Majority say the economy is not growing. Canadians are divided on which course of economic action go
In the third wave of the Campaign Research Poll, an online omnibus opinion survey conducted among 1,970 adult Canadians, more than half of Canadians think the economy is not growing (54%), compared to just more than a third who think it is (35%). One tenth are unsure (11%). Perception that the economy is growing is characteristic of younger groups (25 to 34 - 38%) and the oldest (38%), males (37%) rather than females (33%), in BC especially (44%), but also in Toronto (39%), among Liberals (52%) but less so among Conservatives (26%), and among the wealthy ($80K to $100K - 43%).
Split opinion between continuing deficit spending and curtailing it
When asked which course of action the government should take on the economy, Canadians
are split between continuing with deficit spending to stimulate growth (23%) and limiting
spending, even if it risks growth (25%). Fewer want more drastic measures, such as imposing
austerity to eliminate the deficit (18%). About one fifth want to do something else (17%) and a
similar proportion have no opinion (17%).
Among the majority who think the economy is not growing, curtailing spending is preferred
(31%), and austerity is popular (20%), but a significant minority still see the need for continued
spending (16%). Among those who see the economy growing, deficit spending is more popular
(37%), but a fifth still think it’s time to stop spending (20%).
Deficit spending is especially popular in Quebec (28%), and less so in the prairies (19%). Limiting
spending is popular in Alberta (30%) and the prairies (30%) and imposing austerity measures
gains support in Ontario and BC (19% each). Liberals favour spending (40%), while
Conservatives are most likely to favour cutting spending (38%) and imposing austerity measures
(26%).
“It’s clear not all Canadians see the economy in rosy terms right now, despite the enthusiasm
of the federal government. While there is some agreement on this, there is no agreement on
the best course of action to take. Some see more spending as the answer, while others think
it’s time to pull back,” said Eli Yufest, CEO of Campaign Research. Eli may be reached at
eyufest@campaignresearch.ca or at (647) 931-4025 ext 109.
METHODOLOGY
This poll was conducted between April 3 and 11, 2017, among an online panel of 1,970 adult
Canadians, weighted to reflect characteristics of the general population. A probability sample of
this size would have a margin of error of plus or minus 2%, 19 times out of 20.
