Mainstreet surveyed a random sample of 7,323 Canadians by Smart IVR on August 12-13,

2015 across 6 cities: Edmonton, London, Montral, Ottawa, Qubec City and Toronto. A
mixture of landlines and cell phones were surveyed. Margins of error: Edmonton: +/-2.89%;
London +/-3.7%; Montral +/-2.73%; Ottawa +/- 2.65%; Qubec City +/-2.73%; Toronto:
+/-2.52% 19 times out of 20. Results were weighed by language (where applicable),
age and gender based on the 2011 Canadian Census.

A2
"Exclusive Mainstreet/Postmedia polls are protected by copyright.
The information and/or data may only be rebroadcast or republished
with full and proper credit and attribution to Mainstreet/Postmedia.

OTTAWA DIVIDED OVER UBER

August 21, 2015 (Toronto, ON) A new Mainstreet/Postmedia poll finds Ottawans split over the ride-sharing
service Uber, with 40% agreeing the service should be banned and 36% saying that Uber drivers should be
allowed to operate without a taxi license. The Mainstreet/Postmedia poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.65%,
19/20 and is part of a larger survey set focused on Uber in Canada. Collectively the six polls have 7,323
respondents across six cities; they are the largest independent poll of Uber worldwide.
Uber continues to be a divisive issue in Ottawa, but without cutting along generational or other lines said
Quito Maggi, president of Mainstreet Research. Our findings show that most Ottawans are paying close
attention to the situation surrounding Uber and taxis, with those most aware of the situation tending to favour
Uber. Taxis, meanwhile, remain fairly popular.
The poll found that most Ottawans were divided over Uber, with those over the age of 65 significantly favouring
banning it. All other age groups were nearly evenly divided. Ottawans support for Uber doesnt seem to have
much to do with age, said Maggi. That contrasts with the generational divide seen elsewhere.
Mainstreet asked Ottawans how closely theyve followed issues surrounding Uber, an overwhelming majority
(72%) are following either very or somewhat closely. Those keeping abreast of the situation were much more
likely to support Uber, with 46% of those following the story siding with the ride sharing service and 56% of
those not following believing it should be banned.
While Ottawans are divided on Uber and taxis, theyre still much more comfortable with the latters safety
record. While an overwhelming 88% of respondents felt that taxis were safe, only 50% said the same of Uber.
The results reflected a generational divide, with a majority those 18-34 and 34-49 believing Uber to be
somewhat or very safe.
When it comes to the future of taxis in this city, half of Ottawans favour abolishing the current system, though
most believe that a compromise should be reached between Uber and the taxi industry and that Uber should
follow the same rules. Of the 50% in favour of ditching the system, most want compensation for current cab
drivers. Only 13% of respondents want to keep the system intact while over a third werent sure. While
respondents were strongly in favour of Uber playing by the same rules, with 58% saying Uber should have the
same regulations as taxis, they were divided as to whether Ubers and taxis should work out a compromise
(34%) or taxis should compete with Uber (33%).
While Uber has made inroads in Ottawa, theres still much to be said, added Maggi. People are paying
attention, and lots of them like Uber. Yet many are still skeptical of the ride sharing service. Its going to take a
strong effort by Uber to win over both Ottawas politicians and population.
About Mainstreet Research
Mainstreet is a 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 NDP government in Alberta (2015), 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.
-30Available for Interview from Toronto: Quito Maggi, quito@mainstreetresearch.ca
For more information: David Valentin, (613) 698-5524 - david@mainstreetresearch.ca

A3
"Exclusive Mainstreet/Postmedia polls are protected by copyright.
The information and/or data may only be rebroadcast or republished
with full and proper credit and attribution to Mainstreet/Postmedia.

