Concern about falling oil prices higher in Prairie provinces: poll

Concern about the economic impact of lower oil prices is higher in Prairie provinces than at the national level, according to a new Nanos/CTV News poll.

According to the poll, 60 per cent of Canadians believe lower oil prices pose a risk of an economic downturn. Among Prairie residents, that number rises to 71 per cent:

Lower oil prices, regional breakdown: Across the country, 50 per cent of Canadians said they were concerned or somewhat concerned about the impact of lower energy prices on potential provincial budget shortfalls, while 73 per cent of those living in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba had the same concerns.

Concerns on the dollar: Those surveyed were also asked what kind of impact they think a Canadian dollar at U.S. 80 cents will have on the Canadian economy. More than half said they think the impact will be positive or somewhat positive, while 30 per cent said it will be negative or somewhat negative. Seventeen per cent said they believe the impact with be “neutral.”

When it came to personal finances, 43 per cent of those surveyed said a lower Canadian dollar will have a negative or somewhat negative impact on them. Forty per cent said the impact will be “neutral,” while 14 per cent said it will be positive.

The poll results were based on a random survey of 1,000 Canadians between Dec. 11 and Dec. 17 as part of a Canadian omnibus survey. Live agents randomly recruited participants by phone and administered a survey online. Both land lines and cell phones were used in the survey.

The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.