TORY VOTERS MORE SKEPTICAL ABOUT LOOSENING IMMIGRATION RULES

[Ottawa – January 28, 2010] – Canadians are giving the federal government strong support for its efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti earlier this month. However, this is not giving the ruling party the lift it might have expected in the race with the opposition parties.

Two-thirds of Canadians say the speed of the government’s actions is just right. Just over half say the scale of resources devoted to relief and reconstruction is just right. And while many Tory supporters don’t like the government’s decision to loosen immigration rules to… [More...]

Posted on January 28th, 2010 under National Results. Comments: None

SIGN THAT SHIFT MAY BE STRUCTURAL

[Ottawa – January 28, 2010] - For the second week in a row, the opposition Liberals are in a dead heat with the ruling Conservatives – now nominally ahead, in fact – a sign that the government’s adroit handling of the Haiti crisis has not reversed its steady decline in voters’ favour, which began mid-autumn.

“There is no evidence that the government’s actions on Haiti are providing any relief in the Conservatives’ decline from clear dominance of the political landscape in October to basic parity with the Liberals today,” said EKOS President Frank Graves. “At this… [More...]

Posted on January 28th, 2010 under National Results. Comments: 5

“HAITI EFFECT” NOT YET BOOSTING TORIES

[Ottawa – January 21, 2010] - The federal Liberals have pulled into a virtual tie with the Conservatives in the past week – the first time they have drawn so close to the governing party since late summer.

“The Conservative Party has been in decline since mid-October,” said EKOS President Frank Graves. “However, for the first time it is possible to say that the Liberals have also had a rebound – albeit a more modest one.”

The Liberals sunk into the mid-20 percent range in the fall after threatening to force an election. Today’s poll marks the… [More...]

Posted on January 21st, 2010 under National Results. Comments: 6

MANY CANADIANS GRUMPY ABOUT COST OF OLYMPICS – ESPECIALLY IN B.C.

[Ottawa – January 14, 2010] – A slim plurality of Canadians say that too much is being spent on the Winter Olympic games to be held in Vancouver next month, although almost as many say that “just the right amount is being spent”. Just seven per cent say that too little is being spent.

“Perhaps the most startling element of this poll,” said EKOS President Frank Graves, “is that in British Columbia, there is a veritable landslide for those saying that too much is being spent on the Olympics. Obviously, the… [More...]

Posted on January 14th, 2010 under National Results. Comments: 3

PROROGATION KICKS KNEES FROM UNDERNEATH GOVERNMENT

[Ottawa – January 14, 2010] - In a stunning turnaround for the ruling Conservatives, who were comfortably in majority territory just three months ago, the Tories now find themselves struggling to stay ahead of the opposition Liberals.

“For those who have been speculating as to whether Canadians really care about the ‘obscure’ issue of prorogation the evidence is now incontrovertible,” said EKOS President Frank Graves.  “Canadians have noticed, they do care and this is having a very negative impact on Conservative fortunes.”

The 15-point lead the Conservatives enjoyed over the Liberals in mid-October has tumbled to just… [More...]

Posted on January 14th, 2010 under National Results. Comments: 5

CLEAR LEAN TO DISAPPROVAL

[Ottawa – January 7, 2010] – Most Canadians say they are aware of Stephen Harper’s decision to prorogue Parliament, and among those who are there is strong disapproval – by a margin of about two-to-one.

“The initial evidence is that Canadians are indeed paying attention to the issue of prorogation,” said EKOS President Frank Graves, “and they don’t like it.”

“The Conservatives may have prorogued in part to stem the tide of bad news coming from the parliamentary committee investigating the Afghan detainee issue. However, prorogation may actually be giving new momentum to the downward slide in Tory support… [More...]

Posted on January 7th, 2010 under National Results. Comments: None