FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa
Residents’ Opinions on Provincial Cuts
to the Local Arts and Cultural Festivals
21st June 2019
METHODOLOGY
The analysis in this report is based on results of a
survey conducted between June 16th to 17th, 2019
among a sample of 634 adults, 18 years of age or
older, living in the city of Ottawa. The survey was
conducted using automated telephone interviews
(Smart IVR). Respondents were interviewed on
landlines and cellular phones.
The sampling frame was derived from both
a national telephone directory compiled by
Mainstreet Research from various commercially
available sources and random digit dialing.
The survey was conducted by Mainstreet Research
and was sponsored by the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.
Furthermore, Mainstreet Research is a corporate
sponsor of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.
The margin of error for this survey is +/- 3.89%
and is accurate 19 times out of 20.
(full methodology appears at the end of this
report)
ABOUT MAINSTREET
With 20 years of political experience in all three
levels of government, President and CEO Quito
Maggi is a respected commentator on international
public affairs.
Differentiated by its large sample sizes, Mainstreet
Research has provided accurate snapshots of
public opinion, having predicted a majority NDP
government in Alberta, and was the only polling firm
to correctly predict a Liberal majority government in
the 2015 federal election. Mainstreet also accurately
predicted the 2018 Ontario election and was the
first to predict that a CAQ majority win in the 2018
Quebec election. Mainstreet Research is a member
of the Market Research Intelligence Association and
the World Association for Public Opinion Research
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standards.
CONTACT INFORMATION
In Ottawa:
Quito Maggi, President
quito@mainstreetresearch.ca
In Toronto:
Dr. Joseph Angolano, Vice President
joseph@mainstreetresearch.ca
Find us online at:
www.mainstreetresearch.ca
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OTTAWA RESIDENTS DO NOT APPROVE OF CUTS TO LOCAL FESTIVALS

20 June 2019 (Ottawa, ON) – Two-thirds of Ottawa residents do not approve of the cuts
to Ottawa’s local arts and cultural festivals announced by the provincial government
earlier this month.

Those are the findings of a Mainstreet Research poll conducted between June 16th
and 17th. The poll surveyed 634 Ottawa residents and has a margin of error of +/-
3.89% and is accurate 19 times out of 20.

“Festival organizers have felt the sudden financial crunch due to the loss of provincial
funding and it’s clear that Ottawa residents do not agree with this move” said Quito
Maggi, President and CEO of Mainstreet Research. “This is looks like another decision
by the Ford government that has found itself on the wrong side of public opinion.”

66.6% said that did not approve of the provincial government’s decision to cut funding
to Ottawa’s festivals, with just under 47% saying that they strongly disapprove of the
decision. Disapproval is especially high among women and Ottawa residents under
the age of 35.

Moreover, just under 60% of those surveyed said that they were aware of the cuts.

“Ottawa residents do know about these cuts,” added Maggi. “These festivals are a key
component to the cultural fabric of Ottawa and the sudden loss of funding has put
their ability to continue in jeopardy.”

-30-

For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Dr. Joseph Angolano, 647-894-1552 - joseph@mainstreetresearch.ca
Were you aware that dozens of Ottawa arts and cultural festivals,
including the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, Glowfair, Escapade,
Italian Week, the Ottawa International Busker Festival, and the
Canadian Tulip Festival have lost their funding from the provincial
government this month?

40.4%
40.4%

59.6%
59.6%

Yes No
Yes No
 Do you approve of the provincial government’s
decision to cut the funding for Ottawa’s arts and cultural
festivals?

5.1%
15.8%

5.1%
15.8%

12.5%

12.5%
46.8%

46.8%

19.8%
19.8%

Strongly Approve Somewhat Approve Somewhat Disapprove Strongly Disapprove Not Sure

Approve Somewhat Approve Somewhat Disapprove Strongly Disapprove

 We would now like about the likelihood of attending some
of these arts and cultural festivals in Ottawa given the recent
funding cuts to these festivals by the provincial government. Are
you more or less likely to attend…?

