April 29, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Apr. 29, 2004 - Paul Martin remains the top choice for voters in Canada, according to a poll by Environics. 41 per cent of respondents say the Liberal leader and current prime minister is the best man for the country's top political job.

(CPOD) Apr. 29, 2004 - Paul Martin remains the top choice for voters in Canada, according to a poll by Environics. 41 per cent of respondents say the Liberal leader and current prime minister is the best man for the country's top political job.

Backing for Martin dropped by 19 per cent since December 2003. Stephen Harper-who was chosen to lead the Conservative Party on Mar. 20-garners the support of 19 per cent of respondents, followed by Jack Layton of the New Democratic Party and Giles Duceppe of the Bloc Québécois.

Martin took over as prime minister on Dec. 12, 2003. Support for the ruling party has 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 later this year.

Former Conservative prime minister Joe Clark caused a controversy last weekend, by commenting that in a contest pitting Martin and Harper, the Liberal politician would be "the lesser of two evils."

Polling Data

In your opinion, which of the following party leaders would make the best prime minister of Canada?

	Apr. 2004	Dec. 2003
Paul Martin (Lib.)	41%	60%
Stephen Harper (Con.)	19%	7%
Jack Layton (NDP)	10%	5%
Giles Duceppe (BQ)	5%	3%

Source: Environics
Methodology: Interviews to 1,940 eligible Canadian voters, conducted from Mar. 29 to Apr. 18, 2004. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.