February 10, 2012

 

KEY FINDINGS

Click here to see a PDF copy of the full poll report that includes all of the charts

Not only do the majority of CARP members disagree with any attempt to increase the age for OAS or to try to make such a move without campaigning on it, they make their political views clear, and preference for the Conservative Party has dropped 11 points since we last polled two weeks previously

 

	Agree With Plan	Without Election
AGREE	33%	37%
DISAGREE	63%	62%
DON’T KNOW	4%	2%

 

	January 14 2012	January 28 2012	CHANGE
Conservative	54%	43%	-11
Liberal	26%	32%	+6
NDP	15%	21%	+6
Green	4%	3%	–

Members are evenly split on whether it is a good idea to base provincial health care funds on a per capita basis, with those in favour saying it guarantees fair distribution and those against saying provinces with many seniors will suffer.

Opinion is also split on whether it is a good idea to provide the provinces with health care funding with no strings attached. Those in favour say provinces have unique needs and health care is a provincial jurisdiction. Those opposed say the federal government has a role in guaranteeing national standards.

Opinion is also split on whether a two year, 6% escalator, followed by increases tied to GDP growth is a good idea. Those in favour say this will foster innovation and end unsustainable increases. Those opposed say health care needs stable funding.

Two thirds of members agree it was not a good idea for Minister Flaherty to decide health care funding without consulting the provinces, and this is because they feel the provinces and the federal government must cooperate on health care reform, for which provincial input is necessary.

Members believe the aspects of the health care system most in need of reform include primary care, wait times, long term care and home care. Innovations seen to be especially effective include a national home care program, a blended (public/private) health care system and a national pharmacare program.

One half of members believe the best thing that could happen now is that the provinces can cooperate to build a true national health care system, or the provinces can convince the federal government back to the bargaining table.

One half of members suffer lower back pain and a third suffer weakness or numbness in their legs. Most have seen a doctor about these conditions. Very few were diagnosed with a pinched nerve as the cause

Noted above, while the Conservative Party still leads in member preference, they have lost more than 10 points since the last wave of polling, which have been picked up by the Liberals and the NDP, and this is entirely due to the commotion over OAS.

TCPTG12345