Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Content page

From [Institution name]

Methodology Summary Atlantic Economic Panel Telephone Survey

About this publication

Registration Number: POR 084-25
PSPC Contract Number: CW2230184
Contract Value: $25,870.60, excluding HST
Award Date: 2026-01-26
Call up number: CW2437509
Delivery Date: February 2026
Fieldwork Dates: 2026-01-24 to 2026-02-09

Prepared by: Elemental Data Collection

Prepared for: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

For more information on this report, please contact 
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Email: information@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Ce rapport est aussi disponible en français

Atlantic Economic Panel Telephone Survey

Prepared for: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Prepared by: Elemental Data Collection
Registration Number: POR 084-25

Ce rapport est aussi disponible en français sous le titre :

Sondage téléphonique du Panel économique du Canada atlantique

The reproduction of this publication is permitted for personal or public non-commercial purposes. For all other uses, prior written permission must be obtained from Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

For more information, please email information@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
P.O. Box 6051
644 Main Street Moncton, NB E1C 9J8 Canada
Phone: 1-800-561-7862
TTY: Call 7-1-1 and ask your TTY operator to connect the call to 1-888-576-4444
Email: information@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Catalogue Number: AC5-58/2026E-PDF

International Standard Book Number (ISBN): ISBN  978-0-660-98513-8

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 2026

Table of contents

Introduction

On November 24, 2025, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced the formation of the Atlantic Economic Panel, a business-led entity tasked with consulting businesses, communities, sectors and other groups across Atlantic Canada to identify opportunities and barriers in achieving the Atlantic region’s full economic potential. The Panel will commission targeted research and analysis to inform its recommendations. This includes public opinion research to ensure that the views and opinions of Atlantic Canadians are considered in this important conversation about Atlantic Canada’s future.

1.1 Background

As an initial Public Opinion Research (POR) activity to support the Panel’s work, the Panel’s current POR requirement is a telephone survey of Atlantic Canadians, expected to be conducted over an estimated two-week period in January/February 2026, with completion anticipated by the end of the month. ACOA is the lead on this project and will exercise oversight throughout the POR process to ensure that all mandatory procedures and standards are respected, including requirements related to design, content, and delivery. ACOA will oversee project implementation and ensure compliance throughout the process, including responsibility for the survey design and receipt of all deliverables. ACOA will then provide the deliverables to the Panel, which will analyze the data and use the findings to inform its recommendations to the Government of Canada.

1.2 Research objectives

To gather credible, region wide evidence based on the experiences and perspectives of Atlantic Canadians, to inform the Panel’s recommendations and ensure they reflect the region’s real economic challenges and opportunities.

Specific objectives of this research include, but are not limited to, providing ACOA with up-to-date data on’:

  1. Understand perspectives related to Atlantic Canada's economic prosperity
  2. Identify sector specific opportunities
  3. Identify structural, regulatory and cultural barriers

1.3 Contract value

The total contract value of this research was $26,548.67, excluding HST.

1.4 Political neutrality certification

I hereby certify as a Representative of Elemental Data Collection that the deliverables fully comply with the Government of Canada political neutrality requirements outlined in the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada and Procedures for Planning and Contracting Public Opinion Research. Specifically, the deliverables do not include information on electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, standings with the electorate, or ratings of the performance of a political party or its leaders.

Darcy Zwetko
Partner
Elemental Data Collection Inc.
dzwetko@elementaldci.com
February 17, 2026.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 2026

Methodological summary

2.1 Survey methodology

The phone survey was conducted with a sample of 1,000 Atlantic Canadians, 18 years of age and older. Based on a sample of this size (n=1,000), the overall results are considered  accurate to within ±3.10%, 19 times out of 20. Details regarding the methodology are outlined below.

2.2 Sample design and selection

As the population size for the project was limited in scope due to sample availability, regional targets were observed but were never considered hard quotas. The sample frame was selected from all available farm producers across the country to allow for reporting along regional lines.

