STORY:
Canadians Not Worried About Y2k

Poll indicates most Canadians confident Y2k problem won't affect them

Canadians aren't showing the anxiety about the computer Y2K bug than many of their foreign counterparts. Results of a nationwide poll of 2,054 Canadians conducted by the federal government found a majority of respondents are confident they would not feel any affects of the so called millennium bug come New Year's Eve. Officials with Canada's Year 2000 Project Office attribute the relaxed nature toward Y2k on increase public awareness of the issue and information. A spokesperson for the office reportedly says Canada is number-one in terms of readiness along with the United States.

News reports say fifty-seven percent of the respondents don't believe they or their families will be affected the computer glitch. Forty-one percent thought they would be affected in some way while six-percent said they were very concerned. Eighty-one percent thought the federal government would have its own computers fixed.

Most respondents who indicated they will make some preparations plan do so in November and December. When asked, what Y2K preparations were most important, more than half said they would withdraw cash and get last minute updated records of their accounts. According to press reports, forty-one percent said extra candles, batteries and flashlights are a priority while 33-percent said it was buying extra food.

Regarding activities on New Year's Eve, 33% reportedly said they will not be flying and a third said they would be spending it at home with their families. Still, half of those polled thought there would be a stock market decline.

DATE: 08/05/99

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