(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in Canada would be satisfied with the New Democratic Party (NDP) becoming the largest opposition party in the country, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 62 per cent of respondents think the NDP would do a good job as the official opposition in Ottawa.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in Canada would be satisfied with the New Democratic Party (NDP) becoming the largest opposition party in the country, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 62 per cent of respondents think the NDP would do a good job as the official opposition in Ottawa.
Conversely, 51 per cent of respondents think the NDP would not do a good job as the next federal government.
Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January 2006. The Conservative party—led by Stephen Harper—received 36.3 per cent of the vote, and secured 124 seats in the 308-member lower house. Harper formed a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.
Jack Layton became the NDP’s leader in January 2003. He was elected to the House of Commons in June 2004, winning the Toronto-Danforth constituency. In 2006, the NDP garnered 17.5 per cent of the vote and secured 29 seats in the House of Commons. Since its foundation in 1961, the NDP has never served as the official opposition in Canada
On Sept. 8, Layton criticized the record of the Harper government, saying, "I will not continue to hand over billions in corporate tax cuts to companies who ship our jobs overseas. Instead, we will use that money to invest in innovation. We’ll work with companies and entrepreneurs who are providing training, developing sustainable jobs in the new energy economy."
The next federal election in Canada is scheduled for Oct. 14.
Polling Data
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
|
Agree |
Disagree |
Not sure |
|
|
The NDP would do a good job as the official opposition in Ottawa |
62% |
29% |
10% |
|
The NDP would do a good job as the next federal government |
38% |
51% |
11% |
Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,007 Canadian adults, conducted on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
Complete Poll (PDF)
