Canadian Political Polls

[jbg]

Harper's only saving grace is that Dion's no Chretien or Trudeau that can rally support like they could.

Cretch only did since he faced a splintered opposition. Trudeau is the sole exception.

[jdobbin]

Latest Ipsos Reid poll.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/s...d0-dc849fc2f285

The poll said support for the Conservatives was up one point to 36 per cent since the last survey three weeks ago. Support for the Liberals dropped three points to 29 per cent, while the NDP's standing was unchanged at 14 per cent and the Green party's stood at 11 per cent, up two points.

In Quebec, the Bloc maintained the lead at 31 per cent. The Liberals were ahead of the Conservatives by a margin of 26 per cent to 18 per cent, while the NDP and Green party were well back at 12 per cent each.

In Ontario, the split was 39 per cent for the Tories, compared with 33 per cent for the Liberals. The NDP and Green party lag significantly at 15 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.

Tories up 1 point from the last poll. Liberals are below the Tories in Ontario and above them in Quebec.

However, CROP's poll which uses a larger sample has them fourth in Quebec.

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sto...37-30c8a9c3107e

The federal Liberals have slipped to a shaky fourth place in Quebec, a new poll indicates.

A CROP survey in La Presse showed the Liberals trailing the Bloc Quebecois, the Conservatives and now even the NDP.

[jdobbin]

Latest poll from the Ekos.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...f8-b188f12ecf9d

Less than one-third of Canadians believe the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper is "open and honest," suggests the findings of a newly released internal poll that offers an extensive report card on the government's performance.

That is an improvement from the last poll.

Other figures are not so good.

Nevertheless, the poll results contain some disturbing findings for the Harper government, including a relative lack of interest in the Afghanistan mission, poor marks for the government's efforts to combat climate change, and a surprising lack of awareness in the government's tax cuts.

[jdobbin]

Latest poll from Decima.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080609/...s_liberals_poll

The Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey compared attitudes toward the Tories and Liberals in a head-to-head, two-party format. The telephone poll of just over 1,000 Canadians found that 44 per cent of respondents said they'd prefer a Liberal government after the next election, compared with 37 per cent who preferred the Conservatives.

The trend held true in every region except the three Prairie provinces, where more respondents favoured a Tory outcome.

Harris-Decima's weekly voting intention numbers had the Conservatives at 32 per cent nationally, the Liberals at 31, with New Democrats at 15, the Greens at 12 and the Bloc Quebecois at six per cent.

Still looks to close for anyone to go to the polls now.

[capricorn]

Latest poll from Decima.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080609/...s_liberals_poll

Still looks to close for anyone to go to the polls now.

Some Liberal insiders disagree with you and want an election now.

The way things are going these numbers will hold until the next election, whenever that is.

[eyeball]

"People are not seeing a crisis of governance right now so they don't see any imminent need or benefit that would be served by having an election."

I think Canadians recognize there's a crisis of governance alright, its just that they can't imagine how an election would change that.

[jdobbin]

Some Liberal insiders disagree with you and want an election now.

The way things are going these numbers will hold until the next election, whenever that is.

If the economy continues to be a problem, a later election could hurt the Tories more.

The Tories will continue to say that Dion is weak for not bringing them down and it does hurt him in that regard. The problem is the hyperpartisan approach is not helping Harper at all.

[capricorn]

I think Canadians recognize there's a crisis of governance alright, its just that they can't imagine how an election would change that.

You, I and other posters here may conclude there is a crisis on the Hill, but do you really think average Canadians are that engaged in federal politics right now? IMO, they are not. They will be even less interested once the House rises next week. I sense there will be more action in the fall.

[capricorn]

If the economy continues to be a problem, a later election could hurt the Tories more.

This is mere speculation. I could speculate that Dion's carbon tax proposal would be detrimental to the Liberals. We just don't know, do we.

The Tories will continue to say that Dion is weak for not bringing them down and it does hurt him in that regard. The problem is the hyperpartisan approach is not helping Harper at all.

