The online survey of representative national samples shows that almost half of Canadians (46%) believe that the United States is the country that has benefited the most from NAFTA. In the United States, 37 per cent of respondents believe that the big winner with the commerce deal is Mexico.

When asked about the agreement, 46 per cent of Canadians and 40 per cent of Americans say they would like their respective countries to do whatever is necessary to renegotiate the terms of NAFTA. About one-in-six respondents in the two countries (16% in Canada, 15% in the U.S.) believe the current terms of NAFTA are adequate, while a smaller proportion (8% in Canada, 13% in the U.S.) would like for their respective countries to leave the trade deal.

Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (52%) in the last federal election are more likely to call for a renegotiation of NAFTA than those who supported the New Democratic Party (NDP) (47%) and the Conservative Party (44%). In the United States, Independents (44%) are more likely to suggest a revision of terms than Republicans (41%) and Democrats (36%).

At least half of Canadians believe that NAFTA has benefitted the national economy (54%), manufacturers (52%) and employers (50%), and a smaller proportion (46%) think the trade deal has been good for tourists. However, only one third of Canadians (34%) think NAFTA has been beneficial for Canadian workers. Albertans are more likely to express more positive views about the effect of NAFTA than respondents in other provinces.

In the United States, respondents are not as certain about NAFTA’s benefits. At least two-in-five believe the deal has been good for manufacturers (47%), employers (45%) and tourists (40%), but only one third (34%) think NAFTA has benefited the American economy, and just one-in-four (25%) say it has been good for workers. Respondents in the South hold more positive views on the trade deal.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From May 7 to May 8, 2012, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,008 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists, and 1,012 randomly selected American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1% for both countries. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada and the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,007 Canadian adults, half of respondents (51%) expect the budget that will be tabled by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty this week to focus primarily on spending cuts and fiscal restraint.

Three-in-five Canadians (61%) believe the federal government should try to balance the budget, even if it means reduced spending on services, while 21 per cent would opt to increase spending, even if it means continued budget deficits.

About two thirds of Canadians support two concepts that have been discussed by the federal government recently: achieving the goal of eliminating the federal budget deficit by the 2015-16 fiscal year (68%) and eliminating positions in the federal public service (64%).

However, most Canadians are also calling for an expansion to government programs in order to reduce unemployment across the country (74%) and temporarily reducing the sales taxes on gasoline to lower the price at the pump (72%). More than half of respondents (58%) believe tying corporate income tax breaks for companies to increases in their workforce is a good idea.

There are three areas where Canadians seem unwilling to accept modifications. Only 26 per cent think it would be a good idea to increase the eligibility age for Old Age Security (OAS) from 65 to 67 years, and 20 per cent would reduce the amount of money that the federal government transfers to the provinces. Only 13 per cent of Canadians think it is a good idea to lower corporate taxes and raise payroll taxes, such as the Employment Insurance (EI) premiums paid by employees and employers.

Across Canada, one-in-five respondents (19%) expect the budget to have a positive impact on the country, and only five per cent expect it to have a positive impact on themselves personally. Quebecers (40%) are more likely to think that the budget will be negative for Canada, while British Columbians are more likely to believe that they will be worse off personally (47%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Jaideep Mukerji, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+514 409 0462
jaideep.mukerji@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From March 22 to March 23, 2012, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,007 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panellists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,003 Canadian adults, 63 per cent of respondents say the national economy is in good or very good shape, while 33 per cent say it is in poor or very poor shape.

Across the country, the highest level of economic confidence is in Alberta (76%) and the lowest in Atlantic Canada (56%). Since a similar survey conducted in October 2010, the proportion of Canadians who feel the national economy is in good or very good shape has increased by 15 points.

More than half of Canadians (61%) rate their own personal financial situation as good or very good, while 38 per cent deem it bad or very bad. Also, while most Canadians (60%) expect the national economy to remain the same over the next six months, 22 per cent of respondents foresee a decline, and 12 per cent expect an improvement.

Personal Financial Concerns

The biggest financial issue for Canadians right now is the value of their investments, with 36 per cent of respondents saying they have worried occasionally or frequently about it over the past couple of months. One third of Canadians (32% have worried about the safety or their savings, and three-in-ten (29%) have worried about unemployment affecting the household, while only one-in-five have been concerned about being able to pay the mortgage or rent (20%, down 11 points since October 2010) or their employer running into serious financial trouble (19%).

