(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Less than a third of Canadians are content with the performance of Stephen Harper, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 31 per cent of respondents approve of the way their prime minister has handled his duties, and 25 per cent say their opinion of Harper has worsened over the past month.

Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January 2006. The Conservative party—led by 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. 45 per cent of respondents think Canada is on the right track, up seven points since July.

In December 2006, former environment minister Stéphane Dion became the new leader of the Liberals. Only 14 per cent of respondents approve of Dion’s performance, and 16 per cent of respondents say their opinion of the Liberal leader has worsened over the past four weeks.

When asked which of the two main federal leaders would make the best prime minister, 41 per cent of respondents pick neither, 32 per cent select Harper, and 12 per cent choose Dion.

Yesterday, Harper launched the Canadian Mental Health Commission. The prime minister explained his rationale, saying, "It’s estimated that one in five Canadians will develop some sort of mental illness in his or her lifetime. Nearly one million are plagued with a severe or persistent disorder. It is now the fastest growing category of disability insurance in Canada."

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of Stephen Harper’s performance as prime minister?

Do you approve or disapprove of Stéphane Dion’s performance as leader of the opposition?

Which of these two leaders would make the best prime minister of Canada?

Over the course of the past month, would you say your opinion of Stephen Harper has improved, stayed the same or worsened?

Over the course of the past month, would you say your opinion of Stéphane Dion has improved, stayed the same or worsened?

Overall, do you think Canada is headed in the right track, or the wrong track?

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