Credit:UN/DPI Photo by Eskinder Debebe

Paul Martin

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada welcome their prime minister's pledge to hold a federal ballot after the final report on the sponsorship scandal has been published, according to a poll by The Strategic Counsel released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 61 per cent of respondents believe Paul Martin's offer is reasonable.

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, which is expected to conclude in December 2005. On Apr. 21 in an uncommon televised address, Martin vowed to hold a federal election "within 30 days of the publication of the commission's final report and recommendations."

On Apr. 29, Conservative leader Stephen Harper said Canadians would eventually get a chance to voice their opinion on the current government, declaring, "I think people understand what they bought last time. They bought a government that is a lot more corrupt than they were led to believe."

Polling Data

Would you say Paul Martin's offer to call an election within 30 days of receiving the sponsorship inquiry report is reasonable or unreasonable?

Archive Search

Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.