Corporate Research Associates Inc | (CRA)

Majority Believe HRM Transit Should Be Designated An Essential Service

CRA — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:56:16 +0000

HALIFAX: A large majority of HRM residents think that transit should be designated an essential service, which would mean transit employees would be unable to strike, according to the most recent survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. While just one-fifth (22%) of HRM residents use the transit system as their primary method of transportation, two-thirds (65%) feel it should be designated an essential service. Perhaps not surprising, low income residents and those with lower levels of education are most likely to think transit should be an essential service.

In terms of support of parties involved in the current transit strike, just under four in ten (38%) support the position of Metro Transit management, while one-quarter (25%) support the union. Just over one-third (36%) of residents are unsure, unfamiliar with the strike to comment, or support neither or both sides.

These results are part of the CRA Halifax Urban Report, an independent survey of Halifax Regional Municipality residents. The results are based on a sample of 400 adult residents, conducted from February 6 to February 16, 2012, with results accurate to within +4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact: Don Mills, President and CEO at (902) 493-3838.

View full media release here.

Savage Increasingly Preferred As Next Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality

CRA — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:00:03 +0000

HALIFAX: After months of speculation, former Liberal MP from Dartmouth, Mike Savage, recently announced he will run for mayor in the upcoming municipal election this fall. Savage is the preferred candidate by more than a two-to-one margin over incumbent Mayor Peter Kelly, according to the most recent survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. Currently, Savage garners support from just over one-half (53%) of decided voters, while current mayor Peter Kelly has support from one-quarter (25%) of HRM residents. Other candidates follow distantly, with Tom Martin garnering support from nine percent and Fred Connors with eight percent, while Matthew Worona is preferred by five percent. Meanwhile, one-quarter of the population are currently undecided or prefer none of these declared candidates. Savage’s support has increased sharply in the past three months as support for Kelly has fallen by a similar percentage.

Support for Savage is high across all HRM communities, especially the former City of Dartmouth, while support for Kelly is consistent across HRM. Preference for Martin is highest in the Bedford/Sackville area, while support for Connors and Worona is highest in the former City of Halifax. Support for Savage is highest among all age groups and increases with both income and education.

For more information, please contact: Don Mills, President and CEO at (902) 493-3838.

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CRA Celebrates the Season with a Visit from Santa

CRA — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:44:52 +0000

Public Opinion in New Brunswick Divided on Shale Gas Exploration

CRA — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:29:50 +0000

MONCTON: New Brunswickers are divided with respect to shale gas exploration in the Province, with equal percentages supporting and opposing the idea in principle, according to a recent poll by Corporate Research Associates Inc.

Forty-five percent of those surveyed support shale gas development in principle, while an equal percentage oppose the idea. There is a somewhat greater intensity of feeling on the ‘no’ side – approximately twice as many ‘completely oppose’ shale gas development (19%) as ‘completely support’ it (11%). The percentage of those who are undecided stands at ten percent, indicating the vast majority of New Brunswickers have formed an opinion on this issue.

Over ninety percent of those surveyed agree that New Brunswick needs new industries in order to grow and prosper (92%). Two-thirds feel that shale gas development will lead to long term benefits for New Brunswick (64%) and six in ten residents feel that it can be done safely if regulations are in place (59%). At the same time, over eighty percent of people worry about shale development even with regulations in place (83%), and six in ten believe that the environmental impacts outweigh the economic benefits (58%).

“This is clearly a highly divisive issue for New Brunswickers” according to Don Mills, President and CEO of CRA. “What is clear is that environmental concerns outweigh the perceived economic benefits of shale gas development and will require strict regulations before New Brunswickers will be assured on the safety of such exploration in the Province.”

These results are from CRA’s Atlantic Quarterly® survey, an independent survey of New Brunswickers based on a sample of 400 adults across the Province. The survey was conducted between November 16 and November 28, 2011, with overall results accurate to within +4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact: Don Mills, President and CEO at (902) 493-3838.

Ce communiqué de presse est également offert en français.

View full media release here.

L’opinion publique au Nouveau-Brunswick est mélangée sur l’exploration du gaz de schiste

CRA — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:16:44 +0000

MONCTON : Les Néo-Brunswickois sont divisés en ce qui concerne l’exploration du gaz de schiste dans la province, avec des pourcentages égaux soutenant et s’opposant à l’idée en principe, selon un sondage mené récemment par Corporate Research Associates Inc.

Quarante-cinq pour cent de ceux qui ont participé au sondage supportent le développement du gaz de schiste en principe, alors qu’un pourcentage égal s’oppose à l’idée. Il y a une intensité légèrement plus grande de sentiment sur le côté « non » – environ deux fois plus de résidents sont d’opinion « entièrement défavorable » à propos du développement du gaz de schiste (19 %) par rapport à ceux qui sont d’opinion « entièrement favorable » (11 %). Le pourcentage de ceux qui sont indécis se situe à dix pour cent, indiquant que la grande majorité des Néo-Brunswickois ont formé une opinion sur cette question.

