(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Liberal party has extended its advantage in Canada, according to a poll by Pollara Inc. 38 per cent of respondents would vote for the Liberals in the next federal election.

The Conservative party is second with 27 per cent, followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 15 per cent and the Bloc Québécois with 13 per cent. Support for the Grits increased by two per cent since June, while backing for the Tories dropped by the same margin.

Liberal leader Paul Martin took over as Canada's prime minister in December 2003. In the June 2004 election, the Liberals secured a minority government with 135 seats in the House of Commons. Last year, Martin called a public inquiry into the federal sponsorship program—initiated during the tenure of prime minister Jean Chrétien to promote Canada in Quebec—after auditor-general Sheila Fraser concluded that approximately $75 million U.S. of the program's budget was paid to Liberal-friendly advertising firms for little or no work.

Justice John Gomery was put in charge of the investigation, which is expected to conclude in December 2005. Martin has vowed to hold a federal election "within 30 days of the publication of the commission's final report and recommendations."

On Jun. 28, the House of Commons passed a bill that legalizes same-sex marriage in the entire country after a 158-133 vote. Most Liberal, Bloc and NDP members supported the legislation. Yesterday, the bill became law after a 47-21 Senate vote. The legislation covers civil ceremonies, and states that no members of the clergy would be forced to perform a same-sex wedding unless they so desire. Canada joins the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain as the only countries to allow gay and lesbian couples to get married.

On Jul. 18, Conservative leader Stephen Harper announced that he plans to introduce the Office of the Commissioner of National Security, in the event his party forms the next federal administration. Harper said a Tory government would "do significantly more to contribute to Canada's national security, to continental security in alliance with the United States and to global security in concert with all free nations."

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If a Canadian federal election were held today, which party would you vote for?

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