Canadian Political Polls

[Topaz]

Why should this poll surprise anyone when you think about, Harper is supported by the former Reformers and the PC's and so why isn't his numbers higher, he should have a majority government along time ago but he hasn't and probably won't. It will probably take one of the other Tory to get the job done but who? It seems they have more money that supporters and I'm sure that once the Libs have a leader that is from Quebec or well respected, the Libs supporters will back the Liberal party again. Also, if the NDP and the Liberals came togther like Harper HAD to, they would lead the polls.

[Keepitsimple]

It's humourous to just sit back and watch all the whining coming from the anybody-but-Harper crowd. Let's get a coalition.....Harper SHOULD have a majority by now......Iggy is no more a failed leader thatn Harper because they are tied on disapproval rating......change the Electoral System......Harper is a religious fanatic........and on and on ad nauseum.

[myata]

No, Iggy will wait till the country comes to its senses i.e. falls under his intellectual charms. Even if it'll take forever.

Edited May 20, 2010 by myata

[Dave_ON]

It's humourous to just sit back and watch all the whining coming from the anybody-but-Harper crowd. Let's get a coalition.....Harper SHOULD have a majority by now......Iggy is no more a failed leader thatn Harper because they are tied on disapproval rating......change the Electoral System......Harper is a religious fanatic........and on and on ad nauseum.

Surely I'm not the only one left wondering what it is that prevent Mr. Harper from delivering a majority. The sad fact is, there isn't even one in the foreseeable future. Something has got to change but what exactly does in order for us to return to majorities is beyond me at this point. Say what you wish about the other leaders/parties, fact remains, Mr. Harper is in a rut with no way out, the CPC's have stagnated in the polls. All that has kept them going through all this is the utter weakness of the opposition and the lack of a truly conservative alternative.

[Alta4ever]

we agree on that, pushing through tougher pot laws clearly against public opinion to satisfy the evangelical right is a cause for concern...this isn't a man who separates is religious belief from his political beliefs...even among fiscal conservatives of alberta this is seen as stupid...

What is this evangelical right garbage? Are you taking Frank Graves advice? If public opinion is what you say it is on this issue the NDP would be polling higher. To all but a small group legalizing pot is a non issue on the national stage. It simply isn't an issue, that many canadian's really care about.

[Alta4ever]

Surely I'm not the only one left wondering what it is that prevent Mr. Harper from delivering a majority. The sad fact is, there isn't even one in the foreseeable future. Something has got to change but what exactly does in order for us to return to majorities is beyond me at this point. Say what you wish about the other leaders/parties, fact remains, Mr. Harper is in a rut with no way out, the CPC's have stagnated in the polls. All that has kept them going through all this is the utter weakness of the opposition and the lack of a truly conservative alternative.

The Bloc is blocking the conservative majority. The bloc holds many rural ridings that were historically tory ridings.

[capricorn]

It's humourous to just sit back and watch all the whining coming from the anybody-but-Harper crowd. Let's get a coalition.....Harper SHOULD have a majority by now......Iggy is no more a failed leader thatn Harper because they are tied on disapproval rating......change the Electoral System......Harper is a religious fanatic........and on and on ad nauseum.

Yes, it can be humourous for those of us who follow politics closely. I'm thinking though that for many Canadians who observe politics from afar, it's becoming tedious to wade through every installment of Liberal fear mongering and magnification of anything that emits a whiff of Conservative scandal. This succinct comment I read in a John Ivison article makes the point and is reflective of the mood of many Canadians.

I'm so sick of the Liberal scandal-mongering I could scream.

http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2010/05/20/john-ivison-the-pressure-is-on-ignatieff-to-stop-liberal-freefall.aspx

Declining Liberal fortunes in the polls cannot be blamed solely on Ignatieff's (lack of) popularity. The blame also lies with back room Liberal operatives who orchestrate the overall strategy. Due to his inexperience in politics, Ignatieff compounds the problem by playing along. In the meantime, the country cries out for an effective opposition that not only holds the government to account on substantive issues but who presents an alternative. In large measure, that's why the Liberals are tanking in the polls.

[msdogfood]

The Bloc is blocking the conservative majority. The bloc holds many rural ridings that were historically tory ridings.

The Bloc is blocking the conservative majority.

a hell yes!

Edited May 21, 2010 by msdogfood

[msdogfood]

did you all see today's EKOS poll???

[Alta4ever]

The Bloc is blocking the conservative majority.

a hell no! look at the data!!

I guess the political history of the 80's is lost on you.

[msdogfood]

I guess the political history of the 80's is lost on you.

miss read it sorry!!

[Dave_ON]

Declining Liberal fortunes in the polls cannot be blamed solely on Ignatieff's (lack of) popularity. The blame also lies with back room Liberal operatives who orchestrate the overall strategy. Due to his inexperience in politics, Ignatieff compounds the problem by playing along. In the meantime, the country cries out for an effective opposition that not only holds the government to account on substantive issues but who presents an alternative. In large measure, that's why the Liberals are tanking in the polls.

