October 2019: Federal Elections and Public Opinion Polling

With political campaigns ramping up and the 43rd Canadian General Election just around the corner, Scholars Portal is using the month of October to feature datasets touching on federal elections over several decades.

Also included in these polls are other subjects pertinent to elections, such as the debate performance of political candidates, voter attitudes towards various governments, and voter predictions of election outcomes. Some of the polls also have questions on the use of technology – with telephone ownership morphing into the use social media by voters to inform themselves. Of course, framing these polls are the contemporary social, political, and economic issues concerning Canadians. All of these datasets can be found via our <odesi> and Dataverse platforms.

For more information about public opinion polls, please see our guide to the collection.

Above is the self-reported voting behaviour of Canadians for federal elections from 1940 to 2015. The data was pulled from multiple unweighted polls. In some cases, the questions asked of respondents varies from poll to poll. Hover over the data in the chart to view the literal questions asked of respondents from year to year. To compare with official election results, please consult Elections Canada, or the Library of Parliament for elections prior to 1997.

 

Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1945, #142
The purpose of this Gallup Poll is to judge the political views and voting patterns of Canadians across various social, religious, geographic and demographic groups. Topics of interest include: car ownership; electoral riding; foreign policy; phone ownership; the Plebiscite election; political party; union membership; and voting behaviour in the 1940 federal election. Basic demographics variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1949, #186
This Gallup Poll aims to collect the political opinions of Canadians, approximately one month before an election. It also attempts to determine how many Canadians will vote, and whether they have decided in advance which party to vote for. Respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: car ownership; voting behaviour in the 1945 federal election; political parties; phone ownership; union membership; and the United Nations; Basic demographic variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1953, #227
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on issues of importance to the government and the country. The majority of the questions are politically based, asking about political parties and issues. The survey also includes sections that ask opinions on the possibility of a new Canadian flag, the Duke of Windsor, and mercy killing. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: the Canadian flag; the Canadian red ensign; divorce; the Duke and Duchess of Windsor; England; family issues; the Federal election; high school students; homework; mercy killing; morality issues; murder; phone ownership; preferred political parties; suicide; the Union Jack; union membership; and voting behaviour in the 1949 election. Basic demographics variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1957, #258
This Gallup poll aims to collect the opinions of Canadians on issues of importance to the country and to the government. This survey focuses on mostly political topics, such as elections and voting, and the influence of the United States over Canada. Respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: American investment in Canada, the American lifestyle; Canada’s dependence on the United States, the federal election; financial dependence on the United States; government policy; how hard people work; religious services; Sunday school; union membership; and voting behaviour in the 1953 federal election. Basic demographics variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, March 1958a, #266
This Gallup poll is made up exclusively of political questions. The questions are about voting patterns and tendencies, government, and preferred political parties and leaders. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, democratic and social variables. Topics of interest include: who would make the best leader for the country; car ownership; federal election; John Diefenbaker; Lester Pearson; major problems facing Canada; union membership; and voting behaviour in the 1957 election. Basic demographics variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1959, #275
This Gallup poll seeks to collect the opinions of Canadians on several issues of importance to the country as a whole. Included in this survey are discussions on religion, and several questions on foreign trade, including opinion and awareness questions. The specific countries discussed with respect to foreign trade and goods were Germany, Japan, France and Italy. Respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: American investment in Canada; Canada supporting distressed countries; Canadian businesses; car ownership; church attendance; diseases which kill the most people; federal elections; the government’s overall performance; income tax levels; purchasing and opinions of foreign goods; recognition of China’s communist government; preferred political parties; provincial elections; union membership; and voting behaviour in the 1958 election. Basic demographics variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, April 1963, #302
This Gallup poll aims to collect the opinions of Canadians on issues of a political nature. There are questions about voting patterns and interest, issues of national importance, including defence, the National Anthem and the Canadian Flag, and questions involving Canada and other nations. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. The topics of interest include: alcohol prohibition; Britain’s status as a world power; Canada’s dependency on the United States; Canadian national anthem; car ownership; defence policy; preferred designs for the Canadian flag; employment; English-French relations; federal elections; leaving school at the age of 16; strikes; union membership; and voting behaviour in the 1962 election. Basic demographics variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, August 1964, #308
This Gallup poll aims to collect the views of Canadians on leading topics of the day. The questions are mostly political, focusing on political parties, policies, and other issues of importance to Canadians and government. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: Barry Goldwater as the next American president; Canada joining the United States; Canadian flag design; Conservative party; death penalty for murderers; Diefenbaker’s performance as leader of the Conservative party; federal elections; whether influence or merit is more important in today’s world; the Liberal party; major family problems; major problems facing government; Pearson’s performance as Liberal leader; preferred political parties; Quebec separating from the rest of Canada; reasons people are poor; smoking habits; union membership; and voting behaviour in the 1963 election. Basic demographics variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1968b, #329
