FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HIGH APPROVAL FOR THRONE SPEECH AMONG CARP MEMBERS; DEVELOPING NEW CANADA HEALTH ACT, CPP EXPANSION, ELECTORAL REFORM ARE ALL PRIORITIES
TORONTO, DECEMBER 5, 2015 – In a snap poll of CARP members held the evening of the Speech from the Throne, the wide majority of those who followed the Speech approve of its contents (64%).
Members are asked if promises from the Throne Speech which relate to CARP’s advocacy are priorities. All issues listed are seen as priorities, including developing a new Canada Health Accord with the provinces (95% call it a priority), working with the provinces to enhance CPP (76%) and consulting on electoral reform (47% priority).
Six-in-ten CARP members approve of the new government (60%), 3-in-10 “strongly” (29%).
“CARP members are very happy that their key concerns were met in the the throne speech. The government’s attention to these concerns just confirms, once again, that issues that matter to older Canadians are also issues that matter to all Canadians. And, while member support for this government is high, maintaining that confidence will require continued action on these files” said Susan Eng, Executive Vice President of CARP.
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Detailed Findings
Two thirds of those CARP members who followed the Throne Speech (84% in total followed it) approve of the contents (64%), and about one fifth say they strongly approve (18%).
The Governor General read the Speech from the Throne today, laying out the new government’s priorities for the coming Parliament. Do you approve or disapprove of the contents of the Speech from the Throne?
| APPROVE | 64% |
| Approve strongly | 18% |
| Approve | 46% |
| DISAPPROVE | 26% |
| Disapprove | 18% |
| Disapprove strongly | 8% |
| DON’T KNOW | 8% |
The most urgent priority of the three promises made in the speech which were probed is seen to be reaching a new Canada Health Accord with the provinces (45% say it is a top priority).
The Throne Speech promised the government will begin work with the provinces and territories to develop a new Canada Health Accord. Is this a priority or not?
| A top priority | 45% |
| A priority | 40% |
| Not a priority | 11% |
| DON’T KNOW | 4% |
Next after the Health Accord is seen to be enhancing CPP (28% top priority), although more are willing to concede this may be just a ‘priority’ (48%).
The Throne Speech promised that the government would work with the provinces to enhance CPP. Is this a priority or not?
| A top priority | 28% |
| A priority | 48% |
| Not a priority | 22% |
| DON’T KNOW | 3% |
The least prioritized promise made to our members is the reform of the electoral process, and fewer than a fifth see this as a top priority (16%), and the plurality say it is not a priority (43%).
The Throne Speech promised the government will undertake consultations on electoral reform, and that the general election of 2015 is the last that will take place under the First Past The Post system. Is this a priority or not?
| A top priority | 16% |
| A priority | 31% |
| Not a priority | 43% |
| DON’T KNOW | 10% |
Six-in-ten members approve of the new government (60%), and one half of these approve strongly (29%).
Do you approve or disapprove of the new government?
| APPROVE | 60% |
| Approve strongly | 29% |
| Approve | 31% |
| DISAPPROVE | 30% |
| Disapprove | 17% |
| Disapprove strongly | 13% |
| DON’T KNOW | 10% |
More than one half of members will vote for the Liberals if an election were held again tomorrow (54%), while just more than one third would vote Conservative (35%). Very few will now vote New Democrat (6%).
If a federal election were held tomorrow, which party’s candidate would you support?
| Liberal | 54% |
| Conservative | 35% |
| NDP | 6% |
| Green | 3% |
| Other | 1% |
The CARP Poll™ was conducted online among a panel of more 2000 CARP members on December 4. A probability sample of this size has a margin of error of plus or minus 2%, 19 out of 20 times.
CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to advocating for social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination. CARP seeks to ensure that the marketplace serves the needs and expectations of our generation and provides value-added benefits, products and services to our members. Through our network of chapters across Canada, CARP is dedicated to building a sense of community and shared values among our members in support of CARP’s mission. CARP has 300,000 members nationwide.
For further information, please contact:
Sarah Park 416.607.2471
Director, Strategic Communications
[email protected]
Anna Sotnykova 416.607.2475
Media & Communications Coordinator
[email protected]
or visit our website: www.carp.ca
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