Canadian National Elections Study (CNES) Series

collection: series

Studies

10

Variables

4,182

Publications

107

About this Collection

The Canadian National Elections Study (CNES) Series is a collection of national surveys produced in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Canada Council, National Science Foundation, the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, and Canadian Facts. Initiated in 1965, the CNES has continued through every election since. The 1980 CNES includes the Quebec Referendum Panel Study and the 1993 CNES incorporates the 1992 Referendum Survey on the Charlottetown Accord. Interviews were conducted before and/or after national elections and in some cases prior and post major voting issues such as the Quebec Referendum. The studies are based on stratified multistage cross-section samples of voting age citizens living in private residences. Sample sizes range from roughly 1,000 - 4,000 respondents interviewed face to face, over the phone, and/or via mailed questionnaires. Many questions are replicated across studies, although each has questions not asked in the others. The major substantive areas consistently covered in all studies include respondents'expectations about the outcome of the election, perceptions and evaluations of the major parties, candidates and leaders, and overall assessment of government performance. Other topics, such as the perceived importance of a particular election, the party identification, political history, and voting intentions of respondents, their interest in politics, and their political motivation are also investigated. In addition, respondent opinions were solicited on political issues such as campaign spending, constitutional reform, unemployment, inflation, taxes, education, environmental issues, Canada/United States relations and the proposed separation of Quebec from Canada.

Studies

10 results

Canadian National Election Study, 1972

This study includes three separate surveys that focused on the 1972 national election in Canada. Two surveys were conducted prior to the October 31 election date, and the third immediately following the election. The first questionnaire (Part 1), administered in June-July 1972, elicited respondents' opinions on parties and personalities in federal politics and on issues such as inflation, constitutional reform, campaign spending, marijuana legislation, and the right of federal employees to strike. Respondents were also asked to assess the performance of the Prime Minister and the qualifications of the main opposition candidates. Finally, respondents were questioned about their partisan affiliation and their voting behavior over the past few elections. Respondents' sex was the only demographic information collected in this survey. The second survey (Part 2), conducted in September 1972, assessed respondents' opinions on political issues such as unemployment, Canadian/United States relations, environment, taxes, price controls, and certain federal programs. In addition, respondents were questioned about their candidate preference, partisan identification, and party preference for the upcoming election. Basic demographic data such as age group, level of education, occupation, religious preference, union membership, national origin, and family income were also included. The third survey (Part 3) was administered in early November to a sample that included both first-time respondents and a panel that had also been interviewed in September. Respondents were asked to evaluate the federal election campaign, the candidates, parties, and political issues. Voting behavior in both the federal and local elections was also assessed. Filter variables are provided in Parts 1 and 3 to identify questions present on different survey forms, and in Part 3 filter variables distinguish between respondents who voted, or did not vote in the 1972 election. Demographic information included age group, level of education, occupation, religious preference, union membership, national origin, and family income.

Canadian Election Survey, 2000

This survey assessed Canadians' political attitudes and voting behavior prior to the 2000 federal election. The survey included three components: the Campaign-Period Survey (CPS), the Post-Election Survey (PES), and the Mail-Back Survey (MBS). Approximately 46 percent of the telephone numbers included in the CPS were completed for a total of 3,651 interviews. Seventy-eight percent, or 2,860 of the CPS respondents, completed the PES survey, and 1,517 of the PES respondents completed the MBS. The CPS respondents were queried on their voting intentions, interest in the election and its media coverage, whether parties/candidates had contacted them during the campaign, the state of the economy, knowledge of the parties and leaders, personal stances on major policy issues such as cutting taxes, maintaining social programs, and the possible separation of Quebec from Canada, assessment of the Liberal government, and electoral expectations. Specific questions on political actions and personal character were posed regarding Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Conservative Party Leader Jean Charest, New Democratic Party Leader Alexa McDonough, Reform Party Leader Preston Manning, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe, Premier Lucien Bouchard, and former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. The PES repeated many of the CPS questions, and addressed additional topics such as government spending, social issues including abortion, unions, businesses, education, health care, and capital punishment, Quebec separation, and attitudes toward social groups including big business, feminists, and aboriginal peoples. The MBS dealt with broader political issues and values, including the respondents' confidence in institutions, the distribution of power among various societal groups, and individual rights. Background information on respondents includes age, sex, ethnicity, political party, political orientation, voter participation history, education, marital status, religion, employment status, household income, union membership, country of birth, knowledge of Canadian political history, financial status, and disability status.

Canadian Election Survey, 1997

For this survey of Canadians' political attitudes and voting behavior, citizens 18 years of age or older who spoke one of Canada's official languages (English or French) and who resided in private homes in the ten Canadian provinces and two territories were eligible to be surveyed. The survey included three components: the Campaign-Period Survey (CPS), the Post-Election Survey (PES), and the Mail-Back Survey (MBS). Approximately 110 interviews were completed each day of the CPS for a total of 3,949 interviews. Eighty percent, or 3,170 of the CPS respondents, completed the PES survey, and 1,857 of the PES respondents completed the MBS. The CPS respondents were queried on their voting intentions, interest in the election and its media coverage, whether parties/candidates had contacted them during the campaign, the state of the economy, knowledge of the parties and leaders, personal stances on major policy issues such as cutting taxes, maintaining social programs, and Quebec, assessment of the Liberal government, and electoral expectations. Specific questions on political actions and personal character were posed regarding Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Conservative Party Leader Jean Charest, New Democratic Party Leader Alexa McDonough, Reform Party Leader Preston Manning, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe, Premier Lucien Bouchard, and former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. The PES repeated many of the CPS questions, and addressed additional topics such as government spending, social issues including abortion, unions, businesses, education, health care, and capital punishment, Quebec separation, and attitudes towards social groups including big business, feminists, and aboriginal peoples. The MBS dealt with broader political issues and values, including the respondents' confidence in institutions, the distribution of power among various societal groups, and individual rights. Background information on respondents includes age, sex, ethnicity, political party, political orientation, voter participation history, education, marital status, religion, employment status, household income, union membership, country of birth, knowledge of Canadian political history, financial status, and disability status.