Mainstreet surveyed a random sample of 975 Ottawa Residents by Smart IVR™ on April 22-23rd, 2016. A mixture of landlines and cell phones were surveyed. Margin of error: +/- 3.14%, 19 times out of 20. Results were weighed by age and gender based on the 2011 Canadian Census.

PRINT EXCLUSIVE: POSTMEDIA NETWORKEMBARGOED UNTIL: APRIL 27, 2016

TRIAL OF MIKE DUFFY

60% OF OTTAWA RESIDENTS APPROVE OF DUFFY VERDICTS

April 27, 2016 (Toronto, ON) – A new Mainstreet/Postmedia poll finds 60% of Ottawa residents approve of the verdicts in the Trial of Mike Duffy. The Mainstreet/Postmedia Poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.14, 19 times out of 20.

“The Mike Duffy trial has provided Canadians with some of the best political theatre in a generation,” said Quito Maggi, President of Mainstreet Research. “Over 75% of Ottawa area residents followed the trial, including 47% who say they followed it very closely. It appears now that the trial is over, a majority of people agree with the judge’s decision to acquit Senator Duffy on all 31 charges against him. 60% of respondents said they approved of the verdicts, but only 17% strongly approved versus 24% who strongly disapproved.”

“Approval of the performance of the Crown prosecution was just 21%, including only 7% who strongly approve. This compares with 62% who disapproved with their performance, although only 17% strongly disapproved. 11% of people said the verdict increased their confidence in the criminal justice system compared to 14% who said the verdict decreased their confidence. 4 in 10 respondents said it had no effect on their confidence in the justice system and another 34% were not sure.”

“Approval of Senator Duffy continues to be low as we have found throughout the investigation, suspension and trial. Just 23% approved with only 6% strongly, compared to a large majority who disapproved (68%) including over 30% strongly disapproving. Support for abolishing the senate as a result is higher with 30% agreeing it should be abolished versus a majority disagreeing with abolishing the senate (57%). A majority of respondents said they were more likely to support Senate abolition post the Senator Duffy trial, with 59% saying they were either a lot more likely, or somewhat likely to support abolition compared to just 8% indicating they were now less likely. A full third of respondents said they were not sure whether this trial and verdict had any effect on their support for Senate abolition.”

“It appears that the Senator Duffy trial has not moved public sentiment drastically in the Ottawa area where many residents are familiar with political theatre and drama. Although the trial and verdict appeared to reveal that Senate rules are at best unclear, and at worst, non-existent, the public appears to have some tolerance for what is acceptable patronage. This trial and verdict are likely to sway public opinion towards senate reforms that include clearer rules and less direct relationship with the elected House of Commons. With the current government severing ties with its Senators a few years ago, it may be just a matter of time before all political parties follow suit,” he finished.

About Mainstreet ResearchMainstreet is a national public research firm. With 20 years of political experience at all three levels of government, President and CEO Quito Maggi is a respected commentator on Canadian public affairs.

Differentiated by its large sample sizes, Mainstreet Research has provided accurate snapshots of public opinion, having predicted a majority NDP government in Alberta, a majority Liberal government in British Columbia and a majority Liberal government in Ontario. Mainstreet has been the most accurate polling firm in several by elections and the most recent Toronto mayoral election. Most recently, Mainstreet was the only polling firm to correctly predict a Liberal majority government in the 2015 federal election.

-30-

Available for Interview from Ottawa: Quito Maggi, quito@mainstreetresearch.caFor more information: David Valentin, (514)-913-5524 - david@mainstreetresearch.ca

"Exclusive Mainstreet/Postmedia polls are protected by copyright. The information and/or data may only be rebroadcast or republished with full and proper credit and attribution to “Mainstreet/Postmedia”.

A2

How closely have you been following the trial of Senator Mike Du�y?

A3

Very Closely Somewhat Closely Not Too Closely

Not At All Closely Not Sure

47%

31%

11%

7%

4%

How closely have you been following the trial of Senator Mike Du�y?