Strata Completed Interviews Margin of Error (%)
Newfoundland and Labrador 212 ±6.73
Prince Edward Island 64 ±12.25
Nova Scotia 402 ±4.89
New Brunswick 322 ±5.46
Total 1,000 ±3.10

Based on a sample of this size, the results can be considered accurate to within ±3.10%, 19 times out of 20.

2.3 Fieldwork

The phone survey data was administered in the Winter of 2026. The survey data was collected using computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) technology and was carried out by Elemental Data Collection in Ottawa, Ontario. The survey was conducted with 1,000 respondents, from January 24 to February 9, 2026. Surveys were conducted in the respondent’s official language of choice. Sample groups were set to ensure each study could be tracked via region, language and respondent gender. The average length of time required to complete an interview was 10.5 minutes.

The sponsorship of the study was revealed to all respondents during the introduction. All survey respondents were informed that participation is voluntary, and information collected is protected under the authority of privacy legislation.

2.4 Participation rate

In total, 61,418 Canadian respondents were approached. The overall participation rate for this survey was 7.1%. This is consistent with typical response rates for phone surveys with this type of residential respondent conducted over this length of field period. The table below presents detailed information.

Disposition table
Total numbers attempted 61,418
Out-of-scope - invalid 41,896
Unresolved (U) 10,259
     No answer/Answering machine 10,259
In-scope - non-responding (IS) 929
     Language barrier 66
     Incapable of completing (ill/deceased) 79
     Callback (Respondent not available) 784
Total asked (A) 8,334
Refusal 6,943
In-scope - responding units (R) 1,391
     Completed Interview 1,000
     Scheduled appointments 287
     Incomplete 73
     Quota full 31
Refusal rate 83.3%
Participation rate 7.1%
Incidence 71.9%
Average length 10.5 Minutes
Field timeframe January 24 - February 9, 2026

The response rates were calculated using the formula: PR=R/(U+IS+A).

2.5 Data analysis

Weighting adjustments were applied to the survey data to ensure the results were representative of the Canadian population of those living in the Atlantic provinces, aged 18 and older.  Specifically, the survey results were weighted by age, gender and region derived from the 2021 Census.

The following table presents a breakdown of actual and weighted completions by regional strata.

Strata Unweighted sample size  Weighted  sample size
Newfoundland and Labrador 212 213
Prince Edward Island 64 63
Nova Scotia 402 402
New Brunswick 322 322
Total 1000 1000

2.6 Non-response analysis

A non-response analysis was conducted to assess the potential for non-response bias. Non-response is the result of a unit of the sample not participating in the survey—either refusing to take part in the survey (a refusal) or not being reached during the data collection period (non-contact). Non-response results in biases in the survey sample when there are differences between respondents and non-respondents.

To undertake the analysis for this survey, the unweighted sample distribution by age, gender, employment status and education was compared to the actual population (based on 2021 Census figures from Statistics Canada).

  Population (Census 2021) Survey Sample (Unweighted) % diff  (+/-) Survey Sample (weighted)
18-54 58.88% 42.70% 5.72% 53.47%
55+ 41.11% 57.30% 16.19% 46.53%
         
Male 48.76% 49.95% 1.19% 48.37%
Female 51.24% 50.05% -1.19% 51.63%
         
Employed 57.10% 53.83% -3.27% 59.53%
Unemployed 6.56% 4.03% -2.53% 4.45%
Not In labour force 36.34% 42.14% 5.80% 36.03%
         
No certificate, degree or diploma 16.15% 6.45% -9.70% 5.87%
High school certificate or equivalent 26.69% 18.35% -8.34% 17.26%
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma 8.71% 9.17% 0.46% 8.80%
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 18.84% 31.75% 12.91% 31.30%
University degree, certificate or diploma 29.61% 34.27% 4.66% 36.77%

As is typically found with residential surveys in Canada, the final sample over-represents those with higher levels of education. Also consistent with most surveys of the general public, age is a source of sample bias in the survey although it is much smaller in telephone surveys than with online. As the table indicates, older Canadians are slightly over-represented, and Canadians 18-54 are slightly under-represented in the survey sample.  Weighting serves to reduce bias should it be present, but not to eliminate it completely. It is very unlikely that this small sampling bias introduced any meaningful bias to the survey results.