This Gallup poll is concern almost exclusively with an upcoming election. Respondents are asked questions regarding their intentions to vote, whether or not they are on the electoral list, and how they intend to vote. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographical and social variables. Topics of interest include: the interest in the Federal election; interest in voting; if they are a registered voter; political opinions; and voting behaviour in the 1965 election. Basic demographic variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, March 1972, #352
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians, on predominantly political and social issues. The questions ask opinions about political leaders and political issues within the country and throughout the world. There are also questions regarding the Vietnam War, government intervention, and the cinema industry. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to demographic and geographical variables. Topics of interest include: the approval of prisoner parole; the approval of control over wage and prices; the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline; unions for white collar workers; respondents’ opinion of Trudeau; whether the federal budge will affect family finance; the appropriateness of a minority government; whether respondents are treated with respect; attitudes toward illegitimacy; interest in the Canadian film industry; and voting behaviour in the 1968 election. Basic demographic variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, July 1974, #367
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians, on predominantly political issues. The questions ask opinions about political parties, the election and other political issues within the country. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographical and social variables. Topics of interest include: the activities done during the 1874 election campaign; the difference between the political parties; the important jobs for the government after the election; overall interest in the election; voting eligibility; and voting behaviour int he 1972 election. Basic demographic variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1979, #424b
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians, on solely political issues. The questions ask opinions about the interest in the upcoming election. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic and social variables. Topics of interest include: the interest in the upcoming election; and voting behaviour in the 1974 election. Basic demographic variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, February 1980, #434b
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians, on predominantly political issues. The questions ask opinions about political leaders and other political issues within the country and international community such as which problems facing the government are most important, and whether respondents have confidence in the U.S.’s responsibility to handle world problems. There are also questions on other topics of interest and importance to the country and government, such as union membership and childcare. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic and social variables. Topics of interest include: voting behaviour in the 1979 election; worker representation in companies; the most important problem facing the Canadian government; the dangers of pollution; age of mandatory retirement; government or private responsibility for childcare; whether the CRTC has the right to change cable television; composition of a household; the size of the Canadian population; confidence in the U.S. to handle world problems; risk of atomic war; if the USSR is content with their power influence; and whether the Olympics should be held in Moscow.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1984, #485_4
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians, on predominantly social issues. The questions ask opinions about Canada’s problems and the future of the economy. There are also questions on other topics of interest and importance to the country and government, such as how the courts deal with criminals, the Olympics and smoking. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to political and geographical variables. Topics of interest include: allowing sexual offenders to go on bail; allowing convicts weekend leaves; Canada’s problems; the future of the economy; giving the terminally ill heroin; the government’s handling of the economy; the harshness of the courts in dealing with criminals; the percentage of Canadians who smoked in the past week; political stance; preferred location of a permanent Olympic site; and voting behaivour in the 1980 election. Basic demographic variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1988, #533_1
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians, on predominantly political and social issues. The questions ask opinions about the frequency of political preference, influential factors in political choices and general economic issues. There are also questions on other topics of interest such as religious habits, anti-smoking bylaws and the impact of computers. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, political and social variables. Topics of interest include: the rate and regulation of bank fees; importance of organized religion; the economic future of Canada; the ideal number of children to have; the impact and availability of computers; anti-smoking bylaws; approval of 1984 Progressive Conservative government; approval of 1988 party leaders; free trade; and voting behaviour in the 1984 election. Basic demographics are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, May 1993, #651t
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians, on predominantly political and social issues. The questions ask opinions on the upcoming election, the effects of the federal budget on the state of the economy, and questions related to political party preference. There are also questions on other topics of interest such as the impact of technology on household cleaning, prospects for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party, and who would make the best Prime Minister. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, political and social variables. Topics of interest include: election; economy; Progressive Conservative Party leadership; technology; and voting behaviour in the 1988 election. Basic demographic variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, May (election) 1997
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians, on predominantly political and social issues. The questions ask opinions of the upcoming election, political leaders, and voting preferences. There are also questions on other topics of interest such as news sources, and personal involvement in federal decisions. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, political and social variables. Topics of interest include: election; politics; Jean Chretien; political party preference; and voting behaviour in the 1993 election. Basic demographic variables are also included

