Canadians among most optimistic about economy: global survey

Toronto—Canada ranks among the most optimistic nations in terms of the state of the economy with respect to the global financial crisis, according to a new global survey.

Commissioned by Brussels-based International Trade Union Confederation and conducted by research firm TNS and consulting firm Anker Solutions, the survey found Canada ranked second only to Brazil in terms of optimism.

According to survey results, 61 per cent of Canadian respondents believe the country is headed in the right direction, while 39 per cent felt the opposite was true.

The survey found the Canadian numbers to be a stark contrast to those of U.S. respondents, with only 35 per cent of those surveyed believing their country is headed in the right direction.

65 per cent of Americans surveyed felt the U.S. is headed in the wrong direction.

Canadian respondents also were among the most positive with regard to the current economic state, with 60 per cent describing it as “very good.”

Little support for austerity policy

The survey found varying views when it comes to Canadian public opinion on austerity policy.

According to the survey, when asked whether government should invest in jobs and growth or pay off debts now by lowering wages and cutting costs, more than half of respondents (52 per cent) found the government should be doing the former, while only 11 per cent said government should focus on paying off debt now.

37 per cent said government should do both equally.

Troubled future

More than three quarters (77 per cent) of Canadian respondents said future generations will be worse off than the current generation, exceeding the global numbers of 66 per cent.

68 per cent of Canadian respondents also said international banks and financial institutions have too much influence on the economic decisions of government.

According to TNS, the findings of the study represent the opinions of more than 1.4-billion people worldwide, or 20 per cent of the global population.