2.7 Data Weighting

In order to ensure that the final survey sample was proportional the current distribution of the Canadian public, the data required a weighting factor to be included.  Elemental employed a process called cell weighting to ensure that we could adjust the weighting factor to accurately reflect the geographical, gender and age breakouts of the current population distribution.

2.8 Appendix

Please see accompanying documents.

Telephone Survey to support the work of the Atlantic Economic Panel Script

Introduction

Hello / Bonjour (pause), I’m calling as part of a research survey supporting the work of the Atlantic Economic Panel on the future of Atlantic Canada’s economy. Would you prefer that I continue in English or French? Préférez-vous continuer en français ou en anglais? [Let them respond]

My name is first name of Elemental Data Collection Inc., the company hired to do the survey. The survey takes about 8-10 minutes to complete.

Should you have any questions about the survey, you can contact EDCI email/contact information and consult the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC) research verification service.

Your participation is voluntary and confidential. Your answers will remain anonymous, and the information you provide will be administered according to the requirements of the Privacy Act, the Access to Information Act, and any other pertinent legislation. Is this a safe and convenient time for you? May I continue?

Questions

1. Have you lived in Atlantic Canada for ten years or more?

If yes:

2. Compared to ten years ago, how would you describe the job market in Atlantic Canada today? Would you say it is generally:

3. How optimistic are you personally about the future of Atlantic Canada? Are you:

4. Compared to other provinces and territories in Canada, do you think Atlantic Canada’s income taxes are:

5. In the past five years, has a member of your family moved away from Atlantic Canada because they could not find suitable employment in the region?

6. Thinking about recent discussion of removing inter-provincial trade barriers within Canada…Do you personally support or oppose removing trade barriers among the Atlantic provinces? Would you say you:

7. Thinking about the future of Atlantic Canada, and taking environmental considerations into account, I’m going to read a list of economic initiatives. For each one, please tell me whether you personally support it, oppose it, or don’t have an opinion. (Read & Rotate Order)

[Interviewer reads each item]

8. To what extent do you support or oppose Atlantic Canada producing more electricity than it needs and exporting this surplus electricity outside the region as a means to grow the economy? Do you:

9. Which of the following statements best represents your opinion about the future of Atlantic Canada’s prosperity? Atlantic Canada will be:

10. I’m going to read a few statements about population growth and the workforce in Atlantic Canada. For each one, please tell me whether you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly disagree, completely disagree, or don’t know (Volunteered).

11. Looking ahead, how confident are you that Atlantic Canada can grow its economy and rely less on equalization payments in the future? Are you:

Demographics:

12. What is your gender? (By Observation)

13. What year were you born? [Record year: YYYY]

[If respondent prefers not to provide a precise birth year, ask:]

Would you be willing to tell me in which of the following age categories you belong?

14. Which of the following categories best describes your current employment status?

[Accept only one answer]

15. What is the highest level of formal education that you have completed? [Read list]

16. Which of the following best describes your total household income last year, before taxes, from all sources for all household members?  [Read list and accept one answer only]

Conclusion

That concludes the survey. Thank you for your time and participation. Your feedback will help inform the Atlantic Economic Panel as it gathers insights from across Atlantic Canada and develops practical recommendations for the Government of Canada on how to support economic growth, job creation, productivity, and long-term prosperity in the region. The results of this survey will be made public once they are available.

Sondage téléphonique appuyant le travail du Panel économique du Canada atlantique Script

Introduction

Hello / Bonjour (pause), je vous appelle dans le cadre d’un sondage de recherche appuyant le travail du Panel économique du Canada atlantique quant à l’avenir de l’économie du Canada atlantique. Préférez-vous continuer en français ou en anglais? Would you prefer that I continue in English or French? [Laissez la personne répondre.]

Je m’appelle prénom et je travaille chez Elemental Data Collection Inc., l’entreprise embauchée pour faire le sondage, lequel prendra de 8 à 10 minutes à remplir.

