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Part G: 2014 Student Budget Consultation

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Spending

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Budget Priorities

In the next federal budget should the government increase or decrease spending in the following areas or keep spending the same? Transfers to provinces for healthcare Protecting the environment Infrastructure such as bridges, water treatment plants and community centres Increasing tax credits and/or benefits Employment related social programs such as Employment Insurance and skills training Education related social transfers to the provinces, and programs such as post-secondary

loans and grants Spending on prisons to make room for increased sentences or penalties Reducing crime through crime prevention programs Arts and culture (The CBC, historical celebrations) National defence Innovation through research and development Investment in vulnerable groups (youth, Aboriginal people, disabled people)

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Budget Priorities

Education related social transfers to the provinces, and programs such as post-secondary loans and grants

Protecting the environment

Innovation through research and development

Investment in vulnerable groups (youth, Aboriginal people, disabled people)

Employment related social programs such as Employment Insurance and skills training

Transfers to provinces for healthcare

Infrastructure such as bridges, water treatment plants and community centres

Reducing crime through crime prevention programs

Increasing tax credits and/or benefits

National defence

Spending on prisons to make room for increased sentences or penalties

Arts and culture (The CBC, historical celebrations)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

51%

49%

37%

35%

34%

33%

31%

30%

23%

20%

14%

14%

36%

39%

45%

43%

50%

52%

52%

48%

46%

54%

46%

46%

6%

7%

8%

14%

7%

4%

10%

12%

19%

18%

31%

32%

7%

5%

10%

8%

8%

10%

7%

9%

12%

8%

9%

8%

Spending should be increased Spending should be the same Spending should be decreased Don't know

Base: All valid responses (Base sizes vary)

QG1. In the next federal budget should the government increase or decrease spending in the following areas…

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Priorities for Surplus

In their latest forecasts, the government says they will be operating with a $3.7 billion surplus (excess in revenues) in 2015-2016. What is the first thing the government should do with this anticipated surplus?

Decrease personal income taxes Decrease corporate taxes Increase spending on health care transfers to provinces Increase spending on post-secondary education Increase spending on other social services Increase spending in an attempt to boost jobs (e.g. hiring tax credits, retraining) Increase spending on infrastructure Pay down the debt Fund green/environmentally friendly energy innovation Other Don’t know

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Priorities for Surplus

Pay down the debt

Increase spending on post-secondary education

Increase spending in an attempt to boost jobs

Decrease personal income taxes

Fund green/environmentally friendly energy innovation

Decrease corporate taxes

Increase spending on health care transfers to provinces

Increase spending on infrastructure

Increase spending on other social services

Other

Don't know

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

46%

9%

9%

9%

6%

5%

4%

2%

2%

2%

6%

Base: All responses (n=4,054)

QB2. In their latest forecasts, the government says they will be operating with a $3.7 billion surplus (excess in revenues) in 2015-2016. What is the first thing the government should do with this anticipated surplus?

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Economic Confidence

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Perceptions of Local Economy

Do you think the economy in your community is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?

Getting better Staying about the same Getting worse Don’t know

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Perceptions of Local Economy

Getting better

Staying about the same

Getting worse

Don't know

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

19%

39%

28%

14%

Base: All responses (n=4,054)

QB1. Do you think the economy in your community is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?

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Right and Wrong Direction

In general, would you say things in Canada are going in the right direction, or the wrong direction?

Right direction Wrong direction Don’t know

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Right and Wrong Direction

Base: All valid responses (n=3,611)

QG4. In general, would you say things in Canada are going in the right direction, or the wrong direction?

48%

26%

26%

Right direction

Wrong direction

Don't know

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Confidence in Employment

When you finish your schooling, how confident are you that you will find a job that interests you within Canada?

Not at all confident Not very confident Somewhat confident Very confident Don’t know

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Confidence in Employment

Canada (n=4,008)

BC / North (n=527)

AB (n=760)

SK / MB (n=727)

ON (n=1667)

QC (n=69)

ATL (n=258)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

0.36

0.23

0.39

0.39

0.29

0.55

0.29

0.43

0.5

0.46

0.46

0.47

0.29

0.46

0.13

0.19

0.1

0.08

0.15

0.09

0.15

0.05

0.05

0.03

0.03

0.06

0.04

0.06

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.05

0.03

0.03

0.05

Very confident Somewhat confident Not very confident Not at all confident Don't know

Base: All valid responses

QC1. When you finish your schooling, how confident are you that you will find a job that interests you within Canada?

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Youth Unemployment Perception

Do you believe there is a youth unemployment problem in Canada?

