(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many Canadian adults believe two situations are likely to happen if the Conservative party forms a majority government after this month’s federal election, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies released by the Toronto Star. 64 per cent of respondents think the role of private health care providers would be expanded, and 64 per cent say that funding for programs related to the arts and film will be reduced.

In addition, 47 per cent of respondents expect taxes to be kept low across the entire country, 42 per cent foresee a balanced budget for the entire legislative term, and 41 per cent expect the Tories to implement a process to allow Canadians to elect their senators.

Less than two-in-five believe a Conservative majority would subdue the threat of separatism in Quebec, recriminalize abortion, or repeal the legislation that allows same-sex couples to marry.

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

Yesterday, Harper discussed the current state of the campaign, saying, "We’re not talking about a majority. Either we win a mandate or [the Liberals] win a mandate and that will make all the difference whether this country gets through this period or dives into a recession."

The next federal election in Canada is scheduled for Oct. 14.

Polling Data

Suppose for a moment that the Conservative Party forms a majority government after the next federal election. How likely do you think each of the following situations is to happen under a Conservative majority government?
("Very likely" and "Moderately likely" listed)

Source: Angus Reid Strategies / Toronto Star
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,000 Canadian adults, conducted from Oct. 8 to Oct. 10, 2008. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.

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