One Half (50%) of Ontario Drivers Say They'll Do Less Driving Due to HST on Gas

Toronto, ON - The HST is now in full swing in Ontario, and it has effectively raised the price of gas by eight percent. This increase appears to be impacting the driving habits of Ontarians as a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Retire Your Ride reveals that one half (50%) of Ontarians who own or lease a car say that they have begun or will begin to drive less (16% a lot/34% a little) than they used to. On the other hand, one half (50%) say that the increase in the price of gas as a result of HST has not and will not change their driving habits, and that they'll continue to drive as much as they did before.

The driving habits of lower-income Ontarians appear to be the most impacted, as six in ten (62%) Ontario drivers whose family earns less than $30,000 say they have begun or will begin to drive less.

With the new rise in gas prices, many (44%) Ontarians claim that they're likely to use other modes of transportation more often: one in three (32%) say they are or will walk more often, while others say the same about riding a bike (16%), using public transit (12%), carpooling (12%), or car sharing (8%). A majority (56%), however, says they're not likely to change their behaviour in any of these ways.

Interestingly, a majority (59%) of those aged 18 to 34 say they're more likely to use these modes of transportation more often, now that gas is more expensive. Four in ten (41%) say they've begun or will begin to walk more often, while significantly more individuals than the provincial average say the same about carpooling (29%), using public transit (23%), riding a bike (22%), or car sharing (11%).

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between July 7 to 13, on behalf of Retire your Ride. For this survey, a sample of 1,010 Ontarians who own or lease a car was interviewed online from Ipsos' Canadian online panel. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and 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 with a car in Ontario 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:
Sean Simpson
Senior 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.

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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 2009, Ipsos generated global revenues of e943.7 million ($1.33 billion U.S.). .

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