Yes No Don’t know

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Youth Unemployment Perception

Canada (n=4,009)

BC / North (n=527)

AB (n=761)

SK / MB (n=727)

ON (n=1,667)

QC (n=69)

ATL (n=258)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

0.58

0.650000000000001

0.49

0.56

0.650000000000001

0.43

0.620000000000001

0.24

0.19

0.35

0.25

0.19

0.3

0.19

0.18

0.16

0.17

0.19

0.16

0.26

0.19

Yes No Don't know

Base: All valid responses

QC2. Do you believe there is a youth unemployment problem in Canada?

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Dealing with Youth Unemployment

What is the most important step the government could take to deal with youth unemployment?

Job grants or tax credits for businesses who hire young people Increase awareness about which employment sectors will have the most available

jobs More training programs to fill the skills shortages Lower taxes on businesses Fewer regulations on businesses Don’t know

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Increase awareness about which sectorswill have the most jobs

More training programs to fill the skills shortages

Job grants or tax credits for businesses who hire young

people

Lower taxes on businesses

Fewer regulations on businesses

Don't know

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

33%

23%

21%

8%

6%

10%

Dealing with Youth Unemployment

Base: All valid responses (n=4,007)

QC3. What is the most important step the government could take to deal with youth unemployment?

BC/North AB SK/MB ONT QC ATL

33% 27% 31% 34% 33% 31%

28% 26% 32% 22% 14% 26%

20% 20% 16% 22% 25% 18%

5% 7% 6% 6% 13% 5%

5% 9% 7% 7% 3% 6%

9% 11% 8% 10% 12% 14%

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Choosing the Skilled Trades

Which of the following, if any, would be most effective at getting you to consider a career in the skilled trades?

Increased awareness and guidance at the high school level Financial support/scholarships Increased publicity and validation for the work Summer job placements combined with apprenticeship programs Nothing will convince me to pursue a career in the skilled trades Don’t know

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Financial support / scholarships

Increased awareness…

Job placements / apprenticeships

Nothing

Increased publicity /validation

Don't know

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

24%

21%

20%

17%

5%

13%

Choosing the Skilled Trades

Base: Those who are not considering a career in the skilled trades (n=3,196)

QC5. Which of the following would be most effective at getting you to consider a career in the skilled trades?

BC/North AB SK/MB ONT QC ATL

23% 26% 30% 22% 26% 18%

18% 20% 24% 19% 25% 16%

19% 17% 15% 20% 23% 18%

21% 14% 15% 20% 11% 19%

8% 6% 4% 8% -- 6%

10% 16% 12% 11% 16% 23%

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Career Hurdles

What is the biggest hurdle that you face in starting your career?

Cost of post-secondary education Where I live Lack of guidance and support Not enough apprenticeships or training programs Not many jobs available in my career of choice I’m still unsure of the career I want to pursue There are no hurdles I face in starting my career Other Don’t know

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Cost of post-secondary education

I'm still unsure about the career I want to pursue

There are no hurdles

Not many jobs available in my career of choise

Where I live

Lack of guidance and support

Not enough apprenticeships or training programs

Other

Don't know

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

30%

19%

10%

10%

8%

7%

4%

4%

7%

Career Hurdles

Base: All valid responses (n=3,944)

QC7. What is the biggest hurdle that you face in starting your career?

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Energy and the Environment

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Energy and the Environment

How high a priority should the government put on environmental protection related to natural resource extraction (mining and digging for oil)?

It should be the government’s top priority It should be a high priority, but not the top priority It should be a priority, but not a high one It should not really be a priority for the government Don’t know

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Energy and the Environment

It should be the gov-ernment's top priority

It should be a high priority, but not the top priority

It should be a priority, but not a high one

It should not really be a priority for the government

Don't know

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

14%

47%

25%

5%

9%

Base: All responses (n=3,767)

QE1. How high a priority should the government put on environmental protection related to natural resource extraction (mining and digging for oil)?

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Balancing the Economy and the Environment

When it comes to balancing the economic and environmental considerations of resource extraction, which of the following is closest to your view?

The extraction and sale of natural resources is too vital for the success of our economy to be altered because of environmental considerations

The environmental issues associated with the extraction and sale of natural resources outweigh the potential economic benefits

The government can institute policies that balance the economic benefits of the extraction and sale of natural resources and environmental protection

Don’t know

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Balancing the Economy and the Environment

The extraction and sale of natural resources is too vital for the success of our economy to be altered because of environmental considerations

The environmental issues associated with the extraction and sale of natural resources outweigh the potential economic benefits

The government can institute policies that balance the economic benefits of the extraction and sale of natural resources and environmental protection

Don't know

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

12%

22%

37%

29%

Base: All responses (n=3,767)

QE2. When it comes to balancing the economic and environmental considerations of resource extraction, which of the following is closest to your view?

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Support for Natural Resources Industry

Which of the following do you believe is the best way for the Federal Government to support the natural resources industry?

