Majority of Canadians Support Adopting American-Style `Town-Hall' Debates (75%), More Televised Leaders Debates (65%), and More Referenda (59%), But Don't Want Political Action Committees (47%) or Removal of Spending Limits (25%)

Toronto, ON - With all eyes in Canada pointed south to watch the American Election being held on Tuesday, it appears that many Canadians are supportive of adopting many U.S.-style components for use in Canadian elections, but draw the line on other uniquely-American components, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Overall, Canadians support the use of more "town-hall" style leaders debates, more televised leaders debates (65%), online voting (62%), and more use of referenda (59%), but aren't nearly as enthusiastic about adopting Political Action Committees that would participate in the election campaigns on behalf of special-interest groups or campaigns or candidates (47%), or the removal of campaign spending limits for political parties or candidates (25%).

Canadians Support Use of Town-Hall Debates, More Televised Debates...

A major difference between American and Canadian campaign trails is the use of `town-hall' debates in American elections. These types of debates are less structured and often include participation from the audience. Three-quarters (75%) of Canadians `support' (20% strongly/55% somewhat) introducing more `town-hall' style leader debates into Canadian elections, compared to one quarter (25%) who `oppose' (4% strongly/21% somewhat) the use of this style of debate. Albertans (80%), British Columbians (79%), and Atlantic Canadians (77%) are most likely to `support' the use of `town-hall' debates in Canadian elections, while residents of Quebec (71%), Ontario (74%), and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (74%) are least `supportive' of this idea.

Another difference between U.S. and Canadian elections is the amount of televised leader debates that expose national audiences to platforms and positions of the candidates. The 2012 U.S. Election featured three televised leader debates with candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, in addition to a televised Vice-Presidential candidate debate, while the 2011 Canadian federal election featured only two televised debates - one in each official language. Two-thirds (65%) of Canadians `support' (20% strongly/45% somewhat) introducing more televised leaders debates. One-third (35%), however, would `oppose' (8% strongly/26% somewhat) increasing the number of televised debates for Canadian elections. Canadians from Ontario (70%), British Columbia (70%), and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (68%) most support increasing the number of televised leaders debates, while those in Alberta (63%), Quebec (60%), and Atlantic Canada (56%) least `support' such increases.

Canadians Support More Use of Referenda...

American ballots often differ from Canadian ones in that they're more likely to include referenda or ballot questions/initiatives, considering many states have the ability to hold referenda on important policies, like same-sex marriage and the legalization of marijuana. A majority (59%) of Canadians `support' (16% strongly/42% somewhat) more use of referenda in Canadian elections, while a minority (41%) `oppose' (10% strongly/31% somewhat) the use of referenda. Western Canadians (Alberta - 70%, British Columbia - 66%, and Saskatchewan and Manitoba - 65%) most `support' the inclusion of more referenda in Canadian elections, while Quebecers (48%), Ontarians (58%), and Atlantic Canadians (60%) are least `supportive' of such direct democracy initiatives.

Canadians Mixed on Use of PACs...

Another major difference between American and Canadian elections is the use of Political Action Committees (PACs). PACs are groups that participate in campaigns on behalf of special interest groups or candidates and help fundraise the large amounts of money spent during U.S. elections. A slight majority (53%) of Canadians `oppose' (18% strongly/35% somewhat) the inclusion of PACs in Canadian elections, although nearly half (47%) `support' (7% strongly/41% somewhat) using PACs in Canadian elections. Residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (53%), Albertans (52%), and Ontarians (50%) most `support' the inclusion of PACs in Canadian elections, while majority of British Columbians (39%), Atlantic Canadians (42%), and Quebecers (46%) least `support' them.

Canadians Don't Support Limitless Spending...

Unlike Canadian elections where there is a legal spending limit set by Elections Canada, American election campaigns have no such limit - upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States as being an aspect of Freedom of Speech as protected by the Constitution - and parties and candidates are able to spend as much as what they think it will take to emerge victorious. Only one quarter (25%) of Canadians `support' (8% strongly/17% somewhat) the removal of campaign spending limits for political parties or candidates, while three-quarters (75%) `oppose' (48% strongly/27% somewhat) removing these limits. Atlantic Canadians (34%), Albertans (27%), and Quebecers (26%) are most likely to `support' removing campaign spending limits, while residents of British Columbia (19%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (23%) least `support' such removals. Ontarians (25% support/75% oppose) opinions on removing campaign spending limits fall in line with the national average.

Canadians Support Online Voting...

One area on the campaign trail that Canada is a bit ahead of the curve than Americans is in the use of online voting. While neither country can cast a ballot online in federal elections, many Canadian cities and municipalities have begun rolling out this measure as a way to try and increase voter turnout. Three in five (62%) Canadians `support' (29% strongly/33% somewhat) introducing online voting for Canadian elections, while two in five (38%) `oppose' (18% strongly/20% somewhat) the use of online voting. Atlantic Canadians (71%), Albertans (63%), and Ontarians (63%) most `support' the use of online voting, while those from Quebec (58%), British Columbia (61%), and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (61%) least `support' it.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between October 30th to November 2nd, 2012, on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. For this survey, a sample of 1,017 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. The precision of Ipsos online polls is determined by using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/- 3.5 percentage points of the Canadian population. 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 Reid 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.

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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.

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