ALBERTANS OPPOSE PST TO FIGHT DEFICIT

January 19th, 2015. A new Mainstreet Technologies poll of 3,184 Albertans finds 73% of decided
residents disapprove of a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) to fight the looming Alberta deficit. The poll
carries an overall margin of error of +/- 1.74%, 19/20.
"This is an idea that quite frankly has fallen flat, said Quito Maggi, President of Mainstreet
Technologies. "The Premier has talked about a PST as a potential tool to fight the deficit but
Albertans prefer every other measure to it."
When Mainstreet polled a PST against other potential revenue streams it came in dead last with
9%. Albertans preferred method to raise revenue is an increase of user fees and Sin Taxes on
alcohol and cigarettes at 22%.
"The problem is that sin taxes and increased user fees will not be enough to balance the
budget, noted Maggi. When we looked at how Albertans want the Premier to deal with the
upcoming budget the most popular idea was to cut spending - but there just isnt much to cut.
This really places the PC government and the opposition parties in a tough bind. A PST has the
most potential to raise revenue but Albertans are firmly opposed.
Mainstreets January Alberta Issues poll is being released in two instalments. The second
instalment will be released January 20th, 2015.
For more information:
David Valentin
(613) 698-5524 - david@mainstreettechnologies.ca
Methodology
The poll surveyed a random sample of 3,184 Alberta residents by Interactive Voice Response
(IVR) on January 18th, 2015. Margins of error are greater for regional numbers. MoE Calgary: +/2.85%, 19/20. MoE Edmonton: +/- 3.04%, 19/20. MoE Rest of Alberta: +/- 3.16%, 19/20.
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.

According to Premier Jim Prentice, Alberta is facing a $7-billion drop in its

revenues in the upcoming budget due to the fall in oil prices. How should the
province deal with this situation? Cut spending. Run a bigger deficit. Increase
borrowing. Raise taxes.
CUT SPENDING
BIGGER DEFICIT
INCREASE BORROWING
RAISE TAXES
NOT SURE

43%
11%
9%
15%
21%

BREAKDOWNS

MARGIN OF ERROR: +/- 1.74%, 19/20

TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 3,184

CUT SPENDING
BIGGER DEFICIT
INCREASE BORROWING
RAISE TAXES
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

39% 46% 44% 45%
9%
10%
15% 12%
11%
9%
10% 5%
21%
11%
14% 12%
21%
24%
17% 26%
390
694 1033 1067

CUT SPENDING
BIGGER DEFICIT
INCREASE BORROWING
RAISE TAXES
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

EDMONTON
41%
11%
11%
16%
21%
1040

CALGARY
40%
13%
11%
16%
21%
1184

MoE Calgary: +/- 2.85%, 19/20. MoE Edmonton: +/- 3.04%, 19/20. MoE Rest of Alberta: +/- 3.16%, 19/20.

CUT SPENDING
BIGGER DEFICIT
INCREASE BORROWING
RAISE TAXES

55%
14%
12%
19%

Male
45%
9%
10%
20%
16%
1525

Female
41%
13%
9%
11%
26%
1659

REST OF AB
45%
10%
8%
15%
22%
960

Premier Jim Prentice says the province will look at increasing taxes to raise
additional revenues in the future. What option would you favour the most?
Introduce a provincial sales tax. Increase the flat tax on personal income or
replace it with a progressive income tax. Reintroduce health care premiums.
Increase energy royalties. Increase user fees and so-called SIN taxes on alcohol
and tobacco.
PROVINCIAL SALES TAX
PERSONAL INCOME TAX*
HEALTH CARE PREMIUM
ENERGY ROYALTIES
USER FEES & SIN TAXES
NOT SURE
BREAKDOWNS

9%
17%
18%
14%
22%
19%

*INCREASE PERSONAL INCOME TAX

OR REPLACE WITH A PROGRESSIVE
INCOME TAX

PROVINCIAL SALES TAX

PERSONAL INCOME TAX*
HEALTH CARE PREMIUM
ENERGY ROYALTIES
USER FEES & SIN TAXES
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64

7%
11%
9%
19%
15%
14%
18%
16%
21%
12%
15%
18%
24% 20% 23%
19%
23%
16%
390
694 1033

PROVINCIAL SALES TAX

PERSONAL INCOME TAX*
HEALTH CARE PREMIUM
ENERGY ROYALTIES
USER FEES & SIN TAXES
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

EDMONTON
12%
18%
19%
11%
23%
17%
1040

65+
9%
18%
18%
13%
21%
21%
1067

CALGARY
14%
17%
21%
14%
17%
17%
1164

Male
11%
19%
15%
17%
21%
17%
1525

REST OF AB
6%
16%
16%
16%
25%
21%
960

MoE Calgary: +/- 2.85%, 19/20. MoE Edmonton: +/- 3.04%, 19/20. MoE Rest of Alberta: +/- 3.16%, 19/20.

PROVINCIAL SALES TAX

PERSONAL INCOME TAX*
HEALTH CARE PREMIUM

11% ENERGY ROYALTIES

21% USER FEES & SIN TAXES
22%

Female
7%
14%
21%
12%
24%
22%
1659

18%
28%

Would you approve or disapprove of a Provincial Sales Tax to balance the

budget?

STRONGLY APPROVE
SOMEWHAT APPROVE
SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE
STRONGLY DISAPPROVE
NOT SURE

9%
15%
18%
48%
10%

BREAKDOWNS

MARGIN OF ERROR: +/- 1.74%, 19/20

TOTAL RESPONDENTS: 3,184

STRONGLY APPROVE
SOMEWHAT APPROVE
SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE
STRONGLY DISAPPROVE
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64

8%
9%
9%
12%
19%
16%
19%
16%
17%
47% 48%
51%
14%
8%
7%
390
694 1033

STRONGLY APPROVE
SOMEWHAT APPROVE
SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE
STRONGLY DISAPPROVE
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

EDMONTON
12%
12%
20%
47%
9%
1040

65+
9%
15%
24%
42%
10%
1067

CALGARY
12%
12%
16%
53%
7%
1184

Male
9%
13%
21%
48%
9%
1525

REST OF AB
6%
18%
19%
46%
12%
960

MoE Calgary: +/- 2.85%, 19/20. MoE Edmonton: +/- 3.04%, 19/20. MoE Rest of Alberta: +/- 3.16%, 19/20.

STRONGLY APPROVE
SOMEWHAT APPROVE
SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE
STRONGLY DISAPPROVE

10%
17%
20%
53%

TOTAL APPROVAL
TOTAL DISAPPROVAL

Female
8%
18%
16%
47%
11%
1659

27%
73%