The online survey of a representative national sample of 1,506 Canadian adults also shows that the Vancouver Canucks are now the third most popular team in the country after the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Cities and Teams

Respondents were asked to select which Canadian cities possessed certain positive and negative qualities. Vancouver topped the list with the most mentions for admired (50%), exciting (47%) and fresh (42%). Calgary was regarded as growing by half of Canadians (50%), and one third (32%) felt the same way about Edmonton.

Winnipeg was seen as the most undervalued (34%) and down to earth city (33%), but was also regarded as boring (47%), weak (40%) and disrespected (29%). Ottawa is rated as clean by two-in-five Canadians (42%). Toronto topped the chart as arrogant (52%), overrated (45%), strong (40%), dirty (37%) and disrespected (29%), while Montreal had the highest marks on classic (45%) and in decline (31%).

Respondents were then asked to use the same scale of qualities and apply it to the seven Canadian National Hockey League (NHL) teams that are based in the same cities they had just rated. The Vancouver Canucks were ahead of all other franchises as strong (47%), exciting (36%) and clean (26%). The Winnipeg Jets had the highest marks for fresh (46%), growing (42%), down to earth (31%) and undervalued (29%). The Montreal Canadiens got mixed reviews, with the most mentions for classic (49%), admired (36%) and dirty (25%).

The Toronto Maple Leafs are the leaders on six negative traits: weak (48%), in decline (43%), disrespected (41%), arrogant (39%), boring (38%) and overrated (also 38%). While the Leafs had the highest proportion of mentions for clean (39%), the team is tied with Montreal on dirty (25%).

Loved and Hated

The Montreal Canadiens (19%) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (17%) lead the way when Canadians are asked which is their favourite Canadian NHL team, followed by the Vancouver Canucks (11%), the Ottawa Senators (6%), the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers (both at 5%), and the Winnipeg Jets (4%). A third of Canadians (32%) say they do not have a favourite NHL team.

Among self-described hockey fans, the Leafs hold a three-point edge over the Habs (24% to 21%), followed by the Canucks (18%) and the Oilers (13%).

While half of Canadians say they do not have a most hated NHL team (51%), one-in-five (19%) mention the Leafs. The Canadiens are second on the list of despised franchises with 15 per cent, but no other Canadian team reaches five per cent on this indicator. Animosity towards the Leafs jumps to 33 per cent among self-described hockey fans.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

Respondents were provided with a list of the NHL teams that had either qualified or still had a chance to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs this year at the time the survey was taken. They were then asked to pick one team to root for in the playoffs, even if none of the remaining teams was their personal favourite.

More than a third of Canadians (35%) say they will root for the Canucks, and one-in-five (20%) will support the Senators. Across the country, 45 per cent of respondents say they would root for an American team at this point, with the most popular options being the Boston Bruins (11%), the Pittsburgh Penguins (8%) and the Detroit Red Wings (8%). It is important to note that Quebecers and Atlantic Canadians are particularly fond of the Bruins.

Support for the Canucks reaches a high of 38 per cent among Canadians aged 18-to-34, and 40 per cent among self-described hockey fans. The Senators get their best showing with middle-aged and older respondents (21% each).

Personalities

A sizeable majority of Canadians hold a favourable view of Wayne Gretzky (87%), Sidney Crosby (80%) and Mario Lemieux (78%), and three-in-five (61%) have a positive opinion of Ken Dryden. Don Cherry is a polarizing figure, with 40 per cent of Canadians saying they have a favourable opinion of the CBC analyst.

Cherry gets his best rating in Alberta (53%) and his lowest in Quebec (19%). He is also more popular with middle-aged Canadians (46%) than those over the age of 55 (34%). Self-described hockey fans also like Cherry (59%).

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 April 5 to April 7, 2012, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,506 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panellists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.5%, 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.

The online survey of a representative provincial sample of 906 adult British Columbians also shows support for new measures to deal with crowds, and opposition to the idea of banning street parties.

Feelings

Large majorities of respondents in British Columbia say they feel Disgust (90%), Shame (78%), Sadness (75%) and Anger (69%) at the events that unfolded in Vancouver after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final.

Four-in-five British Columbians (79%)—and three-in-four Metro Vancouver residents (76%)—agree with the notion that the riots were caused by a small group of people. About two-thirds (67% in BC, 65% in Metro Vancouver) also believe that police officers handled the situation in a proper manner.

