Dion fourth most popular leader in Quebec.

[Canuck E Stan]

Leger poll reveals he's the fourth most popular leader in Quebec

When asked who would make the best prime minister, only 12 per cent of Quebecers said Dion, whereas 16 per cent said NDP leader Jack Layton and Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was way ahead with 36 per cent. Across the country however, Dion's in second place tied with Layton at 13 per cent support. Harper's still well in the lead nationally at 34 per cent.

Congratulations to Mr.Dion for making it into the top 5 in Quebec and in the top 3 for the rest of Canada.

[gc1765]

...and yet the polls show that the Liberals have about the same amount of support as the Conservatives. I guess Canadians like Harper, but don't like the Conservative party in general.

[jdobbin]

Congratulations to Mr.Dion for making it into the top 5 in Quebec and in the top 3 for the rest of Canada.

Didn't Bourassa once win a majority and not win his own seat?

[gc1765]

"...only 12 per cent of Quebecers said Dion, whereas 16 per cent said NDP leader Jack Layton and Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was way ahead with 36 per cent."

Someone double check my math: 12 + 16 + 16 + 36 = 80

What about the other 20%? Elizabeth May isn't at 20% is she?

...or for that matter: "Dion's in second place tied with Layton at 13 per cent support. Harper's still well in the lead nationally at 34 per cent."

13 + 13 = 34 = 60.

Maybe Duceppe has 40% support nationally?

[seabee]

You may use this link:

La Presse

to get more information.

One set of figures, if I understand properly, is for Canada as a whole, the other for Québec only.

[madmax]

Someone double check my math: 12 + 16 + 16 + 36 = 80

What about the other 20%? Elizabeth May isn't at 20% is she?

If you ask her, she could win any seat in Quebec. Or Any seat in Canada, and everyone loves her and she loves everyone and every politician is her close friend, and she could have run in Quebec or .........

Regardless, if she was at 20% in Quebec, Dion would be happy to be in 5th. I bet Elizabeth May would be happy to give her 20% of those supporters to Dion, because they are such good friends.

Now seriously, these numbers stink for Dion. Most numbers across Canada are not that good for Harper, but probably adequate enough. I am sure they would be higher if Harper wasn't so prone to making stupid, ignorant, and idealogical comments that serve no purpose to the electorate.

Laytons numbers are pretty good, particularly when compared to Dion. He is nowhere near Ed Broadbent who was clearly the most popular leader in Canada, and those facts never translated into a landslide of seats, but simply the highest total seats ever for the NDP.

So when people comment about the Liberal Polling numbers, being higher than Dion, this isn't good for Dion.

Harpers numbers are similar to the CPC polling numbers. I think the fact that Dion is so weak, that he is holding back a party that could make a comeback, if it had and idea, vision and integrity. He has been unable to show integrity inside Quebec, regardless of his personal stature.

Harper is different, his party is stalled, not falling, not gaining, and is stuck until they come up with an idea and vision. Their integrity is now getting challenged as the Canadian Public have lost any tolerance for wasting our money. Ironically this is now falling on the NDP to address as the Liberals words regarding accountability fall on deaf ears.

Harpers numbers are stalled depending on opinion, that he hasn't implemented Right Wing Policies enough and his base is straying away. Or that Harper hasn't move far enough to the Center to garner the majority he desires. This could be why his own numbers have stagnated, but I don't know whether he needs to move to the right or further to the Center?

I think these popularity poll figures of 36% for Harper are more a judgement Harpers public personality, and there isn't much anyone can do about this.

[Michael Bluth]

Now seriously, these numbers stink for Dion. Most numbers across Canada are not that good for Harper, but probably adequate enough. I am sure they would be higher if Harper wasn't so prone to making stupid, ignorant, and idealogical comments that serve no purpose to the electorate.

Laytons numbers are pretty good, particularly when compared to Dion. He is nowhere near Ed Broadbent who was clearly the most popular leader in Canada, and those facts never translated into a landslide of seats, but simply the highest total seats ever for the NDP.

So when people comment about the Liberal Polling numbers, being higher than Dion, this isn't good for Dion.

Harpers numbers are similar to the CPC polling numbers. I think the fact that Dion is so weak, that he is holding back a party that could make a comeback, if it had and idea, vision and integrity. He has been unable to show integrity inside Quebec, regardless of his personal stature.

Harper is different, his party is stalled, not falling, not gaining, and is stuck until they come up with an idea and vision. Their integrity is now getting challenged as the Canadian Public have lost any tolerance for wasting our money. Ironically this is now falling on the NDP to address as the Liberals words regarding accountability fall on deaf ears.

Well said.

This summer will be all about formulating that vision and communicating it.

I still think he'll get to the Fall of 2009 to govern.

The closer we get to the fixed election date the harder it will be for anybody, Government or opposition, to force an early election.

[Mad_Michael]

Congratulations to Mr.Dion for making it into the top 5 in Quebec and in the top 3 for the rest of Canada.

That poll result pretty much defines Dion a major failure as a leader of the largest federal party. Any position save that of number one is a political failure.

Given that Canada governs federally under alternating two party system, being 3rd most popular is tanemount to being named the "most disliked leader".

