(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Few Canadians are satisfied with the way the Liberal party handled its job as the official opposition, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 30 per cent of respondents think the Liberals did a good job in this role, and just 28 per cent believe they would do well if they formed the next federal government.

In addition, only 27 per cent of respondents think the Liberals have done enough to re-gain the trust of Canadians after the sponsorship scandal.

In 2005, the Canadian government and the Liberal party were affected by the public inquiry into the federal sponsorship program initiated during the tenure of prime minister Jean Chrétien to promote Canada in Quebec. In February 2004, auditor-general Sheila Fraser concluded that approximately $75 million U.S. of the program’s budget was paid to Liberal-friendly advertising firms for little or no work. The inquiry report exonerated former prime minister Paul Martin—who acted as finance minister during Chrétien’s tenure—from "any blame for carelessness or misconduct."

Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January 2006. 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. Harper formed a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.

Martin announced his resignation immediately after the January electoral defeat, and was substituted on an interim basis by former defence minister Bill Graham. The Liberals have formed 23 of Canada’s 39 federal governments since 1867. In December 2006, former environment minister Stéphane Dion became the new leader of the Liberals.

Yesterday, Dion discussed his views on the upcoming televised debates—in French and English—which are scheduled to take place on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, saying, "Up to now they have seen on their TV a Stéphane Dion that does not exist. The one that Mr. Harper wants to describe to us. (...) I will have the opportunity to be in the living rooms of Canadians. They will see who I am, how much I care, and how I am prepared to be prime minister."

The next federal election in Canada is scheduled for Oct. 14.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
("Agree" Listed)

Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,004 Canadian adults, conducted on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

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