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Apr 01, 2015
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Part G: 2014 Student Budget Consultation
© Harris/Decima
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?
© Harris/Decima
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?