(CPOD) Nov. 13, 2004 - Voters in Canada appear to be slightly divided on how opposition parties should deal with the minority government led by Paul Martin, according to a poll by EKOS Research published in the Toronto Star. 56 per cent of respondents say the parties should cooperate with the prime minister and avoid another election, while 40 per cent want the opposition to stick to their principles, even if it means risking a new federal ballot.

Martin took over as Canada's prime minister on Dec. 12, 2003. In the Jun. 28 federal election, his party secured a minority government with 135 seats in the House of Commons.

Earlier this month, Conservative leader Stephen Harper criticized the government for the "chilly relationship" both Martin and predecessor Jean Chrétien have had with the United States government, saying, "I think Mr. Martin is rapidly throwing away an opportunity to establish the kind of relationship necessary to drive (trade disputes) through to a conclusion."

Yesterday, Bloc Québécois leader Giles Duceppe proposed creating an independent body to forecast the federal budget surplus, saying the "fiscal imbalance" between the federal and provincial governments could hamper the development of both Quebec and Canada.

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Some people say that they would be angry if this parliament failed and led us into another national election in the near future. What about you? Would you say that...

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