Ottawa to cut C$10m from opinion research spend in 08/09

CANADA-- Government spend on public opinion research will be cut by C$10m in the 2008-2009 financial year, Public Works minister Michael Fortier said yesterday.

New controls are to be introduced to keep costs in check after the ruling Conservative Party was criticised for presiding over a 17% rise in research spend in 2006-2007 to C$31m – a figure unequalled by any previous government.

Among the measures announced by Fortier are an immediate freeze on new subscriptions to syndicated studies, and a requirement for ministerial sign-off on all departmental public opinion research projects.

The government in Ottawa will also raise the threshold for post-advertising campaign evaluations. These are currently required for any campaign valued at more than C$400,000, however this will increase to C$1m.

“Our government is continuing to take action to implement expenditure controls which demonstrate our progress towards improvements in public opinion research, as well as our commitment to ensuring better value for taxpayers,” said Fortier.

The news will trigger concern among research suppliers, particularly Ekos Research Associates, Ipsos Reid and Environics Research Group, which together accounted for half the C$31m spent by the government on public opinion research in 06/07.

Author: Brian Tarran

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