Inflation and Debt

Despite the confidence expressed in the domestic economy, Canadians are still expecting to pay higher prices over the next six months, particularly for groceries (81%) and gasoline (80%). Two-in-five (40%) also think real estate will be more expensive, while one third (34%) expect to pay more for a new car, and one-in-five (20%) believe a new television to be more expensive.

If Canadians had an extra $1,000 they could use for anything, they would allocate the largest proportion ($360) to paying down debt. The rest of the money would be allocated to savings ($167), covering day-to-day expenses ($160), a holiday ($82), a big purchase such as a car or a home renovation ($81), buying personal gifts or treats ($78), investing in mutual funds ($37), and investing in individual stocks ($35).

Analysis

Confidence in the Canadian economy has definitely improved over the past two years, when respondents were evenly divided in their assessment. Now, those who think the economy is doing well outnumber the ones who think it is doing badly practically by a 2-to-1 margin. Albertans remain particularly buoyant, but no region is providing a negative assessment of the country’s current economic standing. There is also a slight uptick in the proportion of respondents who feel their personal financial situation is good.

The other aspect that shows a shift since October 2010 is the way Canadians feel about specific financial concerns. The proportion of respondents who have worried occasionally or frequently about most of the five issues tested has fallen over the past 12 months, with a double-digit drop on the number of Canadians who are concerned about being able to pay their mortgage or rent.

However, while most Canadians expect the economy to remain the same, about one-in-five believe that it will decline—a proportion that is highest in Quebec (27%) and lowest in Alberta (13%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Jaideep Mukerji, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+514 409 0462
jaideep.mukerji@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From October 12 to October 13, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,003 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,007 American adults, 86 per cent of respondents rate the economic conditions in the United States as “bad” or “very bad.”

Two-in-five Americans (40%) rate their own personal finances as “very good” or “good”, while a majority (57%) describe them as “poor” or “very poor.”

Only 19 per cent of respondents expect the U.S. economy to improve over the next six months, while 44 per cent think it will remain the same, and 31 per cent forecast a decline.

Practically half of Americans have worried occasionally or frequently about themselves or somebody in their household becoming unemployed (48%) and about the value of their investments (47%). Other sources for concern are the safety of savings (45%), being able to pay the mortgage of rent (42%), and their employer running into serious financial trouble (30%).

A large proportion of respondents expect the price of groceries (75%) and gasoline (67%) to increase in the next six months. Fewer Americans think they will have to cope with pricier cars (45%), televisions (28%) and real estate (21%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From August 30 to August 31, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,007 randomly selected American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,001 American adults, 85 per cent of respondents consider it an embarrassment to America that the politicians in Washington have not reached an agreement on the federal debt ceiling.

In addition, 78 per cent of Americans believe that the image of the United States abroad has suffered greatly as a result of these discussions, and that the economic crisis in America will become greater if an agreement is not reached.

Across the country, three-in-four respondents (74%) have closely followed news stories related to the negotiations to raise the federal debt ceiling.

The Politicians

The three main participants in the discussions are having a hard time connecting with the population. Only 38 per cent of Americans approve of the way President Barack Obama has dealt with the negotiations, just three-in-ten (29%) approve of how Speaker of the House John Boehner has performed, and one-in-five (21%) feel the same way about Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

None of the three politicians has emerged as a true consensus builder, with 70 per cent of respondents thinking Obama deserves “most” or “some” of the blame for the failure of the negotiations. The figure is equally high for Boehner (73%) and Reid (71%).

Only 48 per cent of respondents are confident that an agreement will be reached before the Aug. 2 deadline.

Raising the Debt Limit

About two-in-five Americans (42%) would raise the debt limit, even if it leads to higher government spending and a higher national debt. Conversely, three-in-ten (31%) think the debt limit should not be raised, even if the government goes into default and the nation’s economy is hurt.

Democrats (57%) and Independents (43%) are more likely to side with the argument to raise the debt limit, while Republicans (46%) would prefer not to raise the current level—along with respondents who agree with the core policies of the National Tea Party movement (51%).

The Deficit

Half of Americans (50%)—including 74 per cent of Republicans, 70 per cent of Tea Party Movement endorsers, and 49 per cent of Independents—think the best way to reduce the budget deficit is to cut existing programs. Only 28 per cent of respondents—including 43 per cent of Democrats—would prefer to raise taxes.