HOW OTTAWA COMPARES

Ottawans backing of Uber is moderate among Canadian cities. At 36%, support for the ride sharing service is
identical in Edmonton, a similarly sized city where Uber also launched in December. In Toronto and Montreal,
where Uber has a more established presence, 45 and 46% were supportive. The key factor in determining
support that Uber across Canada seems to be how big the city is and how long Ubers been there, said Maggi.
In larger places where Ubers been around for a while, people are far more sympathetic to it. Contrast this with
somewhere like London, where Ubers only been around a month and has yet to draw broad public backing.
Ottawa and Edmonton find themselves somewhere in the middle.
Indeed, smaller cities where Uber has only recently arrived seem to be the least appreciative. Only 23% of
Londoners support Ubers continued operation, which began July 27. Fully 47% of respondents in the Forest City
want Uber banned. In Qubec City, where Uber launched in February, 32% think it should stay while 43% favour
a ban.
Mainstreet found that Ottawans overwhelming knowledge of the situation with Uber and taxis is similar to those
elsewhere. Fully 70% of Montralers, 60% of Qubeckers, 50% of Edmontonians and 70% of Torontonians say
theyre very or somewhat close following it. Only those in London were significantly less informed, with a mere
37% of respondents following the situation.
Ottawans tended to agree with the residents of other cities when on Ubers safety record; the 50% of city
residents who consider Uber very or somewhat safe is similar to Montral (47%), Qubec City (43%) and Toronto
(48%). Residents of Edmonton and London were more skeptical, with only 29% of Londoners calling Uber safe.
The disparity was non-existent when it came to taxis, however; in each city at least 84% of respondents felt that
taxis were safe.
When it comes to the future of the taxi industry in Canada, abolishing the system of licenses and medallions and
compensating drivers, Ottawas preferred option, was broadly supported across Canada. Only Edmontonians
were split between abolition and the status quo, while Londoners favoured abolition without compensation
(36%). Ottawans views fell in line with those from other cities on the issue of Uber following the same rules as
taxis, with 58-66% of respondents in each city favouring a compromise between Uber and taxis, with 34-38% of
respondents in each city.
Canadians are still getting used to Uber, added Maggi. We see that in larger cities where the ride sharing
service is more accepted, people are much more likely to support it. Ubers challenge is to raise awareness and
get more people using the service, which will build support, while avoiding trouble with regulation and the taxi
industry. The window for the Taxi industry to impact public opinion is narrowing but they have a key advantage
when it comes to safety. The challenge for Taxis will be to offer comparable smartphone applications in order to
compete and to convince City Halls across Canada to take action against Uber in the face of rising public
support.
-30-

A4

Ottawa Only
LEANING AND DECIDED

9%

2%

31%
18%

41%

Very Closely

Somewhat Closely

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

Not Too Closely

18-34
31%
31%
19%
19%
0%
96

Not At All Closely

35-49
32%
45%
16%
3%
5%
144

50-64
31%
44%
19%
3%
3%
609

Not Aware

65+ Male Female

27% 36%
25%
46% 42%
39%
17% 13%
23%
8%
7%
11%
2%
3%
2%
522 577
794

A5

LEANING AND DECIDED

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

QC
Very Closely

MTL

Somewhat Closely

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

OTT

TO

Not Too Closely

QC
26%
34%
24%
12%
4%
1291

MTL
32%
38%
18%
5%
7%
1292

EDM

LDN

Not At All Closely

OTT
31%
41%
18%
9%
2%
1371

TO
32%
38%
19%
5%
7%
1514

EDM
23%
28%
26%
13%
10%
1152

Not Aware
LDN
13%
24%
31%
23%
11%
703

A6

Ottawa Only

24%

36%

40%

Continue

CONTINUE: 36%
THE PRACTICE SHOULD CONTINUE
THE PRACTICE SHOULD BE BANNED
DONT KNOW
SAMPLE
THE PRACTICE SHOULD CONTINUE
THE PRACTICE SHOULD BE BANNED
DONT KNOW

Banned

BANNED: 40%
18-34
38%
38%
25%
96

Dont Know

DONT KNOW: 24%

35-49
37%
38%
25%
144

50-64
36%
40%
25%
609

Following Closely
46%
33%
21%

65+ Male Female

33% 38%
34%
47% 43%
37%
20% 19%
29%
522 577
794
Not Following Closely
10%
56%
34%

A7

45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

QC

MTL
Continue

THE PRACTICE SHOULD CONTINUE

THE PRACTICE SHOULD BE BANNED
DONT KNOW
SAMPLE

OTT

TO

Banned
QC
32%
43%
26%
1291

EDM

LDN

Dont Know
MTL
46%
38%
16%
1292

OTT
36%
40%
24%
1371

TO
45%
37%
18%
1514

EDM
36%
41%
23%
1152

LDN
23%
47%
31%
703

A8

Ottawa Only
LEANING AND DECIDED

19%

20%

5%

31%
24%

Very Safe

Somewhat Safe

SAFE: 50%
VERY SAFE
SOMEWHAT SAFE
SOMEWHAT UNSAFE
VERY UNSAFE
DONT KNOW
SAMPLE
VERY SAFE
SOMEWHAT SAFE
SOMEWHAT UNSAFE
VERY UNSAFE
DONT KNOW

