June 9, 2011
Key Findings
On three key promises from the government’s election platform and March 22 budget, members are not satisfied with what the government has to offer, but want more, typically those options promised by the opposition parties
On pensions, members want to see the CPP doubled and a publicly-administered pension option instead of Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs)
On caregivers, members want to see a refundable tax credit of $1500 to caregivers instead of a non-refundable tax credit of $300
On GIS, members want to see the government spend whatever it takes to lift all seniors out of poverty instead of a one-time boost of $300 million in the GIS for the poorest seniors
In each case, the majority of members say it is “extremely” or “very” important the government support their preferred option, and in every case, a majority says they will support the opposition if the government does not support their position.
While members think the Throne Speech should focus on diverse areas including debt, pensions, health care and job creation, they expect it to focus primarily on deficit reduction
The majority of members agree with ending the per-vote party political subsidy and disagree with reimbursing Quebec for harmonizing their sales tax with the GST
Members are unanimous in their agreement that, in return for their support in the recent election, they fully expect the government to keep its promises to them
There is agreement that health care negotiations are the one area where the opposition should focus their efforts in Parliament, followed by pension reform, doubling CPP, eliminating poverty among seniors and deficit reduction.
Members do not as a rule think the new Minister of State for Seniors will have much influence in government, but a significant minority already stay in touch with their MP through e-mail or CARP’s E-Voice, and a strong plurality say they are extremely or very willing to use the E-Voice or e-mail in the future, making direct contact the most likely vector for members to use to pressure the government.
John Manley, Justin Trudeau and Bob Rae are tied among our members for permanent leader of the Liberal party, but the largest proportion have no opinion on the subject.
Member preference for the Conservatives has declined to near normal levels from their post-election high, but the Liberals have declined, and the NDP have increased, to the point where the two parties are tied for distant second place.
To read a detailed poll report complete with charts, click here
Keywords: CPP, tax-refund, poverty, healthcare, pension reform