The 2012 Election

Since an Angus Reid Public Opinion survey conducted in January 2011, there has been little change in the way Americans feel about the 2012 presidential race. More than a third of respondents (37%) would either vote or are leaning towards voting for the Democratic nominee, while 29 per cent would vote or are considering voting for the Republican nominee.

Analysis

The survey shows an American public that has become desperate for answers, overly embarrassed by their politicians, and deeply troubled about two issues: the possibility of the economic crisis worsening, and permanent damage to America’s image overseas.

It is evident that there are no political winners in the debt ceiling debate. The three main politicians are keeping the base content, but are not succeeding in getting their message across. More than two-thirds of Americans blame them all equally for the failure of the negotiations, and none of them can get the endorsement of two-in-five Americans on their performance.

As expected, Tea Party followers are calling for cuts to existing programs and a decision to keep the debt limit as is, along with most Republicans. Democrats flatly reject these two choices, but Independents are split. They tend to side more with the argument to raise the debt limit, but are more likely to call for cuts to existing programs.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 29 to July 30, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,012 American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,014 American adults, 83 per cent of respondents rate the economic conditions in the United States as “very poor” or “poor”, down two points since November 2010. Only 14 per cent of Americans (+2) believe the domestic economy is in good shape at this point.

Half of Americans (52%, -4) say that their own financial situation is currently “very poor” or “poor”, while two-in-five (45%, +3) describe it as “good” or “very good.” Three-in-ten respondents (30%) expect the national economy to decline in the next six months, while one-in-five (20%) believe it will improve.

Concerns, Inflation and Debt

The main economic concerns that were evident last year are still affecting the mood in 2011. Almost half of Americans (46%, =) are still concerned about themselves or someone in their household becoming unemployed, while about two-in-five have worried frequently or occasionally about the safety of their savings (44%, +1), the value of their investments (43%,=) and their ability to pay their mortgage or rent (38%, -2). In addition, one-in-four Americans (26%, -5) are concerned about their employer running into serious financial trouble.

More than four-in-five Americans expect the price of gasoline (88%) and groceries (84%) to go up in the next six months, while half (50%) are predicting that a new car will be more expensive. A third of Americans (35%) think a new TV will be costlier, while only one-in-four (25%) foresee higher real estate prices.

If Americans were given $1,000 to spend on anything, they would allocate the biggest amount of cash to paying down debt ($283), followed by covering day-to-day expenses ($245), savings ($231), spending on personal items ($69), setting aside for a big purchase ($58), spending on a holiday ($44), investing in individual stocks ($38), and investing in mutual funds ($32).

Analysis

The first economic panorama of 2011 shows some remarkable similarities with the surveys conducted last year. The level of confidence in the American economy remains below the 20 per cent mark, and few respondents are ready to predict a recovery. While there is a slight increase in the personal finances question, Americans overwhelmingly expect to face higher prices at the pump and the grocery store.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Angus Reid Public Opinion
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From April 13 to April 14, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,014 American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States.

In the online survey of a representative sample of 1,001 American adults, one-in-four respondents (25%) think the unemployment rate will be higher one year from now. This represents an eight point drop since a similar poll conducted in August 2010, and an 11-point decrease since a survey conducted in February 2010.

Respondents in the Northeast (37%) are more optimistic about a reduction in the unemployment rate than those living in the West (26%), the Midwest (25%) and the South (24%).

Across the country, 32 per cent of respondents think the private sector is primarily responsible for creating new jobs at this time, a seven point increase in a year. Half of Americans (50%) continue to state that generating employment is the duty of both the federal government and the private sector.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Communications & Media Relations
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@visioncritical.com

Methodology: From February 16 to February 17, 2011, Vision Critical conducted an online survey among 1,001 American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Earlier this month, a Senate report recommended taking the penny out of circulation, after pointing out that the one cent coin has lost 95 per cent of its purchasing power since its introduction in 1908, and that it now costs “a penny and half to produce and distribute a penny.”

In the online survey of a representative sample of 1,016 Canadian adults, 55 per cent of respondents are in favour of taking the penny out of circulation, while 35 per cent are opposed.

Support for scrapping the penny is highest in British Columbia (62%), Quebec (61%) and Ontario (55%). Men (65%) are more likely than women (45%) to agree with the demise of the one cent coin. Respondents aged 18 to 34 are evenly split (43% support abandoning the penny, 42% are opposed).

