SWIFTER, HIGHER, TOO EXPENSIVE

EKOS: MANY CANADIANS GRUMPY ABOUT COST OF OLYMPICS – ESPECIALLY IN B.C.

[Ottawa – January 14, 2010] – A slim plurality of Canadians say that too much is being spent on the Winter Olympic games to be held in Vancouver next month, although almost as many say that “just the right amount is being spent”. Just seven per cent say that too little is being spent.

“Perhaps the most startling element of this poll,” said EKOS President Frank Graves, “is that in British Columbia, there is a veritable landslide for those saying that too much is being spent on the Olympics. Obviously, the thrill of hosting an event that will catch the world’s attention doesn’t weigh heavily in the balance among British Columbians trying to struggle out of a recession. Sixty-eight per cent of British Columbians say that too much is being spent on the Olympics, compared with just 28% who say the spending is just right. Less than 4% think too little is being spent.

“It may be that an aging Canadian public is no longer that enthused by the Olympics, especially with a stagnant labour market and burgeoning public debt,” said Graves. “Of course, it is possible that if the Olympics go well, some Canadians will become more positive about the spending. On the other hand, there may be some Canadians who haven’t yet awakened to the scale of the public spending the Olympics has entailed.

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