(02/18/10) -

Layton Surpasses Harper in Canada

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Jack Layton of the New Democratic Party (NDP) is now the best-ranked federal party leader in Canada, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 29 per cent of respondents approve of Layton’s performance, up three points since February.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Jack Layton of the New Democratic Party (NDP) is now the best-ranked federal party leader in Canada, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 29 per cent of respondents approve of Layton’s performance, up three points since February.

The approval rating for Canadian prime minister and Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper stands at 26 per cent, down two points in a month. 15 per cent of respondents approve of the way Liberal and Official Opposition leader Michael Ignatieff is handling his duties, also down two points in a month.

Canadians renewed the House of Commons in October 2008. The Conservative Party—led by 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 December, Ignatieff took over as Liberal leader, replacing Stéphane Dion.

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 late December, the federal government announced that the legislative branch would suspend its activities until March 2010. The decision led to public protests and extensive condemnation from the opposition.

On Feb. 9, Layton criticized the prorogation of Parliament, saying, "There is no question that by many indicators democracy is under threat. A free society requires access to the facts, that’s fundamental, and a government can’t simply say well we’re going to protect ourselves by building walls around the truth."

The next election to the House of Commons is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 15, 2012. Sitting prime ministers can dissolve Parliament and call an early ballot at their discretion. In order to trigger an election, all three opposition parties in the House of Commons—Liberals, NDP and Bloc—would have to defeat the government in a no-confidence motion.

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper?

Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of Liberal and Official Opposition leader Michael Ignatieff?

Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jack Layton?

Complete Poll (PDF)