In all, 18 per cent of Canadians say they would feel happy if the penny is taken out of circulation, including 28 per cent of British Columbians. Conversely, 14 per cent of respondents would feel sad to see the penny go, including 27 per cent of Atlantic Canadians and 26 per cent of respondents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Communications & Media Relations
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From December 21 to December 22, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,016 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In the online survey of a representative sample of 1,016 Canadian adults, 28 per cent of respondents believe that the biggest task at hand for the federal government is to balance the budget. About one-in-four Canadians (23%) think job creation initiatives should take precedence, while one-in-five (21%) would prefer to concentrate efforts on health care spending.

Balancing the budget is the most important priority for respondents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (38%), Quebec (35%) and British Columbia (29%). Ontarians are particularly preoccupied with job creation (31%). In Atlantic Canada (29%) and Alberta (28%), health care is the key issue.

Across the country, 37 per cent of respondents say they are more concerned about their own personal finances, while 23 per cent are more worried about the overall state of the economy. Albertans are more likely to express concerns about the overall state of the economy (34%), but respondents in every other region are more worried about their own financial situation.

Taxes (23%) and unemployment (22%) top the list of national economic concerns for Canadians, followed by poverty (17%), the deficit (12%) and inflation (10%). Once again, broad regional differences emerge. Unemployment is the main worry for British Columbians and Albertans, while taxes are a bigger issue in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and Atlantic Canada.

Political Leadership

Two-in-five Canadians (41%) say they trust Prime Minister Stephen Harper to do the right thing to help the economy, while only one-in-four (23%) feel the same way about federal opposition leader Michael Ignatieff. The level of trust in Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney is 42 per cent.

The Conservative Party is preferred by about at least a third of Canadians to rein in the national debt, end the recession, control inflation and create jobs. The Liberal Party has its best showing on job creation (28%), but trails the Tories by double digits on the three other issues.

Analysis

As the year draws to a close, it is hard to pinpoint a single national economic concern. Albertans and Atlantic Canadians, who have recently had discussions about the state of their health care systems, believe this is the area that requires attention. Quebecers are more interested in a balanced budget. Ontarians want to see more people at work.

Throughout the year, Stephen Harper has maintained a considerable advantage over Michael Ignatieff as an economic manager. About two-in-five Canadians in every region other than Quebec trust Harper, while Ignatieff has had a difficult time connecting in the Prairies and British Columbia. However, at least two-in-five Canadians cannot pick either party to deal with four economic issues, showing that—in the event a federal election takes place in 2011—there is a large component of the population waiting for proposals and policies.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Communications & Media Relations
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From December 21 to December 22, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,016 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

When asked directly about their financial gifts, nearly one half of Americans (46%) say they are giving less money compared to last year while the same proportion (46%) say their giving is unchanged. Only eight per cent of Americans say they are giving more in 2010.

Among those providing a financial donation, giving most commonly occurs through direct collection at a church, temple or place of worship (36%), followed by direct mail (23%). However, online giving through a charity’s website is now the third most popular way to give (15%) and giving through social networking/media (5%), banner ads (4%) and text messaging (4%) are now statistically meaningful and will likely grow as Americans look for more and easier ways to give.

The giving picture for 2011 doesn’t look much better. The plurality of survey respondents say they will be able to give about the same (40%) as they did in 2010. While one fifth (21%) say they will be able to give more in the coming year, 15 per cent say they will give less, and yet another fifth of respondents (21%) say they will not be able to give at all in 2011. “These findings make it clear that the giving recovery won’t begin until Americans feel more financially secure and in a position to help others,” remarked Justin Greeves, leader of Vision Critical’s U.S. Public Affairs practice.

When asked to review a list of things that might encourage Americans to give more financial support to charities in 2011, the one thing that stands out as most impactful is being in a better personal financial position (56%). However, there are things non-profits can do to encourage giving, including giving a better understanding of what their organizations actually do to help people (16%) and explaining that more people are in need and would benefit from the help of donors (14%).

Americans believe the greatest need for charitable giving in 2011 will rest with hunger/food relief organizations (70%) and housing and sheltering organizations (45%), followed by health care (33%) and children’s (32%) organizations. “Although these are tough times for non-profits, marketers and fundraisers need to find even more ways of telling their story and making a personal connection between those that are in need and those that can help,” said Greeves. “The need for organizations to step up and make a difference is increasing and shows no signs of slowing down based on these survey findings. Americans know that people in their own neighborhoods are hurting—charities need to spread the word about how even a small donation can have an impact and what their organization does to make a difference.”

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

Methodology: From December 14 to December 15, 2010, Vision Critical conducted an online survey among 1,005 American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States.