Training and education related spending to get people to choose skilled trades as a career

Tax breaks and incentives Infrastructure spending Promoting Canadian resources internationally Less strict environmental regulations The government should not be giving the natural resources industry special

treatment Don’t know

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Support for Natural Resources Industry

Training and education related spending to get people to choose skilled trades as a career

Promoting Canadian resources internationally

Tax breaks and incentives

The government should not be giving the natural resources industry special treatment

Infrastructure spending

Less strict environmental regulations

Don't know

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

35%

17%

11%

10%

6%

3%

18%

Base: All responses (n=3,766)

QE3. Which of the following do you believe is the best way for the Federal Government to support the natural resources industry?

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Helping Families

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Helping Families

The government currently offers a children’s fitness tax credit which is meant to encourage physical fitness among youth under 16 years of age. Parents of youth who participate in an eligible physical activity could save up to $75 on their annual taxes.

How strongly do you support or oppose this tax credit for Canadian parents?

Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Somewhat support Strongly support Don’t know

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Lowering personal income taxes

Subsidizing post-secondary education

More credits for children's activities

National child care program

Income splitting among parents

Extending parental leaves and benefits

Putting a cap on fees charged by banks and telecom companies

Don't know

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

27%

26%

11%

8%

7%

6%

6%

9%

Helping Families

Base: All valid responses (n=3,866)

QD4. What is the most important step the government could take to help families?

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Support for Fitness Tax Credits

The government currently offers a children’s fitness tax credit which is meant to encourage physical fitness among youth under 16 years of age. Parents of youth who participate in an eligible physical activity could save up to $75 on their annual taxes.

How strongly do you support or oppose this tax credit for Canadian parents?

Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Somewhat support Strongly support Don’t know

How strongly do you support or oppose a policy that would let anyone 17 years of age and older claim their own physical activities (i.e. gym memberships, exercise classes)?

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Strongly oppose

Somewhat oppose

Somewhat support

Strongly support

Don't know

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

7%

9%

34%

38%

11%

Strongly oppose

Somewhat oppose

Somewhat support

Strongly support

Don't know

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

5%

9%

40%

32%

15%

Support for Fitness Tax Credits

Base: All valid responses (n=3,866)

The government currently offers a children’s fitness tax credit which is meant to encourage physical fitness among youth under 16 years of age. Parents of youth who participate in an eligible physical activity could save up to $75 on their annual taxes.

QD5. How strongly do you support or oppose this tax credit for Canadian parents?

QD6. How strongly do you support or oppose a policy that would let anyone 17 years of age and older claim their own physical activities?

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Cyberbullying

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Significance of Cyberbullying

How significant a problem do you think cyberbullying is in schools in Canada?

Not at all significant Not that significant Somewhat significant Very significant Don’t know

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Significance of Cyberbullying

Canada (n=3,884)

BC / North (n=487)

AB (n=717)

SK / MB (n=688)

ON (n=1,542)

QC (n=65)

ATL (n=235)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

0.39

0.39

0.42

0.41

0.4

0.34

0.49

0.37

0.39

0.34

0.36

0.37

0.38

0.29

0.13

0.13

0.13

0.12

0.14

0.14

0.12

0.06

0.06

0.06

0.06

0.05

0.09

0.02

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.04

0.05

0.08

Very significant Somewhat significant Not that significant Not at all significant Don't know

Base: All valid responses

QF1. How significant a problem do you think cyberbullying is in schools in Canada?

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Cyberbullying in Student’s Own School

Thinking more specifically about your own school, how significant a problem do you think cyberbullying is in your school?

Not at all significant Not that significant Somewhat significant Very significant Don’t know

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Cyberbullying in Student’s Own School

Canada (n=3,734)

BC / North (n=488)

AB (n=717)

SK / MB (n=688)

ON (n=1,542)

QC (n=65)

ATL (n=235)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

0.12

0.13

0.13

0.09

0.1

0.12

0.18

0.330000000000001

0.31

0.330000000000001

0.3

0.35

0.31

0.330000000000001

0.34

0.34

0.31

0.36

0.34

0.38

0.25

0.14

0.16

0.17

0.18

0.14

0.12

0.07

0.07

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.06

0.06

0.16

Very significant Somewhat significant Not that significant Not at all significant Don't know

Base: All valid responses

QF2. Thinking specifically about your own school, how significant a problem do you think cyberbullying is in your school?

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Stopping Cyberbullying

What is the best way to stop cyberbullying?

Stiffer penalties Investment in prevention More powers for authorities to monitor online activities Nothing will make a difference Not important - the issue is overblown Don’t know

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Stiffer penalties

More powers for authorities to monitor online activities

Nothing will make a difference

Investment in prevention

Not important - the issue is overblown

Don't know

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

33%

19%

16%

13%

10%

9%

Stopping Cyberbullying

Base: All valid responses (n=3,734)

QF4. What is the best way to stop cyberbullying?