While many are quick to point out where results were wrong, little effort has been made to acknowledge when results have been correct.  For more than 20 years CRA has accurately catalogued voting intentions for various media sources.  As an example, the Company’s four most recent election polls in Atlantic Canada have accurately forecast the actual election outcomes:

Each of the above polls was conducted as a live telephone survey, approximately one week to 10 ten days prior to the election.

Within the research industry, there are a number of key polling factors that should be taken into consideration:

- Research Methodology (e.g. whether it is conducted by telephone or online). Note that the governing body of market research in Canada, MRIA, sets standards that prohibit attributing margins of sampling error to most online panel research. Despite this, many online polls of the general public cite a margin of error.

- Timing. A week can be a long time in politics. In highly contentious elections, voting intentions can shift dramatically in the final days of a campaign based on attack ads and party positioning, and so on.

- Sampling. Having random, representative samples is crucial.

While CRA conducts considerable telephone and online research, we have chosen telephone as our preferred methodology for election polling, and whenever we need to project to a population with statistical reliability. That said, CRA continues to evaluate new methodologies to ensure the poll results it releases can be trusted.

For more information, please contact:

Don Mills, Chairman and CEO at (902) 493-3838 dmills@cra.ca

Margaret Brigley, President and COO at (902) 493-3830 mbrigley@cra.ca

Hydrofracking or hydraulic fracturing is a process that forces water and chemicals into the ground under high pressure in order to extract oil and gas. Nova Scotia residents were asked whether they support or oppose this practice if they believed that government regulations were stringent enough to protect the environment. Results indicate just over one-half (53%) of Nova Scotia residents oppose this practice. Meanwhile, four in ten (39%) residents support this practice, while eight percent do not offer a response or are unsure.

“Even with stringent regulations, there is significant opposition to hydrofracking in Nova Scotia,” according to Don Mills, Chairman and CEO of Corporate Research Associates. “This is a challenge to both the industry and government in terms of developing the economic opportunity associated with shale gas in the province.”

Support is slightly higher in HRM with over four in ten (43%) residents supporting hydrofracking. Meanwhile, a similar number (40%) in Cape Breton and over one-third (35%) of mainland Nova Scotia residents lend their support to this process. Support for hydrofracking varies by age with almost one-half of those aged 35 to 54 years supportive of hydrofracking (47%). In comparison, four in ten (41%) Nova Scotians aged 18 to 34 and three in ten (30%) residents aged 55 years or older support this process.

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent, quarterly survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a telephone sample of 400 adult Nova Scotians, conducted from February 7 to February 20, 2013, with overall results accurate to within ± 4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact:
Don Mills, Chairman and CEO at (902) 493-3838
Margaret Brigley, President and COO at (902) 493-3830

View full media release here.

Avant l’annonce du budget provincial, CRA a demandé aux habitants du Nouveau-Brunswick si, en cas de référendum, ces derniers appuieraient une augmentation de la TVH provinciale ainsi que l’introduction de péages autoroutiers pour redresser le déficit budgétaire de la province, ou s’y opposeraient.

Selon Don Mills, PDG de Corporate Research Associates, « au Nouveau-Brunswick, les exigences prescrites par la loi, relativement à la tenue d’un référendum sur les nouvelles mesures visant à générer des recettes, comme l’introduction de péages autoroutiers ou une augmentation de la TVH, placent le gouvernement dans une situation précaire pour relever les défis financiers auxquels la Province est actuellement confrontée ». « Les Néo-Brunswickois semblent très peu soutenir ces mesures, peu importe l’étendue des problèmes financiers. »

Selon les résultats du sondage, les deux tiers (66 %) des habitants du Nouveau-Brunswick s’opposent à une augmentation de la TVH, trois Néo-Brunswickois sur dix (29 %) appuient une telle mesure, et cinq pour cent sont sans opinion. En ce qui concerne l’introduction de péages autoroutiers, il y a autant de pour (48 %) que de contre (48 %), et quatre pour cent des personnes interrogées sont sans opinion. Si les Néo-Brunswickois devaient choisir l’une de ces deux mesures pour combler le déficit, ils seraient plus nombreux à opter pour l’introduction de péages autoroutiers (46 %) que pour une augmentation de la TVH (34 %).

