March 29, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Mar. 29, 2004 - The Liberal Party continues to be the top political organization in Canada, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 38 per cent of respondents would support the Liberals in the next federal election.

(CPOD) Mar. 29, 2004 - The Liberal Party continues to be the top political organization in Canada, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 38 per cent of respondents would support the Liberals in the next federal election.

The Conservative Party is second with 27 per cent. On Mar. 20, the political organization chose Stephen Harper as its national leader. Harper had commanded the Canadian Alliance, which merged with the Progressive Conservatives to create the new party last year.

Liberal leader Paul Martin took over as Canada's prime minister on Dec. 12, 2003. Support for the ruling party had been affected after a controversy over the federal sponsorship program, initiated under former prime minister Jean Chrétien. Although Martin does not have to hold a federal vote until November 2005, there is growing speculation about an election call this spring.

The New Democratic Party is third with 15 per cent, followed by the Bloc Québécois and the Green Party.

Polling Data

What party would you vote for in the next federal election?

	Late Mar. 2003	Early Mar. 2003
Liberal	38%	38%
Conservative	27%	26%
New Democratic Party	15%	17%
Bloc Québécois	10%	12%
Green	5%	4%

Source: Ipsos-Reid / CTV / The Globe and Mail
Methodology: Interviews to 1,000 adult Canadians, conducted from Mar. 23 to Mar. 26, 2004. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.