CARP Federal Pre-Budget Poll Report 2010

To view a detailed poll analysis with illustrations, click here

CARP members, in advance of the Throne Speech and the Federal Budget, want the government to focus on retirement security and pension reform issues, but expect, instead, to be confronted with taxes and deficit reduction. More members expect a spring election than want one, and the Conservative party is favoured, although by significantly lower margins than were evident last summer and fall.

When asked which priorities they want the government to focus on in the Throne Speech, it is apparent retirement security is uppermost in members’ minds, followed by continuing economic stewardship of the nation’s finances. While their priority is retirement security , however, members expect the government to focus on economic stewardship to the exclusion of most other priorities.

When asked which one spending measure they would like most to see in the budget, members focus on retirement security again (“substantial increases to CPP/OAS”), but they expect the government to deliver tax increases instead. Additionally, in a triumph of hope over reason, members expect the now-defunct home renovation credit to be extended. One fifth of members believe a spring election is required, but almost twice that proportion believe we are likely to vote again in the spring. If an election is held, the Conservative party is favoured, but by a much reduced majority over findings recorded this summer and fall.

To view a detailed poll analysis with illustrations, click here

Keywords: budget