JOBS HIGHEST CONCERN IN SASKATCHEWAN

February 3rd, 2015. A new Mainstreet Technologies poll of 2,258 Saskatchewan residents finds
the top concern in the province the job market with 32% of decided residents concerned about
the job situation. 53% of decided residents believe Saskatchewan is entering a recession - 47%
do not. The poll carries an overall margin of error of +/- 2.06%, 19/20.
"Saskatchewan residents are optimistic about their own personal finances (48%) but pessimistic
about the provincial economy (49%), said Quito Maggi, President of Mainstreet Technologies.
"It seems many Saskatchewan residents dont think the new economic climate will personally
affect them - we found a similar situation in Alberta."
The Mainstreet poll asked Saskatchewan residents if they believed the price of crude oil would
increase in the next 12 months. 46% of decided residents think it will.
"The economic situation in Saskatchewan is turbulent right now. With the future price of oil a
mystery it is difficult for the government to plan ahead. What is striking though is 73% of
decided respondents want to see the provincial government cut spending to deal with the new
financial situation, there is very little support for new taxes or running a deficit, noted Maggi.
-30For more information or further comment:
David Valentin
(613) 698-5524 - david@mainstreettechnologies.ca
Methodology
The poll surveyed a random sample of 2,258 Saskatchewan residents by Interactive Voice
Response (IVR) on January 31st, 2015. Margins of error are greater for regional numbers.
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.
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 in the Toronto
municipal election.

Would you say you feel more financially secure, less secure, or about as secure
as you felt a year ago?

MORE SECURE
ABOUT AS SECURE
LESS SECURE
NOT SURE

15%
42%
34%
10%

BREAKDOWNS

18-34 35-49 50-64

13%
14%
19%
37% 46% 42%
38% 32% 33%
12%
8%
6%
270
506
742

MORE SECURE
ABOUT AS SECURE
LESS SECURE
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

REGINA
14%
39%
37%
10%
742

MORE SECURE
ABOUT AS SECURE
LESS SECURE
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

MORE SECURE
ABOUT AS SECURE
LESS SECURE

MARGIN OF ERROR: +/- 2.06%, 19/20

TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 2,258

16%
46%
37%

65+
14%
43%
31%
12%
740

Male
17%
42%
33%
8%
1085

Female
13%
41%
35%
11%
1173

SASKATOON REST OF SK
13%
16%
37%
45%
42%
29%
8%
10%
757
759

Thinking about the next 12 months, would you say you feel optimistic or
pessimistic about the state of the Saskatchewan economy?

OPTIMISTIC
PESSIMISTIC
NOT SURE

24%
49%
27%

BREAKDOWNS

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

17%
24% 28% 29%
47% 52% 53% 43%
35% 24%
19% 29%
270
506
742 740

OPTIMISTIC
PESSIMISTIC
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

REGINA
23%
52%
26%
742

OPTIMISTIC
PESSIMISTIC
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

OPTIMISTIC
PESSIMISTIC

MARGIN OF ERROR: +/- 2.06%, 19/20

TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 2,258

33%
67%

SASKATOON
20%
60%
19%
757

Male
23%
53%
24%
1085

Female
25%
46%
29%
1173

REST OF SK
26%
44%
30%
759

Thinking about the next 12 months, would you say you feel optimistic or
pessimistic about your own familys financial situation?

OPTIMISTIC
PESSIMISTIC
NOT SURE

48%
28%
24%

BREAKDOWNS

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

41% 49% 52% 52%
34% 28% 27% 21%
26% 23%
21% 27%
270
506
742 740

OPTIMISTIC
PESSIMISTIC
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

REGINA
40%
34%
26%
742

OPTIMISTIC
PESSIMISTIC
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

OPTIMISTIC
PESSIMISTIC

MARGIN OF ERROR: +/- 2.06%, 19/20

TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 2,258

63%
37%

SASKATOON
42%
40%
18%
757

Male
49%
30%
22%
1085

Female
47%
27%
26%
1173

REST OF SK
53%
21%
26%
759

Do you think Crude Oil Prices will increase, decrease or stay the same in the next
12 months?

