(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in Canada believe the current debate over conversations between a Conservative parliamentarian and some government officials could affect the country’s political scene, according to a poll by Decima Research. 25 per cent of respondents say Gurmant Grewal’s tapes are a major issue, while 31 per cent believe the affair is a minor development.
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in Canada believe the current debate over conversations between a Conservative parliamentarian and some government officials could affect the country’s political scene, according to a poll by Decima Research. 25 per cent of respondents say Gurmant Grewal’s tapes are a major issue, while 31 per cent believe the affair is a minor development.
Grewal currently represents British Columbia’s Newton North Delta constituency in the House of Commons. In mid-May—as the Liberal government was to face a key budget vote—Grewal held several conversations with health minister Ujjal Dosanjh and Tim Murphy, chief of staff to Canadian prime minister Paul Martin.
On May 18, the Conservative parliamentarian claimed Dosanjh and Murphy tried to secure his support in the House of Commons in exchange for “an understanding that I would be rewarded in some fashion.” Grewal added that the discussions revolved around a diplomatic or cabinet position, and said he played along “to determine the level to which the Liberal party and the prime minister were willing to sink to save their government.”
Dosanjh acknowledged meeting Grewal but any offers were made, saying, “I’m actually offended he couldn’t take no for an answer.” 25 per cent of respondents—and 32 per cent of those who closely followed the case—tend to believe the Liberals. 23 per cent of respondents—and 27 per cent of those who are more aware of the controversy—tend to side with Grewal.
Grewal has released the conversations on his website, but at least two audio experts have said that the audio files appear to have been altered.
On Jun. 8, Conservative leader Stephen Harper defended his colleague, saying, “Everything on those tapes, and everything I’ve seen Mr. Grewal do since, is consistent with his story. On the other hand, everything the Liberals have done since is a series of evasions, of fabrications, of changing of stories and outright lying.”
Polling Data
Are Gurmant Grewal’s taped conversations with the Liberals a major issue, a minor issue or not really an issue in terms of whether it will affect how you vote in the next election?
A major issue | 25% |
A minor issue | 31% |
Not really an issue | 40% |
The Liberals say that Mr. Grewal approached them and asked for an appointment. Mr. Grewal says it was the other way around. Whom do you believe more?
All | Closely Followed | |
The Liberals | 25% | 32% |
Grewal | 23% | 27% |
Don’t know | 52% | 41% |
Source: Decima Research
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,000 Canadian adults, conducted from Jun. 2 to Jun. 5, 2005. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
