For Immediate Release: April 11, 2006

Public Opinion Research Industry Responds to Federal Accountability Act

TORONTO-The Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) responded today to the Government of Canada's Federal Accountability Act, as it relates to procurement of public opinion research.

"We fully endorse the government's initiative to strengthen and enhance its procurement process," said Nik Nanos, MRIA President. "Our industry has worked with the federal government for many years to improve procurement rules for public opinion research. The result has been better value for Canadians and a better process for our industry."

MRIA and its predecessor Associations have worked closely over the past three years with the Government's Public Opinion Research Directorate (PORD) to bring greater transparency, rigour, and effectiveness to the research procurement process. MRIA will continue to make its expertise and resources available to the Government in this current initiative to enhance procurement practices.

Changes introduced by the Government in recent years to increase the transparency of the research procurement process have reflected the recommendations of MRIA and its predecessor Associations. These enhancements have included a requirement that all Government survey projects be registered with MRIA's Canadian Survey Registration System. The System tracks registered research projects being conducted in Canada and allows members of the public, through a toll-free number (1-800-554-9996), to verify their legitimacy. Other changes have included a revamp of the government's contracting tools to allow for more flexibility and transparency.

"These changes have gone a long way in opening up competition for government research projects to a broader scope of companies," Mr. Nanos said.

Market and survey research provides an essential tool in the development of new programs, services, and policies for the benefit of Canadians, and in measuring satisfaction levels of government programs.

MRIA (www.mria-arim.ca) is the self-regulatory Association which governs, represents and accredits individual research practitioners and companies in Canada's market, survey and public opinion research industry. Its members include over 1,700 individual professionals and more than 200 Corporate members: small to large research companies, and many Corporate buyers of research services. MRIA's mission is to promote a positive environment that enhances the industry's ability to conduct business effectively, to the benefit of the public and Association members. The Canadian research industry accounts for almost three quarters of a billion dollars in economic activity annually.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact MRIA Executive Director Brendan Wycks at (905) 602-6854, ext. 8724; Cell: (647) 218-8243.