Polls & Research

Liberal Members Ponder Options in Canada

- Members of the Liberal party in Canada's most populous provinces pick two persons as the best possible choices to lead the political organization, according to a poll by Ekos Research Associates published in the Toronto Star. 25 per cent of respondents in Ontario and Quebec would vote for academic Michael Ignatieff, and 25 per cent would support former Ontario premier Bob Rae.

Former environment minister Stéphane Dion is third with 17 per cent, followed by former Ontario education minister Gerard Kennedy with 16 per cent, and former social development minister Ken Dryden with nine per cent. Support is lower for Toronto lawyer Martha Hall Findlay, former immigration minister Joe Volpe, and former public works and government services minister Scott Brison.

Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January. 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. Since February, Harper leads a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.

The Liberals will elect a new leader in December. Former prime minister Paul Martin announced his resignation immediately after the January electoral defeat, and was substituted on an interim basis by former defence minister Bill Graham.

In April, two contenders—former public health minister Carolyn Bennet and former international financial institutions secretary Maurizio Bevilacqua—dropped out of the race and endorsed Rae. On Sept. 25, former multiculturalism secretary Hedy Fry also backed Rae.

On Sept. 26, Bevilacqua said Rae should be considered the frontrunner, adding, "People are now really focused on who can beat Stephen Harper, and more and more people think that Bob Rae can."

Polling Data

If you were able to vote in the Liberal leadership race, which candidate would you choose?