March 01, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - The governing Liberal party remains the most popular political organization in Canada, according to a poll by Compas Inc. published in the National Post. 38 per cent of respondents would vote for the Liberals in the next general election, a four per cent drop since early February.

(Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - The governing Liberal party remains the most popular political organization in Canada, according to a poll by Compas Inc. published in the National Post. 38 per cent of respondents would vote for the Liberals in the next general election, a four per cent drop since early February.

The Conservative party is in second place with 29 per cent, followed by the New Democratic Party with 18 per cent and the Bloc Québécois with 12 per cent. Three per cent of respondents would vote for other parties.

Liberal leader Paul Martin took over as Canada's prime minister in December 2003. In the June 2004 election, his Liberal party secured a minority government with 135 seats in the House of Commons.

On Feb. 23, finance minister Ralph Goodale delivered the first budget of the minority administration. Conservative leader Stephen Harper criticized the inclusion of funds for the "fatally flawed" Kyoto protocol on climate change, adding, "The government will avoid defeat in this chamber, but it will not escape criticism."

A sitting government can only be toppled when it loses a vote that deals with confidence or finances.

Polling Data

Could you please tell me who you would you vote for if an election were held today?

	Feb. 26	Feb. 1
Liberal	38%	42%
Conservative	29%	28%
New Democratic Party	18%	18%
Bloc Québécois	12%	10%
Other	3%	2%

Source: Compas Inc. / National Post
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 508 adult Canadians, conducted on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26, 2005. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.