Canadian Political Polls

[jdobbin]

Latest Angus Reid poll on who would be best prime minister.

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/...em/itemID/15896

41 per cent of respondents think neither Stephen Harper nor Stéphane Dion would make a good prime minister, up nine points since late March.

Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January 2006. The Conservative party—led by Harper—received 36.3 per cent of the vote, and secured 124 seats in the 308-member lower house. Harper leads a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party. The approval rating for Harper stands at 33 per cent, down seven points in two months. In addition, 32 per cent of respondents say their opinion of the prime minister has worsened over the past four weeks.

In December 2006, former environment minister Stéphane Dion became the new leader of the Liberals. Only 18 per cent of respondents approve of Dion’s performance, and 39 per cent are not sure. In addition, 27 per cent of respondents say their opinion of Dion has worsened over the past month.

Take it with the grain of salt I take all Reid online polls.

[jdobbin]

National Post poll on corporate takeovers.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financi...688a6ac&k=81249

With the recent flurry of Canadian companies being sold or up for sale, a poll conducted by Ipsos Reid for CanWest News Service and Global Television found 56% of Canadians believe foreign ownership is a real problem in the country. Conversely, about one in six (16%) said takeovers are not a problem and the country should in fact be trying to attract more foreign investment.

"It is something Canadians are mindful about. There are a lot of icons on the block, such as Ma Bell (BCE) and Alcan. We've been hearing a lot lately about the 'hollowing out' of Canada and there is a general feeling that the government could do better," said Ipsos Reid senior vice-president John Wright.

This could be a large issue in Quebec if they lose the head office of Alcan.

[Vancouver King]

National Post poll on corporate takeovers.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financi...688a6ac&k=81249

With the recent flurry of Canadian companies being sold or up for sale, a poll conducted by Ipsos Reid for CanWest News Service and Global Television found 56% of Canadians believe foreign ownership is a real problem in the country. Conversely, about one in six (16%) said takeovers are not a problem and the country should in fact be trying to attract more foreign investment.

"It is something Canadians are mindful about. There are a lot of icons on the block, such as Ma Bell (BCE) and Alcan. We've been hearing a lot lately about the 'hollowing out' of Canada and there is a general feeling that the government could do better," said Ipsos Reid senior vice-president John Wright.

This could be a large issue in Quebec if they lose the head office of Alcan.

The man in the pocket of big oil is unlikely to intervene as the world snaps up our defining trademarks. Why should only the major chartered banks be shielded from this takeover frenzy?

[Canuck E Stan]

The man in the pocket of big oil is unlikely to intervene as the world snaps up our defining trademarks. Why should only the major chartered banks be shielded from this takeover frenzy?

Frenzy,smenzy.

This "frenzy" is nothing new and has been going on for years.

Where was everybody's concern throughout the last 50 or more years?

e.g. Where is the Canadian car industry? No one's complaining about U.S. or Japanese companies taking over.

Canada is one of the few developed nations that doesn't have it's own national built auto.

Business has no borders.

[speaker]

Canuck E Stan who said that people haven't been concerned for more than the last 50 years, Forest industry, oil and gas, agribusiness, all following the auto industry. My question is if there are no borders to business why is Canada the only country without an auto industry or the other industries important to a nations welfare? I think the reason can be found in our continuing election of liberal and conservative businessmen from whatever party whose main interest is not in governing Canada but in making life as easy for themselves and their business buddies as possible which happens to be by selling us out as quickly as it's convenient.

[runningdog]

Canuck E Stan who said that people haven't been concerned for more than the last 50 years, Forest industry, oil and gas, agribusiness, all following the auto industry. My question is if there are no borders to business why is Canada the only country without an auto industry or the other industries important to a nations welfare? I think the reason can be found in our continuing election of liberal and conservative businessmen from whatever party whose main interest is not in governing Canada but in making life as easy for themselves and their business buddies as possible which happens to be by selling us out as quickly as it's convenient.

yep, this just about hits the nail on the head.

[Canuck E Stan]

Canuck E Stan who said that people haven't been concerned for more than the last 50 years, Forest industry, oil and gas, agribusiness, all following the auto industry. My question is if there are no borders to business why is Canada the only country without an auto industry or the other industries important to a nations welfare? I think the reason can be found in our continuing election of liberal and conservative businessmen from whatever party whose main interest is not in governing Canada but in making life as easy for themselves and their business buddies as possible which happens to be by selling us out as quickly as it's convenient.

Do yourself a favour and learn something about foreign ownership in Canada from this article.

Also this article

NDP leader Jack Layton, in a display of hand-wringing market hysteria, called on the government to hold emergency hearings into the "rash" of foreign takeovers. The NDP leader in particular subscribes to the socialist Three Graces on business: If it's profitable, tax it; if it isn't, subsidize it; either way, nationalize it.