Somewhat Unsafe

UNSAFE: 29%
18-34
19%
31%
31%
6%
12%
96

Very Unsafe

Dont Know

NOT SURE: 20%

35-49
26%
25%
22%
6%
22%
144

50-64
14%
37%
24%
4%
21%
609

Following Closely
26%
35%
19%
7%
14%

65+
17%
35%
16%
4%
29%
522

Male Female
25%
13%
30%
33%
21%
27%
6%
5%
18%
22%
577
794

Not Following Closely

4%
24%
37%
1%
35%

A9

LEANING AND DECIDED

30

25

20

15

10

0
QC
Very Safe

MTL
Somewhat Safe

VERY SAFE
SOMEWHAT SAFE
SOMEWHAT UNSAFE
VERY UNSAFE
DONT KNOW
SAMPLE

OTT

TO

Somewhat Unsafe
QC
17%
26%
24%
10%
23%
1291

MTL
16%
31%
21%
13%
19%
1291

EDM
Very Unsafe
OTT
19%
31%
24%
5%
20%
1371

TO
16%
32%
19%
12%
20%
1514

LDN
Dont Know
EDM
12%
25%
26%
16%
21%
1152

LDN
9%
20%
30%
15%
26%
703

A10

Ottawa Only
LEANING AND DECIDED

1% 2%
9%

19%

69%
Very Safe

Somewhat Safe
SAFE: 88%

VERY SAFE
SOMEWHAT SAFE
SOMEWHAT UNSAFE
VERY UNSAFE
DONT KNOW
SAMPLE
VERY SAFE
SOMEWHAT SAFE
SOMEWHAT UNSAFE
VERY UNSAFE
DONT KNOW

Somewhat Unsafe
UNSAFE: 10%

Very Unsafe

Dont Know

NOT SURE: 2%

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Male Female

19%
20%
20%
19% 20%
18%
75%
68%
66%
64% 69% 68%
6%
11%
9%
12%
9%
10%
0%
0%
3%
1%
1%
1%
0%
2%
3%
5%
1%
3%
96
144
609
522 577
794
Following Closely Not Following Closely
19%
21%
68%
73%
11%
3%
1%
0%
1%
3%

A11

LEANING AND DECIDED

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
QC
Very Safe

MTL

Somewhat Safe

VERY SAFE
SOMEWHAT SAFE
SOMEWHAT UNSAFE
VERY UNSAFE
DONT KNOW
SAMPLE

OTT

TO

Somewhat Unsafe
QC
19%
67%
7%
2%
4%
1291

MTL
32%
54%
9%
2%
3%
1292

EDM
Very Unsafe
OTT
19%
69%
9%
1%
2%
1371

TO
34%
51%
11%
1%
4%
1514

LDN
Dont Know
EDM
31%
53%
9%
3%
5%
1152

LDN
25%
60%
9%
1%
6%
703

A12

Ottawa Only

13%

36%

34%

16%
Maintain

Abolish & Compensate

MAINTAIN CURRENT SYSTEM

ABOLISH & COMPENSATE
ABOLISH WITHOUT COMPENSATION
NOT SURE
SAMPLE
MAINTAIN CURRENT SYSTEM
ABOLISH COMPENSATE
ABOLISH WITHOUT COMPENSATION
NOT SURE

Abolish Without Compensation

18-34
13%
19%
19%
50%
96

35-49
11%
48%
12%
29%
144

50-64
15%
34%
21%
30%
609

Following Closely
13%
38%
19%
30%

Not Sure

65+ Male Female

17%
11%
17%
41% 37%
32%
12% 24%
8%
30% 29%
43%
522 577
794
Not Following Closely
15%
23%
9%
53%

