• Unaided, the COVID-19 pandemic is mentioned most often as the most important issue in the upcoming federal election.
• When asked to rate the degree of importance of several key issues, healthcare is ranked most important, followed by the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic. Transportation is of less importance to Canadians.
September 8, 2021
With the upcoming federal election scheduled for later this month, we wanted to understand which issues are most important to Canadians this election. When asked to identify the most important issue to them personally in the federal election (unaided), Canadians are most likely to name the COVID-19 pandemic (15%), followed by the economy (10%), the environment (9%), and healthcare (9%). Those in Ontario (19%) and Quebec (16%) are more likely to mention the COVID-19 pandemic compared to those in Atlantic Canada (9%) or other parts of the country. Atlantic Canadians are more likely to mention healthcare (20%) and housing (11%) compared to any other region. Likelihood to name healthcare increases with age, with those aged 55 or older across the country being most likely to identify healthcare (14%), while those aged 34-54 are more likely to mention the economy (14%).
Other issues mentioned include housing (6%), the cost of living (5%), debt/deficit/finances/fiscal management (4%), taxes (3%), and change of government (3%), among other issues mentioned less often.
Canadians were also asked to rate the level of importance of a series of key issues this election. Results suggest that healthcare is the issue of top importance, being given a score of 7 or higher by nearly nine in ten Canadians (87%). Healthcare is of higher importance to females (90%) compared with males (84%), and rises in importance with age. The economy is of importance as an issue to over eight in ten Canadians (84%) with scores slightly elevated in the Prairies (89%). A similar portion of Canadians also indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic is of importance (80%), with higher scores among females (83%) and residents over the age of 55 years (84%).
The environment (72%), housing (71%), poverty (68%) and education (68%) are issues of high importance to roughly seven in ten Canadians, while transportation is of high importance to fewer than one-half of the population (46%).
Results are from an online survey conducted August 24 – 26 2021, with 1,233 Canadians 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s Canadian Omnibus. Fielding every month, the Logit Group’s COVID-19 Omnibus surveys Canadians to ask their opinions and behaviours related to topical issues. Results were analyzed by Narrative Research. Data was weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect population characteristics in each province. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.
The questions included in this press release were the following:
- What’s the most important issue to you in the upcoming federal election?
- During this election, how important are each of the following issues to you?
For more information, contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO, Narrative Research – 902.493.3830, mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
OR Margaret Chapman, COO, Narrative Research – 902.493.3834, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
OR
Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com
Narrative Research (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is a leading public opinion and market research company headquartered in Canada. The company is certified as a WBE (Women Business Enterprise). As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services. Follow us on Twitter at @EveryNarrative
The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented. Follow us on Twitter at @LogitGroup
