Most Ontarians Think Toxic Chemicals Exist in their Environments (77%) and Personal Products (76%)

Toronto, ON - A new Survey of Ontarians conducted on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society has revealed that three quarters (76%) of Ontarians believe there are toxic chemicals in their `environments' (shorthand for where one works, lives or plays), while a similar proportion (77%) think they exist in the products that they use. Furthermore, among those who think that these toxic chemicals exist, eight in ten believe those chemicals found in their environments (83%) or products they use (82%) could be harmful to the health of themselves or their family.

Almost all (94%) Ontarians say they'd `like to learn more about the presence of toxic chemicals in their environments and in the products' that they use. Moreover, eight in ten (84%) would `use an easy-to-navigate website to find out more about the toxic chemicals in their environments and in the products that they use'.

Thinking about how to handle the perceived existence of these toxic chemicals, most Ontarians believe that the Government of Ontario should consider this issue to be a `priority', with eight in ten (80%) giving it at least a 7 on a `priority scale' of 1 to 10.

In fact, 96% `support' (72% strongly/24% somewhat) the `government's strategy to have industries develop a toxics-reduction plan'. And while the current economic situation has caused many Ontarians and governments alike to scale back in many areas of their spending, only 26% say that the current economic situation has caused them to re-think supporting the government's toxic use reduction strategy. For two in three (67%), their support has not been questioned.

Ontarians are almost unanimous (99%) in their agreement that `there should be an easy-to-read label, or symbol, that indicates if toxic chemicals are found in a product', and that they have a `right to be informed, either by a symbol or a label, about harmful chemicals in a product before purchasing the product (99%)'.

A similar proportion (98%) says it's `important' (87% very/11% somewhat) for `all manufacturers to substitute toxic chemicals with less harmful chemicals whenever possible'. In a similar vein, almost all (99%) `agree' that `industry has a responsibility not to put toxic chemicals into our environments', and nine in ten (89%) are `interested in hearing reports from companies about toxic chemicals that are used and released' into their environments.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society from October 14 to 21, 2008. For this survey, a representative randomly selected sample of 1,002 Ontarian adults was interviewed by telephone. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 1773.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult population of Ontario been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted to ensure that the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Research Manager
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(416) 572-4474
[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.

Ipsos, listed on the Eurolist of Euronext - Comp B, is part of SBF 120 and the Mid-100 Index, adheres to the Next Prime segment and is eligible to the Deferred Settlement System. Isin FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP