October 09, 2006

Abstract: - The Progressive Conservative party holds a large lead in Alberta, according to a poll by Leger Marketing. 54 per cent of respondents in the Canadian province would vote for the Tories in the next election.

- The Progressive Conservative party holds a large lead in Alberta, according to a poll by Leger Marketing. 54 per cent of respondents in the Canadian province would vote for the Tories in the next election.

The Alberta Liberals—led by Kevin Taft—are in second place with 12 per cent, followed by Brian Mason's New Democratic Party with nine per cent, the provincial Greens—led by George Read—with five per cent, and Paul Hinman's Alberta Alliance with four per cent.

Premier Ralph Klein has led Alberta's provincial government since December 1992. In the November 2004 election, his Conservative party elected 62 lawmakers to the 83-seat Legislative Assembly.

In March, Klein announced his retirement after only 55 per cent of party members supported him in a mandatory secret ballot review. A leadership vote will take place on Nov. 25.

When Albertans are asked which politician they would support if they could cast a ballot in the Progressive Conservative leadership vote, 17 per cent of respondents pick former treasurer Jim Dinning, while 13 per cent select former infrastructure and transportation minister Lyle Oberg. The remaining hopefuls are below the five per cent mark.

On Oct. 5, Klein expressed confidence in Alberta's economic boom, saying, "I'm not fearful because the market will prevail. I don't see any need to step in with the hammer."

Polling Data

If provincial elections were held today, which political party would you be most likely to vote for?

Progressive Conservative	54%
Liberal	12%
New Democratic Party	9%
Green	5%
Alliance	4%

As you may already know, Ralph Klein has announced he will retire from politics by the end of the year. If you could vote in order to choose the next leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, Which of the following individuals would you be most likely to vote for? Would it be for...?

Jim Dinning	17%
Lyle Oberg	13%
David Hancock	4%
Ed Stelmach	4%
Mark Norris	4%
Ted Morton	4%
Vic Doerksen	2%
Alana Delong	2%
Gary McPherson	1%
Other	3%
Don't know	40%

Source: Leger Marketing
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 900 Albertan adults, conducted from Sept. 20 to Sept. 30, 2006. Margin of error is 3.3 per cent.