(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Canada appear disappointment with the traits of their current federal administration, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 51 per cent of respondents believe the government headed by Stephen Harper is arrogant, and 50 per cent deem it secretive.

In addition, 44 per cent of respondents believe the current administration is out of touch with Canadians, and 35 per cent regard it as uncaring.

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 leads a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.

Liberal leader Jean Chrétien acted as Canada’s prime minister from November 1993 to December 2003, winning three majority mandates. 51 per cent of respondents deem Chrétien’s administration as arrogant, 45 per cent call it dishonest, 37 per cent say it was out of touch with Canadians, and 36 per cent regard it as secretive.

Paul Martin took over as prime minister from Chrétien in December 2003, and formed a minority administration after the June 2004 federal election, where the Liberals received 36.7 per cent of the vote, and secured 135 seats in the House of Commons. 50 per cent of respondents believe Martin’s government was ineffective, 43 per cent think it was out of touch with Canadians, 40 per cent consider it was arrogant, and 37 per cent claim it was dishonest.

In 2005, the Canadian government and the Liberal party were affected by the public inquiry into the federal sponsorship program initiated during Chrétien’s tenure 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 Martin—who acted as finance minister during Chrétien’s tenure—from "any blame for carelessness or misconduct."

Earlier this year, Ronald Lamothe—the assistant chief investigator in the office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections—alleged in an affidavit that the Conservatives contravened federal election laws by funnelling money in and out of the campaigns of local Tory candidates. According to Lamothe, the manoeuvre allowed the Conservatives to spend $1.1 million above their legal limit in media advertising during the 2006 federal election.

Polling Data

Here are some words people may use to describe a government. Please select up to six words you think describe the federal government headed by:

a) Stephen Harper since February 2006.
b) Paul Martin from December 2003 to February 2006
c) Jean Chrétien from November 1993 to December 2003

Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,001 Canadian adults, conducted on May 9 and May 10, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

Other poll highlights:

Satisfaction with the federal government’s performance: Maintaining security and public order 54%, Handling the national economy 46%, Ensuring equality of opportunity 38%, Informing Canadians about its policies and plans 34%
34% believe the Canadian media is biased against the Conservatives
27% believe the federal government is entitled to control media access to specific briefings

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