A13

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

QC
Maintain

MTL

Abolish & Compensate

MAINTAIN CURRENT SYSTEM

ABOLISH & COMPENSATE
ABOLISH WITHOUT COMPENSATION
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

OTT

TO

EDM

Abolish Without Compensation

QC
18%
31%
12%
39%
1291

MTL
22%
35%
13%
31%
1292

OTT
13%
34%
16%
36%
1371

TO
24%
30%
14%
33%
1514

LDN
Not Sure
EDM
27%
27%
10%
37%
1152

LDN
29%
21%
36%
14%
703

A14

Ottawa Only

23%

58%
19%

Yes

YES: 64%
YES
NO
NOT SURE
SAMPLE
YES
NO
NOT SURE

No

Not Sure

NO: 12%

NOT SURE: 23%

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Male Female

44%
65%
62%
67% 62%
54%
19%
26%
15%
14% 18%
20%
38%
9%
23%
18% 19%
26%
96
144
609
522 577
794
Following Closely Not Following Closely
60%
53%
21%
14%
18%
33%

A15

65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
QC

MTL

OTT
Yes

YES
NO
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

No

TO

EDM

LDN

Not Sure
QC
60%
17%
23%
1291

MTL
63%
18%
20%
1292

OTT
58%
19%
23%
1371

TO
63%
14%
23%
1514

EDM
66%
13%
21%
1152

LDN
64%
12%
23%
703

A16

Ottawa Only

12%

34%

20%

33%
Compromise*

FAIR COMPROMISE
TAXI DRIVERS SHOULD COMPETE
PUNISH UBER
NOT SURE
SAMPLE
FAIR COMPROMISE
TAXI DRIVERS SHOULD COMPETE
PUNISH UBER
NOT SURE

Punish Uber*

Compete*

18-34
25%
44%
25%
6%
96

35-49
34%
38%
11%
17%
144

Not Sure*

50-64
40%
27%
23%
10%
609

Following Closely
33%
41%
19%
7%

65+ Male Female

44% 34%
35%
16% 35%
31%
21% 22%
18%
19% 10%
16%
522 577
794
Not Following Closely
39%
15%
23%
23%

A17

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
QC

MTL

Compromise*
FAIR COMPROMISE
TAXI DRIVERS SHOULD COMPETE
PUNISH UBER
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

OTT

TO

Punish Uber*
QC
35%
29%
21%
15%
1291

EDM

Compete*
MTL
36%
25%
23%
15%
1292

OTT
34%
33%
20%
12%
1371

LDN

Not Sure*
TO
38%
21%
24%
17%
1514

EDM
38%
20%
23%
19%
1152

LDN
34%
21%
23%
21%
703

A18

How closely have you been following the story of Uber, the ride sharing application?
Very closely
Somewhat closely
Not too closely
Not at all closely
Not aware of the story
Uber is a smartphone application. Users can use their phones to request a ride. Drivers are
then connected with passengers. Once a ride is complete, riders are charged by Uber on
their credit card and drivers are given a portion of the fare. The practice has encountered
controversy because critics claim these drivers do not have a municipally required taxi
license, the proper insurance or security screening. Supporters say background checks are
performed on drivers and that this service is more convenient and cheaper than taking a
taxi. Do you think uber drivers should be allowed to operate without a municipally required
taxi license or should this practice be banned?
The practice should continue
The practice should be banned
Dont know
And, in your opinion, how safe of a service is Uber?
Very safe
Somewhat safe
Somewhat unsafe
Very unsafe
Dont know
And, in your opinion, how safe are taxis?
Very safe
Somewhat safe
Somewhat unsafe
Very unsafe
Dont know

A19

Currently, in order to drive a Taxi you must hold a Taxi Medallion or a taxi license issued by
the municipality. These Medallions and licenses cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Some have suggested doing away with Taxi Medallions and licenses all together to make
room for new and emerging options. In your opinion what should be done about Taxi
Medallions and licenses?
The current system should be maintained
Taxi medallions and licenses should be abolished and taxi drivers compensated
by the license issuer, the municipality
Taxi Medallions should be abolished without compensation to those who
purchased them to operate a taxi
Not sure
Some Cities are looking to introduce specific ridesharing regulation specifically to deal with
Uber. Taxi Drivers say it would be unfair for Uber to operate without proper insurance and
security checks. Uber maintains its service is safe and lowers the price of fares for
consumers. In your opinion, should Uber be held to the same standards as Taxis through
ridesharing regulation, or not?
Yes
No
Not Sure
In your opinion, knowing what you do about taxis and Uber, which of the following best
describes your feelings about the current situation:
There needs to be a fair compromise between the existing taxi drivers and Uber
Taxi drivers need to compete with new technology even if it means they go out business
Uber needs to operate on a fair playing ground and needs to be punished until new rules are
bought into place
Not sure