100%
100%
90% 11%
12.4% 12.5% 12.9%
90%
12.4% 17.1% 16.4% 11%
12.5% 12.9%
80% 16.4%
17.1%
80%
70%
70%
60%
60%

50% 50%

40% 40%

30% 30%
64.3% 64.3%
20% 69.2%
20% 71.7% 69.2% 71.7%
71.7% 71.2% 71.7%
10% 71.2%
10% 75.9%
75.9%
0% 15.9% 11.6% 7.6% 18.3% 15.4% 24.6%
0% 15.9%
TD Ottawa Jazz 11.6%
Glowfair 7.6%
Escapade Italian18.3%
Week 15.4%
Ottawa International 24.6%
Canadian Tulip
Festival
TD Ottawa Jazz Glowfair Escapade Italian Week Busker
OttawaFestival
International Festival
Canadian Tulip
Festival Busker Festival Festival
More Likely No Change Unlikely To Attend Regardless
More Likely No Change Unlikely To Attend Regardless
 Breakout Tables
Were you aware that dozens of Ottawa arts and cultural festivals, including the TD
Ottawa Jazz Festival, Glowfair, Escapade, Italian Week, the Ottawa International
Busker Festival, and the Canadian Tulip Festival have lost their funding from the
provincial government this month?
All Male Female 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
Yes 59.6% 59.9% 59.4% 41.9% 60.6% 66.4% 75.8%
No 40.4% 40.1% 40.6% 58.1% 39.4% 33.6% 24.2%
Unweighted Frequency 634 306 328 86 150 179 219
Weighted Frequency 634 304 330 185 160 166 123

Do you approve of the provincial government’s decision to cut the funding for
Ottawa’s arts and cultural festivals?
All Male Female 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
Strongly Approve 15.8% 20.2% 11.7% 12.8% 17.2% 16% 18.2%
Somewhat Approve 12.5% 14.9% 10.3% 6.9% 18% 14.4% 11.3%
Somewhat Disapprove 19.8% 18.6% 20.9% 24.3% 18.7% 19.1% 15.2%
Strongly Disapprove 46.8% 42.8% 50.6% 50% 42.2% 46.6% 48.4%
Not Sure 5.1% 3.5% 6.6% 6% 3.9% 3.9% 6.9%
Unweighted Frequency 634 306 328 86 150 179 219
Weighted Frequency 634 304 330 185 160 166 123

Are you more or less likely to attend the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival this year?
All Male Female 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
More Likely 15.9% 14.6% 17.2% 17.7% 12% 19.5% 13.7%
No Change 71.7% 75.6% 68% 71.8% 78.6% 64.8% 71.7%
Unlikely To Attend Regardless 12.4% 9.8% 14.8% 10.5% 9.4% 15.8% 14.6%
Unweighted Frequency 634 306 328 86 150 179 219
Weighted Frequency 634 304 330 185 160 166 123

Are you more or less likely to attend Glowfair this year?

All Male Female 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
More Likely 11.6% 10.7% 12.6% 18.8% 10% 10.6% 4.6%
No Change 71.2% 75.1% 67.6% 66% 77.3% 69.8% 73.1%
Unlikely To Attend Regardless 17.1% 14.2% 19.8% 15.3% 12.7% 19.6% 22.4%
Unweighted Frequency 634 306 328 86 150 179 219
Weighted Frequency 634 304 330 185 160 166 123
 Are you more or less likely to attend Escapade this year?
All Male Female 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
More Likely 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 14% 4% 7.3% 3.2%
No Change 75.9% 77.7% 74.3% 73.1% 84.7% 73.2% 72.7%
Unlikely To Attend Regardless 16.4% 14.7% 18.1% 13% 11.4% 19.6% 24.1%
Unweighted Frequency 634 306 328 86 150 179 219
Weighted Frequency 634 304 330 185 160 166 123

Are you more or less likely to attend Italian Week this year?
All Male Female 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
More Likely 18.3% 18.4% 18.2% 23.4% 12% 19.5% 17.4%
No Change 69.2% 67.2% 71.1% 66.2% 78% 68.3% 63.4%
Unlikely To Attend Regardless 12.5% 14.5% 10.6% 10.4% 10% 12.2% 19.2%
Unweighted Frequency 634 306 328 86 150 179 219
Weighted Frequency 634 304 330 185 160 166 123

Are you more or less likely to attend the Ottawa International Busker Festival this
year?
All Male Female 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
More Likely 15.4% 17.2% 13.6% 18.5% 11.4% 17.3% 13.2%
No Change 71.7% 70.1% 73.3% 70.9% 78.6% 68.2% 68.6%
Unlikely To Attend Regardless 12.9% 12.7% 13.1% 10.6% 10% 14.5% 18.2%
Unweighted Frequency 634 306 328 86 150 179 219
Weighted Frequency 634 304 330 185 160 166 123