A4

Very Closely

Somewhat Closely

Not Too Closely

Not At All Closely

Not Aware Of The Story

Sample

18-34

45%

28%

12%

9%

8%

164

35-49

48%

31%

9%

7%

5%

189

50-64

49%

31%

13%

5%

2%

275

65+

46%

35%

12%

7%

0%

347

Male

43%

33%

11%

7%

5%

472

Female

51%

29%

10%

7%

3%

503

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

City

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

45% 28% 12% 9% 8%

48% 31% 9% 7% 5%

49% 31% 13% 5%

46% 35% 12% 7%

43% 33% 11% 7% 5%

51% 29% 10% 7%

47% 31% 11% 7%

Mike Duffy was charged with 31 counts of fraud, breach of trust and bribery. The Judge dismissed or

found Duffy not guilty on all 31 charges. Do you approve or disapprove of these verdicts?

A5

17%

43%

11%

24%

5%

Strongly Approve Somewhat Approve Somewhat Disapprove

Strongly Disapprove Not Sure

Mike Duffy was charged with 31 counts of fraud, breach of trust and bribery. The Judge dismissed or

found Duffy not guilty on all 31 charges. Do you approve or disapprove of these verdicts?

A6

Strongly approve

Somewhat approve

Somewhat disapprove

Strongly disapprove

Not Sure

18-34

16%

45%

11%

21%

8%

35-49

17%

43%

11%

24%

5%

50-64

17%

42%

11%

26%

5%

65+

19%

43%

11%

26%

2%

Male

15%

40%

13%

29%

3%

Female

18%

46%

9%

20%

7%

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

City

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

16% 45% 11% 21% 8%

17% 43% 11% 24% 5%

17% 42% 11% 26% 5%

19% 43% 11% 26%

15% 40% 13% 29%

18% 46% 9% 20% 7%

17% 43% 11% 24% 5%

Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of the Crown prosecutors in the

Mike Duffy Trial?

A7

7%

14%

45%

17%

17%

Strongly Approve Somewhat Approve Somewhat Disapprove

Strongly Disapprove Not Sure

Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of the Crown prosecutors in the

Mike Duffy Trial?

A8

Strongly approve

Somewhat approve

Somewhat disapprove

Strongly disapprove

Not Sure

18-34

7%

15%

44%

17%

18%

35-49

7%

13%

47%

17%

17%

50-64

7%

13%

44%

16%

20%

65+

7%

16%

45%

20%

12%

Male

7%

15%

43%

17%

18%

Female

7%

13%

47%

17%

16%

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

City

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

7% 15% 44% 17% 18%

7% 13% 47% 17% 17%

7% 13% 44% 16% 20%

7% 16% 45% 20% 12%

7% 15% 43% 17% 18%

7% 13% 47% 17% 16%

7% 14% 45% 17% 17%

Has the trial of Mike Duffy and its verdict increased your confidence in the criminal 

justice system, decreased your confidence or had no effect?

A9

11%

14%

41%

34%

Increased Decreased No Effect Not Sure

Has the trial of Mike Duffy and its verdict increased your confidence in the criminal 

justice system, decreased your confidence or had no effect?

A10

Increased confidence

Decreased confidence

Has had no effect

Not sure

18-34

10%

13%

43%

35%

35-49

9%

18%

39%

35%

50-64

14%

11%

41%

34%

65+

12%

13%

43%

33%

Male

11%

13%

43%

33%

Female

10%

15%

39%

35%

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

City

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

10% 13% 43% 35%

9% 18% 39% 35%

14% 11% 41% 34%

12% 13% 43% 33%

11% 13% 43% 33%

10% 15% 39% 35%

11% 14% 41% 34%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mike Du�y is handling his job as Senator?

A11

Strongly Approve Somewhat Approve Somewhat Disapprove

Strongly Disapprove Not Sure

6%

17%

37%

31%

9%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mike Du�y is handling his job as Senator?

A12

Strongly Approve

Somewhat Approve

Somewhat Disapprove

Strongly Disapprove

Not Sure

18-34

7%

15%

39%

31%

9%

35-49

6%

17%

38%

30%

10%

50-64

6%

18%

35%

31%

9%

65+

5%

20%

34%

34%

8%

Male

6%

18%

39%

29%

9%

Female

6%

16%

35%

33%

9%

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

City

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

7% 15% 39% 31% 9%

6% 17% 38% 30% 10%

6% 18% 35% 31% 9%

5% 20% 34% 34% 8%

6% 18% 39% 29% 9%

6% 16% 35% 33% 9%

6% 17% 37% 31% 9%

Thinking about Canada’s Senate… Do you agree or disagree it should be abolished?

