Cost of Gasoline, Yukoners feeling less confident

A recent DataPath survey of Yukoners shows that the cost of gasoline is high up on their minds, and they are feeling this at home.  When asked what the number one issue facing the Yukon is, 12% of Yukoners mention the cost of gas or oil.  While this is still slightly less often mentioned than the environment (mentioned by 17%), and the economy (at 15%), it is the first time since the survey started in 2001 that any other topic aside from the economy, jobs or the environment ranked so highly.  This concern for the cost of gas is also likely the reason that more Yukoners feel they are worse off than they were a year ago.  This summer 22% of Yukoners felt they are somewhat or much worse off than they were last year, up from 13% in March and from 11% in the Fall of 2007.  This is the highest percentage seen on this question since the Fall of 2005.

However, this is not impacting attitudes toward the Yukon economy.  This summer, 23% felt the Yukon’s economy is in healthy or peak condition, up from 21% in March.  This confidence in the Yukon continues to reflect in ratings for the Yukon Party.  On a scale from 1 to 5, 25% of Yukoners rated the Yukon Party positive with 4 or 5 ratings.  This is similar to March which was at 24%.  Poor ratings of 1 or 2 for the Yukon Party dropped from 35% to 32% and are their lowest levels since the Fall of 2004.  At the same time, ratings for the other parties were both down slightly.  Ratings for the Liberal Party show 14% 4 to 5 ratings (up from 12% in March), but with a greater percentage of poor ratings with 54% rating them a 1 or 2, up from 51% in March.  The NDP showed the largest drop, with positive 4-5 scores dropping from 10% in March to 5% in July, and poor 1 to 2 ratings climbing from 59% in March to 70% in July.

And if the election were held today, the Yukon Party’s share of voters shows it has stayed consistent with March 07 and Spring 06, with 45% of voters who had an option selecting the Yukon Party.  The Liberal Party and NDP are also both stable over the past year at 20% of the voters.

Results for the Federal election do indicate some changes over the past 4 months.  In March, Liberal candidate Larry Bagnal showed 55% of Yukon voters lending his direction.  However, this has dropped to 49% in July, with that difference being picked up by the Conservative Party, at 30%, up from 24% in March.  The NDP and the Green Party showed little change with the NDP at 12% and the Green Party at 9%.  Even while 49% of Yukoners support a Liberal candidate at the Yukon level, only 24% support Stephane Dion the Liberal leader for the next Prime Minister of Canada.  Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper is supported by 54% of Yukoners, while 14% support NDP Jack Layton and 7% support the Green Party’s Elizabeth May.

The survey was conducted by DataPath Systems; an independent Yukon-based market research company. Telephone surveys were conducted with 150 Whitehorse residents and 150 non-Whitehorse residents between July 18 and August 2, 2008. The data is weighted to accurately represent Yukoners based on the community they live in, their age and gender. Percentages are statistically valid to +/- 5.5%, 19 times out of 20 (95% confidence). These results are from a non-commissioned section of the study, paid for by DataPath Systems. For more detailed information contact Donna Larsen at 867.660-4600.