The Conservatives are doing what any government would do to stay in power. It just so happens they are right on this count. Dion is not a leader, has difficulty communicating in English and his actions are wimpish. At this point, he is a vulnerable target.

[jdobbin]

This is mere speculation. I could speculate that Dion's carbon tax proposal would be detrimental to the Liberals. We just don't know, do we.

Or Harper's policy of going after polluters which will raise fuel taxes 40 cents a litre.

The Conservatives are doing what any government would do to stay in power. It just so happens they are right on this count. Dion is not a leader, has difficulty communicating in English and his actions are wimpish. At this point, he is a vulnerable target.

And Harper is a control freak and bully who only listens to his own counsel which makes makes him unlikeable and equally vulnerable if he doesn't turn in a majority in the next election.

[capricorn]

Or Harper's policy of going after polluters which will raise fuel taxes 40 cents a litre.

And Harper is a control freak and bully who only listens to his own counsel which makes makes him unlikeable and equally vulnerable if he doesn't turn in a majority in the next election.

Is your response not the equivalent of "but the Liberals" that has been trotted out by anti-Conservative posters in the last couple of weeks? Sure looks like "but the Conservatives"....(no, make that "but the Tories" in opposition lingo) to me.

As for Harper if he doesn't gain a majority, his survival depends very much on who challenges his leadership. As a Conservative supporter, at this point I don't see anyone I would prefer at the top. Yet, as they say, in politics a week can be a lifetime. A lot can change in a week. Bernier could attest to that.

[jdobbin]

Is your response not the equivalent of "but the Liberals" that has been trotted out by anti-Conservative posters in the last couple of weeks? Sure looks like "but the Conservatives"....(no, make that "but the Tories" in opposition lingo) to me.

There is no but. I am saying that there is a price to be paid if carbon emissions are to be reduced. The Globe and Mail did a full story on all the options and the Tory one meant an expected increase of 40 cents a litre. The Liberal plan was to spread the expense on areas other than fuel tax and to reduce income taxes.

As for Harper if he doesn't gain a majority, his survival depends very much on who challenges his leadership. As a Conservative supporter, at this point I don't see anyone I would prefer at the top. Yet, as they say, in politics a week can be a lifetime. A lot can change in a week. Bernier could attest to that.

Given that Harper was facing challenges five months prior to the last election with no contender in sight, it is hard not to see how he would not face a challenge in another repeat of a minority. He certainly is not likely to see the Liberals even weaker.

[capricorn]

The Liberal plan was to spread the expense on areas other than fuel tax and to reduce income taxes.

Do you mean "the plan is" rather than "the plan was". Actually, the plan has not been entirely divulged has it. Spreading the expense is exactly what may scare Canadians if Dion doesn't articulate his plan comprehensively. You know the old saying "better the devil you know".

You refer to carbon tax and lower income tax in the same sentence. Are you implying that the carbon tax plan would result in reduced income taxes?

Given that Harper was facing challenges five months prior to the last election with no contender in sight, it is hard not to see how he would not face a challenge in another repeat of a minority.

You've lost me here. He faced challenges with no contenders? Sorry but I don't get your drift.

[jdobbin]

Do you mean "the plan is" rather than "the plan was". Actually, the plan has not been entirely divulged has it. Spreading the expense is exactly what may scare Canadians if Dion doesn't articulate his plan comprehensively. You know the old saying "better the devil you know".

I'm talking about what the C.D. Howe plan was. The Liberals still have not rolled out their plan as policy aside from the fact there is no increase in fuel tax.

The Tory plan which is going ahead as policy will increase gas by about 40 cents a litre. That is what the experts say.

You refer to carbon tax and lower income tax in the same sentence. Are you implying that the carbon tax plan would result in reduced income taxes?

Never said that. I have said that the Liberals have mentioned that if they do go ahead with the policy that it is accompanied by an 8% or so decline in income taxes.