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, June 1997
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians, on predominantly political and social issues. The questions ask opinions of the past federal election, hunger in Canada, and the economy. There are also questions on other topics of interest such as religiosity, opinion of Jean Chretien, and social responsibility for hunger in Canada. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, political and social variables. Topics of interest include: politics; Jean Chretien; hunger; religion; and voting behaviour in the 1997 election. Basic demographic variables are also included

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Canadian Gallup Poll, December 2000
This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians, on predominantly political and social issues. The questions ask opinions of the past federal election, employment, and the economy. There are also questions on other topics of interest such as Christmas, leadership characteristics, and Jean Chretien. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, political and social variables. Topics include: standard of living; likely purchases; euthanasia for life-threatening illnesses; euthanasia for non-life-threatening illnesses; voting behaviour in the 2000 election; and Christmas celebrations. Basic demographic variables are also included.

Source: <odesi>, via Gallup Canada and the Carleton University Data Centre

Ipsos Reid Federal Election Exit Poll 2006
This study was performed on January 23, 2006, the same day as the 39th Canadian General Election. Any online survey tool was used to examine the attitudes and opinions of a great number of voters on a wide variety of issue. This study has a sample size of 36,003 respondents, making it a unique tool for researchers. Questions include voting behaviour in the 2004 and 2006 federal elections.

Source: <odesi>, via Ipsos Reid and Wilfrid Laurier University

2008 Canada General Election Exit Survey
This study is an Ipsos Canada exit survey of the 40th Canada General Election, performed on October 14, 2008. An online survey tool was used to examine voter attitudes and preferences in the 40th Canada General Election. Respondents provided information regarding their government and party leader preferences as well as priorities for the next government. Respondents were also asked specific questions on minority and coalition governments; the leadership of the Liberal Party, Stephen Harper, and issues that affected their decision to vote the way they did. This study has a sample of 36,141 respondents.

Source: Dataverse, via Ipsos Canada and Wilfrid Laurier University

2011 Canada General Election Exit Survey
This study is an Ipsos Canada exit survey of the 41st Canada General Election, performed on May 2, 2011. An online survey tool was used to examine voter attitudes and preferences in the 41st Canada General Election. Respondents provided information regarding their government and party leader preferences as well as priorities for the next government. Respondents were als asked specific questions on minority and coalition governments; support for a merger of the Liberal Party and the NDP; as well as their opinions on the long-gun registry, the death penalty, same-sex marriage, and proportional representation. As well, respondents were queried on their news-reading and news-sharing habits with traditional, online, and social media. This study has a sample of 39,261 respondents.

Source: Dataverse, via Ipsos Canada and Wilfrid Laurier University

2015 Canada General Election Exit Survey
This study is an Ipsos Canada exit survey during the 42nd Canada General Election, on October 19, 2015. This survey examines voter attitudes and preferences at the time of the 42nd General Election. Respondents were queried on their voting preferences, feelings toward minority and coalition government, issues affecting their vote, and opinions on party leaders and democratic reform. Respondents were also asked about their religious identity and practice, as well as their news-reading and news-sharing habits with traditional, online, and social media. This study has a sample of 12,137 respondents.

Source: Dataverse, via Ipsos Canada and Wilfrid Laurier University