Rising tensions are depicted in this sand sculpture titled “My Opinion is Louder Than Yours!” at a sandcastle competition in Parksville, B.C., August 2022. (Photo: LNN)

By David Opinko

Rage Index: What are Canadians so angry about?

Aug 29, 2022 | 4:06 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new survey aims to pinpoint what makes the blood of Canadians boil.

Pollara Strategic Insights, a market research firm out of Toronto, surveyed 2,013 Canadians, including 200 who reside in Alberta, between July 25 and August 2, 2022, to see which issues caused the most anger and annoyance.

“Coming out of a multi-year pandemic, with inflation soaring and war overseas, Canadians are in a grumpy mood,” reads a section of Pollara’s report. “Few are happy with the federal government, provincial governments, the economy, or the types of changes happening in Canada.”

According to the survey, Albertans were the most flustered in regard to the federal and provincial governments.

Anti-government sentiments could be seen in a recent incident of verbal harassment against Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland during a stop in Grande Prairie, Alberta on Friday, August 27, 2022. A man approached Freeland and hurled profanities, called her a “traitor,” and said, “you don’t belong here.”

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: November 12-17, 2024

Nov 12, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: November 4-10, 2024

Nov 04, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: October 28-November 3, 2024

Oct 28, 2024

READ MORE: Trudeau calls for leaders to take united stance after Freeland confronted in Alberta

At the top of the Rage Index across Canada, 60% of respondents voiced anger or annoyance with “the latest stories in the news,” followed by “the types of changes happening in Canada” at 55%, the Canadian economy at 53%, and the federal government at 48%.

On the lower end of the scale, 46% were angry or annoyed about their provincial government, while 32% felt this way about their personal financial situation.

Overall, 53% of Albertans felt angry or annoyed about all six topics, which is among the highest in the country behind Saskatchewan and Manitoba at 55%.

Canadians who identified with a conservative political party were made the maddest by the federal government and the Canadian economy, while Liberal and NDP supporters turned red at the thought of their provincial government and the latest news stories.

Among the stories leading newscasts, inflation and gas prices caused the most anger, followed by the trucker convoys, delays at airports, and Canada’s housing market.

Even though many respondents voiced anger and annoyance, the survey states, “Despite this grumpiness, feelings of intense rage are still limited to a vocal minority.”

Rising tensions are depicted in this sand sculpture titled “My Opinion is Louder Than Yours!” at a sandcastle competition in Parksville, B.C., August 2022. (Photo: LNN)

You can see the full report on the Rage Index on Pollara’s website.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.