There is one issue where respondents differ from some of the recent official statements. At least seven-in-ten British Columbians (73%) and Metro Vancouver residents (74%) disagree with the idea that there was no way to know that the crowd assembled in Downtown Vancouver would become violent.

Police and the Law

Two-thirds of British Columbians (66%) and Metro Vancouver residents (64%) are satisfied with the way the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) handled the events that took place after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final. In addition, practically all respondents (96% in BC, 95% in Metro Vancouver) want the people who took part in riots to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

However, respondents are not certain that all the rioters and looters will actually be brought to justice. On average, respondents expect only about a third of those who broke the law (32%) to be prosecuted, and about half British Columbians actually believe that 20 per cent or less of these alleged perpetrators will be brought to court.

Three-in-five Metro Vancouver residents (59%) support creating a single police force that would oversee the entire Lower Mainland. A majority of respondents have agreed to this course of action since November 2007.

The Future

Respondents agree with the perception that the riots should not deter the City of Vancouver from hosting public celebrations. In fact, 56 per cent of British Columbians, and 60 per cent of Metro Vancouver residents, are opposed to an outright ban on street parties. However, practically all respondents (93% in BC, 94% in Metro Vancouver) believe that a larger police presence for crowd control on the streets should be established.

About three-in-five respondents (58% in BC, 59% in Metro Vancouver) support banning the sale of alcohol on the day of the sporting event, and four-in-five (79% in BC, 81% in Metro Vancouver) would authorize the use of non-lethal alternatives (such as rubber bullets, bean bags shotguns) for crowd dispersal.

A majority of respondents (62% in both BC and Metro Vancouver) support holding a comprehensive public inquiry into the events that took place after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final in Vancouver.

Conclusion

For the most part, British Columbians agree with some of the prevailing arguments that have emerged in the aftermath of the riots: that they were caused by a small group of people, that police officers handled the situation properly, and that those who broke the law must be brought to justice. However, respondents disagree with the idea that there was no way to tell that the crowd would become violent.

The level of satisfaction with the way the VPD handled the events is high, and most Metro Vancouver residents do not want the riots to lead to the outright cancellation of street parties. If anything, the people are asking for a larger police presence, a curb on the sale of alcohol, and go as far as endorsing the use of non-lethal alternatives for crowd dispersal.

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 June 16 to June 17, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 906 randomly selected British Columbia adults, including 515 Metro Vancouver adults, who are Angus Reid Forum panellists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.3% for the British Columbia sample and +/- 4.3% for the Metro Vancouver sample. 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 British Columbia. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,006 Canadian adults, seven-in-ten respondents (71%) say they will root for the Canucks in the Stanley Cup Final, and three-in-four (74%) say the team is “very likely” or “moderately likely” to defeat the Boston Bruins and become champion.

Respondents who are fans of the Canucks are obviously more likely to root for the team in this year’s final (94%) and more likely to expect a victory for their team (88%).

Canadians who usually root for other NHL franchises are joining the bandwagon. At least seven-in-ten respondents who are fans of the Calgary Flames (73%), Montreal Canadiens (75%), Edmonton Oilers (78%), Toronto Maple Leafs (83%), and Ottawa Senators (93%) say they will root for the Canucks in the Stanley Cup Final. In addition, at least four-in-five fans of any of the six Canadian-based franchises expect the Canucks to win the Stanley Cup.

Three-in-ten respondents (29%) say they are more interested in watching the series this year than in the past three seasons, when no Canadian team was featured. Only 14 per cent of respondents say they are less interested in the Stanley Cup Final this year—including 18 per cent of Montreal Canadiens fans.

Finally, half of Canadians (50%) say they are excited about the return of NHL hockey to Winnipeg, including clear majorities of hockey fans of the six current NHL teams.

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 31 to June 1, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,006 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panellists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1% for both samples, 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.

Version française (PDF)

The online survey of a representative sample of 1,021 Canadian adults also outlines some striking differences in the way the general population and hard-core hockey fans feel about the possibility of authorities investigating on-ice incidents.

Injuries and Violence

Nine-in-ten Canadians (90%) identify hockey as a sport that carries a significant risk of head injuries—more than boxing (83%), football (71%) or mixed martial arts (53%). One third of all respondents (33%)—and almost half of self-described professional hockey fans—know a person who has sustained a concussion or serious head injury as a result of playing hockey.

Three-in-five Canadians (60%) believe that professional hockey has become a more violent sport over the past five years, a view shared by almost half (48%) of hockey fans. About a third of Canadians would actually consider encouraging their kids to avoid playing hockey (34%), watching fewer hockey games than they currently do (34%) and refraining from buying products from companies that sponsor professional hockey (29%).

