MISCONDUCT COMMON IN SENATE, CANADIANS SAY

April 18th, 2015. A new Mainstreet Technologies poll of 2,518 Canadians finds 62% are following the Mike
Duffy trial either very closely or somewhat closely. When asked about senate expenses 71% say abuse is
commonplace. The margin of error for the poll is +/- 1.95%, 19 times out of 20.
"The Mike Duffy trial is being followed closely by Canadians. This trial, and it's revelations about policies
and procedures for oversight of Senator expenses provides people with a glimpse in to the Senate, a body
that is not usually under any public scrutiny," said Quito Maggi, President of Mainstreet Technologies.
"It appears from the findings that many Canadians believe abuses are widespread and not isolated. It also
suggests there is support for the outright abolition of the Senate. 61% say they are more likely to support
senate abolition as a result of the Duffy trial."
"It appears that most Canadians are split on Mike Duffy success in court with 27% saying its going well and
36% saying its going badly. Whether that is the reality, or supported by the legal arguments being
presented, remains to be seen. As the trial continues, and is expected to run longer than planned, these
attitudes may change or increase."
Highlights:
- 47% agree the senate should be abolished.
- 78% say misuse of senate funds is common place
- 61% say they are more likely to support senate abolition as a result of the Mike Duffy trial
- 71% say they will continue to follow the trial
-30For more information or further comment:
David Valentin, (613) 698-5524 - david@mainstreettechnologies.ca
Available for interview from Toronto:
Quito Maggi, quito@mainstreettechnologies.ca
Methodology
The poll surveyed a random sample of Canadian residents by Interactive Voice Response (IVR) on April
16th, 2015. All Mainstreet polls include cell phone samples unless otherwise stated.
About Mainstreet Technologies
Mainstreet Technologies is an emerging national public research firm. With 20 years of political experience
at all three levels of government, President and CEO Quito Maggi is a respected commentator on Canadian
public affairs.
Differentiated by its large sample sizes, Mainstreet has provided accurate snapshots of public opinion,
having predicted a majority PC government in Alberta, a majority Liberal government in British Columbia,
and a majority Liberal government in Ontario. Most recently, Mainstreet was the most accurate pollster of
Novembers Toronto mayoral election and Februarys by-election in Sudbury.

Senator Mike Duffy is currently on trial for 31 counts of fraud, breach of trust and
bribery. How closely have you been following this story?

VERY CLOSELY
SOMEWHAT CLOSELY
NOT TOO CLOSELY
NOT AT ALL CLOSELY
NOT AWARE OF THE STORY

BREAKDOWNS

24%
38%
20%
14%
3%

VERY CLOSELY
SOMEWHAT CLOSELY
NOT TOO CLOSELY
NOT AT ALL CLOSELY
NOT AWARE OF THE STORY
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

22% 23% 30% 21%
31% 40% 41% 42%
20% 22%
15% 23%
27%
11%
10% 7%
0%
4%
3%
8%
306 406
916 890

VERY CLOSELY
SOMEWHAT CLOSELY
NOT TOO CLOSELY
NOT AT ALL CLOSELY
NOT AWARE OF THE STORY
SAMPLE

BC
25%
32%
19%
17%
7%
275

AB
25%
39%
22%
12%
3%
347

Prairies
27%
33%
23%
15%
2%
306

ON
24%
37%
21%
15%
2%
669

Male
23%
40%
21%
13%
3%
1182

Female
25%
36%
19%
16%
3%
1336

QC Atlantic
20%
31%
42%
44%
19%
12%
14%
11%
4%
2%
626
295

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mike Duffy is handling his job as
Senator?

STRONGLY APPROVE
SOMEWHAT APPROVE
NEITHER APPROVE/DISAPPROVE
SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE
STRONGLY DISAPPROVE

BREAKDOWNS

3%
7%
18%
21%
50%

STRONGLY APPROVE
SOMEWHAT APPROVE
NEITHER APPROVE/DISAPPROVE
SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE
STRONGLY DISAPPROVE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

2%
1%
8%
3%
9%
12%
3%
4%
11%
19%
18% 28%
20% 20% 20% 24%
58% 48%
51% 42%
306 406
916 890

STRONGLY APPROVE
SOMEWHAT APPROVE
NEITHER APPROVE/DISAPPROVE
SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE
STRONGLY DISAPPROVE
SAMPLE

BC
3%
5%
23%
25%
44%
275

Male
4%
7%
18%
22%
49%
1182

Female
3%
8%
18%
20%
51%
1336

AB Prairies ON QC Atlantic
2%
4% 3%
2%
4%
6%
8% 9%
4%
8%
21%
17% 18%
21%
17%
20%
19% 21%
21%
21%
50%
52% 50%
51%
50%
306
669 626
295
347

Thinking about Canadas Senate Do you agree or disagree it should be

abolished?

STRONGLY AGREE*
SOMEWHAT AGREE
NEITHER AGREE/DISAGREE
SOMEWHAT DISAGREE
STRONGLY DISAGREE

34%
13%
23%
9%
20%

*Strongly Agree the senate should be abolished; somewhat agree the senate should be abolished, somewhat
disagree the senate should be abolished, strongly disagree the senate should be abolished.

