- Six in ten Canadians support the idea of a Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) for low-income households, while only two in ten oppose it.
- By contrast, just under four in ten Canadians would support the implementation of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) for all Canadians, while under four in ten oppose the idea.
February 8, 2022
Over the past two years, incomes for many households have been affected by loss of employment, while the rising cost of living has been putting added pressure on household finances. In 2020, the federal government introduced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to help give financial support to those impacted by the pandemic. While the discussion for Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) are not new, the success of CERB and the precarity of many households’ finances uncovered by the pandemic have rekindled these conversations. Given the resurgence of these conversations in the media, we sought to measure the level of support Canadians have for these two basic income programs:
- Guaranteed Basic Income – where only low-income households receive a monthly cheque from the government
- Universal Basic Income – where all members of the population receive a monthly cheque from the government
When asked the extent to which they support or oppose each of these plans, a majority of Canadians say they would support a Guaranteed Basic Income plan (60%), with a small a minority in opposition (22%), while opinions towards Universal Basic Income are mixed. Specifically, just under four in ten (37%) would support a UBI program while four in ten (42%) oppose it.
When looking across provinces, those living in Atlantic Canada are most likely to support a Universal Basic Income, while support is lowest in BC and the Northern Territories (44% compared to 40% in Ontario, 39% in the Prairies, 33% in Quebec and 30% in British Colombia/North). In Atlantic Canada, more than one half of those in PEI (54%) and New Brunswickers (53%), four in ten of those in Newfoundland and Labrador (40%) and four in ten Nova Scotians (38%) support UBI. Regarding Guaranteed Basic Income, Atlantic Canadians are also most likely to support such a plan (75%), while support is lowest in BC and Northern Territories (55% compared to 62% in Ontario, 60% in Quebec, 58% in the Prairies and 55% in British Colombia/North). Across demographics, men, boomers, and homeowners are more likely than their counterparts to oppose UBI. Meanwhile, men, Gen X, high-income earners, and homeowners are more likely to oppose GBI. Of note, millennials express the greatest support for both basic income plans.
Results shown are from a survey conducted online January 17-19, 2022, with 1,231 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 these 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 included the following:
- Please indicate the extent to which you support or oppose – Universal Basic Income (UBI): Under this program, all Canadian households, regardless of their incomes, would receive a monthly payment from the Government.
- Please indicate the extent to which you support or oppose – Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI): Under this program, only low-income Canadians would receive a monthly payment from the Government.
For more information, contact:
Margaret Chapman, COO, Narrative Research – 902.222.4048, 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 was recently 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.
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 @EveryNarrative and @LogitGroup
