(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Canada appear to question the ideological dimension of their governing party, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 41 per cent of respondents think no current federal political party truly represents conservatism in Canada.

In the 1993 Canadian federal election, the governing Progressive Conservatives—led by Kim Campbell—were reduced to just two seats in the House of Commons. The Reform party—formed by western Canadians who were upset with Ottawa's policies—received a high level of support in areas usually dominated by the Progressive Conservatives and elected 52 federal lawmakers. Only 22 per cent of respondents think the now-defunct Reform party had a positive impact on Canada's federal political landscape.

The Reform party was renamed the Canadian Alliance (CA) in 2000. The CA merged with the Progressive Conservatives to form the Conservative party in December 2003. Stephen Harper became the political organization's first leader in March 2004. 26 per cent of respondents say the current Conservative party resembles Reform, 20 per cent think it is closer to the Progressive Conservatives, and 22 per cent deem it a distinct political entity.

Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January 2006. The Conservative party—led by Harper—received 36.3 per cent of the vote, and secured 124 seats in the 308-member lower house. Harper leads a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.

In April, former National Citizens Coalition vice-president Gerry Nicholls expressed dissatisfaction with the current government in an op-ed, writing, "They have failed to cut back on the size of government, failed to control spending and failed to introduce broad-based tax cuts for both individuals and businesses."

Earlier this month, Liberal foreign affairs critic Ujjal Dosanjh criticized the federal government's stance on international affairs, saying, "I think this is the Reform and Alliance perspective that is still very well and alive in the Conservative party. (...) Their total focus in international relations has been U.S., U.S., U.S. They've ignored the rest of the world, and, hence, we're suffering."

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? - No current federal political party truly represents conservatism in Canada.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? - The now-defunct Reform party / Canadian Alliance had a positive impact on the federal political landscape.

Now thinking of the federal Conservative party of Canada, which of its two predecessors does it most closely resemble now?

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