Angus Reid

Angus Reid
Name	Angus Reid
Birth date	1947
Birth place	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation	Pollster, Entrepreneur, Researcher
Known for	Founding Ipsos Reid; Angus Reid Institute

Angus Reid is a Canadian pollster, entrepreneur, and research philanthropist notable for founding major public opinion firms and for establishing a public policy research organization. He built one of Canada's largest survey research companies, advised political figures, media outlets, and corporate clients, and later created an independent institute devoted to public opinion research and data-driven analysis. His career spans market research, media, philanthropy, and public affairs across Canada, the United States, and internationally.

Early life and education

Reid was born in Vancouver and raised in British Columbia, where he attended local schools before progressing to higher education. He completed undergraduate studies and graduate work that prepared him for careers in business, communications, and public affairs, later drawing on training associated with institutions such as the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, and programs affiliated with professional associations in market research and public opinion.

Career

Reid began his career in market research and strategic consulting, working with firms and clients in sectors including media, telecom, and consumer packaged goods. He founded a polling firm that became a major national player serving broadcasters such as CBC Television, CTV Television Network, and Global Television Network, corporate clients like Rogers Communications and Bell Canada, and political actors across provincial and federal arenas including the Liberal Party of Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada. His firm expanded through mergers and acquisitions involving multinational corporations such as Ipsos SA, resulting in a brand widely recognized across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Reid has appeared as a commentator on platforms including The Globe and Mail, National Post, Maclean's, and broadcast outlets such as CBC Radio, offering analysis on electoral contests like the Canadian federal election, 2015 and provincial campaigns such as the Ontario general election, 2018.

Beyond traditional polling, he served on boards and advisory panels for organizations in sectors including telecommunications, media, and health, collaborating with institutions such as Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Health Canada, and non-profits like the David Suzuki Foundation. His work intersected with regulatory and policy bodies including the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and think tanks such as the Fraser Institute and the C.D. Howe Institute through commissioned research and expert testimony.

Angus Reid Institute

Reid founded a non-profit public opinion organization to carry out independent research on public policy, social trends, and demographic change. The institute conducts national and cross-national surveys covering topics such as politics, public health, immigration, and technology adoption, disseminating findings to media outlets including The Globe and Mail, The New York Times, and broadcasters like CBC Television and BBC News. The institute has collaborated with academic partners at universities such as University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, and McGill University as well as policy organizations like the Broadbent Institute and the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University. Its work has informed debates around issues including the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, indigenous relations tied to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and public attitudes toward trade agreements such as the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement.

Research and polling methodology

The institute employs mixed-methods designs, integrating probability and non-probability sampling, online panels, and telephone-based surveys to measure public attitudes. Methodological approaches are informed by standards promoted by organizations such as the American Association for Public Opinion Research, the Market Research and Intelligence Association (now Insights Association in cross-border contexts), and academic journals like Public Opinion Quarterly and Journal of Survey Statistics and Methodology. Studies use weighting schemes tied to Statistics Canada benchmarks, demographic inputs from census releases such as the Canadian census, 2016 and Canadian census, 2021, and analytic techniques referenced in works by scholars at Harvard University, Princeton University, and University of Michigan. The institute has published white papers on online sampling, questionnaire design, and measurement of polarization, contributing to methodological discourse alongside research groups at Pew Research Center and Ipsos.

Awards and recognition

Reid has received honors acknowledging his contributions to market research, philanthropy, and public discourse. Recognitions include industry awards from associations like the Market Research and Intelligence Association and acknowledgments in business media such as The Globe and Mail and Forbes. His institute's research has been cited by international organizations including the World Health Organization and media outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, and Reuters. He has been invited to speak at conferences hosted by institutions such as the Toronto Stock Exchange, academic symposia at University of Toronto and McGill University, and public forums organized by think tanks like the Institute for Research on Public Policy.

Personal life

Reid's personal philanthropic activities have included support for health, education, and cultural organizations, partnering with charities such as United Way, health foundations like the Vancouver General Hospital Foundation, and arts institutions including the Vancouver Art Gallery. He resides in Vancouver and participates in civic initiatives at municipal and provincial levels, engaging with community groups and post-secondary institutions including Simon Fraser University and Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

Category:Canadian pollsters Category:People from Vancouver