MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Oct. 31, 2011) - The latest findings of the Clearfacts.ca* survey conducted by the polling firm CROP on work stability and fear of losing one's job show that despite the uncertain economic situation of the past few years, Quebecers are relatively unconcerned about the possibility of losing their jobs. Three out of four Quebecers (75%) state that they are "not very often" or "not at all" concerned by the possibility of losing their job (their own or their spouse's).

In fact, only 7% of Quebecers state that they are "very often" concerned about the possibility of losing their job. However, this concern is a little more common among families with children (10%), who are often in a more precarious financial situation. It is also more common in the greater Montreal area (9%).

Furthermore, in the Outaouais region (where the federal government is a major employer), we observe the largest percentage of workers who are "not at all" concerned about the possibility of losing their job (60% vs. 46% throughout the entire province).

The survey results have also shown us that people who change jobs frequently feel the most insecure about the possibility of losing their job. For example, last year, one in five Quebecers (20%) changed jobs. This proportion is highest among young people (32%), single people (27%) and low-income earners (26%). In other words, people who change jobs are more likely to be "very often" or "somewhat often" concerned about losing their job (37% vs. 25% throughout the entire province).

We asked Quebecers what they would do if they won the equivalent of two years' salary in a lottery. Two thirds (68%) replied that they would continue to work despite it. This proportion goes up considerably among respondents in the greater Quebec City area (79%) and among men (73%). The second most popular decision is to take a year's sabbatical (14%; 25% among young couples without children), followed by starting a business (6%) or quitting one's job and going back to school (6%).

To find out more about Quebecers' opinion on work stability and fear of losing one's job, view the Clearfacts.ca/CROP poll at [ www.clearfacts.ca ].

*Methodology: Data collection took place online through web panel in December. A total of 1,814 Quebecers participated in this study. The results were then weighted to reflect the Quebec population. Given the non-probability sample line, the calculation of the margin of error does not apply.

About clearfacts.ca

Clearfacts.ca is an initiative of National Bank. Its primary goal is to contribute to the financial education of Canadians. The site does not have any commercial intentions and the content presented is always neutral and credible. The role of clearfacts.ca is to help its readers make enlightened decisions that will contribute to their financial health.

About National Bank of Canada

National Bank of Canada is an integrated group that provides comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its clients elsewhere in the world. National Bank offers a full array of banking services, including retail, corporate and investment banking. It is an active player on international capital markets and, through its subsidiaries, is involved in securities brokerage, insurance and wealth management as well as mutual fund and retirement plan management. National Bank has over $153 billion in assets and, together with its subsidiaries, employs 19,217 people. The Bank's securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:NA). For more information, visit the Bank's website at [ www.nbc.ca ]. To access National Bank's financial education portal, visit [ www.clearfacts.ca ].

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