(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada are dissatisfied with the performance of their prime minister, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by CanWest Global. 55 per cent of respondents say their opinion of Paul Martin has worsened over the last few weeks.

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. 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. On Apr. 21 in an uncommon televised address, Martin argued for the completion of the inquiry, saying, "Let the facts come out and then the people of Canada will have their say."

Almost 30 per cent of respondents say their views on Conservative party leader Stephen Harper and New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton have recently improved, while 34 per cent of respondents in Quebec feel the same way about Bloc Québécois leader Giles Duceppe.

A sitting administration can only be toppled when it loses a vote that deals with confidence or finances. Earlier this week, Martin and Layton reached an agreement in principle to enact changes to the federal budget. Yesterday, Harper criticized the deal, saying, "I will be asking our caucus to put this government out of its misery at the earliest possible opportunity."

Polling Data

Has your opinion of the following parties and their leaders improved, stayed the same, or worsened over the last few weeks?

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