[Mad_Michael]

...and yet the polls show that the Liberals have about the same amount of support as the Conservatives. I guess Canadians like Harper, but don't like the Conservative party in general.

I think Harper benefits from the same thing that kept Chretien in power so long - the other party is in disarray and has a poor leader.

If the Liberals had a decent leader, then I'm thinking you could shave more than a few points off the Conservatives. Harper should just count himself lucky right now and make the best of it. The Liberal party is quite unlikely to stay non-functional for very long. They have a long history of picking electoral winners. Dion may be a dud, but the next leader likely won't be.

[capricorn]

Dion said that, if elected Prime Minister, he will "implement an Action Plan for Official Languages even more vigorous than the one he shepherded as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in 2003". Here is their press release.

http://www.liberal.ca/story_12834_e.aspx

I think the Liberals are going overboard on an issue which is not too popular outside Quebec or the National Capital Region.

Keep it up, Dion.

[Leafless]

Dion said that, if elected Prime Minister, he will "implement an Action Plan for Official Languages even more vigorous than the one he shepherded as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in 2003". Here is their press release.

http://www.liberal.ca/story_12834_e.aspx

I think the Liberals are going overboard on an issue which is not too popular outside Quebec or the National Capital Region.

Keep it up, Dion.

What makes you think it is popular in the 'National Capital Region' federal terminology for Ottawa/Gatineau.

I have never heard squeals of joy emitting from Ottawa, Ontario residents over federal 'official bilingualism', maybe in Gatineau, Quebec but certainly not from the large English speaking majority in Ottawa.

But what Dion said : "As Prime Minister of Canada , linguistic duality will be promoted as an opportunity rather than a burden and an obstacle."

Well, this is how it was promoted all along as a corrupt opportunity for Quebec Francophones and a burden and a obstacle for English speaking Canadians.

When Mr. Dion speaks he almost sounds as if English/French was a 50-50 proposition, when in reality it is approx. English 76% and French 24%.

There is no way you can turn that ratio into an opportunity for the English majority but only the French minority.

Regardless we all know bilingualism has succeeded only where it is forced and that is mainly federal employment. Other than that bilingualism in Canada as failed miserably and is nothing more than another federal welfare plan for Quebec.

[Michael Bluth]

Regardless we all know bilingualism has succeeded only where it is forced and that is mainly federal employment. Other than that bilingualism in Canada as failed miserably and is nothing more than another federal welfare plan for Quebec.

That's the key with language.

You can't really force a people to learn a language.

I really don't have a problem with a bilingual Federal civil service when jobs really do justify hiring bilingual employees.

[Mad_Michael]

Regardless we all know bilingualism has succeeded only where it is forced and that is mainly federal employment. Other than that bilingualism in Canada as failed miserably and is nothing more than another federal welfare plan for Quebec.

Too true.

Though, as long as it is just a make-work project for French speaking bureaucrats, it is just mildly annoying, not really consequential.

However, when the elitists get the delusion that French might be good for me personally that I get seriously annoyed. Dion is pushing this envelope and it is guarenteed to drive his numbers down further. Has this guy got any clue at all?

[capricorn]

Dion said that, if elected Prime Minister, he will "implement an Action Plan for Official Languages even more vigorous than the one he shepherded as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in 2003". Here is their press release.

http://www.liberal.ca/story_12834_e.aspx

I think the Liberals are going overboard on an issue which is not too popular outside Quebec or the National Capital Region.

Keep it up, Dion.

What makes you think it is popular in the 'National Capital Region' federal terminology for Ottawa/Gatineau.

I have never heard squeals of joy emitting from Ottawa, Ontario residents over federal 'official bilingualism', maybe in Gatineau, Quebec but certainly not from the large English speaking majority in Ottawa.

But what Dion said : "As Prime Minister of Canada , linguistic duality will be promoted as an opportunity rather than a burden and an obstacle."

Well, this is how it was promoted all along as a corrupt opportunity for Quebec Francophones and a burden and a obstacle for English speaking Canadians.

When Mr. Dion speaks he almost sounds as if English/French was a 50-50 proposition, when in reality it is approx. English 76% and French 24%.

There is no way you can turn that ratio into an opportunity for the English majority but only the French minority.

Regardless we all know bilingualism has succeeded only where it is forced and that is mainly federal employment. Other than that bilingualism in Canada as failed miserably and is nothing more than another federal welfare plan for Quebec.

I have lived 50 of my 60 years in Ottawa and worked for the feds for 20. I know that the majority of bilingual positions are located in the National Capital Region and the majority of bilingual employees are francophone. Therefore, it is a foregone conclusion that bilingualism policies have a greater impact on the federal workforce here than outside the region. As of 2004, almost 18% of Ottawa's population was francophone. Source: page 6 of the following PDF doc:

http://www.spcottawa.on.ca/Documents/Repor...Final_Wards.pdf

This group of francophones is likely to approve Dion's plan to reinforce bilingualism because it would further enhance their employment opportunities with the feds.

Dion has not yet costed his new bilingualism initiatives. No doubt the cost will be substantial. IMO the only reason the Liberals are making this a priority is to win votes in Quebec.