Canadian companies are not passive victims of foreign takeovers. In fact, figures from investment company Crosbie and Co. suggest that Canadian firms are more often predators than prey. Between 2003-2006, foreigners spent $210-billion in Canada--money that often went straight into the pockets of grateful Canadian shareholders.

In that same period, Canadian companies spent $225-billion overseas. Even this year, Canadians have spent $7-billion more abroad than has been spent here.

Canada is a roaring business success story. Canadian companies posted record operating profits of $64-billion in the first three months of the year. Fourteen Canadian companies are in the Fortune 500 list of largest companies -- more than other similarly sized countries.

The way to show the world Canada is open for business is not to shut down its capital markets.

What is the negative to Canadians?

[jdobbin]

Latest Ipsos Reid poll.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/070604/...litics_poll_col

Support for the Conservative government slipped but major opposition parties failed to make gains in a poll released on Monday, with voters showing little appetite for change.

The Conservatives fell three points to 34 percent, while the Liberals were at 31 percent and the New Democratic Party was at 16 percent, both unchanged from a week earlier, according to the poll, done by Ipsos Reid for the CanWest News Service.

Same old, same old again. Back within the margin or error and a statistical tie.

[Vancouver King]

Latest Ipsos Reid poll.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/070604/...litics_poll_col

Support for the Conservative government slipped but major opposition parties failed to make gains in a poll released on Monday, with voters showing little appetite for change.

The Conservatives fell three points to 34 percent, while the Liberals were at 31 percent and the New Democratic Party was at 16 percent, both unchanged from a week earlier, according to the poll, done by Ipsos Reid for the CanWest News Service.

Same old, same old again. Back within the margin or error and a statistical tie.

Agreed, it seems more of the same, that is, Tories slowly trending lower. The Bloc's recently predicted demise seems greatly exaggerated as it was the only party of the main four to increase support. Should be interesting to see if SES's newest numbers confirm this shift in Quebec.

[Michael Bluth]

Agreed, it seems more of the same, that is, Tories slowly trending lower. The Bloc's recently predicted demise seems greatly exaggerated as it was the only party of the main four to increase support. Should be interesting to see if SES's newest numbers confirm this shift in Quebec.

Trend downward?

Statistical tie?

All these selective comments ignore the Liberal's ongoing weakness.

Haven't heard anything about why Dion can't take and hold a lead.

Shouldn't the Liberals be in majority territory now given how badly the Conservative's are governing?

[Who's Doing What?]

Trend downward?

Statistical tie?

All these selective comments ignore the Liberal's ongoing weakness.

Haven't heard anything about why Dion can't take and hold a lead.

Shouldn't the Liberals be in majority territory now given how badly the Conservative's are governing?

And a light breaks through the darkness.....

[Michael Bluth]

And a light breaks through the darkness.....

And the sarcasm is lost on the blind...

[Vancouver King]

Agreed, it seems more of the same, that is, Tories slowly trending lower. The Bloc's recently predicted demise seems greatly exaggerated as it was the only party of the main four to increase support. Should be interesting to see if SES's newest numbers confirm this shift in Quebec.

Trend downward?

Statistical tie?

All these selective comments ignore the Liberal's ongoing weakness.

Haven't heard anything about why Dion can't take and hold a lead.

Shouldn't the Liberals be in majority territory now given how badly the Conservative's are governing?

I can only guess at the agony attendent with rolling that last sentence off your lips.

In the competition for hearts and minds the party led by one barely able to communicate to 80% of the governed nonetheless holds stubbornly to it's 31% share of last election's results. In contrast, the govt, far from building momentum using the advantages of power, finds itself losing on the challenges of Afghanistan and the environment.

Rightly or unfairly, Harper addressing a global warming meeting is perceived a little like a hooker attending a church social. The predictable Canadian value of we are all in this together is trumped by our knowledge that the speaker's first responsibility is towards big oil.

[Michael Bluth]

In the competition for hearts and minds the party led by one barely able to communicate to 80% of the governed nonetheless holds stubbornly to it's 31% share of last election's results. In contrast, the govt, far from building momentum using the advantages of power, finds itself losing on the challenges of Afghanistan and the environment.

Rightly or unfairly, Harper addressing a global warming meeting is perceived a little like a hooker attending a church social. The predictable Canadian value of we are all in this together is trumped by our knowledge that the speaker's first responsibility is towards big oil.

So VK you want to address why the Liberals are where they are?

[Who's Doing What?]

And a light breaks through the darkness.....

And the sarcasm is lost on the blind...

That wasn't sarcasm, it was a moment of enlightenment for yourself. You know it was.

Must have burned your fingers to type such a thing.

