EKOS/CBC Poll The Federal Landscape and Liberal Leadership January 19 th, 2003 www.ekos.com Methodology Telephone survey of the general public 1,001 completed interviews with a national random sample of Canadians 18 years of age and over (n=243 in Quebec) Interview period: January 14-16, 2003 National results valid within +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20 (Quebec: + 6.3%) The margin of error increases when the results are sub-divided It should also be noted that the refusal rate and other measurement errors could also increase the margin of error All the data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample s regional, gender and age composition reflects that of the actual population of Canada according to Census data.
The Federal Landscape EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Federal Landscape and the Leadership Debate Liberals are dominant, padding their already huge lead (52.1%) Liberals now lead in every region except in Prairies (three-way race) PC (13.8%) and NDP (13.6%) slightly up from 2000 election; NDP strength in Prairies, PC s strong in Alberta and the Atlantic CA fading badly (10.5%) BQ at one of their lowest historical scores (6.9%) Public overwhelmingly believes that Rock s departure signals no contest for the Liberal Leadership; perhaps more surprising is the clear lean to view this as a good rather than a bad thing (particularly amongst Liberal supporters) So much for national debate and renewal bring on the coronation!
Federal Voting Preference Election 2000 52.1% 40.9% 10.5% 25.5% 13.8% 13.6% Undecided: 25.8% Total sample: n=1001 12.2% 8.5% 6.9% 10.7% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% *Decided voters only: won t vote, undecided and refused respondents excluded; leaners included. Federal Voting Preferences 60% 2000 Election Results 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Dec- May- Elec- Nov- Mar- Apr-98 Oct- Dec- Jan- Mar- May- Jul-99 Oct- Dec- Feb- Mar- May- Jun- Jul-00 Oct- Oct Nov Nov Elec- Jan- Jun- Aug- Dec- Jan- 16-30- 16- Aug- Oct- Dec- 2003-96 97* 97 97 98 98 98 99 99 99 99 99 00 00 00 00 00 25* 15* 22* 00 01 01 01 01 02 May- May- Jun- 02 02 02 Jan 02 02 02 Liberal PC Reform/CA Decided voters only: won t vote, undecided and refused respondents excluded; leaners included
Federal Voting Preferences: Regional 60% 40% 20% 0% BC Alta. Prairies Ont. Que. Atl. Liberal 46% 35% 27% 60% 55% 59% CA 18% 26% 23% 8% 3% 3% PC 6% 27% 18% 17% 3% 26% BQ 31% NDP 23% 7% 31% 15% 5% 11% Other 8% 5% 2% 1% 4% 2% Liberal CA PC BQ NDP Other {Base: Decided voters only: won t vote, undecided and refused respondents excluded; leaners included} Liberal Leadership: Contest or Coronation? Q: Do you think that Allan Rock s withdrawal from the leadership race means that Paul Martin will become the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada without a real contest? Q: Do you think it is a good or a bad thing for the country? [Filter: Those saying Yes to Paul Martin becoming leader without a contest] Liberal Voters (n=265) 23 Good thing 51 62 18 58 Bad thing 31 24 Yes No DK/NR DK/NR 18 14 (n=1004) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 (n=585)
For more information: Frank Graves, President fgraves@ekos.com Christian Boucher, Executive Director cboucher@ekos.com t: 613 235 7215