Plus de quatre-vingt-dix pour cent de ceux qui ont participé au sondage pensent que le Nouveau-Brunswick a besoin de nouvelles industries afin de se développer et prospérer (92 %). Deux-tiers se sentent que le développement du gaz de schiste mènera aux avantages à long terme pour le Nouveau Brunswick (64 %) et six sur dix résidents estiment qu’il peut être fait sans risque si les règlements sont en place (59 %). En même temps, plus de quatre-vingts pour cent de personnes s’inquiètent du développement de schiste même avec des règlements en place (83 %), et six sur dix croient que les incidences sur l’environnement sont supérieures aux avantages économiques (58 %).

« C’est clairement une question fortement séparative pour les Néo-Brunswickois » selon l’avis de Don Mills, président-directeur général de CRA. « Ce qui est clair est que les préoccupations environnementales sont supérieures aux avantages économiques perçus du développement du gaz de schiste et exigeront des règlements stricts avant que les Néo-Brunswickois soient assurés de la sécurité d’une telle exploration dans la province. »

Ces résultats, qui font partie du document Atlantic Quarterly® de CRA, un sondage indépendant auprès des Néo-Brunswickois réalisé du 16 novembre au 28 novembre 2011 s’appuie sur un échantillon étendu de 400 adultes à travers la province. Les résultats sont exacts à l’intérieur de ± 4,9 points de pourcentage, 95 fois sur 100.

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec : Don Mills, président-directeur général, au (902) 493-3838.

This press release is also available in English.

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Time for a Public Debate: HRM Residents Support Division of the Municipality

CRA — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:11:49 +0000

HALIFAX: In light of recent discussions related to issues of municipal governance, it is interesting to note the consistent and continued level of support to divide the Halifax Regional Municipality into two units: a city for urban residents and a county for rural residents.

A majority of residents living within the Halifax Regional Municipality continue to support the division of the municipality into two units, according to the most recent Urban Report Survey from Corporate Research Associates Inc. For much of the past five years, the majority of residents have consistently supported such a division.

Residents of the old City of Halifax, Bedford/Sackville, and other rural areas of HRM continue to be more likely to support the division of the municipality, while residents of the old City of Dartmouth are divided in terms of whether they support or oppose such a division.

These results are part of the CRA Halifax Urban Report, an independent survey of Halifax Regional Municipality residents. The overall results are based on a sample of 400 adult residents, conducted from November 2 to November 16, 2011, with results accurate to within +4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact: Don Mills, President and CEO at (902) 493-3838.

View full media release here.

PEI Liberal Support Strong

CRA — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:42:39 +0000

HALIFAX: Support for the ruling provincial Liberal Party in Prince Edward Island is strong following the election, according to the most recent survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. Presently, over one-half of decided voters back the Liberal Party (53%, down from 59% in August 2011), while one-third support the Progressive Conservative Party (34%, compared with 31%). Support for the Island New Democrats is stable (9%, compared with 7%), as is support for the Green Party (4%, compared with 3%). The number of Islanders who are undecided or refuse to state an opinion stands at 26 percent.

Government satisfaction is high again this quarter, with six in ten (59%, compared with 63% three months ago) residents satisfied with the provincial government. Under four in ten express dissatisfaction (37%, up from 28%), while five percent (compared with 8%) do not offer a definite opinion at this time.

Liberal leader Robert Ghiz’s personal popularity is also stable this quarter. Presently, one-half (50%, compared with 46% in August 2011) of residents prefer Ghiz for Premier, while Olive Crane, leader of the PC Party, has the backing of two in ten Islanders (22%, unchanged). Support for James Rodd of the Island New Democrats remains stable (4%, compared with 3%), while three percent favour Sharon Labchuk of the Green Party (compared with 2%). Meanwhile, less than one percent prefer Billy Cann, the leader of the Island Party of PEI (compared with 2%). Eleven percent (compared with 5%) prefer none of these leaders, while 11 percent (compared with 20%) are undecided at this time.

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a sample of 300 adult Prince Edward Islanders, conducted from November 8 to November 29, 2011, with overall results accurate to within ± 5.7 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact: Don Mills, President and CEO at (902) 493-3838.

View full media release here.

Nova Scotia Government Satisfaction Increased

CRA — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:32:06 +0000

HALIFAX: Support for the governing NDP increased in the last three months, according to the most recent survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. Currently, over four in ten of decided voters prefer the NDP (45%, up from 41% in August 2011), while support for the Liberal Party has declined (22%, down from 26%). Support for the PC Party is stable (29%, compared with 30%), while four percent prefer the Green Party (unchanged). Four in ten are undecided, do not plan to vote, or did not offer a response (40%, unchanged).

Satisfaction with the government increased for the third straight quarter, with over one-half of Nova Scotia residents satisfied with the overall performance of the Dexter government (55%, up from 49% three months ago). Under four in ten are dissatisfied (36%, compared with 39%), while 9 percent (compared with 11%) do not offer a definite opinion.

