March 06, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada have positive feelings about the federal government's spending plan, according to a poll by Decima Research. 47 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the budget.

(Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada have positive feelings about the federal government's spending plan, according to a poll by Decima Research. 47 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the budget.

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. The document allocates $10.5 billion U.S. for the military, $6.1 billion U.S. for various cities, and a further $6.1 billion U.S. to establish a national child-care program.

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

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the budget?

Satisfied	47%
Dissatisfied	33%

Source: Decima Research
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,022 Canadian adults, conducted from Feb. 24 to Feb. 27, 2005. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.