approves of Federal Government's Management of the Economy

Toronto, ON - A majority (54%) of Canadians `approve' (7% strongly/47% somewhat) of the federal government's overall management of the Canadian economy, according to an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Conversely, nearly half (46%) `disapprove' (14% strongly/32% somewhat) of the way the Harper Government has been handling this file.

There is a large split in attitude between English Canada and Quebec, however. Residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba are the most likely (79%) to approve, followed by those living in Alberta (69%), British Columbia (59%), Atlantic Canada (59%) and Ontario (55%). In stark contrast, just one in three (35%) Quebecers approve of the Harper government's handling of the economy.

During the election, the Conservatives convinced Canadians that they were the best party to handle the economy, and that the economy was without a doubt their top priority. Despite only modest economic gains since the election, most approve of the way the Tories are managing the economy. Canadians continue to be convinced that the economy must be the government's priority, with most (87%) `agreeing' (41% strongly/46% somewhat) that `the number-one priority of Canada's government needs to be prosperity - that is economic growth and job creation'. Just one in ten (13%) `disagree' (1% strongly/11% somewhat) that Canada's priority should be the economy.

Canadians are evenly split on whether or not one of the main indications of prosperity - job creation - has improved since before the economic downturn in 2008. Half (50%) `agree' (7% strongly/42% somewhat) that `more people are working in Canada today than before the economic downturn in 2008', while the other half of Canadians `disagree' (11% strongly/40% somewhat) that this is the case. Closely mirroring the economic fortunes of the provinces, residents of Alberta (64%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (64%) are most likely to believe there has been job growth, while those in Atlantic Canada (51%), Quebec (50%), British Columbia (48%) and Ontario (43%) are less convinced.

The Harper government has been travelling the world, aggressively pursuing greater trading opportunities for Canada around the globe. Reports suggest that Canada is close to inking a deal with the European Union on free trade. To this end, three quarters (73%) of Canadians `agree' (24% strongly/49% somewhat) that `Canada should continue to expand its free trade agreements to include the European Union, India, and other countries in Asia'. One quarter (27%) of Canadians `disagree' (6% strongly/20% somewhat) that free trade should be expanded with these countries.

While diversifying Canada's trading partners can have its benefits, most want to see trade ties with our closest neighbour and most-important trading partner, the United States, to be expanded. Eight in ten (77%) `agree' (21% strongly/56% somewhat) that `Canada should continue to strengthen its trade and security linkages to the USA', while minority (23%) `disagrees' (5% strongly/23% somewhat) that Canada should expand its trading bond with its southern neighbours.

Minister of Immigration, Jason Kenney, has recently announced proposed changes to the immigration system, whereby priority would be given to those potential immigrants who would bring the greatest economic benefit to Canada, thereby lessening the share of family reunification and other humanitarian cases that would be admitted to Canada. Most (79%) `agree' (40% strongly/39% somewhat) that `Canada needs to change its immigration system to focus more on the skills necessary for our economy, rather than humanitarian and family reunification needs'. Only two in ten (21%) `disagree' (5% strongly/17% somewhat) with this proposed change to the immigration system.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between February 13 and 20, 2012, on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. For this survey, a sample of 1,012 adults 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 +/- 3.1 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:

Darrell Bricker
CEO
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
416.324.2001
[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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