Compas Poll / Survey

On the occasion of Canada Day 2004, the business leader panel was asked a series of questions about pride in Canada, sources of pride, sources of embarrassment, and what the federal government should do to enhance pride. Panelists were also asked for their judgments about the best country in the world for doing business, raising a family, defending democracy, or helping poor countries.

The main findings are:

business leaders remain at least as proud of their country as ever
democracy, pluralism, and our free market system are the major sources of national pride, not our healthcare system
Canada is seen as by far the best for raising a family while the United States is seen as better for business and helping poor countries and especially better with respect to protecting democracy
Looking to the future, the federal government would enhance business leaders’ national pride by greater integrity in financial management, fiscal policies that are more pro-free market, stronger defence policies, and less regional and partisan division.