Canadians plan to stay the course with their long-term investments and make few if any changes in the way they’ll save for retirement in the RRSP season ahead, according to a recent survey for Manulife Financial.

More than four out of five investors (82%) who responded to a national poll by Market Facts of Canada said they changed none of their investments amid market swings that followed the September 11 terrorist attacks. When asked if they have changed their overall investment style, almost four out of five (79 per cent) said they made no change at all.

“This certainly reflects that Canadians are generally savvy investors and are unlikely to overreact to world events,” said Bruce Gordon, Manulife’s executive vice president of Canadian Operations.

Although investors generally are standing by their investments, the survey also suggests more Canadians are seeking financial advice since the terrorist attacks in the United States.

More than 40%of investors believe it’s more important this year to get professional advice to help them manage their long-term investments. Of those who have financial advisors, almost seven out of 10 (68%) said they have called them for advice in the past three months.

“Advisors play an important role in helping Canadians make better financial decisions and given the range of reactions to the market, advisors also need to be sure to meet their clients’ needs and goals,” added Eric Grove, vice president Marketing of Manulife Wealth Management.


The poll results released today are based on a Market Facts of Canada survey of 1,003 Canadians (18 years and older) between November 28 and December 2, 2001. The overall results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. For results from investors only, the margin of error increases slightly to plus or minus four percentage points, 19 times out of 20.