(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many Canadians believe Liberal leader Paul Martin is qualified to tackle three key issues, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. More than 40 per cent of respondents say the current prime minister would handle the economy, foreign issues and social programs better than Conservative leader Stephen Harper.

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 is the preferred choice for prime minister for 42 per cent of respondents, while 34 per cent would choose Harper. The Liberal leader holds a four per cent edge over the Tory politician in sharing the values of the average Canadian.

Harper became the first leader of the new Conservative party in March 2004. The political organization elected 99 lawmakers to the House of Commons in last year's election. At least 40 per cent of respondents say they trust the current opposition leader more, and believe he can clean up corruption in Ottawa.

The government and the Liberal party have been 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.

Martin called a public inquiry into the sponsorship program last year. Justice John Gomery was put in charge of the investigation, which is expected to conclude in December 2005. Earlier this month, the testimony of Groupaction Marketing president Jean Brault was released to the public. Brault—who faces fraud and conspiracy charges—claims to have paid close to $1 million U.S. to Liberal fundraisers in Quebec, in order to secure advertising contracts with the federal government.

Polling Data

Canadians were asked a series of comparative questions related to the qualities of Paul Martin and Stephen Harper.

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