News

For Immediate release

 

Canadian Economic Concerns Trumps All Issues – Praxicus Survey
Canadians Reject Liberal-Led Coalition, Conservatives Tied in Toronto

Dec 5, 2008 – With the economy burning on the public mind, Canadians would prefer an election to a Liberal led coalition should the government fall in a vote of non-confidence. A survey just released by Praxicus Public Strategies also shows that the governing Conservatives now enjoy a commanding lead over their rivals, despite a majority belief that they should have taken a more consultative approach to the recent economic statement.

CONSERVATIVE SUPPORT INCREASES IN TORONTO

According to the survey, the Conservatives currently enjoy the support of 47% of decided voters, the Liberals 24%, Bloc 14% and the NDP at 8%. In the Liberal stronghold of Toronto (416), the Conservatives are neck-in-neck with the Liberals at 36% compared to 35% for the Conservatives. Despite some speculation that the Conservatives were hurt in Quebec as a result of the acrimonious debate over the role of the BQ in the coalition, the Conservatives continue to enjoy the support of 22% of voters in that province – identical to the share of the vote they received weeks ago. The Bloc slipped in Quebec by eight points to 31% to the benefit of the remaining parties (Liberals +4, NDP +1, Green +3).

DECIDED VOTE COMPARED TO ELECTION RESULT

NATIONAL AND SELECT SUB-REGIONS

 

Target Regions

Total

Quebec

Toronto

Survey Results

Conservative

47%

22%

35%

Liberal

24%

28%

36%

NDP

14%

13%

14%

BQ

8%

31%

 

Green

8%

6%

15%

 

 

 

 

 

Election Result, Oct. 2008

Conservative

37.6%

21.7%

25.8%

Liberal

26.2%

23.7%

46.2%

NDP

18.2%

12.2%

19.4%

BQ

10.0%

38.1%

 

Green

6.8%

3.5%

8.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Change Since Election

Conservative

9%

0%

9%

Liberal

-2%

4%

-10%

NDP

-4%

1%

-5%

BQ

-2%

-7%

0%

Green

1%

3%

7%

 

CANADIANS WANT BREAD, NOT CIRCUSES

When asked the most important issue facing the country, 54% cited the economy, a jump of 32 points since August of this year. Canadians are somewhat more concerned about the political gamesmanship as well, with 15% citing politicians as the number one issue, compared to 5% in August.

What would you say is the most important issue facing the country today?

 

Dec 08

August 08

The Economy

54%

22%

The Environment

3%

17%

Health Care

3%

12%

Fuel/gas prices / energy costs

0%

6%

The War in Afghanistan / Terrorism

1%

6%

Government/politicians

15%

5%

 

On the questions related to this week’s fight for power, 62% believe that the Conservatives made an error in judgment by not consulting enough with the other parties, while 67% disagree that the Conservatives should be replaced by the Liberal-led coalition. Canadians seem most concerned about the negative consequences of a $30 billion deficit (69% believe it would be negative for the country), while 65% believe it would be negative for the Bloc to have a veto over spending plans that they don’t agree with, and 63% believe that “Prime Minister Stephane Dion” would be negative for the country. On balance, Canadians are somewhat positive by the NDP influence in Cabinet, with 48% stating that this would be positive for the country, compared to 42% who believe it would be negative for Canada.

 

ELECTION IS THE FAVOURED PATH OF DEFEAT

Should the government fall as the result of a non-confidence motion, over half, 52% want a new election. By comparison, 38% want the Liberal-led coalition to take control of government, far fewer than the 62% of voters who supported the parties within the coalition.

If the government is defeated on a non confidence vote, should the governor general call an election, or give the Liberal-NDP- Bloc Quebecois coalition a chance to govern?

Call an election

52%

Give the Liberal-NDP-BQ coalition
a chance to govern

38%

Don't know

8%

Refused

1%

 

The survey of 1,000 Canadians was conducted December 2-4, 2008. The margin of error for a survey of this size is +3.1% nineteen times out of twenty.

 

 

Past News

Canadians Reject Dion-led Coalition - Focus on Economy (Dec 5, 2008) 

Analysis of 2008 Election - Public Opinion Poll Results

Canadians concerned about fuel prices and support Renewable Fuel Standard (Apr 30, 08)

Was Alberta Election Turnout
A Factor in 2008? (Mar 5, 08)

Embracing the Future of Television (Feb 3, 08)
www.ocanada.tv