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Satisfaction with Martin Falls to 35% in Canada
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Fewer Canadians express positive views on their prime minister, according to a poll by Leger Marketing. 35 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the Liberal government led by Paul Martin, down five points since September.
Martin took over as Canada's prime minister in December 2003. In the June 2004 election, his Liberal party secured a minority government with 135 seats in the House of Commons. Last year, Martin called a public inquiry into the federal sponsorship program—initiated during the tenure of prime minister Jean Chrétien to promote Canada in Quebec—after 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.
Justice John Gomery was put in charge of the investigation, and released the first instalment of his findings on Nov. 1. The report blames Chrétien and his chief of staff Jean Pelletier for arrogating "the direction of a virtually secret program of discretionary spending to selected beneficiaries." Gomery said Martin—who acted as finance minister during Chrétien's tenure—is "exonerated from any blame for carelessness or misconduct."
Gomery's final report is expected in February 2006. Martin has vowed to hold a federal election "within 30 days of the publication of the commission's final report and recommendations."
Yesterday in Montreal, Martin criticized the position of Conservative leader Stephen Harper on the proposed electoral timetable.
Polling Data
Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the Liberal government led by prime minister Paul Martin?
Nov. 2005 | Sept. 2005 | |
Very satisfied | 4% | 5% |
Somewhat satisfied | 31% | 35% |
Somewhat dissatisfied | 30% | 27% |
Very dissatisfied | 28% | 26% |
Don't know / Refusal | 4% | 7% |
Source: Leger Marketing
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,500 adult Canadians, conducted from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8, 2005. Margin of error is 2.6 per cent.