Two-thirds of Canadians want the federal government to spend more on education and direct job creation to kick start the ailing economy, according to the latest poll conducted for the Canadian Association of University Teachers by Decima Research Inc.

Nearly 37% of those polled said the best way for Ottawa to help stimulate the economy and enhance the well-being of Canadians is for more investment in education and skills training. Just over 30% thought direct government job creation would best lift the economy out of its decline, while 24% chose tax cuts and 6% said the federal government should negotiate more free trade agreements.

“Canadians are worried about the state of the economy and want Ottawa to intervene to help offset the slide we’re in,” said CAUT president Tom Booth. “It’s going to take some positive intervention to keep the economic downturn from getting worse.”

Booth said he is disturbed over statements made in recent days by Finance Minister Paul Martin suggesting Ottawa is reluctant to implement any economic stimulus package. “Now is not the time for the government to be sitting on its hands,” said Booth. “Particularly in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States, we’re in real danger of sliding into a serious recession.”

The poll, conducted between September 17 and September 26, also found that more than 60% of Canadians want Ottawa to focus on boosting spending on social programs in the upcoming budget, with 57% supporting more money for universities and colleges. That compares with just 18% who prefer more tax cuts and 19% who feel the focus should be on reducing the public debt.

The poll results are based on a telephone survey of 2,000 adults and are considered accurate within plus or minus 2%, 19 times out of 20. The margin of error increases when the results are sub-divided.