Survey says: Albertans still use tanning beds and Quebec is ready to ban hockey fights

British Columbia: Vancouverites have more faith in Google than just about anything else. A “trust report” by Concerto Marketing Group listed 30 “items,” including politicians, police and corporations; residents placed Google, Apple and Microsoft at the top of their lists. While 81 per cent trust Google, just 67 per cent feel the same way about the Vancouver Police Department. A mere 36 per cent have confidence in Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Alberta: Albertans may endure long winters, but that’s not going to stop them from getting a tan. One-quarter of people aged 18-24 have used an indoor tanning bed in the past 12 months, according to an Ipsos Reid survey on behalf of Alberta Health Services. The results were pretty even between the two sexes, with 28 per cent of men and 26 per cent of women admitting to the practice.

Ontario: New Ipsos Reid data has found that the construction of a casino in Toronto would be embraced by the public. If a vote were held tomorrow, 52 per cent of Torontonians would be in favour of building a casino while 42 per cent would be opposed. Those most receptive to the idea are from the suburbs of North York and Etobicoke, while the majority of resistance comes from East York and downtown Toronto.

Quebec: Hockey fights aren’t scoring any points with Quebecers. Almost three-quarters of the province would support banning on-ice fights in the NHL, according to an Angus Reid opinion poll, higher than the national average of 66 per cent. Eighty-five per cent of Quebecers also believe in eliminating on-ice fights in Canada’s junior leagues.

Nova Scotia: Haligonians are seeking a legal separation. Responding to a survey by Corporate Research Associates, half of those in the Halifax Regional Municipality showed support for dividing the region into a city for urban dwellers and a county for rural residents. One-third oppose the division and 15 per cent are unsure.