The President's Choice "Go Green" Survey

Toronto, ON - A new Ipsos Reid/President's Choice survey reveals that the majority of Canadians (92%) feel personally responsible for preserving and protecting the environment in their province, yet only six in ten would give themselves an "A" (12%) or a "B" (48%) on their own personal performance.

What kind of sacrifices are Canadians willing to make to protect and improve the environment in their province? Canadians don't hesitate when it comes to recycling (99%), reducing electricity consumption in their home (98%), washing clothes in cold water (96%), buying more environmentally-conscious or "green" products (94%), and using reusable shopping bags in the place of plastic grocery bags (92%). But, don't mess with their cars! Just half (49%) of Canadians are willing to take public transportation.

The survey also reveals that a majority (95%) of Canadians reuse their plastic grocery bags - be it three times or more (35%), twice (32%), or once (29%). Although the most popular use for such bags is garbage (88%), seven in ten (71%) Canucks seem more than happy to forego a fancy tote and reuse plastic grocery bags to carry things to work, school, etc. Other uses for plastic grocery bags include pet litter/waste (46%), lunch bags (45%) and shopping (38%).

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid/President's Choice online survey conducted from March 19 to March 22, 2007. For this study, a representative randomly selected sample of 1194 Canadians 18 years or older was surveyed. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 177 2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had this entire population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted according to Census data.

Canadians Feel Responsible for Protecting the Environment, But Do They Make The Grade?

The majority (92%) of Canadians feel responsible for protecting and preserving the environment in their province - 44% of those feeling very responsible. Conversely, just 8% say they are not responsible, with 1% stating not at all responsible.

• Women are more likely than men to feel responsible (94% vs. 89%).

Six in ten (60%) Canadians give themselves a good grade on their environment protection report cards--12% an "A" and 48% a "B". One-third (34%) give themselves a satisfactory "C" grade, while 5% rate themselves poorly--D (4%) or F (1%).

• Residents of Quйbec (18%) are more likely to give themselves the score of A.
• Canadians 35 or older are more likely than younger adults to give themselves an A (15% vs. 7%), while young adults are more likely to give themselves a C (41% vs. 31%).

What Kind Of Changes Are Canadians Willing To Make/What Are They Doing To Protect & Improve The Environment?

Canadians overwhelmingly report being likely to personally make changes to protect the environment in the following areas: recycling (99%), reducing electricity consumption in their homes (98%), washing clothing in cold water (96%), buying more environmentally-conscious or "green" products (94%), using reusable shopping bags in the place of plastic grocery bags (92%). However, half of Canadians say that it's unlikely that they would take public transportation for the cause (49% would vs. 51% would not).

• Women more than men report being likely to personally make changes to help the environment in virtually all areas: Reducing electricity consumption in their homes (99% vs. 97%); washing clothing in cold water (98% vs. 94%); buying more environmentally-conscious or "green" products (97% vs. 92%); and using reusable shopping bags in the place of plastic grocery bags (96% vs. 88%).
• Prairie residents are less likely to buy "green" products (87%).
• The propensity to take public transit decreases by household income level: 62% of low income households vs. 50% of mid income households vs. 41% of upper income households would opt for public transit.

Most Canadians reuse their plastic grocery bags - be it three times or more (35%), twice (32%), or once (29%). Only 5 % never do so.

• Residents of Ontario (40%), Saskatchewan/Manitoba (44%) are re-using their bags most.
• Men are less likely than women to re-use their bags at all (7% vs. 3%), while women are more likely to use their plastic bags three times or more (41% vs. 28%).

The most popular use for these grocery bags is garbage (88%) followed by personal belongings being brought to work or school or other (71%); pet litter (46%); lunch (45%); and shopping (38%). Another 21% use their bags for some other reason.

• Women are more likely to use bags for carrying things to work/school/etc. (80% vs. 61%); pet litter/waste (51% vs. 40%); and/or shopping (42% vs. 34%).
• Ontarians are more likely to reuse the bags for shopping (53%); residents of Quebec and Atlantic Canada are least likely to do so (17% each).

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.

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