Things are Looking Up for 2012, as Nine in Ten (88%) Think it
Will be a Good Year for Them and Their Family

Toronto, ON - Things are looking up for Canadians, overall, in 2012 as nine in ten (88%) expect it to be a `good' year (26% very/62% somewhat) for them and their family, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Conversely, just two in ten (12%) think that it will be a `bad' year (3% very/9% somewhat) for them and their family.

In comparison, an Ipsos Reid poll released yesterday revealed that just three quarters (74%) thought that 2011 was a good year for them and their family, while one quarter (26%) thought it was a bad year for them, suggesting that Canadians on the whole are more optimistic for 2012 based on what they saw in 2011.

Looking ahead to 2012, women (91%) are more likely than men (85%) to believe that 2012 will be good year for them and their family, and Canadians aged 18 to 34 (91%) are slightly more inclined to be optimistic for 2012 than those aged 55+ (89%) or 35 to 54 (86%). Regionally, those in Atlantic Canada (98%) are the most likely to believe that 2012 will be a good year for them, followed by those living in Alberta (89%), Quebec (88%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (88%), Ontario (87%) and British Columbia (87%).

Interestingly, those with kids (93%) are more likely than those without kids (87%) to believe that 2012 will be a good year. Those whose family earns more than $60,000 a year are more likely (93%) than those who earn $30,000 to $60,000 (86%) or less than $30,000 a year (82%).

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between December 14 and 19, 2011, on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. For this survey, a sample of 1,021 Canadians who season 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:

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.

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 2010, Ipsos generated global revenues of e1.140 billion ($1.6 billion U.S.).

Visit www.ipsos-na.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.

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