Ces résultats, qui font partie du document Atlantic Quarterly® de CRA, un sondage indépendant réalisé du 13 février 2013 au 8 mars 2013 auprès de Canadiens de l’Atlantique adultes, s’appuient sur un échantillon étendu de 401 Néo-Brunswickois. Les résultats sont précis 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. 
Margaret Brigley, présidente et directrice des opérations, au (902) 493-3830.

Veuillez accéder le communiqué de presse en plein ici.

View full media release here.

Prior to the announcement of the provincial budget, New Brunswick residents were asked by CRA if a referendum were to be held, would they support or oppose an increase in the provincial HST, and the introduction of highway tolls, as a means to address the provincial budget deficit.

“The legislated requirement in New Brunswick for a referendum on new revenue generating measures such as toll highways or an increase in the HST leaves government in a precarious position to deal with the types of financial challenges the province finds itself in today,” according to Don Mills, Chairman and CEO of Corporate Research Associates. “There appears to be only limited support for either of these revenue generating measures regardless of the fiscal challenges faced by the provincial government in New Brunswick.”

The results indicate that two-thirds (66%) of New Brunswick residents oppose an increase in the HST, while three in ten (29%) support such a measure and five percent do not offer an opinion. Meanwhile, support for the introduction of highway tolls stands at 48 percent, while the same number (48%) oppose such a  measure and four percent do not offer an opinion. If New Brunswickers had to choose between the two options as a means to address the deficit, more residents would opt for the introduction of highway tolls (46%), while one-third (34%) would opt for an increase in the HST.

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a telephone sample of 401 adult New Brunswickers, conducted from February 13 to
March 8, 2013, with overall results accurate to within ±4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.  
 
For more information, please contact:
Don Mills, Chairman and CEO, at (902) 493-3838
Margaret Brigley, President and COO, at (902) 493-3830

View full media release here.

Veuillez accéder le communiqué de presse en plein ici.

Four in ten (40%) Atlantic Canadians completely or mostly support the new EI policy changes while over one-half (55%) mostly or completely oppose. Four percent do not offer an opinion or are not sure. Support for the EI changes is strongest in Nova Scotia, with almost one-half (48%) of Nova Scotia residents offering support. Meanwhile, fewer in Newfoundland and Labrador (42%), New Brunswick (32%), and Prince Edward Island (31%) support these changes.

“The results are somewhat surprising,” according to Don Mills, Chairman and CEO of Corporate Research Associates, “but likely reflect the long-term reliance on EI in this region, particularly in support of seasonal jobs.”

Opposition increases with age, with nearly one-half (48%) of Atlantic Canadians aged 18 to 34 years opposing these changes, compared with those aged 35 to 54 years (56%), or 55 years of age or older (59%). 

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent, quarterly survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a telephone sample of 1501 adult Atlantic Canadians, conducted from February 7 to March 8, 2013, with overall results accurate to within ± 2.5 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact:
Don Mills, Chairman and CEO at (902) 493-3838
Margaret Brigley, President and COO at (902) 493-3830

View full media release here.

Over seven in ten (72%) Atlantic Canadians completely or mostly support having the taxes included in purchase price, with 42 percent completely supporting this strategy. Meanwhile, two in ten (21%) mostly or completely oppose, while seven percent do not offer an opinion. Support is similar across the region, three-quarters (74%) of Nova Scotia residents support all-in pricing, while a similar number in New Brunswick (70%), Prince Edward Island (70%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (73%) support this approach.

“Having tax included pricing is really about clarity and transparency when it comes to the purchase of goods and services,” according to Don Mills, Chairman and CEO of Corporate Research Associates. “It also makes it easier to compare prices for customers.”

Support for all-in pricing is significantly higher among younger residents. Nearly nine in ten (86%) Atlantic Canadians aged 18 to 34 years support this strategy, compared with those aged 35 to 54 years (68%) or 55 years of age or older (67%). 

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent, quarterly survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a telephone sample of 1501 adult Atlantic Canadians, conducted from February 7 to March 8, 2013, with overall results accurate to within ± 2.5 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact:
Don Mills, Chairman and CEO at (902) 493-3838
Margaret Brigley, President and COO at (902) 493-3830

View full media release here.