You've lost me here. He faced challenges with no contenders? Sorry but I don't get your drift.

The movement to dump Harper five months before the last election was simply a movement to dump Harper. I suspect if he doesn't get a majority, he will face that sort of campaign even if no one steps up as potential replacement.

Edited June 10, 2008 by jdobbin

[Fortunata]

The Conservatives are doing what any government would do to stay in power.

No, you're wrong. No other sitting government that I can remember put out attack ads when it wasn't election time. No other sitting government sues at the drop of a hat to keep from having to answer questions in the house. No other sitting government answers every question with a ..... but the Liberals answer. No other sitting government has put out a booklet on how to disrupt parliament. No other leader that I have heard has chided his members when they fail to knock down the Liberals in Question Period. No other leader that I have heard of wants to completely decimate another party. This is a mean bully government led by a leader? you say? I call him a pit bull clown. He has brought our politics to new lows never imagined by the populace. And what's scary is that some people (of the same ilk I would say) cheer him on and think it's good.

[jbg]

And Harper is a control freak and bully who only listens to his own counsel which makes makes him unlikeable and equally vulnerable if he doesn't turn in a majority in the next election.

Quite a balanced, rational point of view.

[capricorn]

The movement to dump Harper five months before the last election was simply a movement to dump Harper. I suspect if he doesn't get a majority, he will face that sort of campaign even if no one steps up a potential replacement.

Well if Harper faces a leadership review, his potential replacement remains a mystery. Contrast this with Dion having Iggy and Rae vying for his job and Dion hasn't even been elected PM yet. In this respect, there's nothing dull about the Liberal party.

[jdobbin]

Well if Harper faces a leadership review, his potential replacement remains a mystery. Contrast this with Dion having Iggy and Rae vying for his job and Dion hasn't even been elected PM yet. In this respect, there's nothing dull about the Liberal party.

Just goes to show that there are potential leaders in the future Liberal party make-up.

[capricorn]

Quite a balanced, rational point of view.

Control freak and bully are nouveaux Liberal talking points which have replaced "scary' and 'hidden agenda' that have exhausted their usefulness. These new terms should take us through the next election.

[jbg]

Just goes to show that there are potential leaders in the future Liberal party make-up.

Yes, Iggy who's spent more time in the Excited States than in Canada lately, and Bob Rae Days?

[Fortunata]

Control freak and bully are nouveaux Liberal talking points which have replaced "scary' and 'hidden agenda' that have exhausted their usefulness. These new terms should take us through the next election.

No, they are not Liberal talking points at all. The press has noticed. Nonpartisan Canadians have noticed. I think you just wish these attributes were talking points when in reality, they are reality.

[capricorn]

Just goes to show that there are potential leaders in the future Liberal party make-up.

I take solace in the fact that these potential leaders will not ascend to power for some time to come. Dion is hanging on and for this I thank him profusely.

[jdobbin]

Control freak and bully are nouveaux Liberal talking points which have replaced "scary' and 'hidden agenda' that have exhausted their usefulness. These new terms should take us through the next election.

Yes. And it works because it is plainly demonstrated in how Harper behaves.

There is nothing hidden in Harper's agenda. It just doesn't get mentioned anymore so that they can't say they flip flopped when they try to fritter away at issues of interest to the social conservatives.

[jdobbin]

I take solace in the fact that these potential leaders will not ascend to power for some time to come. Dion is hanging on and for this I thank him profusely.

Just as Liberals thank Harper profusely for staying on since his style of government keeps them out of majority territory. The Liberals won't stay weak forever. It must be why Harper's government seems so unhappy all the time.

[jbg]

Yes. And it works because it is plainly demonstrated in how Harper behaves.

There is nothing hidden in Harper's agenda. It just doesn't get mentioned anymore so that they can't say they flip flopped when they try to fritter away at issues of interest to the social conservatives.

Yes. You're touchingly eager for Harper to commit political hari-kari.