MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Lorne Bozinoff, President
[email protected]
416.960.9603
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadians Prefer Elected Senate
TORONTO
Feb 7th, 2013
Attitudes have not changed in a year
Toronto, February 7th, 2013 – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by
the Forum Poll™ among 1,091 Canadians 18 years of age and older, 4-in-10 think
the Canadian Senate should be elected (40%), and this is the same proportion as
noted last year at this time (January 2012 - 40%). Support for an elected Senate
is highest among wealthier Canadians ($80K to $100K - 48%), in Alberta (55%)
and BC (46%) and among Green Party supporters (54%).
One third want Senate abolished
Just fewer than one third want the Senate abolished (31%) and this is identical to
the proportion noted last year (31%). Support for abolition is higher among older
Canadians (55 to 64 - 38%, 65+ - 39%), males (36%), the wealthiest Canadians
($100K+ - 35%) and those in Atlantic Canada (35%) and the Prairie provinces
(40%). Bloc Quebecois voters are especially likely to call for abolition (45%).
Few want Senate left as is
Just one seventh want the Senate left the way it is (14%) and a similar proportion
do not know what should be done with it (15%), and these results have not
changed since last year.
"While the appetite for Senate reform is not overwhelming, it exceeds the
interest in abolition, so we may have the Red Chamber to kick around for a while
longer," said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be
reached at [email protected] or at (416) 960-9603.
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HIGHLIGHTS:
4-in-10 think the Canadian
Senate should be elected (40%),
and this is the same proportion
as noted last year at this time
(January 2012 - 40%). Support
for an elected Senate is highest
among wealthier Canadians
($80K to $100K - 48%), in
Alberta (55%) and BC (46%) and
among Green Party supporters
(54%).
Just fewer than one third
want the Senate abolished
(31%) and this is identical to
the proportion noted last
year (31%).
“While the appetite for
Senate reform is not
overwhelming, it exceeds the
interest in abolition, so we
may have the Red Chamber
to kick around for a while
longer," said Forum Research
President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
180 Bloor Street W., #1400
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
T 416.960.9600
F 416.960.9602
forumresearch.com
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Lorne Bozinoff, President
[email protected]
416.960.9603
Methodology
The Forum Poll™ was conducted by Forum Research with the results based on an
interactive voice response telephone survey of 1,091 randomly selected residents
of Canada aged 18 or older. The poll was conducted on January 16th-17th, 2013.
TORONTO
Feb 7th, 2013
Results based on the total sample are considered accurate +/- 3 %, 19 times out
of 20. Subsample results will be less accurate. Margins of error for subsample
(such as age, gender) results are available at
www.forumresearch.com/samplestim.asp
Where appropriate, the data has been statistically weighted to ensure that the
sample reflects the actual population according to the latest Census data.
This research is not necessarily predictive of future outcomes, but rather,
captures opinion at one point in time. Forum Research conducted this poll as a
public service and to demonstrate our survey research capabilities.
With offices across Canada and around the world, 100% Canadian-owned Forum
Research is one of the country’s leading survey research firms. This Forum Poll™
and other polls may be found at Forum's poll archive at
www.forumresearch.com/polls.asp
2
180 Bloor Street W., #1400
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
T 416.960.9600
F 416.960.9602
forumresearch.com
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Lorne Bozinoff, President
[email protected]
416.960.9603
Canadian Senate Action
TORONTO
Feb 7th, 2013
‘What do you think should be done with Canada’s Senate?’
[All Respondents]
Age / Gender
%
Sample
Leave senate as it is
An elected senate
Abolish the senate
Don't know
Total
18-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Male
Female
1091
14
40
31
15
131
16
37
27
19
135
14
45
22
19
219
16
42
33
10
304
10
37
38
15
302
14
36
39
11
562
14
39
36
11
529
15
40
27
19
Region
%
Sample
Leave senate as it is
An elected senate
Abolish the senate
Don't know
Total
Atl
Que
ON
Man/Sask
AB
BC
1091
14
40
31
15
112
13
35
35
16
264
19
33
32
15
370
13
39
31
17
119
16
33
40
11
116
12
55
25
8
110
10
46
27
17
Household Income
%
Total
<$20K
$20-40K
$40-60K
$60-80K
$80-100K
$100K+
Sample
Leave senate as it is
An elected senate
Abolish the senate
Don't know
1091
14
40
31
15
146
15
36
27
22
208
19
34
33
14
168
15
42
28
15
125
16
42
31
11
100
15
48
34
3
150
10
45
35
10
Current Federal Party Preference
%
Sample
Leave senate as it is
An elected senate
Abolish the senate
Don't know
3
Total
Cons
Lib
NDP
Green
Bloc
Other Parties
1091
14
40
31
15
313
16
42
31
10
297
17
38
28
17
260
16
39
30
15
71
2
54
33
12
60
11
27
45
17
50
12
36
34
19
180 Bloor Street W., #1400
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
T 416.960.9600
F 416.960.9602
forumresearch.com
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Lorne Bozinoff, President
[email protected]
416.960.9603
-30-
For more information:
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D.
President
Forum Research Inc.
Tel: (416) 960-9603
Fax: (416) 960-9602
E-mail: [email protected]
4
TORONTO
Feb 7th, 2013
180 Bloor Street W., #1400
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
T 416.960.9600
F 416.960.9602
forumresearch.com