DOGWOOD INITIATIVE BC VIEWS ON POLITICAL FUNDING Simplified Understanding April 25, 2016
Methodology Results are based on an online study conducted from April 18 to April 21, 2015, among 803 adult British Columbians. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is ±3.5 percentage points for each sample, nineteen times out of twenty. 2
DETAILED RESULTS Simplified Understanding
Two thirds of British Columbians (6) think citizens are not influential in shaping policy in our province. The most influential group is Corporations (90%) Groups That Shape Policy in British Columbia Not influential Influential 10% 613 Corporations 47% 27% 1 90% 39% 17% 13% 9 Lobbyists 14% 2 21% 61% 4 1 15% 15% Foreign investors 13% 15% 23% 51% 61% 23% 25% 13% Unions 6 15% 17% 3 6 13% 17% 3 Citizens 1 8 8 32% 72% 22% 2 24% Out-of-province interests 39 1 2 4 5 6 Least influential 1 Most influential 2 3 Base: All respondents (n=803) How influential do you think these groups are in shaping policy in our province? Please rank them from 1 to 6, with 1 being the most influential and 6 being the least influential. 4
Only 10% of British Columbians agree with allowing corporations and unions to spend as much money as they want to help politicians win elections. Influence of Corporations and Unions on Politics Disagree Agree Not Sure 7% 3% By donating to political parties, corporations and unions clearly expect preferential treatment from the governments they helped elect. 60% 90% 4% 87% 6 Corporations and unions should be allowed to spend as much money as they want to help politicians win elections. 3% 10% 3% Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Strongly agree Somewhat agree Base: All respondents (n=803) Thinking about the current state of affairs in British Columbia, do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? 5
At least two thirds of British Columbians support implementing specific regulations to take big money out of politics. Establishing New Regulations for Political Funding Oppose 21% 1% Having a truly transparent procurement process for work conducted on behalf of the provincial government Support 74% 92% Not Sure 17% 5% Banning out-of-province donations to British Columbia-based candidates and political parties 4 77% 7% 19% Limiting how much a single person can donate to a political party or candidate 45% 7 25% 4% Banning donations from corporations to political parties or candidates 41% 70% 7% 2 Banning donations from unions to political parties or candidates 37% 67% 7% 21% 2% Banning former political operatives from lobbying governments and politicians they previously served 3 67% 11% 27% Banning private political fundraisers where people pay thousands of dollars to spend time with elected politicians 39% 6 Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Strongly support Somewhat support Base: All respondents (n=803) All things considered, do you support or oppose each of the following ideas? 6
On average, British Columbians who support limits would like to see an annual donation threshold of $709 for provincial parties and candidates. Placing Limits on Donations to Political Parties and Candidates BC General Population $709 Gender Female $588 Male $870 Age 18 to 34 $455 35 to 54 $845 55+ $667 Vote in 2013 Election BC Liberals $944 BC NDP $579 Annual Donation Limit Base: Support limits (n=610) What should be the annual limit on political donations from individuals to political parties and candidates in British Columbia? Please type your response, in number form, in the box below. 7
8 of British Columbians favour legislation to ban donations from corporations and unions to provincial political parties before the May 2017 election. Banning Corporate and Union Donations BC General Population 8 9% 5% Base: All respondents (n=803) Gender Female 8 Male 8 12% 2% Age Vote in 2013 Election 18 to 34 79% 13% 35 to 54 8 7% 5% 55+ 8 4% BC Liberals 81% 15% 4% BC NDP 91% 3% Should Should not In Canadian federal elections, donations from corporations and unions to political parties and candidates are not permitted. Do you think British Columbia should implement similar legislation to ban donations from corporations and unions to provincial political parties before the May 2017 election? Not Sure 8
For more information on this study, please contact: Mario Canseco Vice President, Public Affairs Insights West 778-929-0490 mariocanseco@insightswest.com Simplified Understanding