September 29, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - A majority of adults in Canada believe their federal administration should avoid spending more than it takes in, according to a poll by Innovative Research Group for the Dominion Institute and National Post. 53 per cent of respondents believe the federal government should continue to run a balanced budget, even if it means delaying spending on key social priorities.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - A majority of adults in Canada believe their federal administration should avoid spending more than it takes in, according to a poll by Innovative Research Group for the Dominion Institute and National Post. 53 per cent of respondents believe the federal government should continue to run a balanced budget, even if it means delaying spending on key social priorities.

Liberal leader Paul 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. Martin had served as finance minister during the administration of Jean Chrétien. 79 per cent of respondents believe Canada currently has a pressing social deficit.

In February, finance minister Ralph Goodale delivered the first budget of Martin's administration. The document allocates $10.5 billion U.S. for the military, $6.1 billion U.S. for various cities, and a further $6.1 billion U.S. to establish a national child-care program.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper criticized the inclusion of funds for the "fatally flawed" Kyoto protocol on climate change, adding, "The government will avoid defeat in this chamber, but it will not escape criticism."

A sitting administration can only be toppled when it loses a vote that deals with confidence or finances. Last May, the House of Commons accepted a $3.6 billion U.S. amendment to the federal budget—reached after a deal between Martin and New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jack Layton—that cancels corporate tax relief and increases social spending. The motion passed after speaker Peter Milliken broke a 152-152 tie by supporting the government.

Polling Data

Which of these statements do you agree with most?

The federal government should continue to run a balanced budget, even if it means we have to delay spending on key social priorities	53%
The federal government should increase spending to address the social deficit, even if it means running a budget deficit	40%
Not sure	7%

Do you agree or disagree? - "We have a pressing social deficit in Canada."

Agree	79%
Disagree	16%
Not sure	5%

Source: Innovative Research Group / The Dominion Institute / National Post
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 815 adult Canadians, conducted from Sept. 22 to Sept. 24, 2005. Margin of error is 3.4 per cent.