Si vous avez des questions sur le sondage, vous pouvez communiquer avec courriel/coordonnées d’EDCI et consulter le service de vérification des recherches du Conseil de recherche et d’intelligence marketing canadien (CRIC).

Votre participation est volontaire et confidentielle. Vos réponses resteront anonymes, et l’information que vous donnez sera administrée conformément aux exigences de la Loi sur la protection des renseignements personnels, de la Loi sur l’accès à l’information et de toute autre loi pertinente. Est-ce un moment sûr et opportun pour vous? Puis-je continuer?

Questions

1. Habitez-vous au Canada atlantique depuis dix ans ou plus?

Dans l’affirmative :

2. Comparativement à il y a dix ans, comment décririez-vous le marché de l’emploi au Canada atlantique aujourd’hui? Diriez-vous qu’il est, en général :

3. À quel point êtes-vous optimiste personnellement quant à l’avenir du Canada atlantique? Êtes-vous :

4. Comparativement aux autres provinces et territoires du Canada, pensez-vous que les impôts au Canada atlantique sont :

5. Au cours des cinq dernières années, est-ce qu’un(e) membre de votre famille a quitté le Canada atlantique parce qu’il (elle) ne pouvait trouver un emploi convenable dans la région?

6. En ce qui concerne les récentes discussions visant le retrait des obstacles commerciaux provinciaux au Canada… Appuyez-vous personnellement le retrait des obstacles commerciaux entre les provinces de l’Atlantique, ou vous y opposez-vous? Diriez-vous que vous :

7. En ce qui concerne l’avenir du Canada atlantique, tout en tenant compte des considérations environnementales, je vais vous lire une liste d’initiatives économiques. Pour chacune, veuillez me dire si vous l’appuyez personnellement, vous vous y opposez ou vous n’avez pas d’opinion (lecture en rotation).

[L’intervieweur(se) lit chaque élément.]

8. Dans quelle mesure appuyez-vous le fait que le Canada atlantique produirait plus d’électricité qu’il n’en a besoin et qu’il exporte cet excédent à l’extérieur de la région afin de faire croître l’économie, ou êtes-vous opposé à cette réalité? Est-ce que vous :

9. Lequel des énoncés suivants représente le mieux votre opinion concernant la prospérité du Canada atlantique dans l’avenir? Le Canada atlantique sera :

10.  Je vais vous lire quelques énoncés à l’égard de la croissance démographique et de la main-d’œuvre au Canada atlantique. Pour chacun d’entre eux, veuillez m’indiquer si vous êtes tout à fait d’accord, plutôt d’accord, plutôt en désaccord, tout à fait en désaccord ou si vous ne savez pas (réponse spontanée).

11. En regardant vers l’avenir, dans quelle mesure êtes-vous confiant(e) que le Canada atlantique peut développer son économie et dépendre moins des paiements de péréquation? Êtes-vous :

Données démographiques

12. Quel est votre sexe? (Par observation)

13. En quelle année êtes-vous né(e)? (Notez l’année comme suit : AAAA)

[Si le répondant ou la répondante préfère ne pas fournir son année de naissance exacte, demandez-lui :]

Pourriez-vous m’indiquer à quelle catégorie d’âge parmi les suivantes vous appartenez?

14. Laquelle des catégories suivantes décrit le mieux votre situation professionnelle actuelle?

[Accepter une seule réponse.]

15. Quel est le niveau d’études le plus élevé que vous ayez terminé? [Lire la liste.]

16. Laquelle des réponses suivantes décrit le mieux le revenu total de votre ménage l’année dernière, avant impôts, provenant de toutes les sources pour tous les membres du ménage? [Lire la liste et accepter une seule réponse.]

Conclusion

Le sondage est maintenant terminé. Merci de votre temps et de votre participation. Vos commentaires aideront le Panel économique du Canada atlantique à recueillir l’opinion des habitants du Canada atlantique et à formuler des recommandations pratiques à l’intention du gouvernement du Canada sur les moyens de soutenir la croissance économique, la création d’emplois, la productivité et la prospérité à long terme dans la région. Les résultats de ce sondage seront rendus publics dès qu’ils seront disponibles.