NATIONAL MAY 2017

EMBARGOED UNTIL:
6 AM EST, JUNE 1, 2017
PRINT EXCLUSIVE:
POSTMEDIA NETWORK

Methodology
Mainstreet surveyed a random stratied sample of
2,800 Canadians from May 28-29, 2017 through
Chimera IVR. Landline and Cell lines were included.
Responses were weighted using demographic
information to targets based on the 2011 Census.
The margin of error is 1.85 percentage points, 19
times out of 20 for the total.
Respondents were asked a split question. The
margin of error for each split question is 2.62
percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Totals may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
. majority government in the 2015 federal election.
A2
About Mainstreet
With 20 years of political experience at all three
levels of government, President and CEO Quito
Maggi is a respected commentator on Canadian
public aairs.
Dierentiated by its large sample sizes, Mainstreet
Research has provided accurate snapshots of
public opinion, having predicted a majority NDP
government in Alberta, a majority Liberal
government in British Columbia and a majority
Liberal government in Ontario. Mainstreet has
been the most accurate polling rm in several by
elections and the most recent Toronto mayoral
election. Most recently, Mainstreet Research was
the only polling rm to correctly predict a Liberal
Contact Information
In Ottawa: Quito Maggi, President
quito@mainstreetresearch.ca
In Montreal: David Valentin, Executive Vice
President. david@mainstreetresearch.ca
In Toronto: Dr. Joseph Angolano, Vice President
joseph@mainstreetresearch.ca
Find us online at:
www.mainstreetresearch.ca
twitter.com/MainStResearch
facebook.com/mainstreetresearch
SCHEER UNKNOWN BUT SEES SMALL BUMP IN SUPPORT

June 1, 2017 (Ottawa, ON) A new Mainstreet/Postmedia poll nds a majority of Canadians are not familiar
with Andrew Scheer or have no clear opinion - but Scheer sees a small bounce regardless. The
Mainstreet/Postmedia poll has a margin of error of +/- 1.85 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

They say the rst rule is do no harm, said Quito Maggi, President of Mainstreet Research. On that score
Andrew Scheer is succeeding, in fact we found a small bounce in the numbers for the Conservatives, just
outside the margin of error. Some of this could be statistical noise, but the Conservative number has risen,
perhaps in light of heavy media exposure in the past week. In our last Saskatchewan poll, we saw the
Liberals doing well in Regina, Scheers hometown, these numbers are rosier for the Conservatives in
Saskatchewan and it will be interesting to check back in to see what eect Scheers leadership has on the
numbers in his hometown.

Overall the Liberals lead with 41% support among decided and leaning voters to the Conservatives 33% (up
2 percent with Scheer). The NDP are in third with 17% with the Greens following at 5%.

63% of Canadians either are not familiar with Andrew Scheer or are not sure (not clear opinion). 21% hold
a favourable opinion while 16% have an unfavourable opinion for a net favourability of +5 (favourability
minus unfavourability).

One of Scheers key policies - and the line that got the most applause in the convention hall during his
victory speech, was ensuring freedom of speech on university campuses. Scheer, and other conservatives,
maintain that freedom of speech is an important issue in Canadian Universities. Weve seen over the years
pro-life groups have been barred by universities from displaying photos of aborted fetuses and other
images deemed to be graphic - some have suggested freedom of speech includes allowing pro-life groups
to show these materials.

When Canadians are asked specically about aborted fetuses there is little appetite to re-visit this issue,
72% say these images should not be allowed on university campuses. However, when respondents are
asked about Scheers proposal to withhold federal grants from universities that do not ensure freedom of
speech, support is stronger for Scheers position at 38%. Still, 45% are opposed to his proposal.

These questions show the potential benet and risk for Scheers Conservatives. The Liberals will claim
freedom of speech on campus is about enabling pro-life groups to show disturbing images - and already
they have begun painting Scheer as a social conservative. Conservatives will point to freedom of speech in
the abstract or perhaps point to controversial speakers who have been banned from campuses or other
examples to argue freedom of speech on campus is an important issue. This could be a preview of the
arguments well see if Scheer is committed to this policy. While it may have been the best applause line
during his acceptance speech, this does not appear to be a winning policy among the general electorate,
nished Maggi.

-30-

For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Quito Maggi, President, quito@mainstreetresearch.ca

David Valentin, Executive Vice-President, (514) 913-5524 - david@mainstreetresearch.ca
 Favourable 21%
Unfavourable 16%
Not Sure 30%
Not Familiar with 33%

Eect on voter
intentions

All Voters

Decided & Leaning

BEFORE

AFTER
 LINE OF THE NIGHT

The biggest applause line of Andrew Scheers victory speech was:

I believe the foundation of our democracy is the ability to

have a debate about any subject that is why I am so committed
to defending free speech. I will withhold federal grants from
universities that shut down debate and cant stand dierent
points of view. - Andrew Scheer

Half of respondents were asked:

Some Universities in Canada have prohibited
photos of aborted fetuses on campus. Critics
say this violates their right to free speech
while supporters say these photos are too
graphic. In your opinion, should photos of
aborted fetuses be allowed on university
campuses or not?

Half of respondents were asked:

Some Universities in Canada have been
criticized over freedom of speech. In your
opinion, should the Federal Government
withhold federal grants if universities cannot
ensure freedom of speech on campus or
not?