(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The governing Conservative party is holding on to the top spot in Canada’s federal political scene, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies released by the Toronto Star. 35 per cent of respondents would back the Tories in the next election to the House of Commons, down three points since late January.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The governing Conservative party is holding on to the top spot in Canada’s federal political scene, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies released by the Toronto Star. 35 per cent of respondents would back the Tories in the next election to the House of Commons, down three points since late January.
The Liberal party is second with 31 per cent—up two points—followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 16 per cent, the Bloc Québécois with 10 per cent, and the Green party with seven per cent.
Canadians renewed the House of Commons in October 2008. The Conservative party—led by Stephen Harper—received 37.6 per cent of the vote, and secured 143 seats in the 308-member lower house. Harper assembled a minority administration. The Tories also earned a minority mandate after the 2006 election, ending more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.
In late January, Canadian finance minister Jim Flaherty presented the federal budget, which predicts a $70 billion U.S. budget deficit over the next five years, and includes a $33 billion U.S. economic stimulus package, as well as tax relief aimed at the lower and middle class. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said his party would support the budget if the government provides "regular reports to Parliament on the budget’s implementation and its cost."
Last month, the Green party held its policy convention. In her closing remarks, Green leader Elizabeth May declared: "I can honestly tell you I didn’t expect that strong and unanimous sense of support and appreciation and even forgiveness for mistakes. That’s something that I will carry forward and which makes me feel so much stronger to carry forward your message and win the next election."
Polling Data
If a federal election were held tomorrow, which one of the following parties would you be most likely to support in your constituency?
|
Mar. 11 |
Jan. 27 |
Jan. 15 |
Dec. 12 |
|
|
Conservative |
35% |
38% |
39% |
37% |
|
Liberal |
31% |
29% |
30% |
31% |
|
New Democratic Party |
16% |
18% |
17% |
15% |
|
Bloc Québécois |
10% |
8% |
9% |
9% |
|
Green |
7% |
6% |
5% |
8% |
|
Other |
1% |
1% |
1% |
0% |
Source: Angus Reid Strategies / Toronto Star
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,002 Canadian adults, conducted on Mar. 10 and Mar. 11, 2009. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
Complete Poll (PDF)