Both Canadians (56%) and hockey fans (57%) rate the NHL’s efforts in looking after the safety of players as “bad” or “very bad.”

The Chara Hit

Respondents of this survey were shown a video of the recent incident involving professional hockey players Zdeno Chara and Max Pacioretty.

After watching the video, two-thirds of Canadians (66%) and hockey fans (69%) thought that the NHL’s decision to not suspend Chara was too lenient. While a majority of Canadians (68%) and hockey fans (56%) agree with Air Canada threatening to withdraw its sponsorship from the NHL unless the league addresses concerns about head shots, the two groups did not agree on the issue of a police investigation into the matter. More than half of Canadians (52%) agree with looking into possible assault charges against Chara, while three-in-five hockey fans (61%) disagree with this course of action.

Head Shots and Fights

The appetite for cracking down on head shots is equally high among Canadians and hockey fans, with 81 per cent of all respondents—and 83 per cent of hockey fans—believing that the game would be better off. However, the disagreement is palpable on the issue of on-ice fights. Two-in-five Canadians (41%) believe in banning fighting, while half of hockey fans (49%) believe the game would be worse off.

Analysis

In a poll conducted after Chris Simon’s stick attack in 2007, 48 per cent of Canadians said that hockey was becoming a more violent sport. That perception has increased by 12 points in four years. Indubitably, the Chara hit on Pacioretty, and the ongoing discussion about the health of Sidney Crosby, have brought the issue of head injuries and concussions to the forefront.

Canadians think hockey carries the most risk of concussions than any other sport tested, including boxing. A large proportion of Canadians know someone who has suffered a head injury playing hockey. Even hard-core hockey fans rate the NHL’s efforts to protect players as insufficient, and—after watching the video—a majority feel Chara got off easy.

There are two issues where the average Canadian is at odds with the hard core hockey fan: the intervention of authorities to settle issues that occur on the ice and the future of fights in professional hockey. However, on the topic that has dominated the sport for the past few years the message is clear: respondents and hockey fans alike would like to see head shots banished from the professional game.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Jaideep Mukerji, Vice President, Public Affairs, Canada
+613 691 0948
jaideep.mukerji@visioncritical.com

Methodology: From March 9 to March 11, 2011, Vision Critical / Angus Reid conducted an online survey among 1,021 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. 

The online survey of representative national samples also shows that Canadians are more likely to be heavy users of video-sharing websites, and also more eager to share links with co-workers, friends and relatives that Britons or Americans.

Visits to Video-Sharing Websites

Two-in-five Britons (40%), one third of Americans (35%) and three-in-ten Canadians (30%) say they never visit video-sharing websites (such as YouTube, Dailymotion, Truveo, etc.) over the course of an average week. Canadians are more likely to visit these video-sharing websites on a daily basis (16%) than Americans (12%) and Britons (9%).

User-Generated Content and Music

Respondents who have visited video-sharing websites were asked to describe the videos they normally watch. Three-in-five Canadians (64%) and Americans (62%) who have visited video-sharing websites say they see original videos posted by users, along with 56 per cent of Britons. A large proportion of respondents (62% of Britons, 57% of Americans and 54% of Canadians) say they watch music videos from pop/rock groups online (both old and recent).

Television Shows, Sports and Ads

Britons (48%) are clearly more likely than Canadians (38%) or Americans (37%) to rely on video-sharing websites to watch scenes from television shows (both old and recent). Britons are also slightly more likely to use video-sharing websites to look at highlights from professional sporting events (26%, compared to 22% for the U.S. and 21% for Canada). TV ads are seen by about one-in-five respondents in the three countries.

Sharing

Half of Britons (51%) and about three-in-five Americans (57%) who visit video-sharing websites say they have forwarded a video link to a co-worker, friend and relative, and more than two thirds (USA 71%, BRI 70%) have received a link from somebody they know.

Canadians are evidently keener on playing an active role in the dissemination of video links, with 70 per cent saying they have forwarded a link to a co-worker, friend or relative, and 85 per cent stating that they have received a link.

Analysis

As the anonymous contributor of user-generated content celebrates the fourth anniversary of its naming as Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, people in Canada, the United States and Britain are all enjoying the original videos posted by other users on video-sharing websites.

However, the recent changes in programming from the traditional sources of music videos appear to have pushed music fans to the web. Sizeable majorities of respondents who are using video-sharing websites are watching music videos. For Britons, this category is actually more sought after than user-generated content.