A13

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree Not Sure

11%

19%

26%

31%

13%

Thinking about Canada’s Senate… Do you agree or disagree it should be abolished?A13

A14

Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Not Sure

18-34

18%

22%

27%

23%

11%

35-49

7%

19%

29%

33%

12%

50-64

8%

12%

24%

44%

12%

65+

12%

26%

23%

20%

20%

Male

11%

18%

27%

29%

14%

Female

10%

20%

25%

33%

12%

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

City

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

18% 22% 27% 23% 11%

7% 19% 29% 33% 12%

8% 12% 24% 44% 12%

12% 26% 23% 20% 20%

11% 18% 27% 29% 14%

10% 20% 25% 33% 12%

11% 19% 26% 31% 13%

As a result of the trial of Senator Duffy are you more likely or less likely to desire senate

abolition?

A15

A Lot More Likely Somewhat More Likely Somewhat Less Likely

A Lot Less Likely Not Sure

37%

22%

4%

4%

33%

As a result of the trial of Senator Duffy are you more likely or less likely to desire senate

abolition?

A16

A lot more likely

Somewhat more likely

Somewhat less likely

A lot less likely

Not sure

18-34

35%

22%

4%

4%

35%

35-49

38%

21%

4%

3%

33%

50-64

36%

22%

4%

5%

33%

65+

39%

23%

4%

4%

30%

Male

34%

24%

4%

4%

33%

Female

39%

20%

4%

4%

33%

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

City

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

35% 22% 35%

38% 21% 33%

36% 22% 5% 33%

39% 23% 30%

34% 24% 33%

39% 20% 33%

37% 22% 33%

How closely have you been following the trial of Senator Mike Duffy?

Very CloselySomewhat Closely

Not Too CloselyNot At All Closely

Not Aware Of The Story

Mike Duffy was charged with 31 counts of fraud, breach of trust and bribery. The Judge dismissed or found Duffy not guilty on all 31 charges. Do you approve or disapprove of these verdicts?

Strongly approveSomewhat approve

Somewhat disapproveStrongly disapprove

Not sure

Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of the Crown prosecutors in the Mike Duffy Trial?

Strongly ApproveSomewhat Approve

Somewhat DisapproveStrongly Disapprove

Not Sure

Has the trial of Mike Duffy and its verdict increased your confidence in the criminal justice system, decreased your confidence or had no effect?

Increased your confidenceDecreased your confidence

Has had no effectNot sure

SCRIPT

A17

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mike Duffy is handling his job as Senator?

Strongly approveSomewhat approve

Somewhat disapproveStrongly disapprove

Not sure

Thinking about Canada’s Senate… Do you agree or disagree it should be abolished?

Strongly agreeSomewhat agree

Somewhat disagreeStrongly disagree

Not sure

As a result of the trial of Senator Duffy are you more likely or less likely to desire senate abolition?

A lot more likelySomewhat more likelySomewhat less likely

A lot less likelyNot sure

SCRIPT

A18

ONLY WE CALLED

THE LIBERAL

MAJORITY.

Mainstreet Research | 132−2255B Queen Street East | Toronto | Ontario | M4E 1G3 | Canada

“I recommend "Raiders of the Lost Campaign Arc," released Oct. 18, because it’s an interview with a pollster that everyone who follows politics should hear. Quito Maggi, of Mainstreet Public

Research, was the only pollster I saw call the Liberal majority with such confidence, a week before we voted.

Maggi also has the distinction of being the guy who predicted the BC Liberals would win in 2013, in defiance of the majority of the polls.

His technique involves picking a true bellwether riding and polling it thoroughly. His explanation for how he does it is well worth a listen and should be required research for anyone running a

political campaign.” - Shannon Rupp, The Tyee, November 4th, 2015

Mainstreet is a national public research firm. With 20 years of political experience at all three levels of government, President and CEO Quito Maggi is a respected commentator on Canadian public affairs.

Differentiated by its large sample sizes, Mainstreet Research has provided accurate snapshots of public opinion, having predicted a majority NDP government in Alberta, a majority Liberal government in British Columbia and a majority Liberal government in Ontario. Mainstreet has been the most accurate polling firm in several by elections and the most recent Toronto mayoral election. Most recently, Mainstreet was the only polling firm to correctly predict a Liberal majority government in the 2015 federal election.

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