EMBARGOED UNTIL:

5 AM CST, APRIL 7, 2017

PRINT EXCLUSIVE:
POSTMEDIA NETWORK
Methodology
Mainstreet surveyed a random sample of 1,001
Manitobans from March 21, 2017 to March 22, 2017
with Chimera IVR. Both landlines and cell lines
were surveyed. Results were collected by
stratication and was weighed using age, gender &
geography based on the 2011 Census.
The margin of error for survey results is 3.1, 19
times out of 20.
About Mainstreet
With 20 years of political experience at all three
levels of government, President and CEO Quito
Maggi is a respected commentator on Canadian
public aairs.
Dierentiated by its large sample sizes, Mainstreet
Research has provided accurate snapshots of
public opinion, having predicted a majority NDP
government in Alberta, a majority Liberal
government in British Columbia and a majority
Liberal government in Ontario. Mainstreet has
been the most accurate polling rm in several by
elections and the most recent Toronto mayoral
election. Most recently, Mainstreet Research was
the only polling rm to correctly predict a Liberal
majority government in the 2015 federal election.
Contact Information
In Ottawa: Quito Maggi, President
quito@mainstreetresearch.ca
In Montreal: David Valentin, Executive Vice
President. david@mainstreetresearch.ca
In Toronto: Dr. Joseph Angolano, Vice President
joseph@mainstreetresearch.ca
Find us online at:
www.mainstreetresearch.ca
twitter.com/MainStResearch
facebook.com/mainstreetresearch
47% SUPPORT PALLISTER PCs, BUT LOW GRADES FOR HEALTHCARE MOVES, CARBON TAX

April 7, 2017 (Ottawa, ON) A new Mainstreet/Postmedia poll nds the progressive conservatives continue
to lead in the province but nds low support for carbon pricing and healthcare investment deferral. The
Mainstreet/Postmedia poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Manitobans are divided on the idea of a carbon tax with 39% supporting it and 50% opposing it, said
Quito Maggi, president of Mainstreet Research. This dierence in opinion on a carbon tax is most visible in
Manitoba outside of Winnipeg where just 28% support and 60% oppose the idea. In Winnipeg, the opinions
are evenly divided, 46% in favour, and 45% opposed.

The good news for Premier Pallister is, it appears that most Manitobans would not be aected by a carbon
tax or be more likely to re-elect the PC government. When asked about the possibility of putting a price on
carbon, 40% of people said it would not aect their likelihood of voting PC in the next election and 16% are
more likely to vote PC if they bring in a carbon tax. This is compared to 32% who said this would make them
less likely to vote PC.

A majority of Manitobans (60%) however agreed when asked if a referendum should be held before the
introduction of a carbon tax. Among those, more than 4 in 10 Manitobans strongly agreed, that was
compared to just 16% who strongly disagreed. It appears that most Manitobans did not know that the PC
platform contained a pledge to have a carbon tax during the 2016 election. Just 17% said they were aware
compared to 48% who were not aware and 35% who are not sure.

The current voting intentions point to little risk in a carbon tax for Pallister and the PC government who
enjoy the support of almost half of Manitoba voters (47%). The NDP retains a slight edge over the Liberals
for second place at 23% among decided and leaning voters with the Liberals at 19%. The strength of the
Green party continues to show pre-election support that failed to materialize when ballots were counted.

The greater risks may lie in core Provincial services of Healthcare and Education. A large majority (61%) of
people disagree with the government decision to delay new healthcare facility funding to help balance the
budget. Similarly, (60%) a large majority of people think school boards should get increased funding to
cope with ination related cost increases.

When asked about School boards specically, opinions were very mixed about whether they should be
able to levy their own taxes. 36% said they want school boards to raise funds through taxes, 32% were
opposed and another 32% were unsure. This is not an idea that has wide public awareness.

When asked about labour and the proposal to change the way it bargains collectively, again, opinions were
mixed. 39% agreed with the PC government proposal and 40% disagree with just over two in ten who were
not sure, nished Maggi.
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Quito Maggi, President, quito@mainstreetresearch.ca