EKOS Research

EKOS Research
Name	EKOS Research
Type	Private
Founded	1980s
Founder	Frank Graves
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario
Industry	Public opinion research
Services	Polling, research, consulting

EKOS Research is a Canadian public opinion and market research firm known for statistical polling, social research, and consulting. The organization conducts surveys on electoral behavior, public policy, and social trends across Canada and has engaged with media outlets, political parties, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations. EKOS Research's work has intersected with national elections, provincial campaigns, and policy debates, attracting attention from journalists, scholars, and political strategists.

History

EKOS Research was founded in the 1980s and developed during decades marked by Canadian federal elections, provincial referendums, and policy shifts. The firm has operated amid events such as the 1984 Canadian federal election, the 1995 Quebec referendum, the 1993 Canadian federal election, the 2008 Canadian federal election, and the 2015 Canadian federal election. EKOS Research has provided polling and analysis during leadership contests within the Liberal Party of Canada, the Conservative Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party, and the Bloc Québécois. The firm has also conducted research related to institutions like the Parliament of Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. EKOS Research’s timeline includes collaborations with media organizations such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, The Globe and Mail, National Post, and CTV Television Network.

Research and Methodology

EKOS Research employs survey techniques including random digit dialing, automated calling, online panels, and mixed-mode approaches to measure public attitudes. Methodological debates involving the firm often reference statistical concepts popularized by institutions like the University of Toronto, the McGill University, the Queen's University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Ottawa. EKOS Research has produced cross-sectional studies, longitudinal tracking, and weighting procedures comparable to work by firms such as Ipsos, Nanos Research, Forum Research, Abacus Data, and Leger Marketing. The company’s methodological choices have been discussed by academics from the University of Calgary, the University of Alberta, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Montreal and cited in analyses by think tanks such as the Fraser Institute, the C.D. Howe Institute, and the Institute for Research on Public Policy.

Notable Polls and Findings

EKOS Research has released polls that tracked leader approval ratings, vote intentions, and issue salience during periods including the 2000 Canadian federal election, the 2006 Canadian federal election, the 2011 Canadian federal election, and the 2019 Canadian federal election. Their findings have been cited in coverage of political figures like Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper, Paul Martin, Jean Chrétien, and Tom Mulcair. EKOS Research has reported on public reactions to events such as the Sponsorship Scandal, the Global Financial Crisis of 2008–2009, and policy initiatives including the Canada Health Act debates and discussions around the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement. The firm’s surveys have also examined attitudes toward institutions like the Bank of Canada, the Statistics Canada, and the Canada Border Services Agency, as well as social issues covered in commissions like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Controversies and Criticism

EKOS Research has faced scrutiny over sampling techniques, weighting decisions, and transparency in methodology in coverage by outlets such as Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, and CBC News. Commentators from platforms like Maclean's, National Post, The Walrus, and The Hill Times have debated the accuracy of various polling approaches. Academic critiques have come from researchers affiliated with the London School of Economics, the Harvard Kennedy School, the Stanford University, and the Brookings Institution who have examined polling reliability in the era of declining response rates. Debates have referenced comparative controversies involving firms like Gallup, Pew Research Center, and YouGov. Legal and regulatory contexts invoking institutions such as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and electoral laws overseen by Elections Canada provide the backdrop to some critiques.

Corporate Structure and Ownership

EKOS Research operates as a private firm with corporate governance involving executives, researchers, and analysts. The firm has collaborated with academic researchers from Carleton University, York University, and Concordia University and with consultants from organizations such as Deloitte, KPMG, and McKinsey & Company. EKOS Research’s client work has included projects for provincial governments like those of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, as well as municipal bodies including the City of Toronto and the City of Ottawa. The firm interacts with professional associations including the Canadian Research Insights Council and the Market Research and Intelligence Association.

Impact and Influence on Public Policy

EKOS Research’s polling and analysis have informed media narratives, party strategy, and policy discussions related to healthcare, fiscal policy, and immigration. Their work has been cited in debates involving the House of Commons of Canada, provincial legislatures such as the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and the National Assembly of Quebec, and policy reports by institutions including the Conference Board of Canada and the Bank of Canada. EKOS Research findings have been used by advocacy groups like Canadian Taxpayers Federation and Munk Debates participants, and have influenced commentary by columnists at publications such as The Globe and Mail and Vancouver Sun.

Category:Polling firms in Canada