Premier Darrell Dexter’s personal popularity increased again this quarter, with over one-third of residents preferring Dexter for Premier (36%, up from 31%). Support for Stephen McNeil of the Liberal Party is stable (22%, compared with 23%), as is support for Jamie Baillie of the PC Party (18%, compared with 17%). Preference for John Percy of the Green Party is stable at five percent (unchanged), while preference for Jonathan Dean of the Atlantica Party remains unchanged (1% compared with less than 1%). Over one in ten Nova Scotians (14%, down from 18%) are undecided in terms of leader preference, while the remainder prefer none of these leaders (5%, compared with 6%).

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent, quarterly survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a sample of 802 adult Nova Scotians, conducted from November 9 to November 29, 2011, with overall results accurate to within ± 3.5 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact: Don Mills, President and CEO at (902) 493-3838.

View full media release here.

Support For NL Liberals Plunges, While PC Support High Following Election

CRA — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:22:34 +0000

HALIFAX: Support for the governing Progressive Conservative Party increased, according to the most recent survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. Presently, six in ten (60%, up from 54% three months ago) decided voters back the PCs, while support for the NDP is stable (26%, compared with 24%). Just over one in ten (13%, down from 22%) prefer the Liberals, while less than one percent prefer the Green Party (unchanged). One-quarter are undecided, do not plan to vote, or did not state a preference (24%, compared with 26%). Support for the Liberals is at its lowest level since May 2008, while support for the NDP has increased in each of the past three quarters.

Overall satisfaction with the performance of the PC government is stable. Currently, three-quarters (75%, compared with 76% in August 2011) of residents are either completely or mostly satisfied with the performance of the PC government. Under two in ten (16%, unchanged) are dissatisfied with the current government, while eight percent do not offer a definite opinion (compared with 6%).

PC Leader Kathy Dunderdale’s personal popularity improved this quarter (59%, up from 50% three months ago). Preference for Liberal Leader Kevin Aylward declined and rests at eight percent (down from 16%), while backing for NDP Leader Lorraine Michael increased and rests at 21 percent (compared with 17%). Over one in ten like none of these leaders or have no definite opinion at this time.

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a sample of 800 adult Newfoundland and Labrador residents. The survey was conducted from November 9 to November 29, 2011 with overall results for the province accurate to within ± 3.5 percentage points in 95 out of 100 samples.

For more information, please contact: Don Mills, President and CEO at (902) 493-3838.

View full media release here.

La satisfaction quant au gouvernement augmente

CRA — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:12:30 +0000

SAINT JOHN : La satisfaction quant à la performance du gouvernement Progressiste-Conservateur a augmenté ce trimestre, selon les résultats du dernier sondage mené par Corporate Research Associates Inc. Actuellement, un peu moins de six sur dix (57 %, en hausse par rapport à 53 % en août 2011) des résidents du Nouveau-Brunswick sont complètement satisfaits ou plutôt satisfaits, alors qu’un tiers (33 %, par rapport à 32 %) sont insatisfaits. Le numéro de résidents pensant qu’il est trop tôt pour le dire reste à un pour cent, tandis qu’un sur dix n’offrent aucune opinion.

Le support des électeurs accordé aux Progressistes-Conservateurs provinciaux a aussi augmenté, avec plus de quatre résidents sur dix qui supportent le parti Progressiste-Conservateur (45 %, en hausse par rapport à 41 % il y a trois mois). Trois sur dix des Néo-Brunswickois supportent les Libéraux (28 %, en baisse par rapport à 34 %). Le support pour le NPD est stable (23 %, inchangé), de même que le support pour le Parti Vert (3 %, par rapport à moins de 1 %). Un pour cent des électeurs supportent l’Alliance des gens du Nouveau-Brunswick (par rapport à 2 %). Quatre résidents sur dix sont indécis, prévoient ne pas voter ou refusent de préciser leur préférence (43 %, en hausse par rapport à 41 %).

Le support accordé à David Alward a augmenté, avec un peu moins de quatre sur dix des résidents (36 %, en hausse par rapport à 32 %), disant qu’Alward est leur choix préféré comme premier ministre. Le prochain chef du Parti Libéral est préféré par moins de deux résidents sur dix (15 %, en baisse par rapport à 21 %), tandis que le support pour Dominic Cardy, le chef du NPD se situe à 14 % (inchangé). Cinq pour cent (par rapport à 2 %) préfèrent Jack MacDougall du Parti vert, tandis que deux pour cent (par rapport à 1 %) préfèrent Kris Austin de l’Alliance des gens du Nouveau-Brunswick comme premier ministre. Cinq pour cent des résidents du Nouveau-Brunswick ne préfèrent aucun chef de parti en particulier ou préfèrent un autre chef, tandis qu’un quart n’ont pas d’opinion ferme.

Ces résultats, qui font partie du document Atlantic Quarterly® de CRA, un sondage indépendant auprès des canadiens de l’Atlantique réalisé du 14 novembre au 29 novembre 2011 s’appuient sur un échantillon étendu de 802 Néo-Brunswickois. Les résultats sont exacts à l’intérieur de + 3,5 points de pourcentage, 95 fois sur 100.

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec : Don Mills, président-directeur général, au (902) 493-3838.

This press release is also available in English.

Cliquez ici pour voir le communiqué de presse.