Canadians are definitely more hooked on video content than their American and British counterparts, and a large component of the population is not only ready to receive a video link from a co-worker, relative or friend, but also eager to forward it to a new list of contacts.

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 November 25 to December 1, 2010 Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,012 Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panellists, 1,003 American adults who are Springboard America panellists, and 2,002 British adults who are Springboard UK panellists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1% for Canada and the United States and 2.2% for Great Britain. 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, the U.S. and Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 2,011 British adults, 46 per cent of respondents say they are either “sad” or “dissatisfied” that Russia has been selected as the host of the 2018 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup instead of England. Among respondents who describe themselves as football fans who truly enjoy watching the game, the proportion increases to 74 per cent.

Seven-in-ten Britons (71%) believe that the selection process for the 2018 FIFA World Cup was “definitely” or “probably” rigged, while only eight per cent disagree with this view.

Almost nine-in-ten football fans (87%) believe the selection process was “definitely”(50%) or “probably” (37%) rigged.

Download Full Tables

Download Full Methodology Statement

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 7 to December 9, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,011 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2% for the entire sample. 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 Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 2,015 British adults, 60 per cent of Britons—and 93 per cent of self-described football fans—believe that only a few teams in the English Premier league can win the title.

Half of Britons (49%) and three-in-five football fans (59%) also believe that the teams with the most money often win the title.

Conversely, 23 per cent of Britons and 37 per cent of football fans think the teams with the most talent are the ones that emerge victorious.

Several English Premier League clubs—such as Chelsea and Manchester City—are now owned by foreigners. Half of football fans are either dissatisfied (26%) or sad (24%) because of this development.

Download Full Tables

Download Full Methodology Statement

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 October 27 to October 28, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,015 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. 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 Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

While a sizeable proportion of Canadians would be happy to host another National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, a majority of respondents believe the federal government should not provide funds to facilitate the relocation of an existing team, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,009 Canadian adults, 62 per cent of respondents believe it would be a good idea to have an additional NHL team in Winnipeg. A smaller proportion (57%) would like to see an NHL team playing in Quebec City.

Canadians who describe themselves as “hockey fans” are clearly more supportive of having a team in Winnipeg (82%) and Quebec City (75%).

When asked whether the federal government should provide funds in order to facilitate the relocation of an existing NHL franchise to a Canadian city, the mood of respondents changes. One third (35%) would welcome this possibility, while almost three-in-five (57%) disagree.

British Columbians (71%) and Albertans (64%) are particularly critical of the possibility of Ottawa footing the bill to help an NHL franchise find a home in Canada, while two-in-five Quebecers (44%) see no problem with this approach.

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 September 17 to September 19, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,009 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.

People in Britain are paying attention to the recent allegations of spot-fixing in cricket, and two-thirds of respondents believe that any player involved in this practice should not be allowed to participate in international competitions again, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of 2,025 British adults, half of respondents (50%) say they are following the recent news about spot-fixing during an England-Pakistan test match last month “very closely” or “moderately closely.”

It has been alleged that two Pakistani bowlers—Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir—deliberately delivered no balls at specific points during the match. This information could have been used by gamblers to make wagers.

Seven-in-ten Britons (72%) think the allegations of spot-fixing are definitely or probably true.

Respondents who described themselves as “cricket fans, who truly enjoy watching the game” also provide a gloomy assessment of the situation. Nine-in-ten (89%) think Asif and Amir indeed delivered no balls at specific points during the match.

Two-thirds of Britons (65%) and cricket fans (67%) believe a lifetime ban from international cricket would be the appropriate penalty for a player found guilty of taking part in spot-fixing during a match.

One third of Britons (33%)—and almost two-in-four cricket fans (38%)—say they are not surprised at all that cricket has been hit by a spot-fixing scandal.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

Download Full Tables

Download Methodology Statement

CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From September 3 to September 6, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,025 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. 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 Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Americans and National Football League (NFL) fans have reacted positively to a proposal that seeks to expand the regular season, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

Last month, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed that the league is considering extending the regular season to 18 games.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,001 American adults, 46 per cent of respondents say they agree with the proposal to expand the NFL regular season from 16 games to 18 games, and reduce the pre-season games for each team from four to two.

Four-in-five self-described NFL fans (79%) would welcome the expanded regular season, along with 50 per cent of respondents aged 35 to 54.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

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

Methodology: From June 25 to June 27, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion 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.