Yet in spite of this fact that the Liberals have never been weaker, the NDP more irrelevant the CPC still can't get within spitting distance of a majority. Yes Quebec gaffe's have held him up but truly, he's not exactly stunning English Canada with his whimsical charisma either. It's a perfect storm for a CPC majority, and time is ticking for Mr. Harper to avail himself of it. Ignatieff likely won't last beyond the next election, there's not a majority in site for the CPC. If they can manage to make inroads in Urban Ontario, we may very well see a CPC majority in spite of Quebec. All it would take is some solid, policies that aren't dripping with western interests. Mr. Harper needs to ask himself WWJD? (What Would Jean Do).

For whatever reason it hasn't really dawned on them that the best you can hope with just the west backing you is a minority. You can't ignore both Ontario and Quebec and pull off a majority. Quebec is a lost cause until Mr. Harper leaves, Ontario is their only hope.

[Molly]

The Bloc is blocking the conservative majority. The bloc holds many rural ridings that were historically tory ridings.

Whoa! The CPC =/= PC. Lots of one-time tories wouldn't vote CPC on a bet or a dare. 'Historically tory' just plain doesn't mean 'historically this kind of Conservative'.

[wyly]

Whoa! The CPC =/= PC. Lots of one-time tories wouldn't vote CPC on a bet or a dare. 'Historically tory' just plain doesn't mean 'historically this kind of Conservative'.

correct Molly if PC equaled CPC Harper would have had his majority...but it's obvious many PC's have either parked their vote or are voting liberal/NDP/Bloc...what the CPC has are the old Social Credit and Reform and extreme right PC's and many of those PC's only because they have no where else to go..

[Alta4ever]

Whoa! The CPC =/= PC. Lots of one-time tories wouldn't vote CPC on a bet or a dare. 'Historically tory' just plain doesn't mean 'historically this kind of Conservative'.

So you really think that most QB ridings would go liberal if the bloc didn't exist? Even the rural ones. While its not the same conservative party many many rural qb ridings would end up tory, Since the reality in QB is that most vote regional party first. You would be naive to think that with the bloc the conservatives wouldn't pick at least a dozen ridings, which if i'm not mistaken unlike you whyly that would put the conservatives in a majority government.

[Smallc]

So you really think that most QB ridings would go liberal if the bloc didn't exist?

Trudeau got 74 out of 75.

[Keepitsimple]

So you really think that most QB ridings would go liberal if the bloc didn't exist? Even the rural ones. While its not the same conservative party many many rural qb ridings would end up tory, Since the reality in QB is that most vote regional party first. You would be naive to think that with the bloc the conservatives wouldn't pick at least a dozen ridings, which if i'm not mistaken unlike you whyly that would put the conservatives in a majority government.

Funny thing about Quebec. Rural Quebec is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic - and they actually go to church once in a while. That puts them more in the Conservative camp than the Liberals. I don't claim to know why that isn't the case in reality.....but I believe there is potential for growth. Having said that, there is something to be said in terms of Quebec voting for a "home boy" like Trudeau, Chretien or Mulroney.

[Smallc]

Funny thing about Quebec. Rural Quebec is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic - and they actually go to church once in a while.

Actually, I believe that Quebecers have some of the lowest church attendance rates in North America.

[Keepitsimple]

Actually, I believe that Quebecers have some of the lowest church attendance rates in North America.

Maybe in Greater Montreal and Quebec City - but go to any of the smaller rural towns and there's a big RC Church in the center of town.....and they're still pretty full on Sunday.

[Smallc]

Maybe in Greater Montreal and Quebec City - but go to any of the smaller rural towns and there's a big RC Church in the center of town.....and they're still pretty full on Sunday.

Look it up. Church attendance throughout Quebec is pretty much dropping by the minute.

[Dave_ON]

Funny thing about Quebec. Rural Quebec is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic - and they actually go to church once in a while. That puts them more in the Conservative camp than the Liberals. I don't claim to know why that isn't the case in reality.....but I believe there is potential for growth. Having said that, there is something to be said in terms of Quebec voting for a "home boy" like Trudeau, Chretien or Mulroney.

You've really just answered your own question. Why would a devout RC vote for a party who's leader is a protestant? If religious reasons are the motivation they're going to vote for an RC regardless of party lines over a protestant. How many protestant PM's can you think of since Truedeau have there been with any significant number of seats in Quebec? For that matter how many Anglo PM's have had any amount of backing in Quebec?

Edited May 22, 2010 by Dave_ON

[Molly]

Having said that, there is something to be said in terms of Quebec voting for a "home boy" like Trudeau, Chretien or Mulroney.

...or Dion...

[Keepitsimple]

...or Dion...

It's amazing how quickly that guy has vanished from my thoughts.

[punked]

...or Dion...

How about Layton?

[waldo]

How about Layton?

what about Layton?