[Shakeyhands]

In the competition for hearts and minds the party led by one barely able to communicate to 80% of the governed nonetheless holds stubbornly to it's 31% share of last election's results. In contrast, the govt, far from building momentum using the advantages of power, finds itself losing on the challenges of Afghanistan and the environment.

Rightly or unfairly, Harper addressing a global warming meeting is perceived a little like a hooker attending a church social. The predictable Canadian value of we are all in this together is trumped by our knowledge that the speaker's first responsibility is towards big oil.

So VK you want to address why the Liberals are where they are?

It will be interesting to see what the Liberal platform will be built on, I don't think you'll see the big jumps until then.

[Michael Bluth]

So VK you want to address why the Liberals are where they are?

It will be interesting to see what the Liberal platform will be built on, I don't think you'll see the big jumps until then.

Thanks Shakey.

The Liberals are in a real knot for their platform.

They have put Kennedy in charge of writing it, but there are a lot of differences between what Kennedy campaigned on during the leadership and what Dion has been promising.

[jdobbin]

Agreed, it seems more of the same, that is, Tories slowly trending lower. The Bloc's recently predicted demise seems greatly exaggerated as it was the only party of the main four to increase support. Should be interesting to see if SES's newest numbers confirm this shift in Quebec.

I wonder if the Tory numbers will go down even further when they evict the Tory MP who voted against the budget today.

[jdobbin]

It will be interesting to see what the Liberal platform will be built on, I don't think you'll see the big jumps until then.

There is a debate in the senior ranks of the Liberals about releasing some of the Liberals policy ideas over the summer. Some think it is best to hold off till the election given the Tory adoption of Liberal ideas.

[Michael Bluth]

There is a debate in the senior ranks of the Liberals about releasing some of the Liberals policy ideas over the summer. Some think it is best to hold off till the election given the Tory adoption of Liberal ideas.

Like debt reduction and tax cutting circa 1993 to 2000.

Oh wait, those were Tory ideas.

[BC_chick]

A while back I was using Michael's same argument against him but the reverse - I was wondering why Harper isn't in majority territory if Dion is so bad and Harper's so great.

Let's face it folks, there is no good or bad, there is simply a solid base for each party. Like I keep saying, PC/Alliance merger = bipartisan system..... until one party screws up badly of course.

And don't give me the slight (and I mean SLIGHT) lead, he is after all the sitting prime minister, and with the margin error considered, that's not much to be proud of.

[Michael Bluth]

A while back I was using Michael's same argument against him but the reverse - I was wondering why Harper isn't in majority territory if Dion is so bad and Harper's so great.

Let's face it folks, there is no good or bad, there is simply a solid base for each party. Like I keep saying, PC/Alliance merger = bipartisan system..... until one party screws up badly of course.

And don't give me the slight (and I mean SLIGHT) lead, he is after all the sitting prime minister, and with the margin error considered, that's not much to be proud of.

What do you think the advantage in support for being Prime Minister should be?

Yes, both parties have a solid base.

With things as they are right now it will come down to the actual campaign.

Given what Harper did last time around, do you see Dion overcoming whatever SLIGHT deficit he'll be facing heading into the next election?

[BC_chick]

What do you think the advantage in support for being Prime Minister should be?

Yes, both parties have a solid base.

With things as they are right now it will come down to the actual campaign.

Given what Harper did last time around, do you see Dion overcoming whatever SLIGHT deficit he'll be facing heading into the next election?

Um, being the incumbent is ALWAYS an advantage, you know that Michael, you follow politics.

BTW, it's interesting how I go and say the most bipartisan thing I've ever said on these boards and you still take it as a dig on Harper.

[Michael Bluth]

Um, being the incumbent is ALWAYS an advantage, you know that Michael, you follow politics.

BTW, it's interesting how I go and say the most bipartisan thing I've ever said on these boards and you still take it as a dig on Harper.

I didn't take is a dig.

I agree there is a an advantage to being PM. I merely asked you to quantify it. Why did you take my question as a dig?

I was serious about thinking that the key to the next election will come down to campaign strategy and style.

For that reason alone I think the Conservatives are looking very, very good to win.

[BC_chick]

I didn't take is a dig.

I agree there is a an advantage to being PM. I merely asked you to quantify it. Why did you take my question as a dig?

I was serious about thinking that the key to the next election will come down to campaign strategy and style.

For that reason alone I think the Conservatives are looking very, very good to win.

I disagree, I tend to agree with the political analysts who predict January 2006, the sequel. People were starting to warm up to Harper for a while and there was all talks of an impending election, but for whatever reason, things cooled down again. Meanwhile, Dion didn't manage to get people warmed up to him either and as we can see neither party is now pushing too much for an election.

It's all personal opinion and speculation here, but I'm guessing Harper's environmental policies aren't sitting too well with people while his attack ads have them worried about Dion as a prime minister.