Are you more or less likely to attend the Canadian Tulip Festival this year?
All Male Female 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
More Likely 15.4% 17.2% 13.6% 18.5% 11.4% 17.3% 13.2%
No Change 71.7% 70.1% 73.3% 70.9% 78.6% 68.2% 68.6%
Unlikely To Attend Regardless 12.9% 12.7% 13.1% 10.6% 10% 14.5% 18.2%
Unweighted Frequency 634 306 328 86 150 179 219
Weighted Frequency 634 304 330 185 160 166 123
Based on what you have seen and heard, do you agree with the changes
to the programs for autistic children proposed by the provincial
government?
Greater South
18- 35- 50- Eastern Southwestern Northern
Total Male Female 65+ Toronto Toronto Central
34 49 64 Ontario Ontario Ontario
Area Ontario
Strongly agree 10.1% 12.5% 7.8% 9.3% 8.4% 10.4% 13.2% 11.5% 11.6% 5.1% 12.3% 8.9% 10.4%
Somewhat agree 17.9% 20.6% 15.2% 14.9% 18.5% 19.3% 19.4% 11.4% 20.1% 21.8% 23.6% 16.9% 18.5%
Somewhat
20.5% 20.7% 20.2% 20.6% 18.7% 21.6% 20.9% 21% 16.6% 25.4% 18% 24% 16.6%
disagree
Strongly
33.7% 27% 40.1% 37.4% 34.5% 32.4% 28.9% 37.9% 30.7% 33.8% 28.5% 35.3% 32.3%
disagree
Not sure 17.9% 19.2% 16.6% 17.8% 19.8% 16.4% 17.7% 18.2% 21% 13.9% 17.6% 15% 22.2%
Unweighted
1290 712 578 256 313 395 326 259 346 127 157 275 126
Frequency
Weighted
1290 634 656 362 325 354 249 300 355 172 115 269 79
Frequency
Questionnaire
Were you aware that dozens of Ottawa arts Are you more or less likely to attend Italian
and cultural festivals, including Week this year?
the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, Glowfair, More Likely
Escapade, Italian Week, the No Change
Ottawa International Busker Festival, and the Unlikely To Attend Regardless
Canadian Tulip Festival
have lost their funding from the provincial Are you more or less likely to attend the
government this month? Ottawa International Busker
Yes Festival this year?
No More Likely
No Change
Do you approve of the provincial Unlikely To Attend Regardless
government’s decision to cut the funding
for Ottawa’s arts and cultural festivals? Are you more or less likely to attend the
Strongly approve Canadian Tulip Festival this
Somewhat approve year?
Somewhat disapprove More Likely
Strongly disapprove No Change
Not Sure Unlikely To Attend Regardless

We would now like about the likelihood of What is your gender?

attending some of these arts Male
and cultural festivals in Ottawa given the Female
recent funding cuts to these
festivals by the provincial government. What is your age group?
18 to 34 years of age
(order of the following six questions 35 to 49 years of age
randomized) 50 to 64 years of age
Are you more or less likely to attend the TD 65 years of age or older
Ottawa Jazz Festival this
year?
More Likely
No Change
Unlikely To Attend Regardless

Are you more or less likely to attend Glowfair

this year?
More Likely
No Change
Unlikely To Attend Regardless

Are you more or less likely to attend

Escapade this year?
More Likely
No Change
Unlikely To Attend Regardless
Methodology
The analysis in this report is based on results of a survey conducted between June 16th and 17th,
2019 among a sample of 634 adults, 18 years of age or older, living in the city of Ottawa. The survey
was conducted using Interactive Voice Recording. Respondents were interviewed on both landlines
and cellular phones. The survey is intended to represent the voting population of Ottawa.

The survey was conducted by Mainstreet Research and was sponsored by the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.
Furthermore, Mainstreet Research is a corporate sponsor of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.

The sampling frame was derived from both a national telephone directory compiled by Mainstreet
Research from various commercially available sources and random digit dialing. In both cases,
respondents were dialed at random.

At least two attempts were made to complete an interview at every sampled telephone number. The
calls were staggered over times of day and two days to maximize the chances of making contact with
a potential respondent. Interviewing was also spread as evenly as possible across the field period.

The questionnaire used in this survey is available in this report and online at www.mainstreetresearch.
ca. Questions are asked as they appear in the release document. If a question is asked of a subset of
the sample a descriptive note is added in parenthesis preceding the question.

The sample was weighted by population parameters from the Canada 2016 Census for adults 18
years of age or older in Canada. The population parameters used for weighting are age and gender.

The margin of error for this poll is +/- 3.89% at the 95% confidence level. Margins of error are higher
in each subsample.

The margins of error for each subsample is as following: Males: +/- 5.6%, Females: +/- 5.41%, 18-34
age group: +/- 10.57%, 35-49 age group: +/- 8%, 50-64 age group: +/- 7.32%, 65+ age group: +/-
6.62%.

In addition to sampling error, one should bear in mind that the wording of questions and practical
difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of opinion polls.