Consumer Behavior

Four In Ten (43%) Canadians Plan To Spend The Most On Kids This Year--Will Spend An Average Of More Than $350 On Person Who Gets The Most
Two-Thirds (67%) Of Canadians Receive Bad Gifts--Friends (18%) And In-Laws (16%) Among Worst Gift Givers--Gifts Will Likely End Up In The Closet (33%)
Clothes (12%)And Electronics (10%) Top Canadians' Wish Lists

Home Purchase Intentions, Near Record Low Job Anxiety, And Positive Interest Rate Predictions Drive Economic Outlook
But, Personal Economic Outlook, Big-Ticket And Everyday Spending Intentions Soften Optimism
Ipsos-Reid Canadian Economic Confidence Index Slips 2.36 Points Since September To 110.71

But Canadians Split on Pope's Pronouncements - 47% Agree; 46% Disagree
John Paul Viewed as Sincere (85%), A Peacemaker (80%), Humble (79%) and Conservative (79%)

Majority (63%) Of Canadians Believe Post 9/11 Security Measures Hinder Canada/U.S. Business Relations--Almost Half (45%) Of Americans Agree
Better Use Of Technology At Border (28%), Common Currency (21%) Top Americans' List Of What Would Best Improve Business Relations Between The Two Countries--Canadians Say A Change Of Top Leadership In Countries Would Be Best
Majorities In Both Countries Against National Identity Card

Home Purchase Intentions (14% Likely to Buy) and Near Record Low Job Anxiety (18%) Drive Economic Outlook
One-Year Outlook on Canadian Economy Highest Since April 2003, Matches Robust Numbers in July 2000
Ipsos-Reid Canadian Economic Confidence Index Up 0.74 Points Since August to 113.07

BC Companies And Organizations Get Solid, But Not Great, Marks For Being Socially Responsible

Consumers Pessimistic About Their Ability To Influence Companies

Canadian companies get good, but not great, marks for corporate social responsibility
Majority of Canadians have made a purchase decision based on a company's social responsibility
Public believes companies motivated more by bottom-line than by social conscience
Good news story more likely to grab attention than bad news story

When it Comes to Mortgages, Rates and bonus Rewards Can Make A Difference