INCREASE
STAY THE SAME
DECREASE
NOT SURE

46%
29%
15%
10%

BREAKDOWNS

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

46% 42% 49% 48%
26% 32% 30% 29%
14%
18%
12% 16%
13%
8%
9%
8%
270
506
742 740

INCREASE
STAY THE SAME
DECREASE
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

REGINA
49%
27%
10%
14%
742

INCREASE
STAY THE SAME
DECREASE
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

INCREASE
STAY THE SAME
DECREASE

MARGIN OF ERROR: +/- 2.06%, 19/20

TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 2,258

51%
32%
17%

SASKATOON
48%
31%
13%
8%
757

Male
46%
32%
16%
6%
1085

Female
46%
27%
14%
14%
1173

REST OF SK
44%
29%
17%
9%
759

Which of the following provincial economic issues worries you most? The job
situation. Rising prices. The provincial budget. The condition of the financial and
housing markets.
JOB MARKET
RISING PRICES
PROVINCIAL BUDGET
FINANCIAL MARKETS*
NOT SURE

24%
19%
13%
18%
26%

BREAKDOWNS

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

21%
23% 27% 26%
15%
22% 20% 20%
10%
16%
14% 11%
20%
18%
19% 15%
35%
21%
20% 27%
270
506
742 740

JOB MARKET
RISING PRICES
PROVINCIAL BUDGET
FINANCIAL MARKETS*
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

REGINA
29%
17%
14%
20%
21%
742

JOB MARKET
RISING PRICES
PROVINCIAL BUDGET
FINANCIAL MARKETS*
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

JOB MARKET
RISING PRICES
PROVINCIAL BUDGET
FINANCIAL MARKETS*

*CONDITION OF THE FINANCIAL AND

HOUSING MARKETS

32%
26%
17%
25%

Male
22%
16%
16%
22%
25%
1085

Female
26%
23%
10%
15%
27%
1173

SASKATOON REST OF SK
26%
21%
19%
20%
14%
12%
22%
17%
20%
30%
757
759

Saskatchewan is facing a drop in its revenues in the upcoming budget due to

lower oil prices. How should the province deal with this situation? Cut spending.
Run a deficit. Increase borrowing. Raise taxes.
CUT SPENDING
DEFICIT
INCREASE BORROWING
RAISE TAXES
NOT SURE

55%
9%
7%
8%
21%

BREAKDOWNS

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

50% 57% 57% 57%
8%
8%
13% 8%
10%
7%
8%
3%
11%
6%
7%
7%
20% 23%
16% 26%
270
506
742 740

CUT SPENDING
DEFICIT
INCREASE BORROWING
RAISE TAXES
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

REGINA
55%
9%
9%
8%
20%
742

CUT SPENDING
DEFICIT
INCREASE BORROWING
RAISE TAXES
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

CUT SPENDING
DEFICIT
INCREASE BORROWING
RAISE TAXES

MARGIN OF ERROR: +/- 2.06%, 19/20

TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 2,258

73%
12%
10%
4%

Male
58%
7%
8%
10%
16%
1085

Female
52%
11%
7%
5%
26%
1173

SASKATOON REST OF SK
49%
57%
12%
8%
9%
7%
10%
7%
20%
21%
757
759

Do you think the economy is entering a recession, or not?

YES
NO
NOT SURE

39%
34%
27%

BREAKDOWNS
YES
NO
NOT SURE
SAMPLE
OPTIMISTIC
PESSIMISTIC
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

YES
NO

53%
47%

MARGIN OF ERROR: +/- 2.06%, 19/20

TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 2,258

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

37%
41%
38% 38%
27% 38% 37% 36%
36%
21%
25% 26%
270
506
742 740
REGINA
42%
36%
22%
742

SASKATOON
46%
35%
19%
757

Male
44%
37%
19%
1085

Female
34%
31%
34%
1173

REST OF SK
35%
33%
32%
759