Une commission indépendante était requise pour créer la nouvelle carte électorale provinciale, qui compte 49 circonscriptions égales, une diminution par rapport aux 55 circonscriptions actuelles. Les nouvelles circonscriptions ont été créées à l’aide d’un quotient, soit le nombre d’électeurs divisé par 49 circonscriptions. Même si une faible majorité (51 %) des résidents du Nouveau Brunswick appuie les recommandations, seulement le quart (25 %) d’entre eux s’oppose aux changements recommandés par la Commission. Cependant, le quart des résidents n’a pas d’opinion sur le sujet (23 %). L’appui aux changements apportés à la carte électorale varie d’une région à l’autre; il est particulièrement élevé dans les régions du Sud (58 %) et du Grand Moncton (56 %) et particulièrement faible chez les résidents de la région du nord de la province (39 %).

« Dans une proportion de deux pour un, les Néo Brunswickois semblent être favorables aux récents changements apportés à la carte électorale et à la réduction du nombre de circonscriptions dans la province », suggère Don Mills, président directeur général de Corporate Research Associates. « Compte tenu du plateau atteint dans la croissance de la population, ces changements étaient manifestement nécessaires. »

Ces résultats, qui font partie du document Atlantic Quarterly® de CRA, un sondage indépendant réalisé du 13 février 2013 au 8 mars 2013 auprès de Canadiens de l’Atlantique adultes, s’appuient sur un échantillon étendu de 401 Néo-Brunswickois. Les résultats sont précis 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. 
Margaret Brigley, présidente et directrice des opérations, au (902) 493-3830.

This press release is also available in English.

Veuillez accéder le communiqué de presse en plein ici.

An independent commission was required to create a new map of the province with 49 equal ridings, a decrease from the current number of 55. The new ridings were developed using a quotient, the number of voters divided by 49 ridings. While a slight majority (51%) of New Brunswick residents support the recommendations, only one-quarter (25%) are opposed to the changes recommended by the Commission. Meanwhile, one-quarter of residents do not offer an opinion on the matter (23%). Support for these changes to the electoral boundaries varies by region and is highest in the Southern region (58%) and greater Moncton area (56%), and lowest among those living in the Northern region of the province (39%).

“By a two to one margin, New Brunswickers appear to favour the recent electoral boundary changes and the reduction in the number of ridings in the province,” suggests Don Mills, Chairman and CEO of Corporate Research Associates. “Given the stagnation of growth in the population, these changes were clearly warranted.”

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent, quarterly survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a telephone sample of 401 adult New Brunswick residents, conducted from February 13 to March 8, 2013, with results accurate to within ± 4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact:
Don Mills, Chairman and CEO at (902) 493-3838 or
Margaret Brigley, President and COO at (902) 493-3830

Ce communiqué de presse est également offert en français.

View full media release here.

When asked whether the provincial NDP government should keep its promise to balance the provincial budget in the new fiscal year, over six in ten (63%) Nova Scotia residents agree this promise should hold despite current economic conditions. Meanwhile, one-quarter (27%) of residents oppose a balanced budget in the next fiscal year, while one in ten (10%) do not offer a response or are unsure.

“The promise of the NDP Government to table a balanced budget aligns with the expectations of Nova Scotians,” according to Don Mills, Chairman and CEO of Corporate Research Associates. “Delivery of a balanced budget is likely critical to the re-election prospects for the Government.”

Support is similar across the province with two-thirds (65%) of HRM residents, six in ten (60%) Cape Breton residents and those in the rest of mainland (63%) in support of a balanced budget. Support for a balanced budget is higher among younger residents. Over three-quarters (77%) of Nova Scotians aged 18 to 34 support this strategy while two-thirds (66%) of those aged 35 to 54 years, and one-half (52%) of residents aged 55 years or older, favour this approach.

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent, quarterly survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a telephone sample of 401 adult Nova Scotians, conducted from February 12 to March 3, 2013, with overall results accurate to within ± 4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact:
Don Mills, Chairman and CEO at (902) 493-3838
Margaret Brigley, President and COO at (902) 493-3830

View full media release here.