(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Some Canadians believe their current prime minister must strive to regain the trust of voters, according to a poll by Pollara Inc. published in Maclean’s. 33 per cent of respondents believe Paul Martin has the most work ahead to improve his public image.
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Some Canadians believe their current prime minister must strive to regain the trust of voters, according to a poll by Pollara Inc. published in Maclean’s. 33 per cent of respondents believe Paul Martin has the most work ahead to improve his public image.
Conservative leader Stephen Harper was second on the list with 28 per cent, followed by Belinda Stronach—who left the Tories to join the Liberal government—with 14 per cent, New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton with four per cent, and Conservative deputy leader Peter MacKay with two per cent.
The Canadian federal government and the governing Liberal party have been affected by the public inquiry into the federal sponsorship program initiated during the tenure of prime minister Jean Chrétien to promote Canada in Quebec. In February 2004, auditor-general Sheila Fraser concluded that approximately $75 million U.S. of the program’s budget was paid to Liberal-friendly advertising firms for little or no work.
Martin took over as Canada’s prime minister in December 2003. Last year, Martin called a public inquiry into the sponsorship program. Justice John Gomery was put in charge of the investigation, which is expected to conclude in December 2005. The prime minister has vowed to hold a federal election “within 30 days of the publication of the commission’s final report and recommendations.”
The poll also gauged views on Stronach’s decision to join the Liberals and become the country’s human resources minister. Stronach finished second to Harper in the March 2004 internal election to choose the Conservative party’s first leader. Only 18 per cent of respondents say her chances of becoming prime minister have increased as a result of the switch.
Canada has only had one female head of government. Progressive Conservative member Kim Campbell acted as prime minister for just over four months in 1993.
Polling Data
Which of the following politicians has the most work ahead of them to improve their public image?
Paul Martin | 33% |
Stephen Harper | 28% |
Belinda Stronach | 14% |
Jack Layton | 4% |
Peter MacKay | 2% |
Don’t know / Refused / Other | 20% |
How has Belinda Stronach’s decision to cross over to the Liberals affected her chances of ever becoming prime minister?
Helped | 18% |
Hurt | 33% |
No impact | 33% |
Don’t know / Refused | 1% |
Source: Pollara Inc. / Maclean’s
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,259 Canadian adults, conducted in May 2005. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.
