Key findings in the Leger-Yahoo Canada leadership poll

A recent poll conducted by Leger commissioned by Yahoo Canada was conducted between Oct. 15 and 18, using Leger Marketing's online panel, LegerWeb, with a sample of 1,500 Canadians.

The probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.53%, 19 times out of 20.

Voting record and intentions

The majority of Canadians over the age of 18 voted in their last municipal election (69%), however voting habits are lower among younger Canadians. Fifty-five percent of Canadians between the age of 18 and 34 did not vote in their last municipal election, and 18% do not plan to vote in the next one.

Many Canadians make a habit of not voting in municipal elections, 30% of those who did not vote in the last municipal election do not intend to vote in the next one.

Canadians have vastly different views on each level of government. Residents of Quebec (51%) lead all Canadians in belief that their provincial government has the most impact on their life, while those in Alberta believe their municipal government has the greatest impact on them (34%).

All regions of Canada believe their vote in municipal elections makes the most difference, except for in Quebec who believe their vote makes the most difference in provincial elections.

Quebec residents believe that municipal governments are the most likely to be influenced by corruption (40%), followed by the provincial government (30%).

The Prairie provinces (60%) and Alberta (50%) are most likely to believe that it is the federal government that is most likely to be influenced by corruption.

Confidence in representatives

Canadians have the most confidence in their municipal representative has the capacity to do his/her job (21%), followed by their federal and provincial representative (14% each).

Although residents of Quebec believe that the municipal level of government is the most likely to be influenced by corruption, they have high levels of confidence in their municipal representative (25%).

Residents of the Prairies (25%) are the most likely to have confidence in the abilities of their provincial representative.

Government satisfaction

Canadians are most satisfied with their municipal government (42%), followed by the federal government (28%) and their provincial government (26%).

Active voters, that is, those that voted in their last municipal election and plan to vote in the next, are more satisfied with each level of government than non-active voters.

Top qualities for municipal officials

Honesty and integrity is the top quality a municipal government official should possess according to 40% of Canadians, followed by good listening skills (13%) and that they work for the good of the municipality (9%).

Quebec residents are the most concerned with honest municipal officials, with over half (53%) listing honesty or integrity as a quality for municipal government officials to possess.

Control of municipal spending

Just over half (51%) of Canadians believe that municipalities should be able to make their own decision regarding priorities on how to spend provincial/federal money, while 27% believe provincial and federal governments should have more oversight and control.

Canadians under the age of 44 (17%) are more likely to say that it does not matter to them who decides on the spending (compared to 6% of older Canadians).

(Statistics courtesy Leger/Yahoo Canada)