BREAKDOWNS
STRONGLY AGREE
SOMEWHAT AGREE
NEITHER AGREE/DISAGREE
SOMEWHAT DISAGREE
STRONGLY DISAGREE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

35% 32% 35% 35%
8%
12%
15% 22%
20% 32%
21% 18%
10%
9%
11%
6%
27%
14%
19% 19%
306 406
916 890

STRONGLY AGREE
SOMEWHAT AGREE
NEITHER AGREE/DISAGREE
SOMEWHAT DISAGREE
STRONGLY DISAGREE
SAMPLE

BC
29%
17%
29%
10%
15%
275

Male
35%
15%
22%
8%
20%
1182

Female
34%
12%
24%
10%
20%
1336

AB Prairies ON QC Atlantic
49% 34% 38%
24%
29%
7%
15% 13%
12%
10%
14%
21% 19%
37%
30%
10%
9% 9%
10%
8%
20%
21% 21%
18%
23%
306
669 626
295
347

As a result of the trial of Senator Duffy are you more likely or less likely to desire
senate abolition?

34%
A LOT MORE LIKELY
27%
SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY
SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
12%
7%
A LOT LESS LIKELY
NEITHER MORE OR LESS LIKELY 21%

BREAKDOWNS
A LOT MORE LIKELY
SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY
SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
A LOT LESS LIKELY
NEITHER MORE OR LESS LIKELY
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

49% 29% 22% 35%
13%
34% 33% 26%
18%
7%
11% 10%
9%
2%
12% 5%
11%
28%
21% 24%
306 406
916 890

A LOT MORE LIKELY

SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY
SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
A LOT LESS LIKELY
NEITHER MORE OR LESS LIKELY
SAMPLE

BC
30%
32%
11%
8%
19%
275

AB
42%
19%
12%
5%
22%
347

Prairies
38%
23%
12%
7%
20%
306

ON
33%
27%
11%
8%
20%
669

Male
34%
27%
14%
6%
20%
1182

Female
34%
27%
10%
8%
21%
1336

QC Atlantic
34%
31%
27%
25%
12%
14%
5%
8%
22%
22%
626
295

From everything you have seen, heard or read, do you believe the trial is going
well or going badly for Senator Mike Duffy?

VERY WELL
FAIRLY WELL
PRETTY BADLY
VERY BADLY
UNSURE

BREAKDOWNS

11%
16%
23%
13%
38%

VERY WELL
FAIRLY WELL
PRETTY BADLY
VERY BADLY
UNSURE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

19%
7%
9%
5%
1%
10%
28% 29%
21%
24% 23% 27%
20% 10%
9% 10%
40% 49%
31% 30%
306 406
916 890

VERY WELL
FAIRLY WELL
PRETTY BADLY
VERY BADLY
UNSURE
SAMPLE

BC
12%
13%
18%
11%
46%
275

Male
11%
16%
24%
12%
37%
1182

Female
10%
15%
23%
13%
38%
1336

AB Prairies ON QC Atlantic
11%
10% 10%
8%
13%
17%
16% 16%
17%
18%
21%
24% 25%
31%
17%
13%
14% 12%
12%
12%
38%
36% 37%
32%
40%
306
669 626
295
347

The scandal around Mike Duffys expenses includes tens of thousands of

taxpayer dollars, and three other Senators are under investigation for their
expenses as well. Do you think these are isolated cases or do you believe the
conduct of these four Senators is common among the rest of the Senate?

ISOLATED
COMMON
UNSURE

BREAKDOWNS

7%
78%
15%

ISOLATED
COMMON
UNSURE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

10%
6%
6%
6%
88% 78% 75% 66%
2%
16%
19% 28%
306 406
916 890

ISOLATED
COMMON
UNSURE
SAMPLE

BC
3%
81%
16%
275

AB
10%
76%
15%
347

Prairies
6%
76%
18%
306

ON
7%
79%
14%
669

Male
8%
77%
15%
1182

Female
7%
78%
15%
1336

QC Atlantic
9%
4%
75%
77%
16%
19%
626
295

How closely will you follow the remainder of the Mike Duffy trial?

VERY CLOSELY
SOMEWHAT CLOSELY
NOT TOO CLOSELY
NOT AT ALL CLOSELY
UNSURE

BREAKDOWNS

27%
44%
16%
10%
4%

VERY CLOSELY
SOMEWHAT CLOSELY
NOT TOO CLOSELY
NOT AT ALL CLOSELY
UNSURE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

30% 22% 30% 23%
31%
48% 46% 53%
21%
20%
12% 8%
17%
4%
9%
11%
1%
6%
3%
6%
306 406
916 890

VERY CLOSELY
SOMEWHAT CLOSELY
NOT TOO CLOSELY
NOT AT ALL CLOSELY
UNSURE
SAMPLE

BC
29%
39%
21%
5%
5%
275

AB
27%
42%
14%
12%
4%
347

Prairies
29%
39%
17%
12%
3%
306

ON
27%
44%
15%
10%
4%
669

Male
25%
45%
15%
10%
4%
1182

Female
28%
42%
16%
10%
4%
1336

QC Atlantic
24%
23%
48%
44%
14%
15%
11%
14%
3%
4%
626
295