May 28, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) May 28, 2004 - Many Canadians think their current head of government is the most capable man for the country's top political job, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 47 per cent of respondents believe Paul Martin would make the best prime minister.

(CPOD) May 28, 2004 - Many Canadians think their current head of government is the most capable man for the country's top political job, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 47 per cent of respondents believe Paul Martin would make the best prime minister.

Canadian voters will renew the House of Commons on Jun. 28. The Liberal party achieved three straight majority governments under Jean Chrétien in 1993, 1997 and 2000. Martin leads the ruling political organization into a general election for the first time.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper is second with 23 per cent, followed by Jack Layton of the New Democratic Party with 13 per cent, Giles Duceppe of the separatist Bloc Québécois with seven per cent and Jim Harris of the Green Party with one per cent.

Martin has promised to invest $6.6 billion U.S. to improve Canada's health care system. Harper has vowed to implement a series of tax cuts, while Layton suggested repealing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from some essential products.

Polling Data

Which of the major federal party leaders do you think will make the best prime minister of Canada?

Paul Martin (Lib.)	47%
Stephen Harper (Con.)	23%
Jack Layton (NDP)	13%
Giles Duceppe (BQ)	7%
Jim Harris (GPC)	1%

Source: Ipsos-Reid / CTV / The Globe and Mail
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 2,000 Canadian adults, conducted from May 11 to May 17, 2004. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.