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Douglas Todd: Canadians grew more dispirited in past 50 years, says veteran pollster

People are placing less importance on friendliness, reliability, honesty, having babies and "being a Canadian," finds Reginald Bibby.

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As one of Canada’s leading pollsters for the past 50 years, Reginald Bibby has proved relentlessly curious and fundamentally optimistic about this country and its people.

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At age 83, however, the dogged researcher is seeing some disturbing trends. They relate to how Canadians feel about friendliness, happiness, loneliness, their finances, the nation, their sex lives, their spiritual inclinations, trust levels, and more.

While it’s not all gloom and doom, Bibby has uncovered, while working with the Angus Reid Institute, some distinct downsides emerging in the way people in Canada see themselves, each other and their institutions.

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