Regional Perspectives on Politics and Priorities

Regional Perspectives on Politics and Priorities

Executive summary  
The latest Environics Institute Focus Canada survey, conducted during the last two weeks of the recent federal election campaign, highlights some of the regional differences in outlook in Canada that are now reflected in the distribution of seats in the House of Commons. Views on the economy, on the role and impact of government, on the direction of the country, and on top issues such as the environment and climate change, all vary significantly by region.

Differences in opinion in Quebec and Alberta are often the starkest. In Quebec, the environment and climate change is now seen as the most important problem facing the country – but this is not the case in Alberta, where economic concerns continue to dominate. Albertans also stand out as the least satisfied with the direction of the country, the most worried about job security, and the most likely to see governments as having a negative impact on most people’s lives. Quebecers, in contrast, are the most satisfied with the direction of the country, the least worried about job security, and the least likely to see governments as having a negative impact.

These regional patterns of opinion underscore the extent of the current challenge of building a political consensus within Canada on the major issues facing the country, notably that of how best to address climate change while responding to Alberta’s pronounced economic concerns. 

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For more information, contact Andrew Parkin.